Securely connect to remote servers with ease using PuTTY.

PuTTY is a free and open-source terminal emulator, serial console, and network file transfer application.
Comprehensive and Secure Remote Access with PuTTY
PuTTY, developed by Simon Tatham, remains one of the most popular open-source terminal emulators and SSH clients available today. Known for its simplicity, reliability, and extensive features, PuTTY is an essential tool for system administrators, network engineers, and developers seeking secure remote server management.
Supports Multiple Protocols Including SSH, Telnet, and Serial Connections
PuTTY offers robust support for various communication protocols such as SSH, Telnet, and serial connections. This versatility allows users to securely connect to a wide range of devices and systems for configuration, maintenance, and troubleshooting.
Advanced Terminal Emulation for Command-Line Interaction
The terminal emulator in PuTTY provides a powerful command-line interface that enables users to execute shell commands, edit configuration files, and perform administrative tasks efficiently within a text-based environment.
Secure and Encrypted Communication
Ensuring data security during remote sessions is a core feature of PuTTY. It encrypts all transmitted data between the client and server, safeguarding sensitive information such as passwords and commands from potential eavesdropping.
User-Friendly Session Management
PuTTY simplifies connection management by allowing users to save multiple session profiles. These profiles include configurations like host IP addresses, ports, protocols, and authentication settings, enabling quick setup and connection retrieval.
Highly Customizable Interface
The software offers extensive customization options for terminal appearance, including fonts, colors, keyboard shortcuts, and behavioral settings. Users can personalize the interface to enhance usability and productivity.
Secure Port Forwarding Capabilities
PuTTY supports port forwarding, which enables secure tunneling of local and remote ports. This feature allows access to remote services securely as if they were running locally on your machine.
Authentication via Public Key Cryptography
Enhance security with public key authentication in PuTTY. This method eliminates the need to transmit passwords over networks by using cryptographic keys for authentication, significantly increasing security during remote login sessions.
An Essential Tool for Remote System Administration
With its rich feature set—including protocol support, secure connections, session management, customization options, port forwarding, and key-based authentication—PuTTY remains a formidable tool for managing remote systems efficiently and securely.
Overview
PuTTY is a Open Source software in the category System Utilities developed by Simon Tatham.
The users of our client application UpdateStar have checked PuTTY for updates 5,623 times during the last month.
The latest version of PuTTY is 0.83, released on 02/09/2025. It was initially added to our database on 08/24/2007. The most prevalent version is 0.83, which is used by 37% of all installations.
PuTTY runs on the following operating systems: Windows. The download file has a size of 0.5MB.
Users of PuTTY gave it a rating of 5 out of 5 stars.
Pros
- Free and open-source software
- Simple and easy-to-use interface
- Supports a wide range of protocols including SSH, telnet, SCP, and more
- Lightweight and fast performance
- Highly customizable with various settings and options
- Portable version available for use without installation
Cons
- Lacks advanced features compared to other SSH clients
- Interface may appear outdated and not visually appealing to some users
- No built-in file transfer capabilities
FAQ
What is PuTTY?
PuTTY is a free and open-source terminal emulator, serial console and network file transfer application.
What operating systems does PuTTY run on?
PuTTY runs on Windows, Linux, macOS and Unix. It also has a portable version that can run from a USB flash drive.
What protocols does PuTTY support?
PuTTY supports SSH, Telnet, rlogin, raw TCP and serial connections. It also has support for IPv6 and various encryption algorithms.
Is PuTTY free to use?
Yes, PuTTY is completely free to use. It is released under the MIT license which allows anyone to use, modify and distribute it.
How do I install PuTTY?
To install PuTTY on Windows, simply download the installer or portable executable from the official website and run it. On Linux and macOS, you can install it using your system's package manager or by downloading the source code and compiling it yourself.
How do I use PuTTY?
To use PuTTY, simply launch the application and enter the details of the connection you want to make (e.g. hostname, username, password). Then select the protocol you want to use and click on the connect button.
Can I save my PuTTY settings?
Yes, you can save your PuTTY settings by creating a session and saving it. This will allow you to quickly connect to the same server with the same settings in the future.
What are some useful PuTTY features?
PuTTY has many useful features such as X11 forwarding, port forwarding, SSH key authentication, dynamic port forwarding (SOCKS proxy) and many more. It also has a command-line version called plink.
How can I report bugs or suggest new features?
If you encounter a bug or want to suggest a new feature, you can do so on the official PuTTY website.
Who created PuTTY?
PuTTY was created by Simon Tatham, a computer programmer and free software advocate based in the United Kingdom.

Boris Weber
I am an editor at UpdateStar. I started as a support engineer, and am now specialized in writing about general software topics from a usability and performance angle among others. I telecommute from UpdateStar’s Berlin office, when I am not working remote as a digital nomad for UpdateStar. When I'm not analyzing the latest software updates, you can find me exploring new cities, immersing myself in local cultures, and discovering innovative tech trends across the globe.
Latest Reviews by Boris Weber
Installations
Alternatives
Bitvise SSH Client
Securely access remote servers with Bitvise SSH Client.Xshell
Xshell: Your Gateway to Secure Remote ManagementLatest Reviews
![]() |
oMega Commander SP1
oMega Commander SP1: Efficient File Management at Your Fingertips |
![]() |
Streamer Life Simulator
Get Ready to Stream in Style with Streamer Life Simulator! |
![]() |
Marvel's Spider-Man
Swing into Action with Marvel's Spider-Man |
![]() |
clickSign x32
Effortlessly Streamline Your Document Signing with clickSign x32 |
![]() |
Mercusys MW300UH Driver
Reliable Connectivity with Mercusys MW300UH Driver |
Surveillance Viewer IPC UN Miniature
Compact Yet Powerful: The IPC UN Miniature Surveillance Viewer |
![]() |
UpdateStar Premium Edition
Keeping Your Software Updated Has Never Been Easier with UpdateStar Premium Edition! |
![]() |
Microsoft Visual C++ 2015 Redistributable Package
Boost your system performance with Microsoft Visual C++ 2015 Redistributable Package! |
![]() |
Microsoft Edge
A New Standard in Web Browsing |
![]() |
Google Chrome
Fast and Versatile Web Browser |
![]() |
Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 Redistributable
Essential Component for Running Visual C++ Applications |
![]() |
Microsoft Update Health Tools
Microsoft Update Health Tools: Ensure Your System is Always Up-to-Date! |