Meet the best free SSH client: Termius

Why a real SSH client matters

The default options on most desktops are either bare-bones (ssh from PowerShell or Terminal) or aged (PuTTY on Windows).

They work, but they leave a lot on the table:

• No central place to store hosts with their own keys, ports, jump hosts etc.
• No sync between machines
• File transfer (SFTP) needs a separate tool.

A modern SSH client folds all of this into one window, and Termius is the cleanest free option around.

What Termius is

A cross-platform SSH client (Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android) with a polished UI and a few features that make daily use painless:

• Host library with tags, search, and folders.
• Built-in key manager (generate, import, attach to hosts).
• SFTP browser in the same window: drag files directly in and out.
• Port forwarding with a UI instead of memorizing -L / -R syntax.
• Optional account sync: register and everything follows you on every device.

It’s also the only mainstream SSH client whose mobile apps are genuinely usable: handy when something breaks at 11pm and the laptop is not around ;)

Installation

Pick the platform from https://termius.com/download.

• Windows: .exe installer, regular Windows install dance.
• macOS: .dmg, drag into /Applications.
• Linux: .deb / .rpm / Snap / Flatpak depending on distro.

The first launch asks for an account. You can skip and use it offline, but most of the perks (sync across devices, mobile pairing…) require signing in.

The free tier is fine for that — see the section below.

Features

SFTP

While connected to a host, click the SFTP button (or open Hosts → Right-click → SFTP).

Two-pane file browser, drag files between local and remote.

Way faster than opening WinSCP or FileZilla as a separate app.

Port forwarding

Port Forwarding tab → + New Rule:

• Local (-L): expose a remote port on localhost (e.g. local :8080 → server’s :80).
• Remote (-R): expose a local port on the server (less common).
• Dynamic (-D): SOCKS proxy.

Pick the host, the local port, the destination, and toggle on/off when needed.

No need to remember the ssh -L flags.

Free vs Paid

Termius pushes its Pro plan, but the free tier covers everything in this guide:

• Free: unlimited hosts, key auth, SFTP, snippets, single-device usage, account sync of host list.
• Pro (subscription): sync across multiple devices simultaneously, team sharing, history search, autocomplete, port forwarding presets.

For personal use on a single primary machine the free tier is more than enough, that’s why I recommend it.

The mobile apps (iOS / Android) are also free, and pair with the desktop app via account.