Connections28 of 35
Keys and security11 of 25
Sessions and workflow8 of 18
Other systems0 of 8
Price14 of 14
SSH client · Microsoft
OpenSSH for Windows
The open-source OpenSSH command-line tools, available as an optional Windows feature at no listed charge.
In short
- Available as a feature on demand from Windows 10 build 1809 and Windows Server 20191.
- Includes ssh, sftp, scp, ssh-keygen, ssh-agent and ssh-add1.
- Installed by default only on Windows Server 2025; Windows 10 and Server 2019 and 2022 need it added1.
- Microsoft services the in-box version through Windows Update4.
- Needs no licence fee: the project is open source, mostly under BSD-style licences7.
OpenSSH for Windows suits admins who live in PowerShell or a terminal and want standard ssh, sftp and key tools that Microsoft updates1,4. It supports jump hosts, tunnels and agent forwarding through the standard ssh options5. The catch: it lists no serial, Telnet, RDP or VNC connections, and no saved-session manager1.
Best for: Admins who want ssh, sftp and key tools without installing a third-party app.
Where the points come from
Connections 28 of 35 points
| Rule | What is published | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Built-in SFTP file transfer | YesThe sftp and scp commands are built in1. | 7 / 7 |
| SSH agent forwarding | YesThe ssh manual, which Microsoft's docs point to for client options, lists -A agent forwarding1,5. | 6 / 6 |
| X11 forwarding | YesThe ssh manual lists -X X11 forwarding for the client. Microsoft marks the X11Forwarding server setting unavailable on Windows3,5. | 5 / 5 |
| Port forwarding | YesThe ssh manual lists local (-L), remote (-R) and dynamic (-D) forwarding5. | 4 / 4 |
| Jump hosts | YesThe ssh manual lists -J and the ProxyJump option for connecting through a jump host5. | 6 / 6 |
| Serial port connections | Not publishedNot published on the vendor's overview page1. | 0 / 4 |
| Other protocols | NoneThe overview lists SSH tools only; no Telnet, RDP or VNC client1. | 0 / 3 |
Keys and security 11 of 25 points
| Rule | What is published | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Key generator and key agent | Yesssh-keygen creates keys and ssh-agent holds them while you work1,2. | 5 / 5 |
| Security key or smart card login | Not publishedMicrosoft's key page names no security key or token; its release notes mention LibFido2 only in a preview build2,8. | 0 / 6 |
| Saved logins locked by a master password | Not publishedNot published on the vendor's key page2; ssh-agent keeps keys in your Windows account's security context. | 0 / 6 |
| Open source | YesMicrosoft calls OpenSSH open source; its fork is public on GitHub, mostly under BSD-style licences1,7. | 6 / 6 |
| SOC 2 Type II or ISO 27001 | Not publishedNot published on the vendor's overview page1. | 0 / 2 |
Sessions and workflow 8 of 18 points
| Rule | What is published | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Saved sessions in folders | Not publishedNot published on the vendor's overview page1. | 0 / 4 |
| Scripting or automation | Yesssh is a command-line client; Microsoft's guide runs PowerShell commands on a server through it2. | 5 / 5 |
| Sync saved sessions between devices | Not publishedNot published on the vendor's overview page1. | 0 / 4 |
| Portable version | Not publishedNot published on the vendor's install guide4. | 0 / 2 |
| Updated in the last 12 months | YesRelease table lists 10.0.0.0 on 10/27/2025, a preview build6,8; Microsoft services the in-box version via Windows Update4. | 3 / 3 |
Other systems 0 of 8 points
| Rule | What is published | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Other systems | NoneMicrosoft's pages cover Windows only1. | 0 / 8 |
Price 14 of 14 points
The rule behind each line: how we score SSH clients.
Plans and prices
As the vendor lists them, before tax. Prices are in US dollars unless the plan shows euros; the points use US dollars, with euros converted at the ECB rate.
Strengths
- Includes sftp and scp for file transfer over SSH1.
- ssh-keygen and ssh-agent create and hold keys; the agent stores them under your Windows account2.
- The ssh manual lists jump hosts, local, remote and dynamic tunnels, and agent forwarding5.
- Source code is public, mostly under BSD-style licences7.
- Microsoft services the in-box version through Windows Update4.
Limits
- Not installed by default on Windows 10, Server 2019 or Server 2022; you add it as an optional feature1.
- Microsoft lists the X11Forwarding server setting as unavailable in the Windows build3.
- Microsoft Entra accounts do not support key-based authentication2.
- The tools are command-line programs; the overview lists no session manager1.
Other SSH clients
- 1
TabbyPeople who want a free, open-source terminal with SSH built in81/100$0cheapest uncapped edition, per year - 2
TermiusPeople who connect from a PC and a phone and want saved hosts to sync80/100$0cheapest uncapped edition, per year - 3
MobaXtermWindows admins who want SSH, SFTP, X11 and remote desktop in one window76/100$23/yrcheapest uncapped edition, per year - 4
SecureCRTAdmins who want a paid, scriptable client with a one-time licence71/100$39.67/yrcheapest uncapped edition, per year
Sources
- OpenSSH for Windows overview, Microsoft Learn. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- Key-Based Authentication in OpenSSH for Windows, Microsoft Learn. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- OpenSSH Server Configuration for Windows, Microsoft Learn. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- Get started with OpenSSH for Windows, Microsoft Learn. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- ssh manual page, OpenBSD. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- Win32-OpenSSH, GitHub. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- OpenSSH licence, GitHub. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- Win32-OpenSSH release 10.0.0.0p2, GitHub. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
Website: learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/administration/openssh/openssh_overview · Markdown version · We are not affiliated with Microsoft.