Alternatives · Remote Desktop
Tabby alternatives
As of Nov 13, 2026, the highest-graded Tabby alternative is PuTTY (3.0 GPA). It's also the best free one.
Tabby compared with 5 alternatives: PuTTY, MobaXterm, Termius, SecureCRT and Xshell.
Tabby is free to use. 4 of the 5 alternatives are free or have a free plan. One more offers a free trial.
Listings checked up to Nov 13, 2026 · Where the facts come from
At a glance
| Tool | Price | Free plan | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|
| TabbyThis tool | Free | Free | Web, macOS, Windows, Linux |
| PuTTY | Free | Free | Windows, Linux |
| MobaXterm | Free plan · from $69 one-time | Yes | Windows |
| Termius | Free plan · from $10/mo | Yes | macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android |
| SecureCRT | Free trial · from $119/yr | Trial only | macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS |
| Xshell | Free plan · from $119/yr | Yes | Windows |
Price against what you get
Tabby has no paid plan and scores 2.7 out of 4 on features, ease of use and platforms. None of the 4 alternatives on this chart both scores higher and starts lower.
Features, ease of use and platforms, averaged
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
- The best score at each price
- Has a free plan
- No free plan
How each one differs from Tabby
PuTTY
Free SSH and Telnet client for Windows with file-copy utilities
- PuTTY is free.
- PuTTY lists no web app and macOS app, which Tabby has.
- PuTTY also covers remote desktop.
Suits: Windows users who want a small, free SSH client with no account
MobaXterm
Tabbed SSH client and X server for Windows in one portable app
- MobaXterm starts at $69 per user, one-time, with 12 months of updates.
- MobaXterm lists no web app and macOS and Linux apps, which Tabby has.
- MobaXterm also covers remote desktop.
Suits: Windows users who need SSH, X11 forwarding and RDP in one tool
Termius
SSH and SFTP client for desktop and mobile with a synced vault
- Termius starts at $10 per month, billed annually.
- Termius also lists iOS and Android apps.
- Termius lists no web app, which Tabby has.
- Termius does not cover file sharing, which Tabby does.
Suits: Engineers who want one SSH client on a laptop and a phone
SecureCRT
SSH, Telnet and serial terminal for Windows, macOS and Linux
- SecureCRT starts at $119 per user, with 1 year of updates.
- SecureCRT has no free plan, only a free trial, unlike Tabby.
- SecureCRT also lists an iOS app.
- SecureCRT lists no web app, which Tabby has.
- SecureCRT can be bought with a one-time purchase.
Suits: Network and systems admins who script repetitive terminal tasks
Xshell
SSH terminal for Windows with session, tab and file managers
- Xshell starts at $119 per user, perpetual, with 1 year of maintenance.
- Xshell lists no web app and macOS and Linux apps, which Tabby has.
- Xshell can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Xshell also covers workflow automation and remote desktop.
- Xshell does not cover file sharing, which Tabby does.
Suits: Windows users who want SSH, SFTP and RDP tabs in one app
Limits worth knowing in Tabby
- The project says it is not lightweight; it points to other terminals if memory use matters.
- Tabby is not a new shell and does not replace MinGW or Cygwin.
- The pages read describe no team features such as shared vaults, and list no paid support.
Common questions
What are the alternatives to Tabby?
The alternatives to Tabby in this directory are PuTTY, MobaXterm, Termius, SecureCRT and Xshell. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Tabby.
Is there a free alternative to Tabby?
Yes. PuTTY is free to use. MobaXterm, Termius and Xshell have a free plan alongside paid ones.
Which Tabby alternatives work on Android?
The Tabby listing does not include an Android app. Termius lists one.
Which Tabby alternatives work on iOS?
The Tabby listing does not include an iOS app. Termius and SecureCRT list one.
When were these prices checked?
Every listing on this page was checked on Nov 13, 2026, against the pages it cites. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.