The best free SSH manager
without a subscription.
If you are comparing SSH clients — Termius, PuTTY, MobaXterm — here is where KnoticSSH actually differs. It is a free, independent SSH client and manager for macOS, Windows and Linux that keeps your keys on your own machine.
Feature comparison
| Capability | KnoticSSH | Termius | PuTTY | MobaXterm |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free for single-user work | Limited free tier | Free edition | ||
| Saved hosts, groups and search | Basic | |||
| Credentials encrypted on your device | ||||
| Works fully offline, no account | Account-based sync | |||
| Built-in VPN management | Partial | |||
| Integrated SFTP transfer | Separate tool | |||
| Remote file editor with project explorer | ||||
| Docker and Kubernetes views | ||||
| Live server metrics and log explorer | Partial | |||
| End-to-end encrypted team sharing | Paid add-on | Paid tier | ||
| macOS, Windows and Linux builds | Windows-first | Windows only | ||
| No ads, no telemetry sold |
Comparison reflects long-standing characteristics of each tool as of August 2026. Other products change their plans frequently — check their current pricing pages before deciding.
Why engineers switch
Everything stays on your machine
Hosts, SSH keys, passwords and terminal history live in your OS keychain and an encrypted local vault. No account is required to connect to anything, and the app works offline.
Security is the default, not a plan
AES-256 at rest, owner-only vault files, atomic writes, biometric or PIN app lock. None of it is gated behind a tier.
One tool instead of four
SSH sessions, VPN connections, SFTP, a remote file editor, Docker and Kubernetes views, live metrics and a log explorer — in a single window.
Common questions
What is the best free SSH client?
For a single engineer managing their own servers, KnoticSSH covers the whole job in one window: saved hosts with grouping and search, an AES-256 encrypted local credential vault, integrated SFTP, a remote file editor, built-in VPN management, Docker and Kubernetes views, live metrics and a log explorer. The full single-user feature set is free with no host or seat limits, and no account is required.
Is KnoticSSH a good Termius alternative?
It covers the same core ground — saved hosts, SSH keys, SFTP, a modern interface — and adds VPN management, Docker and Kubernetes views, live metrics and a log explorer. The difference most people care about is the model: KnoticSSH works entirely offline with no account, and its single-user feature set is free with no seat or host limits.
Where is KnoticSSH built?
In Kathmandu, Nepal, by Niraj Rawal — an independent software engineer. It is used by engineers worldwide, with native builds for macOS, Windows and Linux.
Will it stay free?
The core stays free permanently. Paid features may only ever be added on top where they carry real ongoing cost — team collaboration, hosted infrastructure — and anything that ships free stays free. See our vision for the full policy.