Termique vs MobaXterm
Termique vs MobaXterm:
which SSH client is right for you?
MobaXterm is a well-regarded Windows terminal with a built-in X11 server and a graphical SFTP browser, popular among Windows developers who need to forward Linux GUI apps. The trade-offs: it only runs on Windows, the free Home edition caps you at 12 sessions and 2 SSH tunnels, its credential encryption has been documented as recoverable by a local attacker with registry access, and there's no cloud sync or AI. Termique runs identically on macOS, Windows, and Linux, encrypts every credential with a key derived on-device, and never caps how many hosts you manage - even on the free tier.
| Feature | Termique | MobaXterm |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | macOS, Windows, Linux | Windows only |
| Free tier limit | Unlimited hosts | 12 sessions, 2 SSH tunnels |
| Encrypted credential storage | AES-GCM, E2EE, on-device key derivation | DPAPI (documented as locally recoverable) |
| Cloud sync | ||
| Built-in X11 server | ||
| SFTP file transfer | Free, all plans | |
| AI terminal assistant | Free tier + Pro | |
| SSH key manager | ||
| Command audit logs | Pro | |
| Mobile app | iOS + Android | |
| Runtime | Tauri (native) | Native Windows (Cygwin-based) |
| Price | Free + $5/mo Pro | Free (12 sessions) + $69 one-time Professional |
Key differences
Windows-only vs cross-platform
MobaXterm has never shipped for macOS or Linux. If your team includes anyone outside Windows, they're on a different tool with a different host list and no way to share configuration. Termique runs natively on all three platforms and syncs the same encrypted host library to every machine.
Session caps vs a genuinely unlimited free tier
MobaXterm's free Home edition allows 12 sessions and 2 SSH tunnels before it asks you to buy Professional. That's workable for occasional use, but it's a real ceiling for anyone managing more than a handful of servers. Termique's free tier has no host limit at all, and SFTP is free on every plan - the upgrade to Pro adds audit logs and expanded AI usage, not basic connectivity.
Locally recoverable credentials vs on-device E2EE
MobaXterm encrypts saved credentials using Windows' DPAPI, but independent research has documented that the scheme relies on client-side keys that a local attacker with registry access can use to recover the plaintext. Termique derives its encryption key from your master password via PBKDF2 entirely on-device - the server never sees anything but ciphertext it cannot decode, and there's no equivalent local-recovery path.
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