SecureCRT vs Tabby (2026): which should you pick?

Pick SecureCRT if

• Fits if you script repetitive terminal work or talk to network gear over serial
• Works for a team that mixes Windows, Mac and Linux machines on one license

Look elsewhere if

• Skip it if you want a free tool, since after the 30-day evaluation you pay per user
• Pricey if you need FTPS, SCP or WebDAV too, as that is the separate SecureFX client and the bundle costs $129
• Watch out: a license covers 1 year of updates and support, and the longer 3-year option costs $190
• Watch out: RDP works on Windows only, and Python 3 scripting is listed for Windows, macOS and Ubuntu only
• Watch out: 50 or more licenses go through sales, not the price list

Pick Tabby if

• Fits if you want one free app for local shells, SSH and serial ports
• Works for Windows users replacing PuTTY or the default console

Look elsewhere if

• Not for you if memory use matters, since the project says Tabby is not lightweight
• Skip it if you need shared vaults or team features, as the pages describe none
• Too light for support needs: there is no paid support, only the open-source project
• Watch out: it is not a new shell and does not replace MinGW or Cygwin

SecureCRT

• No free plan: licenses are sold per user, and the free option is a 30-day evaluation.
• Licenses include one year of updates and support (or three years at a higher price).
• RDP support is Windows only, and Python 3 scripting is listed for Windows, macOS and Ubuntu Linux.
• Prices are quoted per order; 50 or more licenses go through sales.

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.

SecureCRT

Session management

Tabbed sessions and tab groups, with keyword highlighting that accepts regular expressions for prompts and errors.

Several protocols

SSH2, SSH1, Telnet, Telnet over TLS and serial connections, plus RDP on Windows only.

Scripting

Scripts in VBScript, JScript, PerlScript or Python, and a script recorder that turns keystrokes into a script.

File transfer

SFTP, Xmodem, Ymodem, Zmodem and Kermit transfers, plus a built-in TFTP server; SecureFX adds FTPS, SCP and WebDAV.

One license, three desktops

The vendor says client licenses are not platform-specific, so one license registers Windows, macOS and Linux copies.

Tabby

SSH and Telnet client

SSH2 with a connection manager, X11 and port forwarding, jump hosts, agent forwarding and login scripts.

Serial terminal

Saved serial connections with readline input, optional hex input and hexdump output, newline conversion and automatic reconnection.

Split panes and tabs

Nested split panes, tabs on any side of the window, a dockable quick console with a global hotkey and fully configurable shortcuts.

Local shells on Windows

Profiles for PowerShell, WSL, Git-Bash, Cygwin, MSYS2, Cmder and CMD sit beside remote sessions.

Encrypted secrets container

SSH secrets and configuration are kept in an integrated encrypted container; Zmodem transfers files from SSH sessions.

Plugins and web app

Plugins and themes install from the settings view, and a web app offers SSH, SFTP and Telnet, with a self-hosted option.

SecureCRT

• SecureCRT, 1 year of updates$119

  per license, 1 year of updates and support

  Single license; $116 each for 2 to 9, $114 each for 10 to 24 and $100 each for 25 to 49.

• SecureCRT, 3 years of updates$190

  per license, 3 years of updates and support

  Single license; $186 each for 2 to 9, $182 each for 10 to 24 and $140 each for 25 to 49.

• SecureCRT + SecureFX bundle$129

  per license, 1 year of updates and support

  Terminal plus the SecureFX file transfer client; $206 for 3 years of updates.

Tabby

• Tabby$0

  Free and open source; the web app can also be self-hosted.