PuTTY is always the first pick for a Windows user looking for the best SSH client. However, things have evolved, and people are now looking for SSH clients that can do more than PuTTY. If you’re examining for something similar and want an SSH client with built-in file transfer and an SSH server, you’ve come to the correct place.
In this article, we’ll go through the top ten PuTTY alternatives that will help you with things like.
- Using a cloud server to log in
- Remote server management
- Credentials are saved.
- Support for multiple sessions enables easy access to recent sessions.
- It works with Windows search, among other things.
What is the difference between an SSH client and an SSH server?
Secure Shell, or SSH, is a protocol for securely connecting to distant servers over the Internet. It takes the place of Telnet and protects data from being intercepted. This means that data flow between devices on the same network can be encrypted via SSH connections. As a result, SSH clients are used when secure logins, file transfers, and access to headless computers are required.
SSH clients are also not available in older versions of Windows. PuTTY is included as an optional SSH client in the Windows 10 version. Let’s get down to the company and look at some of the top SSH clients for Windows and PuTTY alternatives. Using these clients, you can acquire command-line access to a remote system running an SSH server.
Alternatives to PuTTY and Best SSH Clients for Windows 2022
I uncovered various solutions for Windows SSH clients that can replace PuTTY. However, just a few made the cut due to their features, convenience of use, installation method, pricing, support, and documentation.
1. MobaXterm
Price – $69 per user
MobaXterm is another professional and popular PuTTY alternative for Windows. This full-featured Windows SSH client improves productivity by including capabilities such as an X11 server, plugin support, multi-execution, ssh tunnels, and more that aren’t available in other clients. MobaXTerm also automatically launches an SFTP browser, which makes connecting to remote machines simple. Although the free version has several limitations, such as creating just two SSH tunnels and running up to 12 sessions, it is sufficient to acquire a feel for the SSH client.
Website: https://mobaxterm.mobatek.net/
Features:
- SSH X11-Forwarding capabilities on a tabbed terminal
- X server embedded
- A client for SSH that can be carried around.
2. Solar PuTTY
Price – Free
Solar PuTTY is a new SSH client that enables several sessions in one console and has a multi-tab interface, making it one of the best PuTTY alternatives. You can save credentials, easily access recent sessions, manage numerous sessions, and search using this free SSH client and alternative to PuTTY. It also interacts with Windows search, which isn’t available with PuTTY. Solar PuTTY also supports the Telnet, SCP, SFTP, and TFP protocols, and it can be run straight from a USB stick without the need to install it.
Website: https://www.solarwinds.com/
Features:
- There is no need to install anything.
- Multiple sessions can be managed from a single console.
- When the connection is established, automate all scripts.
- Save your private keys for quick access.
3. mRemoteNG
Price – Free
This tabbed, multi-protocol SSH client is a fork of mRemote that helps manage remote connections on Windows. You may monitor all remote connections and undock panels, move them to the side, or go to another screen with mRemoteNG, the greatest PuTTY alternative. It also makes keeping track of connections a simple and allows you to import connections from Active Directory.
Features:
- RDP, VNC, ICA, Telnet, SSH, HTTP, rlogin, and other protocols are mostly supported.
- Connection to a raw socket
- SSH client with a tabbed UI that is extremely powerful.
- To split connections, use layered containers.
4. ExtraPuTTY
Price: Free
ExtraPuTTY is a PuTTY derivative with additional features and add-ons that simplify file transmission. You can sequence commands, and incorporate file transfer through FTP, TFTP, SCP, SFTP, ZModem, and more with this PuTTY replacement. It also allows you to automate command sequencing, URL hyperlinks, and login routines, among other things.
Website: http://www.extraputty.com/download.php
Features:
- Commands are sequenced automatically.
- FTP, SCP, Ymode, Xmodem, and other protocols are all supported.
- Easily alter PuTTY’s settings while in use.
- Pre-defined commands have keyboard shortcuts.
5. FileZilla
FileZilla is a free PuTTY alternative that provides an FTP solution for file transmission. You may share files over FTP and FTP over TLS with this SSH client. It also works with Dropbox, WebDAV, Google Cloud Storage, Amazon S3, and other services. You can resume and transfer huge files using it. This open-source software is licensed under the GNU General Public License, and it includes a bug and feature request tracker.
Website: https://filezilla-project.org/
Features:
- User interface with tabs
- Remote file editing is possible.
- Wizard for configuring your network
- Synced directory browsing and remote file search
6. Bitvise SSH Client
Price: Free
Bitvise SSH Client is used to connect to SSH servers and is compatible with all Windows and Servers versions. You can also run scripted commands and perform file transfers with this PuTTY alternative for Windows. It also allows you to log in to an SSH server’s terminal console and initiate port forwarding or file transfers.
Website: https://www.bitvise.com/download-area
Features:
- Remote desktop forwarding with a single click
- Tools for remote administration
- NTLM user authentication and single sign-on
- Construct an FTP-to-SFTP bridge.
7. SmarTTY
Price – Free
SmarTTY SSH client for Windows is a multi-tabbed SSH client that supports SCP and is free. Furthermore, with this PuTTY alternative, you can easily open new tabs and avoid the inconvenience of many windows. It also has a smart terminal mode, which auto-completes files, folders, and recently executed commands. Furthermore, the Windows-style GUI aids in the exploration of remote directory structures as well as the download and upload of single files using the SCP protocol.
Website: https://sysprogs.com/SmarTTY/
Features:
- SSH session with many tabs
- Mode of the smart terminal
- Files and entire folders can be transferred.
- Hex terminal built-in
8. ZOC
Price – starts at $79.99
ZOC, a well-known terminal emulator and telnet client with a fantastic user interface, comes in seventh on our list. You can scroll back, open multiple windows, and access text-based shell accounts from Windows and macOS with this SSH client, one of the best PuTTY alternatives. You can also connect to mainframes using Secure shell, Serial cable, Telnet, and other methods.
Website: https://www.emtec.com/zoc/
Features:
- Supports a large number of emulation options.
- A session with tabs and an overview screen
- Complete remapping of the keyboard
- Various logging and scrolling functions
9. WinSCP
Price – Free and open-source SSH client
It is used to transmit files. WinSCP offers a file manager as well as scripting capabilities. This SSH client comes with capabilities for transferring files between local and remote servers. It also transfers files using FTPs, FTP, S3, SCP, and other protocols. The file management functionality is what makes it the greatest PuTTY alternative.
Website: https://winscp.net/eng/index.php
Features:
- Text editor built-in
- Task automation and scripting
- Files can be copied between a local computer and a remote server.
- Multi-lingual
10. KiTTY
Price – Free
KiTTY is a fork of the original PuTTY SSH client that includes various add-ons that PuTTY lacks. After sessions are established, this finest SSH client allows you to use the launcher command to launch the starter and login scripts. It also has a lightweight chat and text editor tools and the ability to run local scripts on remote devices.
Website: http://kitty.9bis.net/
Features:
- Session filtering option
- Manage URLs and Hyperlinks with ease
- Commands/Passwords that are automatically generated
- Sessions that are automatically saved
Conclusion
We hope you found the comprehensive list of best PuTTY replacements for Windows useful. You may get all of the benefits that PuTTY lacks by using alternatives like SmarTTY, MobaXterm, KiTTY, and others listed above. Because the majority of the options are free and open-source, you can try them out to discover which one best suits your needs. If you’re looking for a recommendation, we recommend Solar-Putty and MobaXterm.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Is there a Windows equivalent to PuTTY?
Some well-known PuTTY equivalents include SolarWinds, MobaXterm, FileZilla, and KiTTY. You may safely share files with them, and they come with SSH-protected remote access.
Q2. Is there a better alternative to PuTTY?
PuTTY is inferior to a number of SSH clients. Solar-PuTTY is one of them, a program that allows you to manage remote sessions and connect to any device on your network.
Q3. Is PuTTY required for Windows 10?
PuTTY can be used to transfer files using SSL rather than RDPing.
Q4. What makes MobaXterm superior to PuTTY?
Whereas PuTTY is an excellent SSH client without an SSH server that permits command-line access to remote machines, MobaXterm supports SSH, VNC, FTP, and SFTP and has a tabbed interface so you can switch between them.