The PuTTY Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about PuTTY in one document: what it costs, its grades, getting a refund, getting help and what else to look at. Read it here, or keep a copy.
PuTTY
The Insider’s Guide
Free SSH and Telnet client for Windows with file-copy utilities
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among remote desktop apps, read from PuTTY’s own pages.
Made by Simon Tatham and the PuTTY team · checked Nov 13, 2026 · toolgpa.com
Contents
- 01WelcomeWhat it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
- 02What it costsEvery plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
- 03What it doesIts main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
- 04Where it standsIts grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
- 05The alternativesThe tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
- 06Quick answersThe questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
- 07About ToolGPAWho made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
ToolGPA put this guide together from PuTTY’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on PuTTY’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Nov 13, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
3.0
GPA, above 75 of the 85 other remote desktop apps we grade
PuTTY is a free implementation of SSH and Telnet for Windows and Unix platforms, with an xterm terminal emulator. It is written and maintained primarily by Simon Tatham. The download bundle also carries command-line SCP and SFTP clients, a key generator and an SSH authentication agent.
To get you started, here are 8 things to know about PuTTY, taken from its own pages and our grades.
It stays small and costs nothing, but it is a plain window with no tabs or session extras, and Unix users only get source code to build.
- 1
Best for a bare-bones SSH client on Windows
PuTTY is a free SSH and Telnet client for Windows with file-copy, key and command-line tools in the same download.
- 2
It is free
PuTTY has no paid plan at all.
- 3
It runs on 2 platforms
Windows and Linux.
- 4
SSH and Telnet client
putty.exe is the SSH and Telnet client itself; a separate puttytel.exe is a Telnet-only build with no encryption-law caveat.
- 5
File transfer tools
pscp.exe is a command-line secure file copy and psftp.exe is an SFTP client for general file transfer sessions.
- 6
Key tools
puttygen.exe generates RSA and DSA keys, and pageant.exe is an SSH authentication agent for the other tools.
- 7
A 3.0 GPA, above 75 of 85
That is against the other remote desktop apps we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 8
Keep it
PuTTY is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
PuTTY at a glance
- Pricing
- Free
- Free plan
- It is free
- Free trial
- None stated
- Runs on
- Windows, Linux
- Made by
- Simon Tatham and the PuTTY team
- Category
- Remote Desktop
- Our grade
- 3.0 GPA, very good
The report card
Best for a bare-bones SSH client on Windows
PuTTY is a free SSH and Telnet client for Windows with file-copy, key and command-line tools in the same download. It stays small and costs nothing, but it is a plain window with no tabs or session extras, and Unix users only get source code to build.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | A | Free to download and run, with no account and no paid tier at all. That puts it under the $1.67 a month line that marks the very cheapest remote-access tools. |
| Free plan and trial | A | Everything is free outright: the SSH client, pscp, psftp, plink, puttygen and pageant, with nothing held back for a paid plan. |
| Features | C | It does the SSH and Telnet job fully, plus file copy and key tools, but it is a smaller job than a full session manager: the listing shows no tabs, no saved-session extras and no RDP. |
| Ease of use | B | No store rating on record, but it is a program you download and start using; you type a host name and connect, though the key tools and command-line pieces take some reading. |
| Platforms and integrations | C | Windows and Linux only, and the listing says Linux users get a source archive to build, not binaries. A program for computers alone, with no phone or web version. |
An A is worth 4 points, a B 3, a C 2, a D 1 and an F nothing. The GPA is the average of the five.
Who PuTTY is for
- Fits if you want a free, small SSH client on Windows and need nothing else
- Works for scripts that call plink or pscp from the command line
Who it is not for
- Not for you if you want tabs or a saved-session manager, because it is one window per connection
- Skip it if you are on a Mac or on Linux and want a ready-made app, as Unix gets a source archive only
- Watch out: the vendor says using the SSH tools is illegal in countries that outlaw encryption
- Watch out: putty.org is not the project's site; the real one is the chiark.greenend.org.uk page
Good to know
Good for
- Windows users who want a small, free SSH client with no account
- Scripts that need a command-line SSH or file-copy tool
- Admins who already hold PuTTY-format keys and sessions
Worth knowing
- Unix users get a source archive to build themselves; the download page lists no Unix binaries.
- The vendor warns that using the SSH tools is illegal in countries where encryption is outlawed.
- The official site is the chiark.greenend.org.uk page; putty.org is an unaffiliated page that says it is not endorsed by the project.
Part 02 · Pricing
What it costs
Every plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
Free
No paid plan at all
PuTTY is free to use.
Free to download and run, with no account and no paid tier at all.
PuTTY
$0
Free download of the full PuTTY suite; the Microsoft Store copy is also free of charge.
Read from chiark.greenend.org.uk on Nov 13, 2026.
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
2
Places it runs: Windows and Linux
Free SSH and Telnet client for Windows with file-copy utilities. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: file sharing, remote desktop.
Windows and Linux only, and the listing says Linux users get a source archive to build, not binaries.
- SSH and Telnet client
- putty.exe is the SSH and Telnet client itself; a separate puttytel.exe is a Telnet-only build with no encryption-law caveat.
- File transfer tools
- pscp.exe is a command-line secure file copy and psftp.exe is an SFTP client for general file transfer sessions.
- Key tools
- puttygen.exe generates RSA and DSA keys, and pageant.exe is an SSH authentication agent for the other tools.
- Command-line back end
- plink.exe offers a command-line interface to the PuTTY back ends, for scripts and other programs.
- Installers and standalone binaries
- MSI installers cover 64-bit x86, 64-bit Arm and 32-bit x86, or each tool can be downloaded as a single exe.
Where it runs
- Windows
- Linux
What it works with
Its own pages name no integrations.
PuTTY is made by Simon Tatham and the PuTTY team.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
75/85
Other remote desktop apps it is graded above
PuTTY's GPA of 3.0 is higher than 75 of the 85 other remote desktop apps we grade, and level with 3.
It stands best on free plan and trial (A, above 71 of 85) and worst on features (C, above 1).
PuTTY has no paid plan.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 2.3 out of 4. Nothing scores higher for less, though at least one tool matches that score at a lower price.
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 86 remote desktop apps we grade, cut by the letter each got. PuTTY’s own letter is outlined.
- AValue for moneyAbove 63 of 85
- AFree plan and trialAbove 71 of 85
- CFeaturesAbove 1 of 85
- BEase of useAbove 59 of 85
- CPlatforms and integrationsAbove 12 of 85
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 59 remote desktop apps. Further left costs less; higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. PuTTY is the marked dot.
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
Keep it, or make your own?
Whether this is something you could build for yourself with an AI app builder, and what you would give up.
Keep it
PuTTY is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
And it is not the kind of software a weekend replaces. It is one of the better ones too: its GPA of 3.0 is higher than 75 of the 85 other remote desktop apps we grade.
What you could not
- A fast, secure link to another computer through any network.
- Storing and serving files for other people.
- A real app for Windows and Linux. Something home-made would be a web page.
What this rests on. PuTTY’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.
Part 05 · Alternatives
The alternatives
The tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
MobaXterm, SecureCRT, Xshell, Termius and Tabby
The 5 tools PuTTY is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 2.8GPA
MobaXterm
Free plan · from $69 one-time
Tabbed SSH client and X server for Windows in one portable app.
- Only PuTTY lists a Linux app.
- 2.6GPA
SecureCRT
Free trial · from $119/yr
SSH, Telnet and serial terminal for Windows, macOS and Linux.
- PuTTY has a free plan. SecureCRT does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only SecureCRT lists macOS and iOS apps.
- SecureCRT can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- 2.4GPA
Xshell
Free plan · from $119/yr
SSH terminal for Windows with session, tab and file managers.
- Only PuTTY lists a Linux app.
- Xshell can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- PuTTY also covers file sharing.
- 2.6GPA
Termius
Free plan · from $10/mo
SSH and SFTP client for desktop and mobile with a synced vault.
- Only Termius lists macOS, iOS and Android apps.
- PuTTY also covers file sharing and remote desktop.
- 3.2GPA
Tabby
Free
Configurable terminal with built-in SSH, Telnet and serial clients.
- Only Tabby lists a web app.
- Only Tabby lists a macOS app.
- Tabby is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
11
Questions, each answered in a line or two
The short version of everything above, for when you only need the answer. Each one is told in full in its part of the guide.
Is PuTTY free?
Yes. PuTTY is free to use.
How much does PuTTY cost?
PuTTY lists one plan. PuTTY: $0.
What platforms does PuTTY work on?
PuTTY is available on Windows and Linux.
Does PuTTY have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. PuTTY is listed for Windows and Linux.
Does PuTTY have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. PuTTY is listed for Windows and Linux.
Is PuTTY open source?
PuTTY is not described as open source on its own site, as read on Nov 13, 2026.
Who makes PuTTY?
PuTTY is made by Simon Tatham and the PuTTY team.
What are the alternatives to PuTTY?
The closest alternatives to PuTTY in our directory are MobaXterm, SecureCRT, Xshell, Termius and Tabby.
How does PuTTY compare with other remote desktop apps?
PuTTY's GPA of 3.0 is higher than 75 of the 85 other remote desktop apps we grade, and level with 3.
Is PuTTY good value for money?
ToolGPA grades PuTTY A for value for money. PuTTY has no paid plan.
Could I make my own version of PuTTY?
PuTTY is free, so making your own would save you nothing. And it is not the kind of software a weekend replaces.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from PuTTY’s own pages on Nov 13, 2026, and the grades were given on Nov 13, 2026. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from Simon Tatham's own page own pages on 13 November 2026. Not based on using the product, and shorter than our full reviews.
Every tool we list gets five grades, A to F, each with its reason, and a GPA that averages them. How each is decided is at toolgpa.com/grades. This guide is ToolGPA’s own work; it is not made, paid for or approved by Simon Tatham and the PuTTY team. Prices change, so check chiark.greenend.org.uk before you buy.
Part 07 · About
About ToolGPA
Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
7,721
Tools graded, in 95 categories
ToolGPA grades software the way a school report grades a pupil: five subjects, a letter for each with the reason written beside it, and a GPA that averages them. Prices, plans and platforms are read from each maker’s own pages and dated, so you always know how fresh a figure is.
Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Every tool on the site has a guide like this one, free to download and pass on. It all lives at toolgpa.com.
7,721
tools graded
95
categories
739
price changes on record
579
apps priced in 12 countries
What else is on toolgpa.com
- PuTTY, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/putty
- How grades are givenThe rules behind every letter and every GPAtoolgpa.com/grades
- Value chartsWhat each tool costs against what it scores, for every categorytoolgpa.com/charts
- CompareAny two tools side by side, plan by plantoolgpa.com/compare
- Price changesEvery price rise and cut on record, each with its sourcetoolgpa.com/price-changes
- Prices by countryWhat apps cost on the App Store in 12 countriestoolgpa.com/prices-by-country
- Pay lessEvery public discount: yearly billing, students, nonprofitstoolgpa.com/save
- Keep or makeWhich tools are worth paying for, and which you could build yourselftoolgpa.com/keep-or-make
Scan for the live page
Prices and grades as they are today
Quoting this guide?
Please name ToolGPA and link to the live page, so readers can check the figures for themselves:
ToolGPA, "PuTTY: The Insider's Guide", checked Nov 13, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/putty
Know someone choosing between remote desktop apps?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/putty/guide
ToolGPA elsewhere: youtube.com/@toolgpa
See our other guides
The best-graded remote desktop apps after PuTTY, each with an Insider's Guide of its own.
- Remote Desktop Insider's GuideEvery one of the 86 remote desktop apps we grade, compared
- Chrome Remote Desktop Insider's GuideGoogle's free remote access to your own computers from a browser3.2 GPA
- DWService Insider's GuideFree browser-based remote access to computers via an agent3.2 GPA
- HopToDesk Insider's GuideFree open-source remote desktop with a paid device dashboard3.2 GPA
Choosing software? Every tool graded, every price dated.
Compare tools at toolgpa.com ›Everything in this guide is ToolGPA’s own summary of what PuTTY’s pages, its app-store listings and public reviews said on the dates shown. Grades are our judgement under the rules at toolgpa.com/grades. Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. PuTTY is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by Simon Tatham and the PuTTY team. Prices and plans change: check chiark.greenend.org.uk before you buy.