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Head-to-head · SSH Clients

PuTTY vs WindTerm

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 3 checks side by side
Higher score PuTTY #3 in SSH Clients 9.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 3 features Visit PuTTY
WindTerm #8 in SSH Clients 8.5/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 3 features Visit WindTerm

PuTTY leads on 0 checks, WindTerm on 0, and 3 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 3 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scorePuTTY · 9.0/10
  • Free planboth

PuTTY scores higher on our rubric for ssh clients: 9.0 against 8.5 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #8.

On session management, WindTerm gives you Workspaces where PuTTY offers Basic.

PuTTY is the better fit for users wanting a proven free SSH client. WindTerm is the better fit for free users wanting a feature-rich desktop client.

  • PuTTY fits best

    Users wanting a proven free SSH client

  • WindTerm fits best

    Free users wanting a feature-rich desktop client

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 PuTTY 9.0/10 Visit ↗ WindTerm 8.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.0 8.5
Ranking #3 in SSH Clients #8 in SSH Clients
Best for Users wanting a proven free SSH client Free users wanting a feature-rich desktop client
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Free
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop Desktop
Platforms Windows, Linux Windows, macOS, Linux
Support Email, Docs Community, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features PuTTY 2/3 · WindTerm 2/3
SFTP support ✓ ✓
Port forwarding ✓ ✓
Team session sharing Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Supported protocols SSH, Telnet, Rlogin, SUPDUP, raw, serial, SFTP, SCP SSH, SFTP, SCP, Telnet, Raw TCP, Serial, XModem, YModem, ZModem
Supported platforms Windows and Unix Windows, macOS, Linux
Session management Basic Workspaces
Our review
Pros
  • Free and open source with SSH, SFTP, SCP, and port forwarding
  • Supports public-key authentication, Pageant, proxying, and X11 forwarding
  • Includes saved sessions, PSFTP, PSCP, and the Plink command-line client
  • Free for commercial and non-commercial use with no account required
  • Combines SSH, SFTP, forwarding, search, automation, and split-pane workspaces
  • Supports Windows, macOS, and Linux as a portable desktop application
Cons
  • Session management is basic
  • No release-quality Android, iOS, or macOS ports
  • Unix support is provided as source code rather than Windows-style executables
  • Limited to Windows, macOS, and Linux desktop systems
  • Local credential storage may not suit centralized credential workflows
  • Open-source coverage is described as partial in the project materials
Our verdict

PuTTY is a free, open-source client for terminal access, file transfer, and SSH networking. It supports SSH, Telnet, Rlogin, SUPDUP, raw network connections, and serial sessions, making it suitable for users who work across different…

Read the review →

WindTerm is a free desktop terminal client for developers, system administrators, and DevOps teams. It brings SSH, SFTP, Telnet, serial, and local shell sessions into one workspace, with support for SCP, Raw TCP, XModem, YModem, and…

Read the review →
  1. PuTTYSSH Clients 9.0Free plan
  2. WindTermSSH Clients 8.5Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • PuTTY — where it wins

    • Free and open source with SSH, SFTP, SCP, and port forwarding
    • Supports public-key authentication, Pageant, proxying, and X11 forwarding
    • Includes saved sessions, PSFTP, PSCP, and the Plink command-line client

    Where it doesn't

    • Session management is basic
    • No release-quality Android, iOS, or macOS ports
    • Unix support is provided as source code rather than Windows-style executables

  • WindTerm — where it wins

    • Free for commercial and non-commercial use with no account required
    • Combines SSH, SFTP, forwarding, search, automation, and split-pane workspaces
    • Supports Windows, macOS, and Linux as a portable desktop application

    Where it doesn't

    • Limited to Windows, macOS, and Linux desktop systems
    • Local credential storage may not suit centralized credential workflows
    • Open-source coverage is described as partial in the project materials
  • PuTTY9.0/10 · Free plan

    A capable free SSH client with broad protocol support and basic session management.

    Visit PuTTYFull verdict →
  • WindTerm8.5/10 · Free plan

    A capable free desktop client for SSH, file transfers, forwarding, and organized terminal work.

    Visit WindTermFull verdict →

More comparisons

All SSH clients comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update