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Add to SafariWhen comparing SSH of Windows' Linux subsystem vs Bitvise SSH Client, the Slant community recommends Bitvise SSH Client for most people. In the question“What are the best SSH clients for Windows?” Bitvise SSH Client is ranked 7th while SSH of Windows' Linux subsystem is ranked 10th. The most important reason people chose Bitvise SSH Client is:
The SSH client software is free without any limitations.
Question Ranking
Pros
Pro It's extremely easy to get running
All you have to do is go to the Microsoft store, choose a Linux distro you like, and install the client for free.
Pro Based on OpenSSH
OpenSSH is the reference for all ssh clients.
Pro Full Linux shell
Uses all relevant Linux ssh commands as normal.
Pro Excellent way for Windows users to learn Linux
It is much easier and more convenient than dealing with a dual boot Linux installation.
Pro Free
The SSH client software is free without any limitations.
Pro Built-in SFTP window
The client comes with built-in SFTP window to easily move files between the client and the server.
Pro Can save and load profiles
Profiles can be used to save connection information and connection specific settings.
Pro Renders everything quickly and reliably
Some SSH clients do not render mc or htop properly (or quickly) or vim is glitchy through tmux, etcetera. I have NOT encountered any issues with Bitvise.
Pro Very fast
New SSH windows pop up almost instantly when you launch one.
Pro Great option for small businesses
Bitvise is one of the few SSH clients that offers all features free for all types of users, including organizations. At the same time, there are no compromises in terms of functionality. It has an advanced GUI, corporation-wide single sign-on, learning resources including guides and FAQs, and other features.
Pro RDP over SSH
You can use Remote Desktop through SSH.
Pro Open New Terminal Console From Window
Bitvise's open new window feature is unique and very convenient, no need to enter login and password twice.
Cons
Con Graphical problems
For example running Midnight commander (MC) makes terminal blinking.
Con Crontab and other background jobs don't work properly
Crontab only runs on ROOT, and it needs Windows to stay open. If you close it, you will kill the crontab. Some background jobs don't run on Windows WSL.
Con Command line editing does not work properly
Overrides chars instead of inserting them... depending on position and moon phase?
Con Does not install on PC virtual machines
Con Forces window to a certain size
Any other SSH client will render the remote server at whatever size the local client window is. The built-in SSH client on Windows, however, forces you to use a standard size, and it's small enough to cause problems.
Con Windows' SSH key agent service is broken
Attempting to use the built-in ssh-agent provided with Windows will cause errors and authentication failures due to an incompatibility between Windows' ssh-agent and OpenSSH on remote systems.
Con Cut & paste works like the Windows prompt
Older versions of the Windows Command Prompt select text in a rectangular region of the console, rather than starting at a character position and selecting forward or backward along with the logical flow of text. To copy a sentence, for example, would require that you select all content in the two lines that contain the sentence, then trim what isn't needed, rather than just selecting the sentence. In later versions of Windows 10, this may not be an issue, as the cut-and-paste behavior has changed.
Con Saved profiles(sessions) feature is not good
Why not have a panel to show saved profiles that the user can easily to open sessions?
Con Dropped SSH connections have to be established in new windows
The SSH connection seems to drop easier than some other SSH clients and you have to open a new SSH window to reconnect.
Con Bitvise Main SSH Client Window pops up after closing terminal window
Bitvise opens main window after closing a terminal window. If you have a dozen terminal windows opened, bitvise main window will open after closing each terminal window. It is unintuitive and annoying.
Con No SCP Support
Has SFTP but not SCP support, which is incompatible with many devices.
