termal.in

Compare · Termalin vs PuTTY

The PuTTY alternative with tabs, files and keys built in.

Keep what PuTTY taught you to love — fast, no-nonsense SSH — and add browser-style tabs, an SFTP browser with a built-in editor, one-unlock key management and end-to-end encrypted sync. Termalin even imports your PuTTY saved sessions. Free tier — plus a 14-day Pro trial.

Free tier · 14-day Pro trial · Windows, macOS & Linux

Termalin vs PuTTY at a glance

TermalinPuTTY
PriceFree tier — the full desktop app, no host limits · optional Pro for the encrypted cloudFree, open-source
TabsBrowser-style tabs, hosts sidebar, session restore with scrollbackone window per connection
SFTP browserGraphical, with a built-in editor — edit remote files in placeno built-in SFTP browser UI
Sync across devicesEnd-to-end encrypted — the server stores only encrypted blobsno sync
PlatformsWindows · macOS · Linux — plus a browser cabinet for any deviceWindows-focused
MCP server for AI agentsIn the app, plus a hosted endpoint with API keys
Import from PuTTYReads saved sessions on Windows in one click, or a .reg export

PuTTY details from its public pages as of August 2026 — check their site for the latest.

01  /  one window, not twelve

Every server in one place — tabs, files and stats.

PuTTY opens one window per connection. Termalin puts everything in one: browser-style tabs with a hosts sidebar, an SFTP panel next to the terminal, and a status bar with live CPU, memory, disk and network for the box you're on. Close the app and your tabs come back, scrollback included.

  • Tabs that stay alive when you switch, with activity indicators when a background session prints output.
  • Edit remote files in place — a real editor with syntax highlighting, search & replace and in-place save, no round-trip to a local copy.
  • Port forwarding in plain words — no -L/-R/-D flags to memorize; it saves per host and reconnects.

02  /  keys & sync

Unlock once — and take your setup to every machine.

Generate and import SSH keys, view fingerprints, and let Termalin's own agent sign for you — unlock once, passphrases cached on your terms, no key ever written to disk in plaintext. And where PuTTY keeps its sessions on one Windows machine, Termalin syncs hosts, keys and command history across devices, end-to-end encrypted so only you can read them. Read the security model →

  • One master password encrypts everything, with auto-lock on idle and Windows Hello re-unlock.
  • The server stores only encrypted blobs — hostnames, keys and passwords never leave your device in the clear.
  • Works fully offline — the Free tier is local-only; the cloud is an add-on, not a requirement.

03  /  the part no one else has

Built for your agents, too.

Termalin ships a real MCP server over the hosts you choose. Your AI agent lists them and works through Termalin — opening its own sessions or stepping into yours — while a key custodian signs on its behalf, so the agent never holds a key. You watch every move in the grid, live.

04  /  switching

Your PuTTY sessions come with you.

Migration is the easy part — Termalin reads PuTTY's saved sessions directly. And a genuine word of respect: PuTTY is free, open-source and battle-tested, and there's no lock-in here — Termalin exports your hosts to an SSH config or CSV any time, so you can always go back.

  • One click on Windows — Termalin reads your saved PuTTY sessions straight from the hosts list's import menu.
  • Moving machines? Drop in a .reg export of your sessions and they come across too.
  • Keys are the one manual step — PuTTY's .ppk format needs converting to OpenSSH in PuTTYgen (Conversions → Export OpenSSH key) before you import.
  • Organise on arrival — folders, tags and colors keep a wall of imported hosts tidy.

Questions

Can Termalin import my PuTTY sessions?

Yes. On Windows, Termalin reads your saved PuTTY sessions in one click — or you can drop in a .reg export of them. Your sessions arrive as Termalin hosts, ready to organise into folders and tags. Private keys are the one manual step: convert .ppk files to OpenSSH format in PuTTYgen first, then import them. See the docs →

Is Termalin free like PuTTY?

The Free tier is the whole desktop app — SSH, SFTP with a built-in editor, recording & replay, the watch grid and the MCP agent — local-only, with no host limits. Paid plans only add the encrypted cloud, and every new account starts with a 14-day Pro trial — no card required. See pricing →

Does Termalin have tabs?

Yes — browser-style tabs with a hosts sidebar, so every server lives in one window instead of one window per connection. Tabs stay alive when you switch, and session restore brings your scrollback back when you reopen the app.

Do I need a separate app for file transfers?

No — Termalin has a graphical SFTP browser built in, with an editor: browse remote files, upload and download, and edit configs in place with syntax highlighting, no round-trip to a local copy. See all features →

Does Termalin work on macOS and Linux?

Yes — native builds for Windows, macOS and Linux, with end-to-end encrypted sync so your hosts and keys follow you between machines. There's also a browser cabinet at termal.in/account for phones and tablets.

Try the PuTTY alternative — your sessions included.

Download Termalin, import your PuTTY sessions in one click, and keep working. The Free tier has no host limits — Windows, macOS and Linux, with a 14-day Pro trial on top.

Free tier · 14-day Pro trial · all features · pricing