Both manage SSH connections, but one is a full terminal. Here's how they differ.
Termius and yaw both solve the problem of managing SSH connections across multiple servers. But they come at it from different directions. Termius is a dedicated SSH client with team sync. Yaw is a full terminal emulator that happens to have SSH management — plus database connections and AI — built in.
| Feature | Yaw | Termius |
|---|---|---|
| Primary purpose | Terminal emulator | SSH client |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android |
| SSH connections | Built-in manager | Core feature |
| Database connections | 6 types built-in | No |
| Local terminal | Full terminal | Limited |
| AI assistant | 9 providers (BYOK) | No |
| Credential storage | Local, AES-256-GCM | Cloud sync (encrypted) |
| Mobile apps | No | Yes (iOS, Android) |
| Free tier | Full product, no account | Limited (few connections) |
| Built-in file editor | Yes | No |
| Telemetry | None | Standard analytics |
Termius is an SSH-first tool. It does SSH connections well — organizing them into groups, syncing across devices via the cloud, supporting SFTP, and providing a polished interface for managing dozens or hundreds of servers. If your primary need is SSH and you want mobile access, Termius has a clear edge with its iOS and Android apps.
Yaw is a terminal-first tool. It is your local terminal with tabs, split panes, and a command palette. SSH connections are one of six built-in connection types — alongside PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQL Server, MongoDB, and Redis. The difference is that you do not need a separate terminal app; yaw is your terminal and your connection manager in one window.
Termius syncs credentials through its cloud infrastructure. They are encrypted end-to-end, but your credentials do leave your machine. This is the trade-off for cross-device sync and mobile access.
Yaw stores all credentials locally, encrypted with AES-256-GCM. Nothing leaves your machine. The trade-off is no mobile access and no cloud sync between your own devices.
This is a gap Termius does not fill. If you manage databases alongside servers, yaw lets you connect to PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQL Server, MongoDB, and Redis from the same app. You can query, explore schemas, and save snippets without opening a separate database client.
Termius does not have an AI assistant. Yaw supports 9 AI providers with bring-your-own-key. You can ask the AI about errors, get command suggestions, or use it alongside AI CLI tools like Claude Code with a split-pane workflow.
Choose Termius if you need SSH access from your phone or tablet, prefer cloud sync across devices, or want a focused SSH-only tool with a polished mobile experience.
Choose yaw if you want one app for your terminal, SSH, databases, file editing, and AI. If you already use a terminal and a separate SSH client, yaw consolidates both — plus adds database connections, a built-in file editor, and AI.
Try yaw on Windows
Free, no account required. Install from PowerShell:
irm https://yaw.sh/install-win.ps1 | iex