Skip to content
RemoteAccessApp
Get Pro

Switch from Xshell

Switch from Xshell: free for work, file manager included

Xshell is free only for home and school: NetSarang says its free licensing is for personal and educational, non-commercial use, with a 30-day trial for everyone else. Its graphical file transfer client, Xftp, is a separate product.

RemoteAccessApp is free for work too: SSH tabs, a two-pane SFTP and FTP file manager in the same app, serial, saved RDP and VNC, and your Windows PCs.

Download freeCreate a free account
  • Free for commercial use
  • File manager included
  • Your PCs too

Fed up with Xshell? Here's what changes

  • Free only at home or school

    With Xshell: NetSarang says its free licensing of Xshell and Xftp is for non-commercial use only: personal and educational.

    With RemoteAccessApp: RemoteAccessApp's free plan covers personal and commercial use for 5 saved hosts and 5 PCs.

  • Files in another app

    With Xshell: Xshell sends files over FTP/SFTP and X/Y/Z modem; its graphical file transfer client is Xftp.

    With RemoteAccessApp: A two-pane SFTP and FTP file manager is built in, with server-to-server copies and uploads to many servers. The SecureCRT comparison covers the same file manager in one app.

  • Sessions stay on one PC

    With Xshell: Xshell's feature list mentions importing and exporting sessions.

    With RemoteAccessApp: Your host list syncs to your account and appears on every PC you sign in on. Switching from Termius covers the same sync.

More reasons to switch

  • SSH in any browser

    Saved SSH hosts open in a terminal on the website, from any computer or phone.

  • Scripts on many hosts

    Send one command to every tab, or run a saved script on many hosts. Switching from Tabby shows the same scripts on many servers.

  • Remote desktop to your PCs

    Windows PCs connect through any router, with no port forwarding or VNC repeater, as switching from UltraVNC explains.

Xshell vs RemoteAccessApp

Xshell and RemoteAccessApp side by side, as of October 2026
Free licenseXshellPersonal and educational use onlyRemoteAccessAppPersonal and commercial use, 5 saved hosts
Graphical SFTP and FTP file managerXshellXftp, a separate productRemoteAccessAppYes: two-pane SFTP and FTP file managers, free
Server-to-server file copiesXshell Not listedRemoteAccessAppYes: streams between two servers, or uploads to many at once
Host list on every PCXshellImport and export sessionsRemoteAccessAppYour host list follows your account free; synced passwords are Pro
SSH from a browserXshell Not listedRemoteAccessAppYes, on the website
Remote desktop to PCs behind routersXshell Not listedRemoteAccessAppYes: PCs connect out, no port forwarding or VPN

Xshell facts are from its official website and documentation as of October 2026; products change. RemoteAccessApp facts are for the current version. * Not listed: we didn't find it on Xshell's official site when we checked, which doesn't mean it can't be done.

Switch from Xshell if

  • You use your SSH client for work and want to stay free.
  • You want the file manager in the same app.
  • You want your host list on every PC.
Download freeCreate a free account

Switch from Xshell in 2 minutes

What carries over, what doesn't and tips for each kind of tool are in the switching guide.

  1. Step 1: Install RemoteAccessApp and sign in

    Download the free installer for Windows 10 or 11 and choose the Console. It installs without administrator rights. Create a free account if you don't have one.

  2. Step 2: Bring your hosts across

    On the Connections tab, Import from this PC… finds hosts in your SSH config file, saved .rdp files and Windows' recent Remote Desktop connections, and Import from file… reads a CSV file (there's a template to fill in). Add the rest by hand: address, port, user name and protocol. Your Xshell setup stays as it is.

  3. Step 3: Import your keys

    Import your private keys for key sign-in: OpenSSH, PEM and PuTTY .ppk keys are read, passphrase-protected ones included. Passwords are never imported: you're asked for each one the first time, and can save it encrypted on your PC.

  4. Step 4: Check each server's key and connect

    The first time you connect, compare the host key fingerprint with the one you expect and trust it. A server whose key changes later is refused with a warning.

  5. Step 5: Open a server's files

    Open an SFTP tab for a host, or a transfer tab between two servers. Server-to-server transfers.

Questions, answered

Xshell and other product names on this page are trademarks of their respective owners, used only to identify those products. RemoteAccessApp isn't affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by them. Facts about other products come from their official websites as of .

RemoteAccessApp features