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# PuTTY vs TeraTerm Comparison - What are their main differences?

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PuTTYTeraTerm[+ Add Product](#)

Pricing

**PuTTY**
No pricing available

**TeraTerm**
No pricing available

**Pricing Insights**
from reviews

Perceived Cost

**PuTTY**
$$$$$

**TeraTerm**
Not enough reviews yet

Average Discount

**PuTTY**
16%

**TeraTerm**
Not enough reviews yet

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Time to Implement

**PuTTY** 6 months
Based on 100 responses

**TeraTerm** 6 months
Based on 100 responses

Return on Investment

**PuTTY** 6 months
Based on 100 responses

**TeraTerm** 6 months
Based on 100 responses

**Pros & Cons**
from reviews

**PuTTY**
Not enough data

**TeraTerm**
Not enough data

**Ratings**
from reviews

Meets Requirements

**PuTTY**

**8.9** /10

Based on 326 responses

**TeraTerm**

**8.9** /10

Based on 16 responses

Ease of Use

**PuTTY**

**8.9** /10

Based on 326 responses

**TeraTerm**

**8.8** /10

Based on 16 responses

Ease of Setup

**PuTTY**

**9.3** /10

Based on 88 responses

**TeraTerm** Not enough data

Ease of Admin

**PuTTY**

**9.2** /10

Based on 81 responses

**TeraTerm** Not enough data

Quality of Support

**PuTTY**

**8.1** /10

Based on 237 responses

**TeraTerm**

**8.5** /10

Based on 9 responses

Has the product been a good partner in doing business?

**PuTTY**

**8.9** /10

Based on 63 responses

**TeraTerm** Not enough data

Product Direction (% positive)

**PuTTY**

**7.8** /10

Based on 320 responses

**TeraTerm**

**7.7** /10

Based on 15 responses

**Features**
ratings from reviews

Terminal Emulator

**8.3** /10

Based on 185 responses

**9.0** /10

Based on 11 responses

User Insights

**Reviewers' Company Size**

Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
26.5%

Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
27.7%

Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.)
45.7%

Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
26.5%

Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
27.7%

Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.)
45.7%

Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
35.3%

Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
35.3%

Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.)
29.4%

Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
35.3%

Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
35.3%

Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.)
29.4%

**Reviewers' Industry**

[![PuTTY](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_91ba385b963fa00bce23b532cca3ebba/putty.png "PuTTY")](https://www.g2.com/products/putty/reviews)
PuTTY

Information Technology and Services
33.0%

Computer Software
14.9%

Telecommunications
6.4%

Computer & Network Security
4.4%

Computer Networking
4.1%

Other
37.1%

[![TeraTerm](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_1d4d0089c605d6e5ef9422cd70892915/teraterm.png "TeraTerm")](https://www.g2.com/products/teraterm/reviews)
TeraTerm

Mechanical or Industrial Engineering
11.8%

Information Technology and Services
11.8%

Electrical/Electronic Manufacturing
11.8%

Computer Software
11.8%

Writing and Editing
5.9%

Other
47.1%

Alternatives

**PuTTY Alternatives**

 ![MobaXTerm](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_3c47b0293b63e905b726b84b02ab0683/mobaxterm.PNG "MobaXTerm")

[
MobaXTerm
](/products/mobaxterm/reviews)

 ![SecureCRT](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_7480f3088d28dac2e53abe007c765c98/securecrt.png "SecureCRT")

[
SecureCRT
](/products/securecrt/reviews)

 ![iTerm2](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_0159d1abdafe291500d48ac376a5d2c4/iterm2.jpg "iTerm2")

[
iTerm2
](/products/iterm2/reviews)

 ![XShell](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_98dc68985a25ba7fb49e8bb5e385b645/7abc6a29-2110-4354-83cf-aa4a2c549e12.jpg "XShell")

[
XShell
](/products/xshell/reviews)

**TeraTerm Alternatives**

 ![MobaXTerm](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_3c47b0293b63e905b726b84b02ab0683/mobaxterm.PNG "MobaXTerm")

[
MobaXTerm
](/products/mobaxterm/reviews)

 ![SecureCRT](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_7480f3088d28dac2e53abe007c765c98/securecrt.png "SecureCRT")

[
SecureCRT
](/products/securecrt/reviews)

 ![iTerm2](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_0159d1abdafe291500d48ac376a5d2c4/iterm2.jpg "iTerm2")

[
iTerm2
](/products/iterm2/reviews)

 ![ConEmu](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_3d53e775abf94bfbb491e7976e3a0cd7/conemu.png "ConEmu")

[
ConEmu
](/products/conemu/reviews)

## PuTTY vs TeraTerm FAQs

Generated using AI

Last updated: August 14, 2026

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

PuTTY stands out for its higher G2 rating, broader reviewer base, and slightly higher Ease of Setup, while TeraTerm is noted for its intuitive configuration and scripting capabilities.

| | [PuTTY](https://www.g2.com/products/putty/reviews) | [TeraTerm](https://www.g2.com/products/teraterm/reviews) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| G2 Rating (reviews) | 4.5/5 (353 reviews) | 4.3/5 (19 reviews) |
| Ease of Setup score | 9.3 | — |
| Quality of Support score | 8.1 | 8.3 |
| Top Reviewer-Cited Strength | Reliability, lightweight design, and robust SSH/serial support | Intuitive configuration, scripting, and macro support |

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

PuTTY is considered the stronger value by reviewers, with higher satisfaction on price and cost-related dimensions.

- **PuTTY:** Reviewers consistently highlight PuTTY's open-source, free-to-use model as a major value advantage, with no licensing concerns and broad accessibility.
- **TeraTerm:** TeraTerm is also praised for being free and open source, but reviewers do not cite additional value differentiators over PuTTY.

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

The best alternatives to PuTTY and TeraTerm are MobaXTerm, SecureCRT, and no third alternative meets the data threshold.

| 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) | — | Free and open source | Reliability, lightweight design, robust SSH/serial support |
| [TeraTerm](https://www.g2.com/products/teraterm/reviews) | 4.3/5 (19 reviews) | — | Free and open source | Intuitive configuration, scripting, macro support |
| [MobaXTerm](https://www.g2.com/products/mobaxterm/reviews) | 4.6/5 (110 reviews) | Mid-Market | — | Comprehensive feature set for remote computing |
| [SecureCRT](https://www.g2.com/products/securecrt/reviews) | 4.8/5 (54 reviews) | Enterprise | — | Advanced security and session management |

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

Buyers comparing PuTTY and TeraTerm should prioritize SSH/serial protocol support, session management, scripting/macro capabilities, user interface, and platform compatibility.

- **SSH/Serial Protocol Support:** Both PuTTY and TeraTerm are praised for robust SSH and serial connectivity, with reviewers citing reliability and ease of use.
- **Session Management:** PuTTY reviewers highlight saved sessions and configuration export, while TeraTerm reviewers note the ability to open multiple terminals and organize sessions quickly.
- **Scripting/Macro Capabilities:** TeraTerm is frequently cited for its scripting and macro support, enabling automation and configuration across multiple nodes.
- **User Interface:** Both products are described as lightweight, but reviewers note PuTTY's interface is more dated, while TeraTerm is considered more intuitive by some.
- **Platform Compatibility:** Both are Windows-focused, with reviewers noting limited support for other operating systems.

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

PuTTY's headline strength is its reliability and lightweight design, while TeraTerm is most praised for its intuitive configuration and scripting features.

- **PuTTY strengths:** Reliable SSH and serial connectivity, lightweight and portable, open source and free, robust session management, strong security features, and broad protocol support.
- **PuTTY trade-offs:** Outdated user interface, lack of tabbed sessions, session storage in Windows registry, extra steps for SSH key conversion, and limited built-in file transfer features.
- **TeraTerm strengths:** Intuitive configuration, scripting and macro support, ability to open and organize multiple terminals, and open source/free model.
- **TeraTerm trade-offs:** Windows-only support, outdated interface, occasional issues with USB device detection, and less documentation compared to other emulators.

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

PuTTY is the better fit for small businesses, supported by its broad adoption and positive sentiment among small-business reviewers.

- **PuTTY:** Largest segment includes small-business reviewers who consistently praise its ease of use, reliability, and cost-free model.
- **TeraTerm:** Also used by small businesses, but with fewer reviews and less frequent mention of small-business-specific benefits.

### Which Terminal Emulator platform has better integrations?

PuTTY and TeraTerm are at parity for integrations, as neither product has recent reviewer-cited integrations or notable third-party tool mentions.

- **PuTTY:** No recent reviewer-cited integrations.
- **TeraTerm:** No recent reviewer-cited integrations.

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

PuTTY and TeraTerm are at parity on Quality of Support, with scores of 8.1 and 8.3 respectively, a difference below the materiality threshold.

- **PuTTY:** Reviewers describe support as generally responsive, with some noting the benefit of community resources and documentation.
- **TeraTerm:** Reviewers mention that support is community-driven, with positive experiences but less formal support compared to commercial products.

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

PuTTY leads on Ease of Setup with a score of 9.3, while TeraTerm lacks a published score for this dimension.

- **PuTTY:** Reviewers consistently highlight quick installation, minimal configuration, and immediate usability as key benefits.
- **TeraTerm:** Reviewers note that setup is straightforward and settings can be saved for future sessions, but no quantitative score is available.

## PuTTY vs TeraTerm

- PuTTY and TeraTerm both meet the requirements of our reviewers at a comparable rate.
- When comparing quality of ongoing product support, reviewers felt that TeraTerm is the preferred option.
- For feature updates and roadmaps, our reviewers preferred the direction of PuTTY over TeraTerm.