20 rules in 5 groups, worth 100 points in all. They were set before any product was scored and apply the same way to all 12.
Version 1, published 9 Oct 2026
In short
Each rule is a yes-or-no fact, a list (such as the systems with an app) or a number with published thresholds, read from the vendor's own pages.
A fact the vendor does not publish earns nothing. A feature in beta or preview does not count.
The list follows the points. A tie goes to the lower price on "cheapest uncapped edition, per year", then to the name.
SSH clients and terminal-connection managers that run on Windows (an app, or the Windows built-in tool). File-transfer-only clients such as WinSCP and FTP clients are left out. A one-off licence is priced per year by dividing its price by 3. Lines that say "on at least one edition" count only editions for one person.
Connections 35 points
Rule
What it takes
Points
Built-in SFTP file transfer
The product itself includes a graphical or command-line SFTP client for moving files over SSH, on at least one edition. A separate paid add-on product does not count.
7
SSH agent forwarding
The vendor's documentation, help pages or release notes list SSH agent forwarding, so keys on your PC can be used from the server you log in to.
6
X11 forwarding
The vendor's documentation, help pages or release notes list X11 forwarding. It is counted even if you must supply your own X server.
5
Port forwarding
The vendor's documentation lists local and remote port forwarding (SSH tunnels).
4
Jump hosts
The vendor's documentation, help pages or release notes list connecting through a jump host, bastion or ProxyJump-style gateway (an SSH hop through another server).
6
Serial port connections
The product can open a serial (COM port) connection, on at least one edition.
4
Other protocols
The product can open connections of this kind from the same window. Each one earns 1 point.
3
Keys and security 25 points
Rule
What it takes
Points
Key generator and key agent
The product includes a tool to create SSH keys and an agent or key store that holds them while you work.
5
Security key or smart card login
The vendor documents sign-in with a FIDO2 security key, a PIV smart card or a PKCS#11 token, on at least one edition.
6
Saved logins locked by a master password
The vendor documents that one password or passphrase you set locks all saved logins (passwords and keys), not just a passphrase on a single key file. A password for the vendor's cloud account alone does not count.
6
Open source
The source code of the apps is public under an open-source licence.
6
SOC 2 Type II or ISO 27001
The vendor names a SOC 2 Type II report or an ISO/IEC 27001 certification for this product or the company running it.
2
Sessions and workflow 18 points
Rule
What it takes
Points
Saved sessions in folders
You can save connections and sort them into folders or groups inside the app.
4
Scripting or automation
The vendor documents a scripting language, macro recorder or command-line client for automating logins and commands. Saved command snippets alone do not count.
5
Sync saved sessions between devices
Saved sessions and logins can sync between your devices through the vendor's service or a shared file location the vendor documents.
4
Portable version
A version for Windows that runs without installing, for example from a USB stick, offered by the vendor.
2
Updated in the last 12 months
The vendor's download page, changelog or release notes show a release dated within the 12 months before the research date.
3
Other systems 8 points
Rule
What it takes
Points
Other systems
An official app or installer from the vendor for each system, or a listing in the system's app store. A source-code download alone does not count. Windows is a condition for being listed. Each one earns 2 points.
8
Price 14 points
Rule
What it takes
Points
Free for work use
A free edition or free product with no time limit, whose licence allows use at work. Evaluation periods and home-use-only licences do not count.
6
Cheapest uncapped edition, per year
The cheapest edition for one person that may be used at work, with no vendor-set cap on saved sessions, hosts, tunnels or macros, at its regular price, in US dollars a year before tax. A subscription counts its yearly price. A licence called perpetual, lifetime or one-time counts its price divided by 3; if the page does not say, count the price as yearly. Entirely free counts $0. $0 earns 8 points, $25 or less 6, $50 or less 4, $120 or less 2.