Tera Term
Tera Term is a free terminal emulator and communications program for Windows, with serial-port and TCP/IP connections.
What Tera Term is
Tera Term is a free terminal emulator and communications program for Windows, with serial-port and TCP/IP connections. TCP/IP options include Telnet, SSH1, and SSH2, while terminal emulation covers VT100, selected VT200 and VT300 features, and TEK4010. Supported file-transfer protocols include Kermit, XMODEM, YMODEM, ZMODEM, B-PLUS, and Quick-VAN. A macro language supports automated operation. The manual describes Unicode 17.0 character types and widths and support for encodings including UTF-8. The TTSSH plugin supports SSH1 and SSH2, with password, public-key, Pageant agent, and other authentication methods. For SSH connections, Tera Term checks the server host key and warns if it differs from a key in ssh_known_hosts; the manual says it does not validate DNSSEC for SSHFP records. The project says it sends information to other networked systems only when requested by a user or operator. The installation package includes TeraTerm Menu, a launcher; its registry or INI settings may contain usernames and passwords. Tera Term is free under a BSD license, and commercial use is permitted.
Good
- Free software; commercial use is permitted.
- Supports serial, Telnet, SSH1, and SSH2 connections.
- Includes a macro language for automation.
- Supports multiple file-transfer protocols.
Watch out
- Windows is the only listed platform.
- SSHFP DNSSEC validation is not supported.
- TeraTerm Menu settings may contain usernames and passwords.
Who it suits
Tera Term may suit Windows users who need terminal connections over serial ports or TCP/IP, SSH access, file transfers, or macro-based automation. Its listed platform support includes Windows desktop and Server versions.
Verdict
Tera Term offers a broad set of terminal connections, transfer protocols, and automation features at no cost. Users should note its Windows-only support and handle TeraTerm Menu settings carefully if they contain credentials.
Plans and prices
From Tera Term's own pricing page, checked 9 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Tera Term | Free | Free software · commercial use permitted · BSD license |
The facts
Each one read from Tera Term's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Automation
- Tera Term supports automated operation through its macro language.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Bundled utility
- TeraTerm Menu is a launcher for starting Tera Term and is included in the Tera Term installation package.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Code signing
- The project says free code signing is provided by SignPath.io, with a certificate from SignPath Foundation.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Connections
- It supports serial port and TCP/IP connections, including Telnet, SSH1, and SSH2.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Credential handling
- The manual warns that TeraTerm Menu registry or INI settings can contain usernames and passwords and should be handled carefully.checked 9 Oct 2026
- File transfer
- Its listed file transfer protocols include Kermit, XMODEM, YMODEM, ZMODEM, B-PLUS, and Quick-VAN.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Host key checks
- On SSH connections, Tera Term checks the server host key and warns when it does not match a key in ssh_known_hosts; its manual says it cannot perform DNSSEC validation for SSHFP records.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Network privacy
- The project states that the program does not transfer information to other networked systems unless specifically requested by the user or the person installing or operating it.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Scripting API
- Yeschecked 20 Sep 2026
- SSH
- The TTSSH plugin supports SSH1 and SSH2, with password, public key, Pageant agent, and other authentication methods described in the manual.checked 9 Oct 2026
- SSH support
- Yeschecked 20 Sep 2026
- Support
- The project directs users to GitHub issues to report bugs or request changes and features.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Terminal emulation
- It emulates VT100 and some VT200 and VT300 features, as well as TEK4010.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Text support
- The manual says character types and widths follow Unicode 17.0 and that many encodings, including UTF-8, are supported.checked 9 Oct 2026
- What it does
- Tera Term is a free terminal emulator and communications program.checked 9 Oct 2026
The company
- Founded
- 1994checked 28 Sep 2026
Money
- Free plan
- Yeschecked 20 Sep 2026
Where it runs
- Platform and architecture
- The manual lists Windows 7, 8, 8.1, 10, 11, and Windows Server 2012 and 2012 R2, with x86, x64, and ARM64 support as specified there.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Supported platforms
- windowschecked 20 Sep 2026
