[ VS PUTTY Side by side ]
A PuTTY alternative
for Windows, Mac and Linux.
PuTTY is a free, MIT-licensed implementation of SSH and Telnet. Vaulterm imports your PuTTY sessions, host keys and .ppk keys, and adds tabs, split panes, a file browser and an encrypted vault, on Windows, Mac and Linux.
Checked 2026-10-25 against PuTTY 0.85 (released 2026-08-16) on the PuTTY project's pages under Sources.
| Feature | Vaulterm | PuTTY |
|---|---|---|
| Price and licence | Free, with paid Pro and Ultra plans. Not open source | Free, MIT licence |
| Platforms | macOS 13+, Windows 10+, Linux (AppImage, .deb, .rpm) | Described as an implementation of SSH and Telnet for Windows and Unix platforms. The download page lists Windows installers and standalone .exe files, and a Unix source archive |
| Protocols | SSH, Telnet and rlogin free. Serial in Pro | SSH and Telnet |
| Tabs and split panes | Yes, with named panes and broadcast input | Not listed on chiark.greenend.org.uk/~sgtatham/putty/latest.html |
| File transfer | SFTP browser beside the terminal. FTP, FTPS and S3 in Pro | PSCP (an SCP client) and PSFTP (an SFTP client) as separate programs |
| Saved passwords and host vault | Encrypted vault for hosts, keys and passwords, hostnames included | Not listed on chiark.greenend.org.uk/~sgtatham/putty/latest.html |
| Sync between devices | End-to-end encrypted on every plan: Free 5 items, Pro 250, Ultra 10,000 | Not listed on chiark.greenend.org.uk/~sgtatham/putty/latest.html |
| Import | Imports PuTTY sessions, host keys and .ppk keys, and ~/.ssh/config | Not applicable |
| Code editor | Vaulterm Code, in the same app | Not listed on chiark.greenend.org.uk/~sgtatham/putty/latest.html |
What changes when you switch
- Your sessions come with you. Vaulterm reads PuTTY's saved sessions, host keys and
.ppkkeys, including passphrase-protected ones. The steps are on Switch to Vaulterm. - One window. Tabs and split panes for your servers.
- Files next to the terminal. Browse, upload and edit files over the same connection, or drag them from one server to another (Pro).
- Saved passwords, encrypted. Hosts, keys and passwords live in an encrypted vault, and your hostnames are encrypted too.
- Your servers on every computer. Turn on sync and your hosts and keys follow you, end-to-end encrypted.
PuTTY for Mac
PuTTY's download page lists Windows installers, standalone Windows .exe files and a Unix source archive. If you want an SSH client with a signed Mac app, Vaulterm has one: a universal download for macOS 13 and later, on Apple silicon and Intel. Vaulterm for Mac
Where PuTTY is stronger
- Standalone files. PuTTY offers single .exe files you can run without an installer.
- Open source under the MIT licence. Vaulterm's source is not open.
- A focused toolset. PuTTY is an SSH and Telnet client with an xterm emulator, plus PSCP and PSFTP for file transfer, and nothing else to learn.
Not sure PuTTY is the one to replace? See the best SSH client comparison, or Vaulterm for Windows.
Questions
Is there a PuTTY alternative for Mac?
Vaulterm has a signed and notarized Mac app for macOS 13 and later, free with no account. See SSH client for Mac.
Can Vaulterm import my PuTTY sessions?
Yes. Vaulterm reads saved PuTTY sessions, trusted host keys and .ppk keys, and leaves your PuTTY setup as it was. How to switch.
Is there a PuTTY alternative with tabs?
Vaulterm opens every connection as a tab and lets you split a tab into named panes. It is free for Windows, Mac and Linux.
Sources
Checked 2026-10-25. Vendor pages carry no date of their own, so prices and features may have changed since.
- PuTTY home page
www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~sgtatham/putty/ - PuTTY latest release
www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~sgtatham/putty/latest.html - PuTTY licence
www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~sgtatham/putty/licence.html
PuTTY is a trademark of its owner. Vaulterm is not affiliated with it.
Tell us if something has changed: [email protected]