[ VS MOBAXTERM Side by side ]
A MobaXterm alternative
for Mac, Windows and Linux.
MobaXterm is a Windows tool with an X server, RDP and VNC built in. Vaulterm is an SSH and SFTP client for Mac, Windows and Linux, with an encrypted vault, end-to-end encrypted sync and a built-in editor. They overlap on SSH, SFTP and tunnels.
Checked 2026-10-25 against the Mobatek pages under Sources. Prices change.
| Feature | Vaulterm | MobaXterm |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | macOS 13+, Windows 10+, Linux (AppImage, .deb, .rpm) | Mobatek says it is only supported under Windows, with no official Linux version |
| Price | Free. Pro $5 a month, $49 for 12 months or $349 once. Ultra from $24 for 3 months, or $499 once | Home is free. Professional is $69 or 49 EUR per user, excluding tax |
| Free-plan limits | Unlimited hosts. Tunnels are Pro | Home: up to 12 sessions, 2 SSH tunnels and 4 macros |
| SSH and SFTP | Yes, free. SFTP browser beside the terminal | SSH and SFTP sessions, listed on the features page |
| FTP and S3 | FTP, FTPS and S3 in Pro | FTP sessions. S3: not listed on mobaxterm.mobatek.net/features.html |
| X server and X11 forwarding | No | Embedded X server, with X11 forwarding in SSH sessions |
| RDP, VNC and XDMCP | No | RDP, VNC and XDMCP sessions |
| Serial | Yes, in Pro | Serial sessions |
| Macros and multi-execution | Snippets with variables, and broadcast input to panes | Macro recording, and multi-execution across servers |
| Encrypted vault with hostnames | Yes. Hosts, keys and passwords, hostnames included | Master password protection for saved passwords, in both editions (download page). Hostnames encrypted: not listed |
| Sync between devices | End-to-end encrypted on every plan: Free 5 items, Pro 250, Ultra 10,000 | Not listed on mobaxterm.mobatek.net/features.html |
| Code editor | Vaulterm Code, in the same app | Not listed on mobaxterm.mobatek.net/features.html |
MobaXterm for Mac
Mobatek's own Linux page says MobaXterm is only supported under Windows, and the Mobatek pages we read list no Mac version. Vaulterm runs natively on macOS 13 and later, on Apple silicon and Intel, from one signed and notarized download. Vaulterm for Mac
MobaXterm on Linux
Mobatek says there is no official Linux version of MobaXterm. Its page describes an early attempt to run it through Wine, with RDP sessions not working at the time. Vaulterm ships an AppImage, a .deb and an .rpm for x64. Vaulterm for Linux
Where MobaXterm is stronger
- X11. An embedded X server, with X11 forwarding in SSH sessions.
- More protocols. RDP, VNC and XDMCP sessions beside SSH.
- Automation across servers. Macro recording and multi-execution.
- A Unix toolset on Windows. Mobatek lists the essential Unix tools as present in the app.
Vaulterm has no X server, X11 forwarding, RDP or VNC.
Where Vaulterm fits
- Mac and Linux, as well as Windows. One app, one look, on all three.
- An encrypted vault. Hosts, keys and passwords are encrypted on your computer, hostnames included, and sync is end-to-end encrypted.
- SFTP, FTP and S3. SFTP is free. FTP, FTPS and S3 buckets open as tabs in Pro. About the file client
- An editor in the same app. Vaulterm Code opens folders on this computer for free and on a saved server in Pro.
Pricing
MobaXterm Home is free, with up to 12 sessions, 2 SSH tunnels and 4 macros. Professional is $69 or 49 EUR per user, excluding tax, with 12 months of updates and no limits on sessions, tunnels or macros. Vaulterm Free has unlimited hosts; tunnels are in Pro, which is $5 a month, $49 for 12 months or $349 once.
Moving over
Vaulterm imports your ~/.ssh/config, keys and known_hosts. How to switch. For other clients, see the best SSH client comparison.
Questions
Is there a MobaXterm for Mac?
Mobatek says MobaXterm is only supported under Windows, and the Mobatek pages we read list no Mac version. Vaulterm is a free SSH and SFTP client for Mac, Windows and Linux. See SSH client for Mac.
Is there a MobaXterm alternative for Linux?
Mobatek says there is no official Linux version. Vaulterm ships an AppImage, a .deb and an .rpm. See SSH client for Linux.
Does Vaulterm have an X server or RDP like MobaXterm?
No. Vaulterm has no X server, X11 forwarding, RDP or VNC. It is for SSH, SFTP, tunnels and editing code on servers. If you need X11 or RDP on Windows, MobaXterm is built for that.
Sources
Checked 2026-10-25. Vendor pages carry no date of their own, so prices and features may have changed since.
- MobaXterm features
mobaxterm.mobatek.net/features.html - MobaXterm download and editions
mobaxterm.mobatek.net/download.html - Mobatek: how to run MobaXterm on Linux
download.mobatek.net/mobaxterm-on-linux.html
MobaXterm is a trademark of its owner. Vaulterm is not affiliated with it.
Tell us if something has changed: [email protected]