From PuTTY to MC22: comparing SSH clients

Today, many SSH clients have been written: from terminals built into the OS to domestic solutions like MC22. I decided to test popular options and compare which one would be better.

Built-in OS terminals

First, let's talk about what comes with the operating systems.

Windows Terminal

The latest versions of Windows 10 and Windows 11 include a built-in SSH server and an OpenSSH-based client. An SSH session is started on the command line using the command ssh user@machine. [источник]

This functionality supports simple SSH commands: connecting to a server, using keys, etc. However, this is still not specialized software.

The command line does not have a graphical interface for managing sessions; features such as tunneling are not available there. For simple tasks this may be enough, but for many servers and sessions it is better to find something more powerful.

macOS Terminal

macOS also has a built-in terminal. Getting started is similar: ssh user@IP-Address. [источник]

Protocols such as SSH, SCP and SFTP are supported, and you can work with *nix servers. But here, as with Windows, the options are limited.

Linux Terminal

In every Linux distribution, the command line allows you to set up ssh sessions, and there are no fundamental differences from the previous points. [источник]

Here it is possible to support ssh keys and work with different network protocols.

The disadvantages of the built-in Linux terminal are the same as in the two previous paragraphs. There is no graphical interface or convenient support for multiple sessions.

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The terminals built into the OS are still standard applications without additional customization options. They are suitable for managing a maximum of 1-2 servers. Therefore, it is worth looking for specialized ssh clients.

I tried the most popular solutions to see which ones would be better.

PuTTY

PuTTY is one of the most famous and oldest SSH clients. Once upon a time he solved the problem of how to connect from Windows to Linux servers. It is free and available for Windows and Linux.

Supports protocols such as SSH, Telnet, SCP, SFTP. PuTTY allows you to save sessions, connection configurations, SSH keys and other parameters, with its help you can implement port forwarding… [источник]

This is a powerful solution, but inconvenient purely from the point of view of user experience: you cannot open many tabs at once, for a new connection, in principle, you need to open the program again and again, and so on. To solve this issue, you can install PuTTY Connection Manager, but these are still additional steps. It is good to work with PuTTY when up to 4-5 servers are managed.

SecureCRT

The creators focus on its safety. [источник]

Works with many protocols: SSH 1 and 2, Telnet, rlogin, Serial. Supports working with multiple tabs.

In SecureCRT, routine tasks can be automated using scripts in Python and other languages, or using the script recording functionality. [источник]

However, this is paid software. In addition, when working with a large number of sessions, SecureCRT consumes more resources than PuTTY.

MobaXterm

Lightweight software for which, if desired, you can download and install plugins for every taste. [источник]

MobaXterm supports SSH, RDP, VNC, SFTP, SCP and FTP. It supports multiple tabs and the ability to create macros. You can manage multiple servers at once and run graphical applications on them.

MobaXterm is also a paid software. There is a Home Edition for it, but with greatly reduced functions: you can create no more than 12 sessions at a time, 4 SSH tunnels. In Home Edition you can create a total of 4 macros. This is not enough for full-fledged work, especially when you want to automate the routine.

SmarTTY

An SSH client for Windows designed with an emphasis on ease of use and advanced functionality. Allows you to copy files on the fly using SCP and edit them. [источник]

There is a built-in graphical manager that allows you to drag and drop files between your local computer and a remote server.

SmarTTY also supports multiple tabs. It’s not for nothing that the creators focus on convenience in terms of UX: the program is more similar to an old integrator than an SSH client, it’s good to edit files, everything is perfectly visualized. It is possible to configure tooltips on the command line.

It’s convenient, but you won’t be able to seriously administer servers with it. Few protocols are supported; more complex functions such as port forwarding are out of the question.

Xshell

A powerful solution with an intuitive interface: supports multiple protocols, task automation using scripts in different languages, and so on. [источник]

Xshell allows you to create custom profiles so you don't have to re-enter your login information every session. You can customize interface colors and shortcuts. It's even possible to create triggers that will be executed when certain commands appear on the screen.

A real monster – but also worth it. Prices start at $99 per year.

MS22

Domestic (oddly enough, the only one I found, domestic) SSH client that supports many protocols: SSH, SFTP, Telnet, Serial, RDP and VNC. Users have access to 24/7 support in Russian. [источник]

Like XShell, MC22 implements the functionality of bookmarks and user profiles. To save a session, you can bookmark it and link it to your profile: then you won’t need to enter your login details again and again. You can open several tabs with sessions in MS22.

The routine is completely automated: MC22 has compound quick commands (when several actions are performed at once), and it is possible to call these commands using a keyboard shortcut.

Something interesting: when you connect to MC22, SFTP is automatically connected to transfer files, that is, you don’t have to use separate software for working with files. I don’t remember this happening with other ssh clients.

It is possible to customize the design. The MC22 supports dual fonts for ASCII and non-ASCII characters to ensure file names are displayed correctly.

Conclusion

Having arranged it, we get a table.

Everyone chooses according to their needs. I completely miss what the built-in terminal can provide. PuTTY, a veteran in this field, is suitable for personal use.

Good corporate solutions with a convenient UX, as a rule, cost good money. In addition, in Russia, companies with state participation will not be able to use foreign software from next year.

As a result, MC22 was chosen for corporate needs. There are many protocols, convenience, and the ability to work in conditions of import substitution.