Best SSH Client 2024 for Secure Remote Access

Best SSH Client 2024 for Secure Remote Access

Top Picks for Every Platform

Top Picks for Every Platform

Software

7 min. read

August 24, 2024

Aug 24, 2024

What is an SSH Client?

What is an SSH Client?

An SSH (Secure Shell) client is a tool that allows you to securely connect to remote servers via encrypted communication. It's essential for developers, system administrators, and anyone who needs to access remote machines.


Choosing the right SSH client is crucial, as it can affect your workflow and productivity. In this guide, we’ve compiled the top SSH clients for Windows, compared their features, and selected the best one based on performance, usability, and features.

How We Selected the Top SSH Clients for 2024

How We Selected the Top SSH Clients for 2024

In our quest to identify the top SSH clients for 2024, we meticulously evaluated a range of options to ensure they meet the highest standards of performance and usability. Our selection process involved several key steps:


Comprehensive Feature Evaluation: We assessed each client for essential SSH functionalities, including support for SSH2, SFTP, SCP, and port forwarding. Additional features like session management, command snippets, and key-based authentication were also examined to determine their impact on productivity.


Performance Testing: Each client was tested for connection reliability and speed, ensuring it could handle secure connections and file transfers efficiently. We evaluated their ability to maintain stable sessions under various network conditions.


Usability Review: We considered the ease of use of each client, analyzing user interfaces for intuitiveness and simplicity. Both graphical user interfaces (GUIs) and command-line interfaces (CLIs) were evaluated to ensure they offer a smooth user experience.


Security Assessment: We scrutinized the security measures of each client, focusing on encryption protocols, key management, and additional security features like end-to-end encryption (E2E) and multi-factor authentication (MFA).


By following this rigorous process, we identified the SSH clients that excel in functionality, performance, and security, making them the best choices for remote server management in 2024.

Top SSH Clients for Various Platforms

Top SSH Clients for Various Platforms

1. Termius – The Complete SSH Solution Across All Devices

1. Termius – The Complete SSH Solution Across All Devices

Price: Free (with premium features)

Rating: ★★★★★

Best For: Developers, Sysadmins, Power Users

Why Termius Stands Out:
Termius stands out as a modern, all-in-one SSH client that provides a seamless experience across multiple platforms, including desktops and mobile devices. Its sleek, user-friendly interface and features like multi-device synchronization and in-app SFTP make it a top choice for users who value both functionality and convenience. With its secure end-to-end encryption and customizable command snippets, Termius makes managing servers efficient, whether you're on a desktop or mobile.

Pros:

Cross-platform support (Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android)

  • End-to-end encryption (E2E) for credentials and keys

  • Device synchronization across all platforms

  • User-friendly GUI with advanced features like snippets and command history

Cons:

• Some advanced features are only available in the paid version

  • May be overkill for users with basic SSH needs

2. PuTTY – Classic SSH Client for Windows and Linux

2. PuTTY – Classic SSH Client for Windows and Linux

Price: Free
Rating: ★★★★☆
Best For: Basic SSH tasks, Windows and Linux users

Why Choose PuTTY:
PuTTY is a classic, reliable SSH client known for its simplicity and versatility. It's perfect for users who need a lightweight tool with essential features. However, it lacks modern features like device synchronization or user-friendly design, which might limit its usability for advanced users.

Pros:

Free and lightweight

  • Open-source with support for SSH, Telnet, and more

  • Simple command-line interface (CLI) for basic tasks

Cons:

Lacks advanced features like device sync or a GUI

  • Limited to Windows and Linux platforms, no mobile support

3. Bitvise SSH Client – Security-Focused SSH for Windows

3. Bitvise SSH Client – Security-Focused SSH for Windows

Price: Free for personal use
Rating: ★★★★☆
Best For: Security-conscious users, developers

Why Choose Bitvise:
Bitvise SSH Client is well-suited for those who need a secure SSH and SFTP client. With its robust security features and simple user interface, Bitvise provides both power and flexibility for developers and sysadmins. However, it doesn’t offer as many advanced features or cross-device syncing as Termius.

Pros:

Strong security features, including encrypted SSH connections

  • Graphical SFTP support for file transfers

  • Customizable GUI and robust tunneling options

Cons:

• Only available for Windows

  • No cross-platform support or mobile apps

4. SecureCRT – Enterprise-Grade SSH for Windows, macOS, and Linux

4. SecureCRT – Enterprise-Grade SSH for Windows, macOS, and Linux

Price: Paid (30-day free trial)
Rating: ★★★★☆
Best For: Enterprise users, professionals requiring strong security

Why Choose SecureCRT:
SecureCRT is designed for enterprise-level users who need robust encryption and session management features. It supports multiple protocols and offers extensive configuration options but may be too complex for casual users.

Pros:

Strong encryption and customizable session management

  • Highly customizable GUI with scripting support (Python)

  • Supports SSH, Telnet, RDP, and other protocols

  • Excellent port forwarding and tunneling features

Cons:

Paid software with limited trial period

  • Overly complex for users who don’t need enterprise-grade features

5. OpenSSH – Default SSH Client for Linux and macOS

5. OpenSSH – Default SSH Client for Linux and macOS

Price: Free
Rating: ★★★★☆
Best For: Command-line users, system administrators on Linux and macOS

Why Choose OpenSSH:
OpenSSH is the default SSH client on Linux and macOS, providing powerful terminal-based management tools out-of-the-box. It’s perfect for users comfortable with the command line, but lacks a graphical user interface (GUI).

Pros:


  • Built into most Linux distributions and macOS

  • Supports SSH, SCP, SFTP with powerful CLI-based management

  • Free and highly reliable

Cons:


  • No graphical interface (GUI)

  • Requires command-line knowledge, which can be a barrier for beginners

Which SSH Client is Best for You?

Which SSH Client is Best for You?

Feature

Termius

PuTTY

Bitvise

SecureCRT

OpenSSH

Price

Free/$

Free

Free

Paid

Free

Feature

Termius

PuTTY

Bitvise

SecureCRT

OpenSSH

Feature

Termius

PuTTY

Bitvise

SecureCRT

OpenSSH

Price

Free/$

Free

Free

Paid

Free

Price

Free/$

Free

Free

Paid

Free

Price

Free/$

Free

Free

Paid

Free

Cross-Platform Support

Cross-Platform Support

Cross-Platform Support

Device Sync

Device Sync

Device Sync

Snippets & Commands History

Snippets & Commands History

Snippets & Commands History

Security (E2E Encryption)

Security (E2E Encryption)

Security (E2E Encryption)

SFTP/SCP

SFTP/SCP

SFTP/SCP

GUI

GUI

GUI

TUI/CLI

TUI/CLI

TUI/CLI

Platform

Latest Release (date/version)

2024/v7.0

2023/v0.81

2024/v9.39

2024/v9.5

2024/9.8

Latest Release (date/version)

2024/v7.0

2023/v0.81

2024/v9.39

2024/v9.5

2024/9.8

Concluding thoughts

Concluding thoughts

Selecting the right SSH client can greatly enhance your productivity and security. For those needing a versatile, cross-platform solution, Termius is the standout choice, offering advanced features like device sync, snippets, and secure encryption across Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android.


If you prefer simplicity, PuTTY is ideal for basic SSH tasks, while SecureCRT offers enterprise-grade security. Whatever your needs, this guide provides the insights to help you choose the best SSH client for 2024, ensuring safe and efficient server management.