Best MobaXterm Alternatives in 2025

Looking for alternatives to MobaXterm? In this comparison, we take a closer look at MobaXterm alongside similar software solutions including MobaXterm, Xshell, UltraVNC, UltraViewer and RustDesk.

Our detailed comparison table highlights key features, pricing, and performance of these leading solutions, empowering you to make an informed decision. Whether you're seeking robust functionality, user-friendly design, or cost-effective alternatives, explore how MobaXterm, Xshell, UltraVNC, UltraViewer and RustDesk stack up to find the perfect software for your goals.

	Platform Support	Licensing & Cost	Key Features & Protocols Supported
MobaXterm	Windows-only application	Free Home Edition and paid Professional Edition available	Enhanced terminal software with built-in X11 server, supports SSH, RDP, VNC, FTP, SFTP, Telnet, Rlogin, Serial connections, and multiple remote sessions with tabbed terminal windows
Xshell	Supports Windows desktop operating systems	Paid software with 30-day trial version	SSH client supporting SSH-1 and SSH-2, Telnet, Rlogin, Serial connections; built-in file transfer manager; strong encryption algorithms including 3DES, AES, Blowfish; powerful scripting capabilities
UltraVNC	Supports Windows, Windows XP, Vista; also mentions Linux and macOS	Free and open source; also has commercial license option	Remote desktop access with secure remote connections, supports file transfer, multiple monitors, various authentication methods, networking and firewall settings configuration
UltraViewer	Supports Windows; mentions Linux and macOS	Free version and paid version available	Remote control software with file transfer, text chat, voice chat; simple and intuitive controls; limited features compared to paid alternatives; no unattended access or mobile app support
RustDesk	Cross-platform support including Windows, Linux, macOS, and mobile devices	Free and open-source remote desktop software	Open-source remote desktop client supporting authentication codes, clipboard sharing, file transfer, multi-monitor support; allows multiple concurrent sessions but one active session at a time; no separate mobile app

Platform Support

MobaXterm	Windows-only application
Xshell	Supports Windows desktop operating systems
UltraVNC	Supports Windows, Windows XP, Vista; also mentions Linux and macOS
UltraViewer	Supports Windows; mentions Linux and macOS
RustDesk	Cross-platform support including Windows, Linux, macOS, and mobile devices

Licensing & Cost

MobaXterm	Free Home Edition and paid Professional Edition available
Xshell	Paid software with 30-day trial version
UltraVNC	Free and open source; also has commercial license option
UltraViewer	Free version and paid version available
RustDesk	Free and open-source remote desktop software

Key Features & Protocols Supported

MobaXterm	Enhanced terminal software with built-in X11 server, supports SSH, RDP, VNC, FTP, SFTP, Telnet, Rlogin, Serial connections, and multiple remote sessions with tabbed terminal windows
Xshell	SSH client supporting SSH-1 and SSH-2, Telnet, Rlogin, Serial connections; built-in file transfer manager; strong encryption algorithms including 3DES, AES, Blowfish; powerful scripting capabilities
UltraVNC	Remote desktop access with secure remote connections, supports file transfer, multiple monitors, various authentication methods, networking and firewall settings configuration
UltraViewer	Remote control software with file transfer, text chat, voice chat; simple and intuitive controls; limited features compared to paid alternatives; no unattended access or mobile app support
RustDesk	Open-source remote desktop client supporting authentication codes, clipboard sharing, file transfer, multi-monitor support; allows multiple concurrent sessions but one active session at a time; no separate mobile app

Choosing the right software isn’t just about features. Size, license type, user ratings, and popularity also matter.

This quick comparison shows how MobaXterm stacks up against MobaXterm, Xshell, UltraVNC, UltraViewer and RustDesk in these key areas—helping you find the best alternative for your needs.

	Size	License
MobaXterm	22.2MB	Freeware
Xshell		Freeware
UltraVNC	5.4MB	Freeware
UltraViewer	3.5MB	Shareware
RustDesk	21.3MB	Shareware

Size

MobaXterm	22.2MB
Xshell
UltraVNC	5.4MB
UltraViewer	3.5MB
RustDesk	21.3MB

License

MobaXterm	Freeware
Xshell	Freeware
UltraVNC	Freeware
UltraViewer	Shareware
RustDesk	Shareware

Rating

MobaXterm
Xshell
UltraVNC
UltraViewer
RustDesk

Popularity

MobaXterm
Xshell
UltraVNC
UltraViewer
RustDesk