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PuTTY alternatives · Remote Desktop

Open-source alternatives to PuTTY

PuTTY is not described as open source on its own site. 17 of the 85 other remote desktop apps in this directory are open source, according to their own sites.

PuTTY is free to use. All of them are free or have a free plan.

17 tools · Listings checked up to Nov 13, 2026 · Where the facts come from

The 12 closest to PuTTY

  1. Tabby

    Configurable terminal with built-in SSH, Telnet and serial clients

    • Tabby is free. PuTTY is free.
    • Only Tabby lists a web app.
    • Only Tabby lists a macOS app.
    • Tabby is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
    Tabby vs PuTTYTabby pricing and details

  2. UltraVNC

    Free open-source VNC remote control for Windows computers

    • UltraVNC is free. PuTTY is free.
    • Only PuTTY lists a Linux app.
    • UltraVNC is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
    UltraVNC pricing and details

  3. HopToDesk

    Free open-source remote desktop with a paid device dashboard

    • HopToDesk starts at $159 per year for up to 120 devices ($15 per month billed monthly). PuTTY is free.
    • Only HopToDesk lists a web app.
    • Only HopToDesk lists macOS, Android and iOS apps.
    • HopToDesk is open source and end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
    HopToDesk pricing and details

  4. RustDesk

    Open-source remote desktop you can run on your own server

    • RustDesk starts at $11.88 per month, billed annually (Individual Server Pro, self-hosted). PuTTY is free.
    • Only RustDesk lists a web app.
    • Only RustDesk lists macOS, Android and iOS apps.
    • RustDesk is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
    RustDesk pricing and details

  5. TightVNC

    Free VNC remote desktop for Windows, with paid Pro encryption

    • TightVNC starts at $12 per year per user license (Pro); $1 / month, billed once a year. PuTTY is free.
    • Only PuTTY lists a Linux app.
    • TightVNC is open source, according to its own site.
    • PuTTY also covers file sharing.
    TightVNC pricing and details

  6. mRemoteNG

    Free tabbed connection manager for RDP, VNC and SSH on Windows

    • mRemoteNG is free. PuTTY is free.
    • Only PuTTY lists a Linux app.
    • mRemoteNG is open source, according to its own site.
    • PuTTY also covers file sharing.
    mRemoteNG pricing and details

  7. Remmina

    Free Linux remote desktop client for RDP, VNC and SSH

    • Remmina is free. PuTTY is free.
    • Only PuTTY lists a Windows app.
    • Remmina is open source, according to its own site.
    • PuTTY also covers file sharing.
    Remmina pricing and details

  8. Apache Guacamole

    Open-source clientless remote desktop gateway

    • Apache Guacamole is free. PuTTY is free.
    • Only Apache Guacamole lists a web app.
    • Only PuTTY lists Windows and Linux apps.
    • Apache Guacamole is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
    Apache Guacamole pricing and details

  9. MeshCentral

    Self-hosted open-source remote device management site

    • MeshCentral is free. PuTTY is free.
    • Only MeshCentral lists a web app.
    • Only MeshCentral lists a macOS app.
    • MeshCentral is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
    MeshCentral pricing and details

  10. Moonlight

    Open-source client for streaming PC games to other devices

    • Moonlight is free. PuTTY is free.
    • Only Moonlight lists macOS, iOS and Android apps.
    • Moonlight is open source, according to its own site.
    • PuTTY also covers file sharing.
    Moonlight pricing and details

  11. Sunshine

    Self-hosted game stream host for Moonlight clients

    • Sunshine is free. PuTTY is free.
    • Only Sunshine lists a macOS app.
    • Sunshine is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
    • PuTTY also covers file sharing.
    Sunshine pricing and details

  12. TigerVNC

    Free open-source VNC client and server for Linux, Windows and macOS

    • TigerVNC is free. PuTTY is free.
    • Only TigerVNC lists a macOS app.
    • TigerVNC is open source, according to its own site.
    • PuTTY also covers file sharing.
    TigerVNC pricing and details

5 more that are open source

All 17 in one table

Common questions

Is there an open-source alternative to PuTTY?

Yes. Tabby, UltraVNC, HopToDesk, RustDesk, TightVNC, mRemoteNG, Remmina, Apache Guacamole and 9 more are open source, according to their own sites.

Is PuTTY open source?

PuTTY is not described as open source on its own site. The listing was checked on Nov 13, 2026 against the pages it cites.

When was this checked?

Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 18, 2026 to Nov 13, 2026. Vendors change prices and plans without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.

This page is built from the listings. A tool is here because its listing says so, and the order is how close each is to PuTTY: the alternatives its listing names first, then the tools that share the most features with it.