Categories: Tools

Best SSH Clients for Linux: Top Tools for Secure Remote Connections

If you manage Linux servers regularly, you know how important SSH (Secure Shell) is. Whether you’re connecting to a remote VPS, managing cloud infrastructure, or troubleshooting servers, a reliable SSH client makes your work faster and more secure.

In this post, we’ll look at some of the best SSH clients for Linux — from simple terminal-based tools to full-featured GUI applications.

🔹 1. OpenSSH (Default and Most Reliable)

Best for: System administrators and command-line users

OpenSSH is the default SSH client installed on almost every Linux distribution. It’s powerful, lightweight, and trusted by professionals worldwide.

Key features:

Built-in on most Linux distros
Supports SSH, SFTP, and SCP
Key-based authentication
Supports tunneling and proxy connections

Installation example:

sudo apt install openssh-client

To connect:

ssh user@hostname

✅ Why use it: It’s fast, secure, and always available out of the box.

🔹 2. MobaXterm (via Wine)

Best for: Users who need a Windows-like SSH client experience on Linux

MobaXterm is originally a Windows SSH client, but it can be installed on Linux via Wine. It provides a graphical interface, tabbed sessions, and multiple remote protocol supports (SSH, SFTP, RDP, VNC).

Key features:

Multi-tabbed terminal
Built-in X11 server
SFTP browser
Session management

Install via Wine:

sudo apt install wine
wine MobaXterm_installer.exe

✅ Why use it: Great if you prefer GUI and want all remote access tools in one app.

🔹 3. Terminator

Best for: Power users who like multi-pane terminal sessions

Terminator isn’t just an SSH client — it’s a terminal emulator that allows multiple split views in a single window. Perfect for managing multiple servers simultaneously.

Key features:

Split terminal windows horizontally and vertically
Persistent layouts
Custom profiles for different SSH sessions

Install:

sudo apt install terminator

✅ Why use it: Excellent for multitasking across multiple SSH sessions.

🔹 4. Remmina

Best for: Desktop users who prefer a full GUI

Remmina is a powerful remote desktop and SSH client designed for the GNOME desktop environment. It supports SSH, RDP, VNC, and more.

Key features:

User-friendly graphical interface
Multiple connection types
Saved profiles with credentials
Tabbed sessions

Install:

sudo apt install remmina

✅ Why use it: Ideal for users who prefer point-and-click management.

🔹 5. PuTTY (Linux Version)

Best for: Users familiar with PuTTY on Windows

PuTTY is one of the most popular SSH clients for Windows, and it’s also available for Linux. While minimalistic, it’s reliable and supports both key and password authentication.

Install:

sudo apt install putty

To connect:

putty user@hostname

✅ Why use it: Lightweight, familiar interface, and cross-platform compatibility.

🔹 6. Tilix

Best for: Developers and sysadmins who want modern terminal management

Tilix is a tiling terminal emulator that allows multiple SSH sessions in a grid layout. It’s similar to Terminator but more modern and feature-rich.

Key features:

Drag-and-drop terminal reordering
Session persistence
Quake-style drop-down terminal

Install:

sudo apt install tilix

✅ Why use it: Flexible, visually appealing, and efficient for SSH multitasking.

🔹 7. VS Code Remote SSH Extension

Best for: Developers managing code on remote servers

If you use Visual Studio Code, you can install the Remote – SSH extension to edit files directly on your remote server over SSH.

Key features:

Remote code editing and debugging
Integrated terminal
File sync and version control support

✅ Why use it: Perfect for developers who prefer coding directly on remote environments.

🔹 8. Termius

Best for: Modern SSH management with cloud sync and device access**

Termius is a cross-platform SSH and SFTP client available for Linux, macOS, Windows, Android, and iOS. It offers a clean GUI, saved host groups, and secure cloud sync, making it perfect for sysadmins who work across multiple devices.

Key features:

Intuitive GUI interface
Grouped host management
Built-in SFTP file transfer
End-to-end encryption for saved credentials
Sync sessions between desktop and mobile devices

Install on Linux (AppImage example):

wget https://autoupdate.termius.com/linux/Termius.deb
sudo dpkg -i Termius.deb

✅ Why use it: Combines usability, security, and cross-device convenience — perfect for professionals managing multiple servers daily.

SSH Client	Interface Type	Supports Multiple Sessions	Key Authentication	SFTP / File Transfer	GUI Support	Cross-Platform	Best For
OpenSSH	CLI	✅ Tabs via tmux/screen	✅ Yes	✅ SCP/SFTP	❌ No	✅ Yes	Sysadmins and Linux pros
MobaXterm (via Wine)	GUI	✅ Tabs	✅ Yes	✅ Built-in SFTP	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	Windows-style experience
Terminator	CLI	✅ Split panes	✅ Yes	❌ No	❌ No	✅ Yes	Power users, multitasking
Remmina	GUI	✅ Tabs	✅ Yes	✅ Built-in	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	Desktop users
PuTTY	GUI	❌ Single session	✅ Yes	❌ No	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	Users familiar with PuTTY
Tilix	CLI/GUI hybrid	✅ Split panes	✅ Yes	❌ No	✅ Minimal	✅ Yes	Developers, multitasking
VS Code SSH Extension	GUI/IDE	✅ Tabs/Projects	✅ Yes	✅ File sync	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	Developers editing remotely
Termius	GUI	✅ Tabs and Groups	✅ Yes	✅ Built-in SFTP	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	Modern, cross-device SSH management