Top 5 SSH Clients for Windows, Mac, and Linux

The SSH (Secure Shell) client is an essential tool for securely accessing and managing remote servers. For developers, system administrators, and network engineers, it's a part of daily life. In the past, specific clients were often tied to a particular operating system (OS), but now, cross-platform clients that offer a consistent experience across various OSs have become the mainstream choice.For today's IT professionals who work in diverse OS environments, we introduce the top five SSH clients that support Windows, macOS, and Linux and are still being actively developed and updated. These tools, carefully selected by selectd.tech, will elevate your productivity to the next level.

1. Wings for Windows (and more): Termius

Termius can be called the 'Swiss Army knife' of SSH clients. It is armed not only with a sleek and modern user interface (UI) but also with powerful features. Going beyond simple SSH connections, it offers SFTP for file transfers, port forwarding, and the ability to save and autocomplete code snippets, dramatically reducing repetitive tasks.The highlight of Termius is its cloud-based data synchronization. No matter which device you use, you can access your saved host information, port forwarding rules, and snippets, ensuring the best continuity for users working across multiple devices. The free version is powerful enough, but the paid plan, which includes team sharing features, truly shines in a collaborative environment.

2. The Powerful Terminal, Reimagined: Tabby (formerly Terminus)

Tabby is an open-source terminal emulator and SSH client built on Electron. It supports a high level of customization, allowing users to split screens, apply themes, and extend its functionality infinitely through various plugins.A key feature is its seamless support for various shells in the Windows environment, such as PowerShell, WSL, Git Bash, and Cygwin. It also has built-in serial port connection and SFTP file transfer capabilities, making it useful not only for developers but also for hardware engineers. Its active community and consistent updates make Tabby's future even more promising.

3. The Essence of Minimalism: WezTerm

WezTerm is a terminal emulator written in Rust that boasts outstanding performance through GPU acceleration. Its lightweight and snappy response speed provides a pleasant environment for users who work with numerous terminal windows open.In addition to its SSH client functionality, it supports various connection methods like serial ports and local shells. It notably features a built-in multiplexing capability, allowing for the efficient management of multiple sessions within a single window. For the minimalist who values speed and stability over flashy features, WezTerm is the best choice.

4. The All-in-One for Developers: Visual Studio Code (VS Code)

Strictly speaking, VS Code is not an SSH client, but the moment you install the Remote - SSH extension, it transforms into one of the most powerful remote development tools available. It allows you to enjoy an experience on a remote server that is nearly identical to editing code in your local environment.The biggest advantage of VS Code is its complete development environment integration. You can directly explore the remote server's file system, modify code, open a terminal to execute commands, and even debug. Since all development-related tasks can be handled in a single window, it keeps a developer's workflow seamless. If you already use VS Code as your primary editor, you may not need to look for another client.

5. A Classic Reborn: PuTTY

PuTTY has long been a favorite SSH and Telnet client for Windows users. Its greatest strengths are being lightweight, simple, and focused only on necessary functions. Recently, it has officially started supporting macOS and Linux versions, joining the ranks of cross-platform clients.While its UI may be somewhat unrefined and its features limited compared to the latest clients, its core values of lightness and stability remain valid. If you are looking for a fast and reliable tool for simple connections and basic tasks, PuTTY is still an excellent alternative. Its long history and reputation are a testament to its quality.