---
title: Tabby
canonical: https://saasranked.com/software/tabby/
category: SSH Clients
points: 81
rank: 1 of 12
facts_checked: 2026-10-08
---

# Tabby

Free MIT-licensed terminal with an SSH and serial client for Windows, macOS and Linux.

81 points out of 100. #1 of 12 SSH clients. Vendor: Tabby Developers. Website: https://tabby.sh/

- Tabby is free and open source under the MIT licence [1][2].
- It runs on Windows, macOS and Linux, and has a portable mode on Windows [1].
- Its SSH client lists X11 and port forwarding, jump hosts and agent forwarding [1].
- An encrypted container locks SSH secrets and configuration with a passphrase [1][3].
- The latest release, v1.0.238, was published on 7 October 2026 [4].

Verdict: Tabby suits people who want one free terminal for SSH, serial and local shells on any desktop system. It lists the main forwarding features and an encrypted vault [1][3]. The catches: the project lists no security key or smart card login, and no key generator [1][4]. Best for: People who want a free, open-source terminal with SSH built in.

## Points

| Criterion | Line | Value | Points | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Connections | Built-in SFTP file transfer | Yes | 7/7 | Release notes describe an SFTP tab, download menu and a fixed Windows SFTP flaw [4]. |
| Connections | SSH agent forwarding | Yes | 6/6 | README lists agent forwarding, including Pageant and the Windows OpenSSH agent [1]. |
| Connections | X11 forwarding | Yes | 5/5 | README lists X11 and port forwarding [1]. |
| Connections | Port forwarding | Yes | 4/4 | README lists X11 and port forwarding; it does not split local from remote [1]. |
| Connections | Jump hosts | Yes | 6/6 | README lists automatic jump host management [1]. |
| Connections | Serial port connections | Yes | 4/4 | README lists an integrated serial terminal [1]. |
| Connections | Other protocols | Telnet | 1/3 | README lists an integrated SSH and Telnet client; RDP and VNC are not listed [1]. |
| Keys and security | Key generator and key agent | Not published | 0/5 | Not published on the README; it lists agent support but no key generator [1]. |
| Keys and security | Security key or smart card login | Not published | 0/6 | Not published on the README or the release notes read [1][4]. |
| Keys and security | Saved logins locked by a master password | Yes | 6/6 | An encrypted container for SSH secrets, unlocked by a passphrase, AES-256 [1][3]. |
| Keys and security | Open source | Yes | 6/6 | Source is on GitHub under the MIT licence [2]. |
| Keys and security | SOC 2 Type II or ISO 27001 | Not published | 0/2 | Not published on the README [1]. |
| Sessions and workflow | Saved sessions in folders | Yes | 4/4 | Release v1.0.235 added nested group folders and a profile tree view [4]. |
| Sessions and workflow | Scripting or automation | Yes | 5/5 | README lists login scripts; counted as scripting for logins. No command-line client is documented [1]. |
| Sessions and workflow | Sync saved sessions between devices | Yes | 4/4 | Tabby Web "provides the config sync service for the Tabby app"; the Vault can encrypt that config [5]. |
| Sessions and workflow | Portable version | Yes | 2/2 | README says Tabby runs as a portable app on Windows; release v1.0.238 lists portable x64 and arm64 zips [1][4]. |
| Sessions and workflow | Updated in the last 12 months | Yes | 3/3 | Release v1.0.238 was published on 7 October 2026 [4]. |
| Other systems | Other systems | macOS, Linux | 4/8 | README names Windows, macOS and Linux; v1.0.238 lists macOS .dmg and Linux packages. No iOS or Android app [1][4]. |
| Price | Free for work use | Yes | 6/6 | Free with no time limit under the MIT licence, which allows use at work [2]. |
| Price | Cheapest uncapped edition, per year | $0 | 8/8 | No paid edition; free under the MIT licence [1][2]. |

## Plans

| Plan | Price | Per month (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free [1][2] | $0 |

## Strengths

- Free under the MIT licence, with the source on GitHub [1][2].
- Lists X11 forwarding, port forwarding, jump hosts and agent forwarding, including Pageant and the Windows OpenSSH agent [1].
- Saved profiles can be nested in folders, added in v1.0.235 [4].
- Runs as a portable app on Windows [1].
- Release v1.0.238 is dated 7 October 2026 [4].

## Limits

- The README lists no security key, smart card or PKCS#11 login [1].
- No key generator is listed [1].
- The vendor's own pages list no command-line client for automating logins, only login scripts [1].
- Release v1.0.235 fixed a Windows SFTP path traversal flaw, where a malicious server could write files outside the download folder [4].

## Sources

1. [Eugeny/tabby README](https://github.com/Eugeny/tabby), GitHub, accessed 2026-10-08
2. [Tabby MIT licence](https://github.com/Eugeny/tabby/blob/master/LICENSE), GitHub, accessed 2026-10-08
3. [Vault Encryption](https://github.com/Eugeny/tabby/wiki/Vault-Encryption), GitHub, accessed 2026-10-08
4. [Tabby releases](https://github.com/Eugeny/tabby/releases), GitHub, accessed 2026-10-08
5. [Eugeny/tabby-web README](https://github.com/Eugeny/tabby-web), GitHub, accessed 2026-10-08