Connect-rs
Connect-rs is a native Linux desktop app for managing SSH, RDP, VNC, Telnet, SFTP, and local connections in one tabbed workspace.
What Connect-rs is
Connect-rs is a native Linux desktop app for managing SSH, RDP, VNC, Telnet, SFTP, and local connections in one tabbed workspace. Its SSH terminal includes VT100/ANSI support, 24-bit colour, scrollback, and the option to broadcast across tabs. Native RDP offers RemoteFX, NLA/CredSSP, fullscreen, pop-out windows, and direct mouse and keyboard routing. A dual-pane SFTP browser handles recursive transfers and sync with a diff preview; SSH connections can also use local, remote, or dynamic SOCKS tunnels. The app imports Royal TS, PuTTY, WinSCP, CSV, and Ansible inventories. Connections, credentials, audit log, and settings remain on the user's machine, with no account, sync, or cloud service. Credentials are encrypted at rest, and Pro sends a roughly seven-day heartbeat with licence and device details, not saved connections, keystrokes, or audit events. Free keeps all features but allows five saved non-template connections. Pro costs $39 per user per year and permits unlimited saved connections. Both plans include email support. Linux downloads include x86_64 and ARM64 builds.
Good
- Supports SSH, RDP, VNC, Telnet, SFTP, and local connections.
- SFTP supports recursive transfers and sync with diff preview.
- Imports Royal TS, PuTTY, WinSCP, CSV, and Ansible inventories.
- Credentials are encrypted at rest.
- Pro supports offline activation.
Watch out
- Free permits only five saved non-template connections.
- Available natively for Linux; Windows and macOS are on the roadmap.
- Pro sends a periodic licence and device heartbeat.
- Pro costs $39 per user per year.
Who it suits
Connect-rs suits Linux users who manage several remote protocols and want connections, transfers, and tunnels in one desktop app. Teams needing more than five saved non-template connections can consider Pro.
Verdict
Connect-rs combines terminal sessions, remote desktop, file transfer, and tunneling in a Linux app, with local data storage and broad import support. The main choice is between Free's five-connection cap and Pro's unlimited saved connections at $39 per user per year.
Plans and prices
From Connect-rs's own pricing page, checked 8 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free | 5 saved connections · Every protocol · Tunnels & port forwarding · Folders, tags, search · Import / export · Themes · Audit log · Updates · Email support · $0 / forever |
| Pro | $39 a year | Unlimited saved connections · Every protocol · Tunnels & port forwarding · Folders, tags, search · Import / export · Themes · Audit log · Updates · Email support · Offline activation supported · Per user, paid annually |
The facts
Each one read from Connect-rs's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Credential security
- The privacy policy says credentials are encrypted at rest and application data is never sent to a Connect-rs server.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Imports
- It can import Royal TS, PuTTY, WinSCP, CSV, and Ansible inventories.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Offline activation
- Pro supports offline activation through a request blob signed on a connected machine and then pasted back into the app.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Offline storage
- The app says connections, credentials, audit log, and settings stay on the user's machine, with no account, sync, or cloud service.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Pro heartbeat
- Pro installations send an approximately seven-day heartbeat with licence and device details; the policy says it excludes saved connections, keystrokes, and audit events.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Connect-rs is a native Linux desktop remote-connection manager for SSH, RDP, VNC, Telnet, and SFTP in one tabbed window.checked 8 Oct 2026
- RDP
- Native RDP supports RemoteFX, NLA/CredSSP, fullscreen, pop-out windows, and direct mouse and keyboard routing.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Refunds
- Pro purchases are eligible for a 14-day refund.checked 8 Oct 2026
- SFTP and tunnels
- The dual-pane SFTP browser supports recursive transfers and sync with diff preview, while SSH sessions can use local, remote, and dynamic SOCKS forwards.checked 8 Oct 2026
- SSH
- Its SSH terminal supports VT100/ANSI, 24-bit colour, scrollback, and broadcasting across tabs.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Support
- Both Free and Pro include email support.checked 8 Oct 2026
Money
- Free tier limit
- Free allows up to five saved non-template connections; templates, Quick connections, and tabs do not count, and all features remain unlocked.checked 8 Oct 2026
Where it runs
- Linux availability
- Downloads are listed for Linux x86_64 and ARM64, plus a Debian package for Debian 12+ and Ubuntu 22.04+.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Other platforms
- The download page says a native Windows 10/11 build is on the roadmap; the homepage says macOS and Windows are also on the roadmap.checked 8 Oct 2026
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