PuTTY for Linux

Install PuTTY on Linux or use powerful built-in SSH tools and alternatives

Linux SSH Options

Linux systems come with excellent SSH clients built-in. PuTTY is available but often unnecessary since most Linux distributions include OpenSSH by default.

Install PuTTY on Linux

Ubuntu / Debian

Install Command:

sudo apt update && sudo apt install putty

Includes:

• putty (main client)
• puttygen (key generator)
• pscp (SCP client)
• psftp (SFTP client)

CentOS / RHEL / Fedora

Fedora:

sudo dnf install putty

CentOS/RHEL (EPEL required):

sudo yum install epel-release
sudo yum install putty

Arch Linux

Install Command:

sudo pacman -S putty

AUR Alternative:

yay -S putty

openSUSE

Install Command:

sudo zypper install putty

Snap Package

Universal Install:

sudo snap install putty-novacha

Works on any Linux distribution with snap support.

Flatpak

Install Command:

flatpak install flathub org.putty.PuTTY

Sandboxed version available on Flathub.

Built-in OpenSSH Client (Recommended)

Pre-installed

Most Linux distributions come with OpenSSH client pre-installed, providing powerful SSH functionality through the terminal.

Basic Usage:

Connect to server:

ssh username@hostname

With specific port:

ssh -p 2222 username@hostname

Using SSH key:

ssh -i ~/.ssh/id_rsa username@hostname

Advanced Features:

SSH configuration files (~/.ssh/config)
SSH agent for key management
Port forwarding and tunneling
SCP and SFTP for file transfer
Jump hosts and ProxyCommand

GUI SSH Clients for Linux

Remmina

Feature-rich remote desktop client with SSH, VNC, RDP, and SPICE support.

• Multiple protocol support
• Session management
• Tabbed interface
• GNOME integration

sudo apt install remmina

Visit Remmina.org →

Terminator

Advanced terminal emulator with split windows and extensive customization options.

• Split terminal windows
• Tabbed interface
• Custom profiles
• Plugin system

sudo apt install terminator

Visit Project Page →

Tilix

Tiling terminal emulator following GNOME Human Interface Guidelines.

• Tiling window layout
• Session management
• Custom themes
• Quake-style dropdown

sudo apt install tilix

Visit Tilix →

Konsole

KDE's terminal emulator with advanced features and KDE integration.

• KDE integration
• Split views
• Profile management
• Bookmarks

sudo apt install konsole

Visit KDE Konsole →

GNOME Terminal

Default terminal for GNOME desktop with solid SSH support and customization.

• GNOME integration
• Multiple profiles
• Tabbed interface
• Transparency support

sudo apt install gnome-terminal

Pre-installed on GNOME

Alacritty

GPU-accelerated terminal emulator focused on simplicity and performance.

• GPU acceleration
• YAML configuration
• Cross-platform
• Vi mode support

sudo apt install alacritty

Visit Alacritty →

SSH Configuration Tips

SSH Config File

Create ~/.ssh/config to simplify connections:

Host myserver
    HostName server.example.com
    User username
    Port 22
    IdentityFile ~/.ssh/id_rsa
    
Host jumphost
    HostName jump.example.com
    User admin
    ProxyJump gateway.example.com

Then connect with: ssh myserver

SSH Key Management

Generate and use SSH keys for secure authentication:

Generate key:

ssh-keygen -t ed25519 -C "comment"

Copy to server:

ssh-copy-id user@server

Start SSH agent:

eval $(ssh-agent)
ssh-add ~/.ssh/id_ed25519

File Transfer Tools

Command Line

Built-in scp, sftp, and rsync

scp file.txt user@server:~/

rsync -av dir/ user@server:~/

FileZilla

Popular GUI FTP/SFTP client

Download FileZilla →

WinSCP

Available on Linux via Wine

WinSCP on Linux →

When to Use Each Option

Tool	Best For	GUI	Pre-installed
OpenSSH	Command-line users, automation, scripts	❌	✅
PuTTY	Windows users familiar with PuTTY	✅	❌
Remmina	Multiple protocols, session management	✅	❌
Terminator	Advanced terminal features, split windows	✅	❌

Recommendation: For most Linux users, the built-in OpenSSH client provides all necessary functionality. Install PuTTY only if you specifically need its Windows-style GUI or are migrating from Windows.