For DevOps professionals, managing remote servers—often with no graphical interface—requires a toolkit that’s both reliable and efficient. Command-line access over SSH and secure protocols is the backbone of server management, especially when working within Linux-based environments. Having versatile and secure remote access tools can make all the difference during troubleshooting, automation, or even just routine maintenance.
TL;DR: DevOps engineers rely heavily on SSH/remote access tools to manage and troubleshoot headless servers. While classics like PuTTY still hold value, numerous alternatives offer enhanced features such as session management, scripting, and team collaboration. Here are 8 of the most trusted and widely used SSH toolkits in the DevOps ecosystem. Find out what makes each of them suitable for enterprise environments and modern DevOps workflows.
1. PuTTY – The Classic Powerhouse
Best for: Lightweight, standalone SSH clients
PuTTY has earned its reputation through simplicity, lightweight operation, and reliability. As one of the oldest and most trusted SSH clients, it serves as a base from which many newer tools have evolved. PuTTY supports SSH, Telnet, SCP, and serial port connections, all in a small, no-installation-needed package.
- Pros: Extremely lightweight, portable, and open-source
- Cons: Limited session management; lacks advanced GUI features and scripting capabilities
Though PuTTY lacks features such as tabbed sessions and stored credentials, it remains a go-to tool for quick troubleshooting or manual server work.
2. Termius – Modern SSH Client With Cloud Sync
Best for: Cross-platform use and cloud-based session management
Termius offers a visually pleasing and highly functional SSH experience across Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. With support for end-to-end encryption and the ability to sync across devices through a cloud account, it’s ideal for DevOps professionals managing multiple devices and environments.
- Pros: Cross-platform support, team collaboration, encrypted session storage
- Cons: Some essential features are locked behind a paywall
Its user-friendly UI and the ability to save and organize server credentials with tags and labels make Termius a trusted modern replacement for PuTTY.
3. mRemoteNG – Tabbed Multi-Protocol Management
Best for: Managing multiple protocols in one interface
mRemoteNG is an open-source, multi-protocol remote connections manager. It’s especially popular among system administrators and DevOps engineers who need access to different server types, supporting protocols like RDP, VNC, ICA, SSH, Telnet, and more.
- Pros: Supports multiple protocols within a tabbed interface
- Cons: Windows-only; less frequent updates compared to alternatives
If your workflow demands juggling between various remote protocols alongside SSH, mRemoteNG offers a unified layout that simplifies multi-server management.
4. Royal TS – Enterprise-Grade Remote Access
Best for: Enterprise teams with diverse access needs
Royal TS is prominent in enterprise environments for its capability to manage large environments securely. Supporting SSH, RDP, VNC, and SFTP, it integrates well into team-based DevOps setups by allowing non-sensitive credentials sharing and project-based organization.
- Pros: Enterprise-ready, supports credential management and team collaboration
- Cons: Requires license for full feature set; macOS version (Royal TSX) is separate and not 100% interoperable
Royal TS shines when managing numerous environments and multiple users, where security and role-based access control are a requirement.
5. SecureCRT – Advanced Scripting and Terminal Emulation
Best for: Power users and scripting-heavy environments
SecureCRT is a commercial terminal emulator that excels in scriptability, session customization, and emulation features. It supports SSH1 and SSH2, telnet, and rlogin, offering features ideal for automating complex workflows.
- Pros: Extremely flexible scripting (Python, VBScript); strong session management
- Cons: Paid software; steep learning curve for maximal use
For DevOps engineers who want the ability to automate session behaviors, SecureCRT is a strong player thanks to its scripting capabilities and robust settings.
6. KiTTY – Enhanced PuTTY Fork for Power Users
Best for: Users looking for advanced features in a PuTTY-like environment
KiTTY is a fork of PuTTY that adds useful features like session filtering, auto command execution, and portability enhancements. It still maintains the core simplicity of PuTTY but introduces automation and modern convenience.
- Pros: Lightweight, runs scripts, supports transparency and session launching shortcuts
- Cons: Windows-only, occasional compatibility quirks
Its automatic login scripts and session launcher make it a fantastic productivity boost for experienced users handling multiple similar systems.
7. Alacritty + tmux – Terminal Customization Power Duo
Best for: Developers wanting terminal speed and multiplexing control
Although Alacritty isn’t an SSH client per se, it’s become a frequent partner in modern DevOps toolkits due to its GPU-accelerated performance and superb font rendering. When paired with tmux—the terminal multiplexer—it allows multiple session panes and persistent sessions across disconnections.
- Pros: Fast rendering, customizable, perfect for Linux/macOS setups
- Cons: Steeper learning curve; not a plug-and-play solution
This combination is ideal for users seeking full control over their terminal environments without a high-overhead GUI tool.
8. Remmina – Versatility for Linux Users
Best for: Linux users requiring multi-protocol support in a single tool
Remmina is a remote desktop tool built primarily for Linux, supporting SSH, RDP, VNC, and SFTP. It is often shipped with Ubuntu and other Linux distributions, making it perfect for those who prefer GUI-based access options on open-source platforms.
- Pros: Linux-native, multi-protocol, good plugin support
- Cons: Lacks some advanced security and session features
For Linux-based DevOps teams, Remmina’s ability to handle multiple protocols with plugin extensibility makes it a flexible toolkit addition.
Final Thoughts: Choosing the Right Tool for Your DevOps Workflow
Each tool in this list offers unique strengths tailored to different roles and environments within a DevOps organization. When choosing an SSH or remote access toolkit, consider factors like:
- Platform compatibility (Windows, macOS, Linux)
- Support for other protocols (RDP, VNC, SFTP)
- Scripting and automation capabilities
- Credential management and team collaboration
- Security compliance and encryption standards
While entry-level users may find tools like PuTTY or KiTTY sufficient, enterprise teams may benefit more from comprehensive platforms like Royal TS or SecureCRT. Meanwhile, developers looking for speed and efficiency might gravitate toward Alacritty and tmux setups. The key lies in aligning the tool’s features with both current and future operational needs.
In the evolving world of DevOps, staying efficient requires the right toolkit—choose wisely.
