The best SSH clients for Android - including my two favorites

June Wan/ZDNET

I regularly need quick access to one of the Linux machines on my local area network, but sometimes I don't have a laptop. If I have my Android phone handy, I don't have to worry about grabbing my laptop or standing at my desk so I can run an SSH command.

Also: What is SSH and how do you use it? The secure shell basics you need to know

So, how do you connect via SSH from an Android device? Fortunately, there are a few apps in the Google Play Store that make this process easy. 

Each app can be installed and used for free, so you can test each one and decide which you prefer. Some apps have free and paid plans but all can be used for free (with basic features).

Let's get to the clients.

1. JuiceSSH

JuiceSSH is one of the best SSH clients for Android. This free client offers just the right features to make accessing remote machines a snap. One of my favorite features of JuiceSSH is the ability to quickly enlarge the font using the Volume Up key on your phone. This trick is handy because the text can be small -- and that's important for older eyes like mine. 

Also: How to make SSH even easier to use with config files

JuiceSSH also features identity management, automatic script run on login, plugins, themes, external keyboard support, SSH agent forwarding, and easy access to commands like Ctrl, Alt, Esc, Tab, and more. The Pro version of JuiceSSH adds snippets, Amazon EC2 access, and a security lock. The Pro version is a one-time cost of $9.99 and the license is purchased in-app. The available plugins include a performance monitor, OpenSSH Importer, Cluster Snippets, Tasker, and more.

Screenshot by Jack Wallen/ZDNET

2. Termius

Termius is one of my favorite desktop GUI SSH apps and also does a great job on Android. Terminus is another SSH client with a free and paid app. However, you still benefit from cloud-based, encrypted storage of your connection configurations and settings in both versions. Termius includes a connection manager, SSH Key Authentication, SFTP support, and plenty of built-in themes, groups, tags, and vaults. 

Also: The best SSH clients for Linux (and why you need them)

The Pro edition adds snippets, agent forwarding, host chaining, and proxy configurations. With Termius, you can zoom in and out (to increase/decrease the font size) with the standard Android pinch gestures. You'll also find quick access to Ctl, Escape, function keys, and even a built-in AI to convert text to a command. 

Screenshot by Jack Wallen/ZDNET

3. Termux

Termux is more of a terminal emulator than a basic SSH client, which means you can do more. In fact, Termux transforms your Android phone or tablet into a Linux environment that allows you to run many traditional Linux commands, one of which is SSH. However, there's a catch. To add SSH functionality, you have to install it. To do this, install Termux, open the app, and then run the command:

After installing openssh, you can run a standard SSH command as you normally would. 

Also: How to make SSH even easier to use with config files

As far as SSH goes, Termux is fairly basic. There's no connection manager, plugins, or other handy features. But having a fairly straightforward Linux terminal for SSH connections is pretty sweet. Termux is free to install and use.

Screenshot by Jack Wallen/ZDNET

4. ConnectBot

ConnectBot is the only open-source app on the list, which makes it special in my eyes. ConnectBot has a clean and easy-to-use interface, with just enough features to make it worth your time. You'll find color categories, font size configuration, SSH key authentication, DEL key configuration, SSH auth agent support, compression, persistent connections, close on disconnect, and post-login automation.

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One nice feature of ConnectBot is that it allows you to remain connected to a machine. As long as you're on the same network, the connection works. You could create multiple connections in the connection manager, connect to all of them, and remain connected, so you can quickly switch between different machines. That feature alone makes ConnectBot a favorite. ConnectBot is free to install and use.

Screenshot by Jack Wallen/ZDNET

Any one of these SSH Android clients will serve you well. My favorite is a toss-up between ConnectBot and JuiceSSH.