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Head-to-head · SSH Clients

SecureCRT vs XPipe

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score SecureCRT #12 in SSH Clients 8.1/10 30-day trial Free trial✓ 2 of 3 features Visit SecureCRT
XPipe #17 in SSH Clients 7.6/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 3 features Visit XPipe

SecureCRT leads on 0 checks, XPipe on 1, and 3 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 scoreSecureCRT · 8.1/10
  • Free planonly XPipe
  • Free trialonly SecureCRT
  • Most featuresXPipe · 3 of 3

SecureCRT scores higher on our rubric for ssh clients: 8.1 against 7.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #12 and #17.

XPipe offers free plan; SecureCRT doesn't. On session management, XPipe gives you Team where SecureCRT offers Workspaces.

SecureCRT is the better fit for professional users needing automation and security. XPipe is the better fit for homelabs and teams managing complex infrastructure.

  • SecureCRT fits best

    Professional users needing automation and security

  • XPipe fits best

    Homelabs and teams managing complex infrastructure

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 SecureCRT 8.1/10 Visit ↗ XPipe 7.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.1 7.6
Ranking #12 in SSH Clients #17 in SSH Clients
Best for Professional users needing automation and security Homelabs and teams managing complex infrastructure
Pricing model Paid Free plan + paid
Starting price $119/device one-time $40/yr
Free plan — ✓ (best)
Free trial 30 days —
Deployment Desktop Desktop, Self-hosted
Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux Windows, macOS, Linux
Support Email, Docs Email, Docs
Compliance 2FA GDPR
Integrations 1 integrations 16 integrations
Built for Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Enterprise
Features SecureCRT 2/3 · XPipe 3/3
SFTP support ✓ ✓
Port forwarding ✓ ✓
Team session sharing Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Specs
Supported protocols SSH1, SSH2, Telnet, Telnet/TLS, serial, RDP, SFTP, SCP, FTPS, HTTPS, FTP, HTTP, Xmodem, Ymodem, Zmodem, Kermit, and TFTP SSH, SFTP
Supported platforms Windows, macOS, Linux Windows, macOS, Linux
Session management Workspaces Team
Our review
Pros
  • Broad SSH, terminal emulation, forwarding, and SFTP capabilities
  • Automation with Python, VBScript, JScript, and PerlScript
  • Workspaces, tab groups, session managers, and saved snapshots
  • Unlimited Community connections with file management and shell scripting
  • SSH, SFTP, tunnels, jump servers, X11 forwarding, and chained tunnels
  • Integrations across containers, hypervisors, clouds, RDP, and VNC
Cons
  • No free plan for ongoing use
  • $119 starting price is charged per device
  • The 3-year plan covers updates, not a perpetual subscription
  • Team vault access is available with Professional-plan capabilities
  • Enterprise plans use customized pricing rather than a published rate
  • The desktop application is separate from self-hosted shared-vault options
Our verdict

SecureCRT is a desktop SSH client and terminal emulator for computing professionals, system administrators, and organizations managing remote systems. It runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux, combining SSH1 and SSH2 connections with support…

Read the review →

XPipe is a desktop connection hub for managing SSH servers, remote files, tunnels, and infrastructure tools. It suits homelab operators and teams working across complex environments, with support for Windows, macOS, Linux, and an API. Its…

Read the review →
  1. SecureCRTSSH Clients 8.130-day trial
  2. XPipeSSH Clients 7.6Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • SecureCRT — where it wins

    • Broad SSH, terminal emulation, forwarding, and SFTP capabilities
    • Automation with Python, VBScript, JScript, and PerlScript
    • Workspaces, tab groups, session managers, and saved snapshots

    Where it doesn't

    • No free plan for ongoing use
    • $119 starting price is charged per device
    • The 3-year plan covers updates, not a perpetual subscription

  • XPipe — where it wins

    • Unlimited Community connections with file management and shell scripting
    • SSH, SFTP, tunnels, jump servers, X11 forwarding, and chained tunnels
    • Integrations across containers, hypervisors, clouds, RDP, and VNC

    Where it doesn't

    • Team vault access is available with Professional-plan capabilities
    • Enterprise plans use customized pricing rather than a published rate
    • The desktop application is separate from self-hosted shared-vault options
  • SecureCRT8.1/10 · 30-day trial

    A deep, automation-ready SSH client for professionals who can justify a per-device license.

    Visit SecureCRTFull verdict →
  • XPipe7.6/10 · Free plan

    A capable SSH and infrastructure hub with a useful free tier and paid team options.

    Visit XPipeFull verdict →

All SSH clients comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update