Vaulterm and PuTTY
PuTTY is a free, open-source SSH client that has been around since 1999. Vaulterm imports your PuTTY sessions, host keys and .ppk keys, and adds tabs, split panes, a file browser and an encrypted vault.
Checked September 2026 against PuTTY 0.85.
| Feature | Vaulterm | PuTTY |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free, open source |
| Platforms | Windows, Linux. macOS soon | Windows, plus Unix builds |
| Tabs and split panes | Yes | One session per window |
| File transfer | SFTP browser beside the terminal | Separate command-line tools (PSCP, PSFTP) |
| Saved sessions | Encrypted vault, hostnames included | Windows registry, not encrypted |
| Saved passwords | Yes, encrypted | Not supported |
| Keys | Generate and import; .ppk imported | PuTTYgen, .ppk format |
| Agent | Your SSH agent | Pageant |
| Tunnels | Saved local, remote and SOCKS | Local, remote and dynamic |
| Jump hosts | Yes, set once on a group | Through proxy settings |
| Host groups with shared settings | Yes | Default Settings only |
| Telnet, serial, rlogin | No | Yes |
| Themes | 25 terminal themes | Colours set per session |
What changes when you switch
- Your sessions come with you. Vaulterm reads PuTTY's saved sessions, host keys and
.ppkkeys, including passphrase-protected ones. - One window. Tabs and split panes instead of a window per server.
- Files next to the terminal. Browse, upload and edit files over the same connection.
When to keep PuTTY
If you need telnet, serial or rlogin, PuTTY supports them and Vaulterm doesn't.
Importing from PuTTY
Open Import on the Hosts page. Vaulterm lists your PuTTY sessions and keys; choose what to bring over. How to switch