MobaXterm alternative
A MobaXterm alternative not just for Windows.
In Ravelon the file browser opens right next to the session you just started, on the same connection. Around it you get an encrypted vault, saved tunnels, RDP and VNC tabs and end-to-end encrypted sync, on Windows, macOS and Linux.
MobaXterm is a Windows toolbox that bundles SSH, X11, RDP, VNC and Unix tools. We at Ravelon wrote this page and keep it up to date. MobaXterm is a trademark of its owner.
Ravelon and MobaXterm, side by side
| Compared | Ravelon | MobaXterm |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Windows, macOS and Linux, on x86_64 and ARM64, with .deb and .rpm packages for Linux. | Windows only. |
| Licensing | Free on one device. Pro is EUR 19.90 once. Self Hosted is free and open source. | Free Home edition, paid Professional licence per user. |
| File panel | SFTP browser on the same connection. | SFTP panel next to the session. |
| Saved connections | Encrypted vault (AES-256-GCM) on your device. Sync only sees encrypted data. | Local session list you can export. |
| Sync between machines | End-to-end encrypted. We host it, or you do. | Export a file, import it elsewhere. |
| Remote desktops | RDP with printer redirection, VNC with verified TLS (VeNCrypt) and Apple Remote Desktop. | RDP, VNC and an X server. |
| Assistant | Ravelon Agent, with your own provider. | Not part of the product. |
MobaXterm column last checked: 2026-08
Why Ravelon
Four reasons to move from MobaXterm to Ravelon
01
One app for Windows, macOS and Linux
Ravelon is the same app on all three systems, with the same vault format and the same shortcuts. Whether a colleague works on a Mac or a Linux workstation, the whole team shares one setup.
02
One purchase, updates included
The full desktop app is free on one device. Ravelon Pro is a single purchase that adds sync, and the self-hosted sync server costs nothing. Updates install themselves after Ravelon has verified them.
03
Your sessions on every machine
Ravelon syncs the encrypted vault to every device you've approved in the browser. A host you add on one machine shows up on the others, and the server never holds the key.
04
A clear workspace for every connection
SSH, SFTP, tunnels, RDP, VNC, local shells and coding agents share one tab strip and one command palette. Save a mixed layout as a workspace and your whole setup is back with one click.
Terminal and files, one login
Open the file view from an SSH connection you already have. Browse local and remote folders side by side, copy files both ways and create folders, all without logging in again. Terminals, the file browser and every tunnel to that host share one connection.
- No second login for files
- Local and remote side by side
- Works on servers that limit concurrent sessions
A side panel that keeps an eye on the host
Next to the session, a read-only panel shows CPU, memory, file systems and the busiest processes, updated every few seconds. Your host notes sit right beside it, encrypted in the vault and synced along with it.
Read-only on purpose. The monitor never runs anything you didn't ask for.
Switching
Bring your MobaXterm sessions along
Ravelon imports MobaXterm sessions directly, together with an OpenSSH config or a CSV list if you keep one. Your hosts arrive in one go, ready to be grouped, tagged and opened from the command palette.
Signed installers are there for Windows, macOS and Linux, including ARM64 and .deb and .rpm packages. In larger environments, a machine policy controls updates, sync and AI features centrally.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Which remote desktop protocols does Ravelon support?
RDP through IronRDP with TLS and NLA, clipboard sharing and printer redirection, and VNC with verified TLS, Apple Remote Desktop and classic VNC. Both open in the same tabs as your SSH sessions.
Can I bring my MobaXterm sessions over?
Yes. Ravelon imports MobaXterm sessions directly, as well as OpenSSH config and CSV files. You then add passwords once to the encrypted vault.
How is Ravelon installed and updated?
With signed installers for Windows, macOS and Linux, on Linux also as .deb, .rpm or AppImage. Ravelon verifies every update before installing it, and administrators can control updates by machine policy.
Try it first
Try it for a week.
On one device the desktop app is free, with everything in it: the encrypted vault and SFTP, RDP and VNC, and the assistant too. Import your SSH config and feel how much faster your day goes.
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