Bast review
A free, open-source SSH organizer with SFTP, forwarding, key management, and encrypted sync.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Bast is a terminal application for browsing and organizing SSH hosts, managing OpenSSH keys, transferring files over SFTP, and connecting through the system SSH client. It reads existing SSH configuration files and adds host metadata, search, grouping, tagging, and favorites. The published product details show support for SSH and SFTP, with installation support for macOS, Linux, and Windows 11; WSL is supported through the Linux build. It is a strong fit for users who prefer a terminal-native workflow and want host organization alongside standard OpenSSH connections.
Its feature set covers more than connection launching. Bast provides dual-pane local and remote SFTP browsing, SSH key generation, import, export, and installation, plus local, remote, and dynamic port forwarding. CLI automation with JSON output also makes it suitable for scripted workflows. These capabilities give it useful breadth for individual administrators and developers who want one interface for host discovery, file transfers, keys, and forwarding without replacing the system SSH client.
Cloud connectivity is a central differentiator. Bast supports synchronization with GCP, AWS, Azure, box.ascii.dev, Upstash Box, Vercel Sandbox, and Hetzner Cloud. Its optional encrypted vault provides end-to-end encrypted synchronization for Bast-managed hosts and keys between machines. The open-source product has a free plan, so the main tradeoff is workflow fit rather than a paid tier structure. Choose Bast if you want an open-source, terminal-first SSH client with host organization and cloud-connected encrypted synchronization. Consider another option if you need a graphical interface, broader provider coverage, or a Windows version outside Windows 11.
Bast pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Organizes SSH hosts with search, groups, tags, and favorites
- Combines SFTP, port forwarding, key management, and CLI automation
- Encrypts synchronization for Bast-managed hosts and keys
- Where it doesn't
- Cloud synchronization is limited to supported providers
- Windows support is listed for Windows 11
- Terminal-based workflow may not suit users seeking a graphical client
Bast fact sheet, pricing and score →
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