# MobaXTerm vs PuTTY Comparison

---
## Frequently Asked Questions

### What is the difference between PuTTY vs MobaXTerm?

MobaXTerm stands out from PuTTY with a higher G2 rating, stronger support scores, and a top reviewer-cited strength in managing multiple sessions efficiently.

| [PuTTY](https://www.g2.com/products/putty/reviews) | [MobaXTerm](https://www.g2.com/products/mobaxterm/reviews) |
| --- | --- |
| 4.5/5 (353 reviews) | 4.6/5 (110 reviews) |
| Enterprise | Mid-Market |
| 9.3 | 9.2 |
| 8.1 | 8.4 |
| Reliable, lightweight SSH and Telnet connectivity | Efficient management of multiple remote sessions with a tabbed interface |



### How do the pricing models of PuTTY and MobaXTerm compare?

MobaXTerm is rated higher for value, with a stronger Price/Cost satisfaction score than PuTTY.

- **PuTTY:** Reviewers consistently highlight PuTTY's open-source, free-to-use model as a major value driver, especially for organizations seeking cost-effective SSH and Telnet access.
- **MobaXTerm:** In recent reviews, MobaXTerm's pricing is noted as a trade-off, with some users mentioning limitations in the free version and the need for a paid license for advanced features, but overall satisfaction with the value provided by its extensive feature set.



### What are the best alternatives to PuTTY and MobaXTerm?

The top three alternatives to PuTTY and MobaXTerm are RealVNC, SecureCRT, and TeraTerm.

| Product | G2 Rating (reviews) | Largest Segment | Pricing Insight | Top Reviewer-Cited Strength |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [PuTTY](https://www.g2.com/products/putty/reviews) | 4.5/5 (353 reviews) | Enterprise | Open-source, free to use | Reliable, lightweight SSH and Telnet connectivity |
| [MobaXTerm](https://www.g2.com/products/mobaxterm/reviews) | 4.6/5 (110 reviews) | Mid-Market | Free version with paid upgrades for advanced features | Efficient management of multiple remote sessions with a tabbed interface |
| [RealVNC](https://www.g2.com/products/realvnc/reviews) | 4.7/5 (439 reviews) | Small-Business | — | Remote desktop access and control |
| [SecureCRT](https://www.g2.com/products/securecrt/reviews) | 4.8/5 (54 reviews) | Enterprise | — | Advanced security and scripting capabilities |
| [TeraTerm](https://www.g2.com/products/teraterm/reviews) | 4.3/5 (19 reviews) | — | — | Simple, effective terminal emulation |



### Which Terminal Emulator features should I prioritize when comparing PuTTY and MobaXTerm?

Buyers comparing PuTTY and MobaXTerm should prioritize session management, file transfer capabilities, ease of use, security features, and protocol support.

- **Session Management:** MobaXTerm is frequently praised for its tabbed interface and ability to manage multiple sessions efficiently, while PuTTY lacks a native tabbed interface.
- **File Transfer Capabilities:** MobaXTerm has 2 all-time mentions for file transfer, with built-in SFTP and SCP support, whereas PuTTY requires external tools for file transfers.
- **Ease of Use:** MobaXTerm scores 9.3 on Ease of Use, with 2 all-time mentions for simplicity and user-friendliness; PuTTY scores 8.9 and is noted for its lightweight, straightforward interface.
- **Security Features:** Both products are recognized for secure SSH connectivity, with MobaXTerm receiving an all-time mention for security focus and PuTTY highlighted for reliable SSH and agent forwarding.
- **Protocol Support:** Both support SSH and Telnet, but MobaXTerm is noted for supporting additional protocols like RDP, VNC, and SFTP in recent reviews.



### What are the pros and cons of PuTTY vs MobaXTerm?

PuTTY's headline strength is its lightweight, reliable SSH connectivity, while MobaXTerm excels in managing multiple sessions and integrated file transfer.

- **PuTTY strengths:** Lightweight and portable, open-source and free, reliable SSH and Telnet connectivity, strong session management with saved sessions, agent forwarding, and scripting support.
- **PuTTY trade-offs:** Lacks a native tabbed interface, requires external tools for file transfer, configuration dialog can be complex for newcomers, session storage in Windows registry complicates portability, and key format conversion is needed for OpenSSH compatibility.
- **MobaXTerm strengths:** Tabbed interface for multiple sessions, integrated file transfer (SFTP, SCP), user-friendly interface (2 all-time mentions for ease of use and simplicity), session auto-save, and support for multiple protocols (SSH, RDP, VNC, SFTP).
- **MobaXTerm trade-offs:** Free version limits saved sessions, paid license required for advanced features, UI is considered outdated by some reviewers, occasional performance issues with many active sessions, and limited customization options (1 all-time mention).



### Is PuTTY or MobaXTerm better for small businesses?

RealVNC is the top alternative for small businesses, but between PuTTY and MobaXTerm, MobaXTerm is better suited for small-business needs based on reviewer sentiment and segment alignment.

- **PuTTY:** Largest segment is Enterprise; reviewers highlight its reliability and open-source value, but small-business-specific sentiment is less prominent.
- **MobaXTerm:** Largest segment is Mid-Market, with recent reviews emphasizing ease of use, session management, and integrated tools that benefit small teams and IT admins.



### Which Terminal Emulator platform has better integrations?

Neither PuTTY nor MobaXTerm has a clear reviewer preference for integrations, as no recent reviews cite specific third-party integrations for either product.

- **PuTTY:** No reviewer-cited integrations in recent reviews.
- **MobaXTerm:** No reviewer-cited integrations in recent reviews.



### How do PuTTY and MobaXTerm compare on customer support?

MobaXTerm and PuTTY are rated in near-parity for Quality of Support, with MobaXTerm at 8.4 and PuTTY at 8.1, a difference below the materiality threshold.

- **PuTTY:** Reviewers describe support as adequate, with scores ranging from 4.0 to 7.0, and note that documentation and community resources are helpful for troubleshooting.
- **MobaXTerm:** Reviewers rate support between 5.0 and 7.0, mentioning that while support is generally positive, some users desire more responsive assistance and improved documentation.



### Which is easier to implement, PuTTY or MobaXTerm?

PuTTY and MobaXTerm are rated in near-parity for Ease of Setup, with PuTTY at 9.3 and MobaXTerm at 9.2, a difference below the materiality threshold.

- **PuTTY:** Reviewers consistently highlight its quick, installation-free setup and ease of initial configuration, making it accessible for both beginners and experienced users.
- **MobaXTerm:** Reviewers praise its straightforward setup process, intuitive interface, and the ability to save and import sessions, with minimal barriers to implementation.



| | MobaXTerm | PuTTY | 
|---|---|---|
| **Star Rating** | 4.6 out of 5 | 4.5 out of 5 | 
| **Total Reviews** | 110 | 352 | 

---
## Top Pros & Cons

### MobaXTerm

Pros:
- Ease of Use (2 reviews)
- File Transfer (2 reviews)

Cons:
- Information Deficiency (1 reviews)
- Limited Customization (1 reviews)

### PuTTY

**Not enough data**

---
## Ratings Comparison
| Rating | MobaXTerm | PuTTY | 
|---|---|---|
  | **Meets Requirements** | 9.5 (85 reviews) | 8.9 (326 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Use** | 9.3 (86 reviews) | 8.9 (326 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Setup** | 9.2 (24 reviews) | 9.3 (88 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Admin** | 9.6 (15 reviews) | 9.2 (81 reviews) | 
  | **Quality of Support** | 8.4 (63 reviews) | 8.1 (237 reviews) | 
  | **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?** | 9.3 (14 reviews) | 8.9 (63 reviews) | 
  | **Product Direction (% positive)** | 8.4 (80 reviews) | 7.8 (320 reviews) | 

---
## Pricing

### MobaXTerm

#### Entry-Level Pricing

No pricing available

#### Free Trial

No information available

### PuTTY

#### Entry-Level Pricing

No pricing available

#### Free Trial

No information available

---
## Features Comparison By Category

### Terminal Emulator

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **MobaXTerm** | 7.9/10 | 59 |
| **PuTTY** | 8.3/10 | 185 |

#### Performance

| Feature | MobaXTerm | PuTTY | 
|---|---|---|
| **Plugins** | 8.4 (35 reviews) | 8.1 (129 reviews) | 
| **Resource Usage** | 8.6 (40 reviews) | 8.6 (155 reviews) | 
| **Latency** | 8.6 (41 reviews) | 8.3 (161 reviews) | 

#### Operating System

| Feature | MobaXTerm | PuTTY | 
|---|---|---|
| **Linux Support** | 8.2 (39 reviews) | 9.0 (145 reviews) | 
| **Windows Support** | 8.9 (44 reviews) | 9.0 (154 reviews) | 
| **Mac Support** | 6.8 (26 reviews) | 8.2 (99 reviews) | 
| **Unix Support** | 7.9 (13 reviews) | 8.7 (24 reviews) | 

#### User Interface

| Feature | MobaXTerm | PuTTY | 
|---|---|---|
| **Scrolling** | 9.1 (42 reviews) | 8.4 (158 reviews) | 
| **Customization** | 8.9 (40 reviews) | 7.8 (148 reviews) | 
| **Logging** | 9.1 (41 reviews) | 8.5 (154 reviews) | 
| **Command-line interface** | 9.4 (43 reviews) | 9.0 (157 reviews) | 

#### Licensing 

| Feature | MobaXTerm | PuTTY | 
|---|---|---|
| **Concurrent Licensing** | 7.2 (13 reviews) | 7.8 (22 reviews) | 
| **Subscription Licensing** | 6.7 (11 reviews) | 7.6 (21 reviews) | 
| **Named User Licensing** | 7.5 (12 reviews) | 7.8 (24 reviews) | 
| **Perpetual Licensing** | 7.1 (12 reviews) | 7.4 (22 reviews) | 

#### Security

| Feature | MobaXTerm | PuTTY | 
|---|---|---|
| **Multifactor Authentication (MFA)** | 6.9 (13 reviews) | 8.1 (24 reviews) | 
| **Secure Sockets Layer encryption** | 7.3 (13 reviews) | 8.8 (23 reviews) | 
| **Portal Access ** | 7.4 (13 reviews) | 8.8 (26 reviews) | 
| **SAML Service Provider Integration** | 7.3 (13 reviews) | 7.6 (22 reviews) | 

#### Functionality

| Feature | MobaXTerm | PuTTY | 
|---|---|---|
| **Robotic Process Automation (RPA)** | 6.8 (12 reviews) | 7.7 (21 reviews) | 
| **Replication** | 7.1 (12 reviews) | 8.5 (22 reviews) | 

### Remote Desktop

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **MobaXTerm** | 8.3/10 | 69 |
| **PuTTY** | N/A | N/A |

#### Administration

| Feature | MobaXTerm | PuTTY | 
|---|---|---|
| **Usage Information** | 8.6 (50 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Active Directory Integration** | 8.3 (46 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Diagnostics** | 8.3 (41 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Session Recording** | 8.1 (42 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Session Transfer** | 8.6 (45 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Unattended Access** | 8.2 (42 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **File Sharing** | 8.8 (51 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Screen Sharing** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **File Transfer** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Third-Party Integrations** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Platform

| Feature | MobaXTerm | PuTTY | 
|---|---|---|
| **Cross-Platform Access** | 7.8 (50 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Mobile Device Access** | 6.9 (36 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Applications Management** | 8.0 (41 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Remote Access/Control** | 8.9 (48 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Communication Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Multiple Monitor Access** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Security

| Feature | MobaXTerm | PuTTY | 
|---|---|---|
| **Remote Wipe** | 8.3 (31 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Device Management** | 8.5 (35 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Device Enrollment** | 8.7 (32 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Compliance Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Remote Monitoring & Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **File Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Meeting Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Print Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **User Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Additional Functionality

| Feature | MobaXTerm | PuTTY | 
|---|---|---|
| **Role-Based Permissions** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Chat/Messaging** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Whiteboard** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **AI Copilot** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **API** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Two-Factor Authentication** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Reporting & Statistics** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Secure Data Storage** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Customizable Branding** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Reporting/Analytics** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Remote Printing** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Server Monitoring** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Activity Dashboard** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Real-Time Notifications** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Desktop Virtualization** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Access Controls/Permissions** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Real-Time Monitoring** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Activity Tracking** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Remote Update/Installation** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Event Logs** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Performance Metrics** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Secure Login** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Monitoring** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Real-Time Data** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Uptime Reporting** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Live Chat** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Generative AI** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Collaboration Tools** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Authentication** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Real-Time Chat** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Diagnostics Tools** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Summary Reports** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Drag & Drop** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Multiple User Accounts** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Troubleshooting** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Real-Time Updates** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

---
## Categories
**Shared Categories (1):** [Terminal Emulator Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/terminal-emulator)

**Unique to MobaXTerm (1):** [Remote Desktop Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/remote-desktop)



---
## Reviewer Demographics

### By Company Size

| Segment | MobaXTerm | PuTTY | 
|---|---|---|
| **Small-Business** | 29.7% | 26.5% | 
| **Mid-Market** | 45.5% | 27.7% | 
| **Enterprise** | 24.8% | 45.7% | 

### By Industry

#### MobaXTerm

- **Information Technology and Services:** 31.7%
- **Computer Software:** 20.8%
- **Telecommunications:** 5.0%
- **Financial Services:** 4.0%
- **Research:** 4.0%
- **Higher Education:** 3.0%
- **Insurance:** 3.0%
- **Computer Networking:** 3.0%
- **E-Learning:** 2.0%
- **Computer & Network Security:** 2.0%
- **Other:** 21.8%

#### PuTTY

- **Information Technology and Services:** 33.0%
- **Computer Software:** 14.9%
- **Telecommunications:** 6.4%
- **Computer & Network Security:** 4.4%
- **Computer Networking:** 4.1%
- **Higher Education:** 3.2%
- **Financial Services:** 2.0%
- **Internet:** 1.8%
- **Banking:** 1.8%
- **Insurance:** 1.5%
- **Other:** 26.9%

---
## Alternatives

### Alternatives to MobaXTerm

- [RealVNC](https://www.g2.com/products/realvnc/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (440 reviews)
- [TeamViewer](https://www.g2.com/products/teamviewer/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (4197 reviews)
- [Devolutions Remote Desktop Manager](https://www.g2.com/products/devolutions-remote-desktop-manager/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (199 reviews)
- [AnyDesk](https://www.g2.com/products/anydesk/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (1101 reviews)
- [Remote Desktop Services](https://www.g2.com/products/remote-desktop-services/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (140 reviews)
- [SecureCRT](https://www.g2.com/products/securecrt/reviews) — 4.8/5 stars (54 reviews)
- [iTerm2](https://www.g2.com/products/iterm2/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (51 reviews)
- [TeraTerm](https://www.g2.com/products/teraterm/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (18 reviews)
- [XShell](https://www.g2.com/products/xshell/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (12 reviews)
- [NoMachine Everybody](https://www.g2.com/products/nomachine-everybody/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (10 reviews)

### Alternatives to PuTTY

- [SecureCRT](https://www.g2.com/products/securecrt/reviews) — 4.8/5 stars (54 reviews)
- [TeraTerm](https://www.g2.com/products/teraterm/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (18 reviews)
- [iTerm2](https://www.g2.com/products/iterm2/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (51 reviews)
- [XShell](https://www.g2.com/products/xshell/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (12 reviews)
- [GNOME Terminal](https://www.g2.com/products/gnome-terminal/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (14 reviews)
- [Tabby.sh](https://www.g2.com/products/tabby-sh/reviews) — 4.2/5 stars (16 reviews)
- [ConEmu](https://www.g2.com/products/conemu/reviews) — 4.8/5 stars (13 reviews)
- [kitty](https://www.g2.com/products/kitty/reviews) — 5.0/5 stars (2 reviews)
- [Yakuake](https://www.g2.com/products/yakuake/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (13 reviews)
- [Terminator](https://www.g2.com/products/terminator/reviews) — 4.9/5 stars (5 reviews)

---
## Top Discussions

### MobaXTerm

- Title: [Why MobaXterm is better than PuTTY?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/why-mobaxterm-is-better-than-putty) — 2 comments
  > **Top comment:** "Tabbed terminals - enter same command to all at once (Multi-Execution)
Simultaneous viewing of 2 or 4 terminals into vertical/horizontal split
X..."
- Title: [Is MobaXterm free?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/is-mobaxterm-free) — 2 comments
  > **Top comment:** "Yes"
- Title: [What is MobaXTerm used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/mobaxterm-what-is-mobaxterm-used-for) — 1 comment
  > **Top comment:** "To connect with remote machines , it's a remote connective tool with many additional features compared to putty"
- Title: [What is MobaXterm?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-mobaxterm) — 1 comment
  > **Top comment:** "Its help to connect SSH. And also provide file/folder structure by which you can download file and upload file."
- Title: [What is MobaXterm used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-mobaxterm-used-for) — 1 comment
  > **Top comment:** "It is a software used to take remote connections with devices. "

### PuTTY

- Title: [how can i save password for the session in putty](https://www.g2.com/discussions/how-can-i-save-password-for-the-session-in-putty) — 5 comments, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "You can not save password in Putty but can save user name and hostname that would automatically take you to the screen to enter the password. "
- Title: [What is PuTTY used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-putty-used-for) — 1 comment
  > **Top comment:** "Putty is used to get servers log"
- Title: [Kindly help me in understanding SSH port Forwarding which is in Putty as Tunnel](https://www.g2.com/discussions/kindly-help-me-in-understanding-ssh-port-forwarding-which-is-in-putty-as-tunnel) — 1 comment, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "Certainly! I'll guide you through the process of configuring each type of port forwarding in PuTTY with examples for better understanding. Let's start with..."
- Title: [I am wondering about using putty for a few purposes, can you help?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/50215-i-am-wondering-about-using-putty-for-a-few-purposes-can-you-help) — 1 comment, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "Comment deleted by user."

---
**Source:** [G2.com](https://www.g2.com) | [Comparison Page](https://www.g2.com/compare/mobaxterm-vs-putty)