OpenSSH
The OpenSSH toolkit provides secure remote connections and command-line file transfer, including an SFTP client.
About OpenSSH
OpenSSH is a toolkit for remote login using the SSH protocol. Its suite includes client tools for remote operations (ssh, scp, and sftp), key management tools (ssh-keygen, ssh-add, ssh-keyscan, and ssh-keysign), and server components (sshd, sftp-server, and ssh-agent). The homepage states that OpenSSH encrypts all traffic to help prevent eavesdropping, connection hijacking, and other attacks.
Beyond encrypted remote login, OpenSSH provides secure tunneling, several authentication methods, and configuration options. It is developed by a few developers of the OpenBSD Project and released under a BSD-style license. The homepage lists OpenSSH 10.6 as released October 6, 2026.
Key features
- Encrypts all traffic, aimed at preventing eavesdropping and connection hijacking
- Secure tunneling capabilities
- Several authentication methods
- Configuration options for customizing behavior
- Command-line file transfer using scp and sftp
- Key management tools including ssh-keygen, ssh-add, and ssh-keyscan
Best for: Developers and system administrators who need encrypted remote login and command-line file transfer.
Good for
- Encrypts all traffic, aimed at preventing eavesdropping and connection hijacking
- Free and open source under a BSD-style license
- Includes secure tunneling, several authentication methods, and configuration options
OpenSSH at a glance
- Website
- openssh.org
- Category
- Development › Developer Tools
- Type
- Online tool
- Pricing
- Free
- Open source
- Yes
- Last checked
- Oct 9, 2026 · Online when checked
- Listed
- Oct 9, 2026
Guides for Developer Tools
OpenSSH alternatives
Tools and sites you could use instead, ranked by how closely they match.
A command-line file-transfer program with SFTP support, queues and scripting for repeatable transfer jobs.
FreeOpen source
21 alternatives
Free open-source graphical Git client from GitHub for Windows and macOS, with file review, commits, branches and remote synchronization.
FreeOpen source
8 alternativesEdbrowse combines a text editor, browser, and email client in a command-line application.
Connect to remote computers from Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, or Android with the Termius SSH client.
A free command-line JSON processor for filters, transformations and scripted data extraction.
FreeOpen source
24 alternatives
Awesome CLI provides a command-line tool for browsing and exploring Awesome lists.
Open sourcePick
24 alternativesFeatured in
8 sites
Best of
8 Best SFTP Clients for Uploads and Remote File Management
I'd start with WinSCP on Windows and FileZilla when the same transfer tool needs to run across Windows, macOS and…
Popular in Developer Tools
Well-known listings from the same topic.
AppDevToolsappdevtools.comCommand Not Foundcommand-not-found.comTestFlighttestflight.apple.com/join/A8GwCnq8Sourcegraphabout.sourcegraph.comProject Wallaceprojectwallace.comCarbon Calculatorwebsitecarbon.com
OpenSSH FAQ
Is OpenSSH free to use?
The known pricing is free, and OpenSSH is open source under a BSD-style license.
Which tools are included in the OpenSSH suite?
The suite includes ssh, scp, and sftp for remote operations; ssh-add, ssh-keysign, ssh-keyscan, and ssh-keygen for key management; and sshd, sftp-server, and ssh-agent on the service side.
How can I financially support OpenSSH?
Contributions towards OpenSSH can be sent to the OpenBSD Foundation.
Is something wrong or out of date?
Tell us and an editor will check it.
Own this website?
Claim this listing
Claim the listing and suggest updates yourself. An editor checks every claim first.