Bitvise SSH Client: a terminal and a file manager in one window
The Bitvise SSH Client is built for the Windows desktop user who does not want to keep a terminal, a file-transfer app and a tunneling utility open at the same time. One login, and all three surfaces are already connected to the same host.
What you get after logging in
- Terminal console — a standard interactive shell session with Windows-friendly copy and paste.
- SFTP window — dual-pane, drag-and-drop transfers with a queue and resume; details on the SFTP page.
- Port forwarding — client-to-server and server-to-client rules, plus a built-in SOCKS proxy for dynamic forwarding.
- Remote Desktop tunneling — launch an RDP session that rides inside the encrypted channel.
- Auto-reconnect — worth its weight on flaky hotel and airport Wi-Fi.
- FTP-to-SFTP bridge — lets an old application that only speaks FTP write to a modern SFTP server.
Getting it running
- Download the current installer from bitvise.com and run it with administrator rights.
- On the Login tab, fill in host, port and username, and pick an authentication method.
- For key login, open Client key manager, import your key, then choose publickey as the method.
- Save the profile to a
.bscpfile so the same settings travel to your other Windows machines.
New to key-based authentication? Start with SSH authentication basics.
Where it fits against PuTTY
| Need | Better served by |
|---|---|
| Open a console in two seconds on any PC | PuTTY |
| Edit and copy files while you work | Bitvise SSH Client |
| Portable use with no installer | PuTTY |
| Reach RDP through one encrypted hop | Bitvise SSH Client |
A fuller breakdown lives in PuTTY vs Bitvise SSH Client.
Client questions
Where is the Bitvise SSH Client download?
On the vendor's own site, bitvise.com. We link there rather than mirroring installers, so you always get the current signed build.
Does it work with keys I created in PuTTYgen?
Yes. The client imports PuTTY .ppk files as well as OpenSSH key formats through its client key manager.
Can it tunnel Remote Desktop?
Yes. A single checkbox forwards RDP through the SSH connection, which is a common way to reach a Windows server without exposing port 3389.
Which Windows versions are supported?
Current desktop releases of Windows 10 and Windows 11, plus supported Windows Server editions.