saasrankedSoftware, ranked on the facts

SSH client · Tera Term Project

Tera Term

Free open-source terminal emulator for Windows with SSH, Telnet, serial and a macro language.

50/100

#11 of 12 SSH clients
Facts checked 8 Oct 2026

In short

Tera Term suits Windows admins who want a free, open-source client with serial ports, tunnels, X11 and a macro language1,5,8. Version 5.7.0 came out in September 20269. The catch: its File menu lists SCP for file transfer, its proxy page lists no jump-host option, its launcher documents no folders for saved sessions and its requirements page lists only Windows7,10,11,12.

Best for: Windows admins who need a free client with serial ports and macros.

Where the points come from

Connections20 of 35
Keys and security6 of 25
Sessions and workflow10 of 18
Other systems0 of 8
Price14 of 14

Connections 20 of 35 points

RuleWhat is publishedPoints
Built-in SFTP file transferNot publishedNot published on the vendor's File menu page7; only SCP file transfer is described.0 / 7
SSH agent forwardingYesThe TTSSH command line has /ssh-A to enable agent forwarding4.6 / 6
X11 forwardingYesSSH Forwarding has an X11 option, and /ssh-X enables X11 forwarding; you supply a local X server4,5.5 / 5
Port forwardingYesSSH Forwarding sets local, remote and dynamic (SOCKS) forwarding5.4 / 4
Jump hostsNot publishedNot published on the vendor's proxy page10; it lists HTTP, Telnet, SOCKS4 and SOCKS5 proxies.0 / 6
Serial port connectionsYesThe manual lists serial port connections, with a Serial port setup menu1.4 / 4
Other protocolsTelnetTCP/IP connections include Telnet; RDP and VNC are not listed1.1 / 3

Keys and security 6 of 25 points

RuleWhat is publishedPoints
Key generator and key agentNot publishedIncludes an SSH KeyGenerator3; no built-in agent is described, only use of Pageant3,6.0 / 5
Security key or smart card loginNot publishedNot published on the vendor's SSH authentication page6.0 / 6
Saved logins locked by a master passwordNot publishedNot published on the vendor's SSH pages3,6.0 / 6
Open sourceYesLicensed under a 3-clause BSD licence8.6 / 6
SOC 2 Type II or ISO 27001Not publishedNot published on the vendor's project pages1,2.0 / 2

Sessions and workflow 10 of 18 points

RuleWhat is publishedPoints
Saved sessions in foldersNot publishedNot published on the vendor's menu page11; its launcher saves entries but documents no folders.0 / 4
Scripting or automationYesThe manual documents a built-in macro language and a macro command line1.5 / 5
Sync saved sessions between devicesNot publishedNot published on the vendor's manual index1.0 / 4
Portable versionYesThe project's GitHub release lists portable ZIP downloads (teraterm-5.7.0-x64.zip, x86 and arm64)13.2 / 2
Updated in the last 12 monthsYesVersion 5.7.0 is dated 2026.09.049.3 / 3

Other systems 0 of 8 points

RuleWhat is publishedPoints
Other systemsNoneThe requirements page lists Windows versions only12.0 / 8

Price 14 of 14 points

RuleWhat is publishedPoints
Free for work useYesFree software under a BSD-style licence; the licence text does not restrict work use8.6 / 6
Cheapest uncapped edition, per year$0Free software; no paid edition is listed8.8 / 8

The rule behind each line: how we score SSH clients.

Plans and prices

As the vendor lists them, before tax. Prices are in US dollars unless the plan shows euros; the points use US dollars, with euros converted at the ECB rate.

PlanPrice as listedPer monthNotes
Free1 personFree8$0BSD-licensed free software

Strengths

  • Free and open source under a 3-clause BSD licence8.
  • Lists serial port connections and a macro scripting language1.
  • Lists local, remote and dynamic port forwarding and X11 forwarding5.
  • Key generator creates RSA, DSA, ECDSA and ED25519 keys3.
  • Release 5.7.0 is dated 2026.09.049.

Limits

  • File transfer is SCP; the File menu does not name SFTP7.
  • Proxy support lists HTTP, Telnet, SOCKS4 and SOCKS5, not a jump host10.
  • Windows only; the requirements page lists Windows versions12.
  • The saved-connection launcher documents no folders or groups11.

Other SSH clients

  1. 1
    TabbyPeople who want a free, open-source terminal with SSH built in
    81/100
    $0cheapest uncapped edition, per year
  2. 2
    TermiusPeople who connect from a PC and a phone and want saved hosts to sync
    80/100
    $0cheapest uncapped edition, per year
  3. 3
    MobaXtermWindows admins who want SSH, SFTP, X11 and remote desktop in one window
    76/100
    $23/yrcheapest uncapped edition, per year
  4. 4
    SecureCRTAdmins who want a paid, scriptable client with a one-time licence
    71/100
    $39.67/yrcheapest uncapped edition, per year

All 12 SSH clients

Sources

  1. Tera Term 5 manual, Tera Term Project. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  2. Tera Term Project, Tera Term Project. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  3. SSH connection, Tera Term Project. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  4. TTSSH command line, Tera Term Project. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  5. SSH Forwarding setup, Tera Term Project. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  6. SSH Authentication setup, Tera Term Project. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  7. File menu, Tera Term Project. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  8. Copyright, Tera Term Project. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  9. History, Tera Term Project. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  10. Proxy connection, Tera Term Project. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  11. TeraTerm Menu, Tera Term Project. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  12. Requirements, Tera Term Project. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  13. Tera Term 5.7.0 release, Tera Term Project. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.

Website: teratermproject.github.io · Markdown version · We are not affiliated with Tera Term Project.