Top 5 Best SSH Clients for Windows

Unlike macOS and Linux, Windows does not have built-in tools for working with SSH. Therefore, to access a remote computer or server, Microsoft OS users need to install additional programs.

The good news is that there is a wide range of such utilities available, and you can easily find the right one for your needs. Here, we’ll introduce you to 5 of the most popular SSH clients.

PuTTY

One of the most well-known utilities. And for good reason: simple interface (though some may find it outdated), a rich set of features, and open-source code — all of these factors make PuTTY a solid choice for any sysadmin using Windows.

PuTTY was originally designed only for Windows but has since been ported to Unix-like systems as well.

KiTTY

This program is a fork of PuTTY. The developers took the PuTTY source code, added new features, and ended up with an advanced SSH client. Though not as popular among webmasters as the original, KiTTY offers improved features compared to PuTTY, such as script support, automatic login with a password, certificate usage, and more.

Additionally, KiTTY can operate in graphical mode: it supports not only text-based SSH but also X11 Forwarding, allowing you to run GUI applications via SSH.

Solar-PUTTY

This utility has an appealing design and several features not found in free clients, such as:

• Support for multiple connections in one window: the main advantage of Solar-PuTTY is that it allows you to work with multiple sessions in a single window. This significantly simplifies managing numerous connections since you don’t need to open separate windows for each session.
• Automatic connection to hosts: the program allows you to set up automatic connection to saved hosts. This simplifies the connection process, especially if you need to regularly connect to the same server.
• Windows integration: Solar-PuTTY integrates with the system search engine, greatly speeding up the workflow.
  Support for various protocols: in addition to standard SSH, Solar-PuTTY supports protocols such as SFTP, Telnet, and RDP. This makes the program more versatile and suitable for various scenarios when working with remote servers.

Xshell

Xshell is a multifunctional and flexible SSH client with advanced features for users who need to work with multiple remote servers and automate tasks.

The main reason users love Xshell is its powerful script support. The program allows you to automate tasks using built-in scripts (for example, written in jаvascript), which helps speed up routine operations.

Tabby Terminal

A beautiful program, with a strong emphasis on modern UI design. It supports themes, color schemes, and custom fonts.

However, behind the attractive interface lies a powerful modern terminal emulator. The utility supports SSH, Telnet, Serial connections, plugin installation, and tabbed browsing just like in a web browser, making it easier to work with multiple servers simultaneously.

Whether you prefer the minimalist and proven PuTTY or the modern and stylish Tabby, any of the programs in our top list will handle the tasks effectively and help you efficiently manage virtual servers or dedicated servers.