Comparison
Conduit vs PuTTY
PuTTY has been the default SSH client for Windows for over 25 years. It’s lightweight, free, and universally known. But if you manage modern infrastructure across multiple protocols and platforms, PuTTY’s single-session-per-window approach shows its age. Conduit is a modern replacement with tabbed sessions, AI assistance, and support for SSH, RDP, VNC, and web connections.
Feature comparison
| Feature | Conduit | PuTTY |
|---|---|---|
| SSH Terminal | Full terminal with AI assistance | SSH terminal (single session per window) |
| RDP Sessions | Built-in FreeRDP engine | Not available |
| VNC Support | Native client | Not available |
| Web Sessions | Chromium-based browser tabs | Not available |
| AI Assistant | Built-in with 9 models | Not available |
| MCP Server | Native — works with Claude Code, Codex | Not available |
| Credential Vault | AES-256 local encryption | Registry-based session storage |
| Multi-Tab Sessions | Tabbed interface with split panes | One session per window |
| macOS Support | Full support, Apple notarized | Not available |
| Linux Support | Full support | Available but rarely used |
| Connection Organization | Folders, tags, vault groups | Flat saved sessions list |
| Pricing | Free forever, Pro from $12/mo | Free and open-source |
Why switch from PuTTY to Conduit?
Modern tabbed interface
PuTTY opens a separate window for every connection. Managing 10+ servers means 10+ windows cluttering your taskbar. Conduit uses a tabbed interface with split panes, so you can view multiple sessions in a single window.
More than just SSH
PuTTY only handles SSH and Telnet. Conduit supports SSH, RDP, VNC, and web sessions. Instead of using PuTTY for SSH, Microsoft Remote Desktop for RDP, and a separate VNC viewer, use one app for everything.
macOS and Linux support
PuTTY was designed for Windows. While a Linux version exists, most Mac and Linux users want a native experience. Conduit delivers a polished, native-feeling application on all three platforms.
AI-powered troubleshooting
When a connection fails or a command returns an error, Conduit’s AI assistant can analyze the output and suggest solutions. PuTTY leaves you to Google error messages on your own.
Where PuTTY still excels
We believe in honest comparisons. Here's where PuTTY has strengths:
- Extremely lightweight and fast to launch
- No installation required (portable executable)
- Battle-tested over 25+ years of development
- Universally known and recognized in IT
- Serial port support for network device configuration
- No account or signup required
Key differences explained
Connection management
PuTTY stores saved sessions in a flat list in the Windows registry. Conduit provides an organized vault with folders, tags, and groups. As your server count grows, the organizational difference becomes significant.
Security
PuTTY stores sessions in the Windows registry without encryption. Credentials require separate tools like Pageant for SSH keys. Conduit uses an AES-256 encrypted vault with master password protection and optional two-factor authentication.
Modern features
PuTTY is a single-protocol, single-window SSH client from the 1990s. Conduit is a multi-protocol, tabbed, AI-powered connection manager designed for 2026. The feature gap is generational — split panes, AI assistant, MCP server, encrypted vault, cloud sync, and cross-platform support are all absent from PuTTY.
Pricing comparison
Conduit
Free forever
Unlimited connections, encrypted vault, 2 AI models. Pro from $12/month for advanced AI, MCP server, and cloud sync.
PuTTY
Free
Free and open-source
Frequently asked questions
- Is there a PuTTY alternative for Mac?
- Yes. Conduit is a modern SSH client that runs natively on macOS (Apple Silicon and Intel), Windows, and Linux. It includes tabbed sessions, an encrypted credential vault, built-in AI, and support for RDP, VNC, and web sessions in addition to SSH.
- Is Conduit free like PuTTY?
- Conduit has a free-forever plan with unlimited SSH connections, 2 AI models, and an encrypted vault. Pro ($12/month) and Team ($20/seat/month) tiers add more AI models, MCP server access, and cloud sync. PuTTY is completely free but only supports SSH/Telnet.
- Can Conduit replace PuTTY for SSH?
- Yes. Conduit provides a full SSH terminal with password and key authentication, multi-tab sessions, split panes, and instant terminal resize. It supports everything PuTTY does for SSH and adds AI assistance, RDP, VNC, web sessions, and an encrypted vault on top.
Ready to try Conduit?
Free forever with unlimited connections. No credit card required.