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Free Bitvise SSH Client alternatives: 5 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Nov 8, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

5 of the 6 Bitvise SSH Client alternatives we track can be used for free (free, open source, or with a free plan). Xshell, MobaXterm and Termius rank highest, with facts last verified Nov 8, 2026.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingVerified priceOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Xshell logoXshellFree plan + paid$119 perpetual, single userNoWindows5 of 561.8
2MobaXterm logoMobaXtermFree plan + paid$69 per user one-time (Professional)NoWindows5 of 554.4
3Termius logoTermiusFree plan + paid$10 a month, billed annually (Pro)NomacOS, Windows, Linux +27 of 750.0
4WinSCP logoWinSCPOpen source—YesWindows3 of 349.0
5PuTTY logoPuTTYOpen source—YesWindows, Linux0 of 046.2
  1. Xshell logo

    1. XshellTop pick

    Best for: Windows users juggling many SSH sessions who want tabs, saved commands and scripting

    Free plan + paidWindows

    61.8

    score / 100

    Why switch from Bitvise SSH Client

    Stronger tabbed session management and scripting, free for home and school use.

    Pros

    • Free licence for personal, home and school use
    • Session, tab and file managers make large host lists manageable
    • Triggers, quick commands and script recording cut repetitive typing
    • RDP sessions open in tabs alongside terminals

    Cons

    • Business use needs a paid licence, unlike Bitvise or PuTTY
    • Windows only; no macOS or Linux build
    • SFTP file transfer is a separate product (Xftp) or bundle
    Visit Xshell Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.377
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Xshell a good Bitvise SSH Client alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Free licence
    Personal and educational use only
    Checked Nov 8, 2026netsarang.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Starting price
    $119 perpetual, single user
    Checked Nov 8, 2026netsarang.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Devices per licence
    Up to 2
    Checked Nov 8, 2026netsarang.com(opens source in a new tab)
    RDP support
    Yes, in tabs
    Checked Nov 8, 2026netsarang.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Installs
    10M+
    Checked Nov 8, 2026netsarang.com(opens source in a new tab)
  2. MobaXterm logo

    2. MobaXterm

    Best for: Windows admins and researchers who need SSH with X11 forwarding and SFTP

    Free plan + paidWindows

    54.4

    score / 100

    Why switch from Bitvise SSH Client

    Adds tabs, an X11 server and many protocols in one Windows toolbox, with a free home edition.

    Pros

    • Built-in X server for remote graphical apps
    • SFTP browser opens automatically with SSH sessions
    • Many protocols and Unix tools in one app

    Cons

    • Windows only and closed source
    • Free edition limits saved sessions and tunnels
    • Cluttered interface
    Visit MobaXterm Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.352
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is MobaXterm a good Bitvise SSH Client alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Free plan
    Yes, Home Edition (max 12 sessions)
    Checked Nov 8, 2026mobaxterm.mobatek.net(opens source in a new tab)
    Free limits
    Max. 12 sessions, 2 SSH tunnels
    Checked Nov 8, 2026mobaxterm.mobatek.net(opens source in a new tab)
    Professional price
    $69 per user
    Checked Nov 8, 2026mobaxterm.mobatek.net(opens source in a new tab)
    Protocols
    SSH, X11, RDP, VNC, FTP, Mosh
    Checked Nov 8, 2026mobaxterm.mobatek.net(opens source in a new tab)
    Starting price
    $69 per user one-time (Professional)
    Checked Nov 8, 2026mobaxterm.mobatek.net(opens source in a new tab)
  3. Termius logo

    3. Termius

    Best for: People who manage servers over SSH from several devices, including phones

    Free plan + paidmacOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android

    50.0

    score / 100

    Why switch from Bitvise SSH Client

    Syncs hosts and keys across desktop and phone, unlike the Windows-only Bitvise client.

    Pros

    • Same client on desktop and mobile
    • Encrypted vault sync and team sharing on paid plans
    • Free plan allowed for commercial use

    Cons

    • Sync and sharing require a subscription
    • Closed source
    • Not a full replacement for a local terminal
    Visit Termius Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.338
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Termius a good Bitvise SSH Client alternative?

    Verified facts

    7 of 7 verified
    Free plan
    Yes, Starter, free for commercial use
    Checked Nov 8, 2026termius.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Pro price
    $10/month, paid annually
    Checked Nov 8, 2026termius.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Team price
    $20 per seat/month, paid annually
    Checked Nov 8, 2026termius.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Business price
    $30 per seat/month, paid annually
    Checked Nov 8, 2026termius.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Starting price
    $10 a month, billed annually (Pro)
    Checked Nov 8, 2026termius.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Team plan
    $20 per seat/month, billed annually
    Checked Nov 8, 2026termius.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Business plan
    $30 per seat/month, billed annually
    Checked Nov 8, 2026termius.com(opens source in a new tab)
  4. WinSCP logo

    4. WinSCP

    Best for: Windows admins and developers who move files to Linux servers and want to script it

    Open sourceWindows

    49.0

    score / 100

    Why switch from Bitvise SSH Client

    Open-source Windows file manager for SFTP/SCP if file transfer matters more than terminal work.

    Pros

    • SFTP, SCP, FTP, WebDAV and S3 in one free client
    • Scripting, command line and .NET library for automation
    • Portable version and folder sync

    Cons

    • Windows only
    • Interface is utilitarian
    • No consumer cloud drives like Google Drive or Dropbox
    Visit WinSCP Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.334
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is WinSCP a good Bitvise SSH Client alternative?

    Verified facts

    3 of 3 verified
    License
    GPL v3 or later
    Checked Nov 8, 2026winscp.net(opens source in a new tab)
    Protocols
    SFTP, SCP, S3, FTP
    Checked Nov 8, 2026winscp.net(opens source in a new tab)
    Automation
    Scripting and task automation
    Checked Nov 8, 2026winscp.net(opens source in a new tab)
  5. PuTTY logo

    5. PuTTY

    Best for: Windows users who need a small, dependable SSH or serial client

    Open sourceWindows, Linux

    46.2

    score / 100

    Why switch from Bitvise SSH Client

    Tiny, open-source and free; fine if you only need a terminal and can live without a built-in SFTP browser.

    Pros

    • Free, small and dependable
    • Saved sessions, key agent and file transfer tools
    • Serial and Telnet support for network gear

    Cons

    • Dated interface with no tabs
    • Uses its own PPK key format
    • Built-in Windows OpenSSH covers many basic needs
    Visit PuTTY Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.360
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1530
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is PuTTY a good Bitvise SSH Client alternative?

    Verified facts

    0 of 0 verified

    No sourced facts yet.