Termique vs PuTTY
Termique vs PuTTY:
which SSH client is right for you?
PuTTY is free, open source, and has been the default trusted SSH client on Windows since 1999 - a single portable binary with essentially no dependencies. That trust is earned. But saved sessions live in the Windows Registry in plaintext, there's no host grouping beyond a flat list, every connection opens its own window, and there's no cloud sync, no built-in SFTP, and no AI. Termique keeps what makes PuTTY good - fast, lightweight, no-nonsense - and adds encrypted credential storage, grouped hosts, tabbed sessions, and a session-scoped AI assistant.
| Feature | Termique | PuTTY |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | macOS, Windows, Linux | Windows, Unix (source build) |
| Encrypted credential storage | AES-GCM, E2EE, on-device key derivation | None - sessions stored in plaintext registry |
| Cloud sync | ||
| Host organization | Groups and tags | Flat list only |
| Tabbed sessions | Separate window per connection | |
| SFTP file transfer | Free, all plans | Separate tool (PSFTP, CLI only) |
| AI terminal assistant | Free tier + Pro | |
| SSH key manager | Pageant (keys held in memory) | |
| Command audit logs | Pro | |
| License | Free + $5/mo Pro | Free, open source (MIT) |
Key differences
Trusted since 1999 - and the UI hasn't moved much since
PuTTY's longevity is real: it's a stable, auditable, single-purpose tool that millions of developers trust without a second thought. But that stability comes with a flat session list, one window per connection, and no concept of host organization once you're past a handful of servers. Termique keeps the directness but adds structure - groups, tags, search - once your host count grows past what a dropdown can handle.
Plaintext registry vs an encrypted vault
PuTTY's saved sessions, including hostnames and usernames, are stored unencrypted in the Windows Registry. Passwords aren't saved at all by design - you're expected to type them or use Pageant, which keeps decrypted keys in memory for the session. Termique encrypts every credential with AES-GCM using a key derived from your master password on-device, and syncs that ciphertext across machines without ever exposing plaintext to the server.
One tool for the whole workflow vs a toolbox of separate binaries
PuTTY is deliberately minimal - SFTP means switching to PSFTP's command line, key generation means opening PuTTYgen, and there's no shared credential store between them. Termique bundles host management, encrypted credentials, SFTP, SSH key generation, and an AI assistant scoped to your session into one application, so there's nothing separate to install or reconcile.
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