--- title: Bitvise SSH Client canonical: https://saasranked.com/software/bitvise-ssh-client/ category: SSH Clients points: 57 rank: 9 of 12 facts_checked: 2026-10-08 --- # Bitvise SSH Client Free Windows SSH client with graphical SFTP, tunnelling, jump hosts and command-line tools. 57 points out of 100. #9 of 12 SSH clients. Vendor: Bitvise Limited. Website: https://www.bitvise.com/ssh-client - The client is free for all uses, including in organisations [1][2]. - It has a graphical SFTP client and command-line tools sexec, sftpc and stnlc [1][3]. - It lists port forwarding, X11 forwarding, jump servers and agent forwarding [1][4][5][6]. - It runs on Windows only, from Windows XP SP3 to Windows 11 and Server 2025 [1]. - Version 9.66 was released on 20 July 2026 [7]. Verdict: Bitvise suits Windows users who want a free SFTP and tunnelling client with scripting from the command line [1][3]. The catches: it has no agent of its own, the vendor pages list no apps for other systems, and they list no serial port, master password, session folders or smart card login [1][4][8]. Best for: Windows users who want a free client with graphical SFTP and tunnelling. ## Points | Criterion | Line | Value | Points | Note | |---|---|---|---|---| | Connections | Built-in SFTP file transfer | Yes | 7/7 | Page describes a graphical SFTP client and the sftpc command-line client [1][3]. | | Connections | SSH agent forwarding | Yes | 6/6 | Can forward Pageant and Cygwin OpenSSH agents to the server-side terminal session [4]. | | Connections | X11 forwarding | Yes | 5/5 | Help page describes X11 forwarding, enabled on the Terminal tab; you need your own X server [5]. | | Connections | Port forwarding | Yes | 4/4 | Port forwarding guide describes client-to-server rules; server-to-client rules are described as symmetric [1][6]. | | Connections | Jump hosts | Yes | 6/6 | Page says you can connect to a server through an SSH jump server [1]. | | Connections | Serial port connections | Not published | 0/4 | Not published on the vendor's client page, which lists no serial connection [1]. | | Connections | Other protocols | None | 0/3 | Client tunnels Remote Desktop and VNC but does not open them; no Telnet listed [1]. | | Keys and security | Key generator and key agent | Yes | 5/5 | User keypair manager generates, imports and exports keys; a shared keypair database holds them. No agent of its own [1][4][8]. | | Keys and security | Security key or smart card login | Not published | 0/6 | Not published on the vendor's client page or key help page [1][8]. | | Keys and security | Saved logins locked by a master password | Not published | 0/6 | Not published on the vendor's unattended-use or key help pages [8][10]. | | Keys and security | Open source | Not published | 0/6 | Not published; the licence page refers to an end-user licence agreement [2]. | | Keys and security | SOC 2 Type II or ISO 27001 | Not published | 0/2 | Not found on the vendor's client pages [1][2]. | | Sessions and workflow | Saved sessions in folders | Not published | 0/4 | Not published on the vendor's pages; profiles are described but not folders or groups [10]. | | Sessions and workflow | Scripting or automation | Yes | 5/5 | Command-line clients sexec, sftpc and stnlc run unattended commands, transfers and tunnels [1][10]. | | Sessions and workflow | Sync saved sessions between devices | Not published | 0/4 | Not published on the vendor's client pages [1][10]. | | Sessions and workflow | Portable version | Yes | 2/2 | Copy the install folder to a USB key, or extract the installer, and run with -noRegistry; no dedicated portable download described [9]. | | Sessions and workflow | Updated in the last 12 months | Yes | 3/3 | Version history lists 9.66, dated 20 July 2026 [7]. | | Other systems | Other systems | None | 0/8 | Client page lists only Windows versions as supported [1]. | | Price | Free for work use | Yes | 6/6 | Licence page says it is free of charge in all types of environments, without limitation [2]. | | Price | Cheapest uncapped edition, per year | $0 | 8/8 | Free edition has no stated limit and allows use in organisations; optional paid licences exist, with no price stated [2]. | ## Plans | Plan | Price | Per month (USD) | |---|---|---| | Free | Free [2] | $0 | The licence page says paid licences are optional and add slightly stronger support and upgrade commitments and indemnification; no price is stated there [2]. ## Strengths - Free for all uses, including organisations [2]. - Graphical SFTP client with resumable transfers and an SFTP drive [1]. - Command-line tools sexec, sftpc and stnlc automate commands, transfers and tunnels [1][3]. - Can be run from a USB key after extracting the client files [9]. - Version 9.66 is dated 20 July 2026 [7]. ## Limits - Windows only; the page lists no macOS, Linux or mobile client [1]. - No authentication agent of its own, and the Windows 10 OpenSSH agent is not supported [4]. - No smart card, PKCS#11 or security key login is listed on the vendor pages [1][8]. - A free licence does not include indemnification; a purchased licence does [2]. ## Sources 1. [Bitvise SSH Client](https://www.bitvise.com/ssh-client), Bitvise, accessed 2026-10-08 2. [Bitvise SSH Client license](https://www.bitvise.com/ssh-client-license), Bitvise, accessed 2026-10-08 3. [Bitvise SSH Client parameters](https://www.bitvise.com/files/guides/BvSshClient-Params.txt), Bitvise, accessed 2026-10-08 4. [PuTTY and OpenSSH authentication agents](https://www.bitvise.com/ssh-client-putty-openssh-auth-agents), Bitvise, accessed 2026-10-08 5. [X11 forwarding](https://www.bitvise.com/ssh-x11-forwarding), Bitvise, accessed 2026-10-08 6. [Port forwarding guide](https://www.bitvise.com/port-forwarding), Bitvise, accessed 2026-10-08 7. [Bitvise SSH Client version history](https://www.bitvise.com/ssh-client-version-history), Bitvise, accessed 2026-10-08 8. [Public keys in SSH](https://www.bitvise.com/public-keys-in-ssh), Bitvise, accessed 2026-10-08 9. [Bitvise SSH Client portable use](https://www.bitvise.com/ssh-client-portable), Bitvise, accessed 2026-10-08 10. [Unattended use of the SSH Client](https://www.bitvise.com/ssh-client-unattended), Bitvise, accessed 2026-10-08