Best Putty Alternative for Linux: Top 7 Tools for SSH Clients

Putty Alternative for Linux
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SSH has become one of the most trusted protocols for accessing remote Linux servers and devices due to its sensitivity in maintaining the security of connections and information. In the meantime, PuTTY, as a popular and lightweight SSH client, allows you to manage servers and execute remote commands via the SSH protocol.

Now, if you have reviewed your requirements and realized that you need a Putty alternative for Linux, many tools have the potential to become the right SSH Client for you.

OpenSSH, Remmina, and Termius are popular tools for secure SSH remote connections. Examining their advantages and disadvantages can help you make the right choice.

To take advantage of these tools, it is essential to have a secure and stable infrastructure. A Linux VPS Server can provide an ideal environment for managing remote servers and using advanced SSH capabilities.

7 Best PuTTY Alternatives for Linux

Here’s a List of the most widely used SSH clients for Linux to help you make the right choice.

1. OpenSSH

Pricing: Free

Interface: CLI

OpenSSH is the most well-known SSH client for Linux, and it is installed by default in most Linux distributions. It can be used for SSH tunneling, establishing remote connections, and transferring files between devices.

Pros

  • Free and open-source
  • Lightweight and Ease to Use
  • Compatible with a variety of platforms, including Windows, macOS, and BSD
  • Supports SCP, SSH, and STFP protocols
  • Encrypts traffic between server and client with RSA and ECDSA
  • Supports the ssh-keygen tool to promote more secure logins
  • Supports the SCP protocol to transfer files between two devices more securely
  • Data compression to improve network performance
  • Supports strong authentication methods, including one-time passwords and public keys
  • Supports port forwarding

Cons

  • It is challenging for beginners to use the command line
  • No support for graphical features
  • No advanced session management features
  • No support for protocols such as FTP and RDP

2. Remmina

Pricing: Free

Interface: GUI

Remmina is a graphical remote desktop client designed for Linux users, allowing server connections via protocols like SSH, RDP, and VNC. It provides a secure and convenient way to manage remote connections.

Pros

  • Free and open-source
  • Simple and user-friendly interface
  • Supports connections to a wide variety of operating systems
  • Supports various protocols such as VNC, SPICE, SSH, XDMCP, X2GO, and NX
  • Ability to customize the user interface and management settings
  • Supports file transfer between local and remote devices
  • Saves connection profiles for faster access
  • Manages multiple sessions in a single window with a tabbed interface
  • Supports multiple displays

Cons

  • Performance issues in heavy remote connections
  • Lack of support for some advanced SSH features, such as tunneling
  • Poor graphics in some protocols
  • It is challenging for beginners to configure specific settings and options

3. Termius

Pricing: Free + Paid

Interface: GUI

Termius is a graphical SSH and Telnet client available in free and paid versions. It can be installed and used cross-platform on various devices, including Linux, Windows, and Mac. Due to its advanced features, it has become an ideal choice for teamwork.

Pros

  • User-friendly and beautiful interface
  • Compatible with a variety of platforms
  • Free version for personal use
  • Supports SSH, FTP, and Mosh protocols
  • Ability to customize settings such as themes and fonts
  • Synchronize data, credentials, and configurations across devices via the cloud
  • Generate RSA/DSA keys in the program for secure authentication
  • Connect to unlimited devices in paid versions
  • Port forwarding and terminal sharing via a link for all versions

Cons

  • Lack of support for remote desktop protocols such as RDP and VNC
  • Limited features in the free version
  • Lack of advanced graphics capabilities
  • High resource consumption in desktop versions
  • Advanced features requiring payment

4. SecureCRT

Pricing: Paid

Interface: GUI

SecureCRT is a professional terminal emulator that can be used as a Linux SSH client. This tool supports all data transfer protocols and provides high performance and security for all connections and transfers. Although using this tool and its features requires payment, you can try its 30-day free trial and then purchase the dedicated and paid version.

Pros

  • Supports a variety of protocols such as SSH, Telnet, RDP, SFTP, and Serial
  • Compatible with a variety of platforms
  • Easily manage from a single session to thousands of simultaneous Connections
  • Automate tasks to boost productivity
  • Work more efficiently with tabbed sessions for better organization
  • Implement strong encryption and authentication protocols to enhance security
  • Customizable user interface
  • Supports SSH keys

Cons

  • High Cost and Paid Version
  • Cost of accessing additional features such as session restoration or Regular software updates
  • Complexity for Beginners
  • High resource consumption

5. Terminator

Pricing: Free

Interface: GUI/CLI

Terminator, like SecureCRT, is a terminal emulator that supports SSH connections. It allows you to manage multiple SSH connections from a single window. Enabling terminal screen splitting for SSH connections significantly boosts efficiency and productivity, establishing itself as a sophisticated PuTTY alternative for Linux.

Pros

  • Free and open-source
  • Cross-platform
  • Send commands to multiple terminals
  • Automatically save terminal content
  • Manage multiple SSH connections simultaneously
  • Split the screen between SSH sessions
  • Provides customization features to personalize the user experience

Cons

  • Complicated configuration for Beginners
  • No graphical interface support
  • There is no support for some advanced SSH features, such as auto-connect or SSH key management
  • No support for protocols such as Telnet or RDP
  • Performance drops when opening too many windows

6. WindTerm

Pricing: Free

Interface: GUI/CLI

WindTerm is a new and modern terminal that allows Linux users to connect to remote servers and execute commands quickly. It supports various protocols, such as SSH, SFTP, and RDP, and offers tab management and file transfer features.

Pros

  • Free and open-source
  • High speed and performance
  • Supports various protocols such as SSH, SFTP, RDP, and VNC
  • Manage tabs and windows simultaneously
  • Simple and fast file transfer
  • Supports scripting
  • Low resource consumption

Cons

  • No support for a graphical interface
  • Limited customization capabilities
  • Incompatibility with some versions of operating systems

7. Tilix

Pricing: Free

Interface: GUI/CLI

If you want a powerful and flexible graphical terminal emulator for simultaneous SSH connections, Tilix is ​​an excellent option. It maximizes productivity by allowing you to split windows and manage multiple sessions simultaneously. Its sleek design and support for advanced features like drag-and-drop and full customization make it ideal for developers and system administrators.

Pros

  • Free and open-source
  • Lightweight and fast
  • Beautiful and modern interface
  • Ability to split windows
  • Transfer files with drag-and-drop
  • Ability to customize themes, fonts, and interface colors
  • Support for saving and loading layouts
  • Support for audio and visual alerts

Cons

  • Complex for Beginners
  • Depends on GTK3 for execution
  • Lack of support for some native SSH features like key management
  • High resource consumption
  • Crash during long sessions

Table Comparison of the Top SSH Clients for Linux

# Protocol Support User Interface Multi-Session Ease of Use Customization Security Cost
OpenSSH SSH, SFTP, SCP CLI Low Low Very High Free
Remmina SSH, RDP, SFTP, VNC, SPICE, NX GUI ✔️ High Moderate High Free
Termius SSH, FTP, Mosh GUI ✔️  Very High Very High Very High Free/Paid
SecureCRT SSH, Telnet, RDP, SFTP, Serial GUI ✔️ Moderate High Very High Paid
Terminator SSH, SFTP, SCP, Mosh, FTP GUI/CLI ✔️ Moderate Moderate High Free
WindTerm SSH, SFTP, SCP, Telnet, FTP, Serial, Mosh GUI/CLI ✔️ Moderate High High Free
Tilix SSH, SFTP, SCP, Telnet, FTP, Mosh GUI/CLI ✔️ High Very High High Free

How do you choose the right SSH client for Linux?

When choosing the best SSH clients for Linux, you should consider a few essential factors:

  • Compatibility with Different Linux Distributions
  • Cross-Platform Support
  • Switching the speed and performance of the SSH client to your workflow needs
  • multiple session management
  • customization options like color schemes, fonts, and shortcuts
  • Security Options such as SSH Keys and Two-Factor Authentication
  • Session Logging and Monitoring
  • Port Forwarding and Tunneling
  • Session Persistence and Auto-Reconnect

Considering these factors, you can choose the best SSH client that suits your security, performance, and customization needs.

GUI vs. CLI SSH Clients: Which One is Right for You?

As you know, the interface of SSH clients for Linux can be either graphical or command-line. When deciding which client to choose, you should check the advantages/disadvantages of which interfaces best suit your needs.

Command-line-based SSH clients are more powerful and flexible, and if you have the necessary skills and knowledge to use them, you can increase the speed and efficiency of your work.

Also, SSH clients usually support security features such as port forwarding, SSH key authentication, and even proxies.

However, the need for specialized knowledge and the lack of a graphical interface are the most important disadvantages of this type of client, which can make things difficult for beginners.

Graphical clients present features and settings visually, making them easy to work with. Also, managing multiple sessions simultaneously is one of these tools' main features, which is key in SSH connections.

These tools can also have disadvantages, such as higher resource consumption and a lack of advanced CLI features. So!

Use CLI-based SSH clients if:

  • You are a system administrator or professional developer who needs high power and flexibility.
  • You are an experienced Linux user looking for high performance and speed.
  • You need to script and automate tasks.

Use GUI-based SSH clients if:

  • You are a Linux novice who prefers to use the client easily.
  • You need to frequently manage multiple SSH sessions simultaneously.
  • You need an intuitive user interface and customization settings.

Conclusion

When choosing the best SSH client for Linux, you must consider your specific needs. If you’re looking for something lightweight, fast, and inexpensive, OpenSSH or Termius are good options. Tools like Remmina and Tilix are great for beginners or those needing a graphical interface. Also, if you need advanced security features, SecureCRT is a good choice with its professional capabilities.

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