--- title: WindTerm canonical: https://saasranked.com/software/windterm/ category: SSH Clients points: 53 rank: 10 of 12 facts_checked: 2026-10-08 --- # WindTerm Free SSH, Telnet and serial terminal with built-in SFTP, agent forwarding, X11 and tunnels, partly open source. 53 points out of 100. #10 of 12 SSH clients. Vendor: kingToolbox. Website: https://github.com/kingToolbox/WindTerm - WindTerm is free for commercial and non-commercial use without limitations [1]. - It lists built-in SFTP and SCP, SSH agent forwarding, X11 forwarding, local, remote and dynamic port forwarding, and jump servers [1]. - Windows builds ship as portable zip files in 32-bit and 64-bit; Mac and Linux builds also exist [2]. - The latest stable release, 2.7.0, was published on 11 March 2025 [3]. - Only part of the source is public; the released code is under Apache-2.0 [1]. Verdict: WindTerm suits admins who want a free client with SFTP, agent forwarding, X11, tunnels and jump servers in one window, including at work [1]. It runs from a portable zip on Windows [2]. The catch: it is only partly open source, the README lists scripting only as a roadmap item, and its latest stable release is from March 2025 [1][3]. Best for: Admins who want a free client with many connection features and no work-use limit. ## Points | Criterion | Line | Value | Points | Note | |---|---|---|---|---| | Connections | Built-in SFTP file transfer | Yes | 7/7 | README lists an integrated SFTP and SCP client for download, upload, rename and delete [1]. | | Connections | SSH agent forwarding | Yes | 6/6 | README says it supports SSH agent forwarding; release 2.7.0 notes describe it with pageant and ssh-agent [1][2]. | | Connections | X11 forwarding | Yes | 5/5 | README says it supports X11 forwarding [1]. | | Connections | Port forwarding | Yes | 4/4 | README lists local, remote and dynamic port forwarding [1]. | | Connections | Jump hosts | Yes | 6/6 | README lists Jump Server proxy and SSH ProxyCommand or ProxyJump [1]. | | Connections | Serial port connections | Yes | 4/4 | README lists SSH, Telnet, Raw TCP, Serial and Shell protocols [1]. | | Connections | Other protocols | Telnet | 1/3 | Telnet is listed; RDP and VNC are not mentioned [1]. | | Keys and security | Key generator and key agent | Not published | 0/5 | Not published in the README or release notes; they mention only external agents [1][2]. | | Keys and security | Security key or smart card login | Not published | 0/6 | Not published in the README or release notes [1][2]. | | Keys and security | Saved logins locked by a master password | Not published | 0/6 | The README says only 'enhanced protection' of saved usernames and passwords [1]. | | Keys and security | Open source | No | 0/6 | README calls it a partial open source project; only released code is Apache-2.0, so the apps' source is not fully public [1]. | | Keys and security | SOC 2 Type II or ISO 27001 | Not published | 0/2 | Not published in the README or release notes [1][2]. | | Sessions and workflow | Saved sessions in folders | Not published | 0/4 | README lists a session dialog and session tree; folders or groups are not mentioned [1]. | | Sessions and workflow | Scripting or automation | Not published | 0/5 | Not published as a current feature. The README roadmap lists a script, macro and plugin system as a future item [1]. | | Sessions and workflow | Sync saved sessions between devices | Not published | 0/4 | Not published in the README or release notes [1][2]. | | Sessions and workflow | Portable version | Yes | 2/2 | Release 2.7.0 offers Windows portable zip files, 32-bit and 64-bit [2]. | | Sessions and workflow | Updated in the last 12 months | No | 0/3 | The latest release, 2.7.0, was published on 2025-03-11, over 12 months ago [3]. | | Other systems | Other systems | macOS, Linux | 4/8 | Release 2.7.0 has a Mac dmg and a Linux portable zip; no iOS or Android app is listed [2]. | | Price | Free for work use | Yes | 6/6 | README says completely free for commercial and non-commercial use without limitations [1]. | | Price | Cheapest uncapped edition, per year | $0 | 8/8 | Entirely free, including commercial use [1]. | ## Plans | Plan | Price | Per month (USD) | |---|---|---| | WindTerm | Free [1][2] | $0 | ## Strengths - Free for commercial use, with no cap on sessions listed [1]. - Lists SFTP, agent forwarding, X11, three kinds of port forwarding and jump servers [1]. - Opens SSH, Telnet and serial sessions [1]. - Windows versions run from a portable zip without installing [2]. - Also available for macOS and Linux [2]. ## Limits - The project calls itself partly open source; the source is released gradually [1]. - The README lists a script, macro and plugin system only as a roadmap item [1]. - The latest stable release is dated 11 March 2025 [3]. - No iOS or Android app is listed [1]. ## Vendor claims (not scored) - The release notes say terminal performance improved by 20 to 30 percent and SFTP speed by 20 to 40 percent in 2.7.0 [2]. ## Sources 1. [WindTerm README](https://github.com/kingToolbox/WindTerm), kingToolbox on GitHub, accessed 2026-10-08 2. [WindTerm 2.7.0 release](https://github.com/kingToolbox/WindTerm/releases/tag/2.7.0), kingToolbox on GitHub, accessed 2026-10-08 3. [WindTerm latest release data](https://api.github.com/repos/kingToolbox/WindTerm/releases/latest), GitHub, accessed 2026-10-08