--- title: OpenSSH for Windows canonical: https://saasranked.com/software/openssh-windows/ category: SSH Clients points: 61 rank: 7 of 12 facts_checked: 2026-10-08 --- # OpenSSH for Windows The open-source OpenSSH command-line tools, available as an optional Windows feature at no listed charge. 61 points out of 100. #7 of 12 SSH clients. Vendor: Microsoft. Website: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/administration/openssh/openssh_overview - Available as a feature on demand from Windows 10 build 1809 and Windows Server 2019 [1]. - Includes ssh, sftp, scp, ssh-keygen, ssh-agent and ssh-add [1]. - Installed by default only on Windows Server 2025; Windows 10 and Server 2019 and 2022 need it added [1]. - Microsoft services the in-box version through Windows Update [4]. - Needs no licence fee: the project is open source, mostly under BSD-style licences [7]. Verdict: OpenSSH for Windows suits admins who live in PowerShell or a terminal and want standard ssh, sftp and key tools that Microsoft updates [1][4]. It supports jump hosts, tunnels and agent forwarding through the standard ssh options [5]. The catch: it lists no serial, Telnet, RDP or VNC connections, and no saved-session manager [1]. Best for: Admins who want ssh, sftp and key tools without installing a third-party app. ## Points | Criterion | Line | Value | Points | Note | |---|---|---|---|---| | Connections | Built-in SFTP file transfer | Yes | 7/7 | The sftp and scp commands are built in [1]. | | Connections | SSH agent forwarding | Yes | 6/6 | The ssh manual, which Microsoft's docs point to for client options, lists -A agent forwarding [1][5]. | | Connections | X11 forwarding | Yes | 5/5 | The ssh manual lists -X X11 forwarding for the client. Microsoft marks the X11Forwarding server setting unavailable on Windows [3][5]. | | Connections | Port forwarding | Yes | 4/4 | The ssh manual lists local (-L), remote (-R) and dynamic (-D) forwarding [5]. | | Connections | Jump hosts | Yes | 6/6 | The ssh manual lists -J and the ProxyJump option for connecting through a jump host [5]. | | Connections | Serial port connections | Not published | 0/4 | Not published on the vendor's overview page [1]. | | Connections | Other protocols | None | 0/3 | The overview lists SSH tools only; no Telnet, RDP or VNC client [1]. | | Keys and security | Key generator and key agent | Yes | 5/5 | ssh-keygen creates keys and ssh-agent holds them while you work [1][2]. | | Keys and security | Security key or smart card login | Not published | 0/6 | Microsoft's key page names no security key or token; its release notes mention LibFido2 only in a preview build [2][8]. | | Keys and security | Saved logins locked by a master password | Not published | 0/6 | Not published on the vendor's key page [2]; ssh-agent keeps keys in your Windows account's security context. | | Keys and security | Open source | Yes | 6/6 | Microsoft calls OpenSSH open source; its fork is public on GitHub, mostly under BSD-style licences [1][7]. | | Keys and security | SOC 2 Type II or ISO 27001 | Not published | 0/2 | Not published on the vendor's overview page [1]. | | Sessions and workflow | Saved sessions in folders | Not published | 0/4 | Not published on the vendor's overview page [1]. | | Sessions and workflow | Scripting or automation | Yes | 5/5 | ssh is a command-line client; Microsoft's guide runs PowerShell commands on a server through it [2]. | | Sessions and workflow | Sync saved sessions between devices | Not published | 0/4 | Not published on the vendor's overview page [1]. | | Sessions and workflow | Portable version | Not published | 0/2 | Not published on the vendor's install guide [4]. | | Sessions and workflow | Updated in the last 12 months | Yes | 3/3 | Release table lists 10.0.0.0 on 10/27/2025, a preview build [6][8]; Microsoft services the in-box version via Windows Update [4]. | | Other systems | Other systems | None | 0/8 | Microsoft's pages cover Windows only [1]. | | Price | Free for work use | Yes | 6/6 | A Windows optional feature with no fee listed; the source is public under permissive licences [1][7]. | | Price | Cheapest uncapped edition, per year | $0 | 8/8 | Included as a Windows optional feature; no price is listed [1]. | ## Plans | Plan | Price | Per month (USD) | |---|---|---| | Built-in feature | Free [1][7] | $0 | ## Strengths - Includes sftp and scp for file transfer over SSH [1]. - ssh-keygen and ssh-agent create and hold keys; the agent stores them under your Windows account [2]. - The ssh manual lists jump hosts, local, remote and dynamic tunnels, and agent forwarding [5]. - Source code is public, mostly under BSD-style licences [7]. - Microsoft services the in-box version through Windows Update [4]. ## Limits - Not installed by default on Windows 10, Server 2019 or Server 2022; you add it as an optional feature [1]. - Microsoft lists the X11Forwarding server setting as unavailable in the Windows build [3]. - Microsoft Entra accounts do not support key-based authentication [2]. - The tools are command-line programs; the overview lists no session manager [1]. ## Sources 1. [OpenSSH for Windows overview](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/administration/openssh/openssh_overview), Microsoft Learn, accessed 2026-10-08 2. [Key-Based Authentication in OpenSSH for Windows](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/administration/openssh/openssh_keymanagement), Microsoft Learn, accessed 2026-10-08 3. [OpenSSH Server Configuration for Windows](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/administration/openssh/openssh-server-configuration), Microsoft Learn, accessed 2026-10-08 4. [Get started with OpenSSH for Windows](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/administration/openssh/openssh_install_firstuse), Microsoft Learn, accessed 2026-10-08 5. [ssh manual page](https://man.openbsd.org/ssh), OpenBSD, accessed 2026-10-08 6. [Win32-OpenSSH](https://github.com/PowerShell/Win32-OpenSSH), GitHub, accessed 2026-10-08 7. [OpenSSH licence](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/PowerShell/openssh-portable/latestw_all/LICENCE), GitHub, accessed 2026-10-08 8. [Win32-OpenSSH release 10.0.0.0p2](https://github.com/PowerShell/Win32-OpenSSH/releases/tag/10.0.0.0p2-Preview), GitHub, accessed 2026-10-08