Suggestions appear as you type. Use the up and down arrows to choose one and Enter to open it.

This page's audience our own tag's counts — open to see them
–Visits
–Page views
–Clicks to vendors
–Time on page
–Reading now
Clicks to vendors, by tool
  • –
Top countries
  • –
Devices
  • –

– · visits, page views and clicks counted by our own tag, which counts more than our checked analytics; every figure rounded down · how we count

Head-to-head · SSH Clients

MobaXterm vs Xshell

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score MobaXterm #9 in SSH Clients 8.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 3 features Visit MobaXterm
Xshell #11 in SSH Clients 8.2/10 Free plan · 30-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 3 of 3 features Visit Xshell

MobaXterm leads on 0 checks, Xshell on 0, and 4 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 4 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreMobaXterm · 8.4/10
  • Free planboth
  • Free trialonly Xshell

MobaXterm scores higher on our rubric for ssh clients: 8.4 against 8.2 out of 10; our editors rank them #9 and #11.

On session management, MobaXterm gives you Team where Xshell offers Tabs.

MobaXterm is the better fit for windows users needing many remote protocols. Xshell is the better fit for windows users wanting mature session automation.

  • MobaXterm fits best

    Windows users needing many remote protocols

  • Xshell fits best

    Windows users wanting mature session automation

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature MobaXterm 8.4/10 Visit ↗ Xshell 8.2/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.4 8.2
Ranking #9 in SSH Clients #11 in SSH Clients
Best for Windows users needing many remote protocols Windows users wanting mature session automation
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price — $119/user one-time
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — 30 days
Deployment Desktop Desktop
Platforms Windows Windows
Support Email, Docs Email, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features MobaXterm 3/3 · Xshell 3/3
SFTP support ✓ ✓
Port forwarding ✓ ✓
Team session sharing ✓ ✓
Specs
Supported protocols SSH, SFTP, SCP, FTP, FTPS, Telnet, Rlogin, RSH, RDP, VNC, XDMCP, Mosh, Serial SSH1, SSH2, SFTP, TELNET, RLOGIN, SERIAL, RDP, FTP
Supported platforms Windows Windows 10/11; Windows Server 2012/2016/2019/2022
Session management Team Tabs
Our review
Pros
  • Supports SSH, SFTP, RDP, VNC, Mosh, serial and other protocols
  • Combines X11 forwarding, tunnels, file transfer and Unix commands
  • Offers multi-execution and shared session files for team workflows
  • Automates terminal actions with scripting, Quick Commands, and triggers
  • Combines SSH, SFTP, forwarding, jump hosts, logging, and RDP sessions
  • Organizes multiple connections through tabs, groups, and Session Manager
Cons
  • Windows-only platform support
  • Professional Edition costs $69 per user annually
  • Advanced limits and features require the Professional Edition
  • Windows-only, with support limited to listed Windows versions
  • Free licensing is restricted to home, school, and other non-commercial use
  • Paid plans start at $119 per user
Our verdict

For programmers, system administrators, developers and webmasters managing remote Unix/Linux and Windows systems, MobaXterm brings terminal access, remote desktops, file transfer and network utilities into one Windows application. Its…

Read the review →

Xshell is a Windows desktop terminal emulator and SSH client for connecting to remote systems. It suits administrators, developers, and technical teams managing multiple remote sessions, file transfers, forwarded connections, or terminal…

Read the review →
  1. MobaXtermSSH Clients 8.4Free plan
  2. XshellSSH Clients 8.2Free plan · 30-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • MobaXterm — where it wins

    • Supports SSH, SFTP, RDP, VNC, Mosh, serial and other protocols
    • Combines X11 forwarding, tunnels, file transfer and Unix commands
    • Offers multi-execution and shared session files for team workflows

    Where it doesn't

    • Windows-only platform support
    • Professional Edition costs $69 per user annually
    • Advanced limits and features require the Professional Edition

  • Xshell — where it wins

    • Automates terminal actions with scripting, Quick Commands, and triggers
    • Combines SSH, SFTP, forwarding, jump hosts, logging, and RDP sessions
    • Organizes multiple connections through tabs, groups, and Session Manager

    Where it doesn't

    • Windows-only, with support limited to listed Windows versions
    • Free licensing is restricted to home, school, and other non-commercial use
    • Paid plans start at $119 per user
  • MobaXterm8.4/10 · Free plan

    A broad Windows SSH client with remote desktops, file transfer, tunneling and team session features.

    Visit MobaXtermFull verdict →
  • Xshell8.2/10 · Free plan · 30-day trial

    A mature Windows SSH client with automation, forwarding, file transfer, and session management.

    Visit XshellFull verdict →

All SSH clients comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update