You need an SSH client to manage your VPS. Most people use the built‑in terminal on Mac/Linux, but Windows users often need third‑party tools. Here are 10 free SSH clients for Windows and Mac.
1. Windows Terminal + OpenSSH – Built‑In (Windows)
URL: Pre‑installed on Windows 10/11 (OpenSSH optional feature)
Windows 10 and 11 have built‑in OpenSSH client. Enable it in "Optional Features" – you can connect to your VPS directly from PowerShell or Command Prompt. Windows Terminal (free from Microsoft Store) adds tabs, theming, and better font rendering. No installation needed if OpenSSH is already enabled.
2. Terminal (macOS) – Built‑In (Mac)
URL: Pre‑installed (Applications/Utilities/Terminal)
Mac users have a built‑in SSH client in Terminal. Open Terminal and type ssh user@your_server_ip. It works perfectly. For a more advanced terminal, consider iTerm2 (free).
3. PuTTY – Classic Windows SSH Client
URL: https://www.baike300.com/article/142.html
PuTTY has been the default Windows SSH client for decades. Lightweight, simple, and reliable. It also includes PuTTYgen for generating SSH keys. The interface looks dated, but it works on any Windows system. Good for quick connections without setup.
4. MobaXterm – All‑in‑One Remote Toolkit (Free Edition)
URL: https://mobaxterm.mobatek.net
MobaXterm combines SSH, SFTP, X11 forwarding, and remote desktop in one application. The free edition supports up to 12 sessions. It also includes a built‑in SFTP file browser – drag and drop files between local and remote. Great for users who need more than just SSH.
5. Termius – Modern Cross‑Platform SSH (Free tier)
URL: https://termius.com
Termius has a clean, modern interface with tab support, synchronized bookmarks across devices, and multi‑platform (Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android). The free tier includes unlimited devices and basic features. Great for users who want a modern alternative to PuTTY.
6. KiTTY – PuTTY Fork with More Features
URL: https://www.9bis.net/kitty
KiTTY is a PuTTY fork with additional features: session filtering, URL hyperlinks, and portable mode. Runs on Windows only. It's 100% compatible with PuTTY but adds quality‑of‑life improvements.
7. WinSCP – SFTP Client with SSH Support
URL: https://winscp.net
WinSCP is primarily an SFTP client for file transfers, but it also includes an SSH terminal. You can transfer files and run commands in the same session. Great for users who need both file management and terminal access.
8. Bitvise SSH Client – Advanced Windows Client
URL: https://www.bitvise.com/ssh-client
Bitvise SSH Client offers advanced features: terminal, SFTP, tunnelling, and graphical file transfer. Free for personal use. The interface is more polished than PuTTY and includes strong encryption options.
9. Royal TSX – Free for Up to 10 Connections
URL: https://www.royalapps.com
Royal TSX is a powerful remote connection manager that supports SSH, RDP, VNC, and more. The free edition allows up to 10 connections. It includes tabbed sessions, credential management, and folder organization. Good for users managing multiple servers.
10. iTerm2 (macOS) – Terminal Replacement
URL: https://iterm2.com
iTerm2 is a free, open‑source terminal replacement for macOS. It's more powerful than the built‑in Terminal – tabs, split panes, search, and autocomplete. It includes SSH support via the built‑in ssh command. Essential for Mac users who spend time on the command line.
More resources: Check our technical tutorials or VPS reviews.