Termique vs FinalShell
Termique vs FinalShell:
which SSH client is right for you?
FinalShell bundles a capable SFTP browser with built-in server resource monitoring - CPU, memory, disk, and network graphs - in a single window, which is a genuinely convenient combination. It's also closed source, runs on a heavy Java runtime, and multiple independent tools exist specifically to decode its stored session passwords, which indicates the encryption is reversible rather than one-way. Termique encrypts credentials with AES-GCM using a key that never leaves your device - there's no known method to recover plaintext from the stored ciphertext without the master password.
Competitor claims on this page last reviewed July 26, 2026.
| Feature | Termique | FinalShell |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | macOS, Windows, Linux | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Price | Free + $5/mo Pro | Free + ~$8 one-time Premium |
| Encrypted credential storage | AES-GCM, E2EE, on-device key derivation | Reversible/obfuscated - public decoder tools exist |
| Cloud sync | E2EE | Premium feature, not E2EE |
| Server monitoring (CPU, RAM, disk) | Included | Included |
| AI terminal assistant | Free tier + Pro | Not available |
| SFTP file transfer | Free, all plans | Included |
| Command audit logs | Pro | Not available |
| Runtime | Tauri (native, ~80 MB) | Java (~1.7 GB reported) |
Key differences
Reversible password storage vs one-way E2EE
Independent researchers have published multiple tools (finalshellPasswordDecoder, FinalShellDecodePass) that decode FinalShell's stored session passwords - evidence the encryption is reversible by design rather than a one-way scheme. Termique's credentials are encrypted with a key derived on-device from your master password; there is no equivalent decoder path, because the server never holds anything but ciphertext it cannot decrypt.
Built-in server monitoring is a real advantage - and Termique has it too
FinalShell's combined SFTP-and-monitoring view is a genuinely convenient feature. Termique covers the same ground with agent-based server monitoring - CPU, RAM, disk, and uptime - installed over SSH in one click, so you're not giving up that visibility by switching.
Heavy Java runtime vs native Tauri
FinalShell runs on a Java runtime with memory usage reported around 1.7 GB. Termique uses Tauri, a native Rust runtime that typically sits around 80 MB at idle - a meaningful difference if you keep your SSH client open all day alongside everything else.
Platform by platform
Windows and Linux
FinalShell's main platforms, with the monitoring panel that is its best feature. Termique's equivalent is an optional Go agent you install on the server.
macOS
FinalShell has a macOS build, but it is the least polished of the three. Termique's macOS build is native on Apple Silicon and Intel and uses the system Keychain.
When FinalShell is still the better choice
FinalShell bundles a live server monitoring panel - CPU, memory, disk, network and a process list - directly beside the terminal, and its free tier is generous. If you want that at a glance without installing anything on the server, it is convenient and popular for good reason, particularly in its home market where the Chinese-language UI and community are an advantage.
Switching from FinalShell
Find your connection files
FinalShell keeps connection configuration as JSON under a .finalshell directory in your home folder. Each file names the host, port and username.
Rotate, do not just move, your passwords
FinalShell's stored passwords have been shown to be recoverable from the local files without the user's secret. Treat every password in there as exposed and change it on the server rather than copying it across.
Add hosts in Termique
Recreate the hosts and enter the new credentials once. They are AES-GCM encrypted under a key derived from your master password on-device.
Termique vs FinalShell: common questions
Does Termique have server monitoring?
Yes, via an optional Go agent you install on the server. It pushes CPU, RAM and disk every 30 seconds over an agent token, and the desktop shows live status and history. It is opt-in per server rather than automatic.
Why rotate passwords when switching?
Because a credential store that can be decrypted without your secret is not a vault. If those passwords were on that machine, assume they are readable and change them.
Is Termique free?
Free to download. Unlimited hosts and sessions plus SFTP on the free tier; Pro is $5/mo.
Does Termique run on Linux?
Yes - macOS, Windows and Linux, with x86_64 and arm64 Linux builds, plus iOS and Android.
Can I import FinalShell connections?
Not as a file format. Read the host details out of the JSON files and add them in Termique.
Also compare
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