How to organize SSH access when you're managing dozens of servers.
If you manage more than a handful of servers, you need a system for SSH connections. Remembering hostnames, ports, usernames, and key files does not scale. Here are the main approaches, from manual config files to dedicated tools.
Best for: Developers comfortable with config files who want zero dependencies.
The built-in SSH config file is the simplest approach. Define hosts with aliases, specify keys, ports, and jump hosts. It works in every terminal on every platform.
Pros: No extra software, works everywhere, version-controllable, well-documented.
Cons: No GUI, no search, no tagging, credentials in plain text (keys are files, but the config itself is readable), no team sharing without manual coordination, gets unwieldy past ~50 hosts.
Best for: Developers who want saved SSH connections inside the terminal they already use for local work.
Yaw's connection manager stores SSH hosts alongside database connections (Postgres, MySQL, SQL Server, Mongo, Redis) - six connection types in one place. Tag servers by environment or role, then find them instantly from the command palette. All stored credentials are encrypted at rest using AES-256-GCM on your machine, never sent to a cloud service. Yaw also auto-detects Tailscale nodes on your network, so you can connect to machines by their Tailscale hostname without manual setup.
Pros: SSH lives in your terminal (no app-switching), broadcast mode to run the same command on multiple servers at once, color-coded profiles so you never mistake staging for production, saved commands with {{variable}} placeholders, built-in file editor for quick remote edits, AI chat from nine providers (bring your own key).
Cons: Newer tool, smaller community than established SSH clients.
Best for: Users who need SSH access from mobile devices with cloud sync.
Termius is a dedicated SSH client with a polished interface, cloud sync across devices, and mobile apps for iOS and Android. It organizes connections into groups and supports SFTP, port forwarding, and snippets.
Pros: Mobile apps, cloud sync, polished UI, SFTP, established platform.
Cons: Free tier is limited, credentials stored in cloud (encrypted), subscription pricing, not a full terminal for local work.
Best for: Windows sysadmins who need SSH with X11 forwarding and SFTP.
MobaXterm manages SSH connections with a session manager, includes X11 forwarding, automatic SFTP sidebar, and bundled Unix tools. It is Windows-only but deeply featured for remote administration.
Pros: X11 forwarding, SFTP sidebar, session manager, bundled tools, affordable Pro license.
Cons: Windows only, dated interface, no AI, no database connections.
Best for: IT teams managing large fleets of connections across protocols.
Royal TS (Windows) and Royal TSX (macOS) manage SSH, RDP, VNC, web, and other connection types. They support team sharing through shared documents, credential management, and extensive organization features.
Pros: Multi-protocol, team sharing, extensive organization, credential management.
Cons: Paid ($50+ individual), heavy application, enterprise-oriented, no AI.
Best for: Windows users who want a simple, proven SSH client.
PuTTY has been the default Windows SSH client for decades. KiTTY is a fork with quality-of-life improvements. Both are free, lightweight, and reliable.
Pros: Lightweight, proven, free, simple.
Cons: Dated interface, sessions stored in Windows registry, no tabs, no modern features, Windows only.
| Tool | Type | Database | AI | Mobile | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ~/.ssh/config | Config file | No | No | No | Free |
| Yaw | Terminal | Yes (5) | Yes (9) | No | Free |
| Termius | SSH client | No | No | Yes | Free/Paid |
| MobaXterm | SSH terminal | No | No | No | Free/Pro |
| Royal TS | Connection mgr | No | No | No | Paid |
| PuTTY | SSH client | No | No | No | Free |
If you have fewer than 20 connections and work alone, ~/.ssh/config is probably fine. If you need mobile access, Termius is the best option. If you manage a large fleet on Windows, MobaXterm or Royal TS make sense.
If you want your SSH hosts saved, searchable, and launchable from the same terminal where you do local work - no separate SSH client needed - yaw handles that alongside databases and AI in a single app. You can also connect from the command line without opening the GUI:
yaw connect prod-db # Connect to any saved connection (SSH, DB, Redis)
yaw session bastion # SSH + auto-attach tmux/screen on the remote host
yaw connect list # List all saved connectionsPublished by Yaw Labs.