Overview

Tabby is a cross-platform terminal app for local shells, remote connections, and serial work. It suits people who want several terminal workflows organized in one place; its broad connection and layout tools are compelling, but it is a poor fit for anyone who needs dedicated support.

It spans both terminal-emulator and SSH-client use cases, so readers weighing those categories can browse our Terminal Emulators and SSH Clients lists.

Key features

Connections and file movement

Tabby supports local shells, SSH, serial, and Telnet connections. The integrated SSH2 client has a connection manager, while the serial terminal provides profiles and input modes. SFTP and Zmodem transfers are available within SSH sessions, a useful convenience for users who move files as part of remote terminal work.

Supported shells include PowerShell, PowerShell Core, WSL, Git-Bash, Cygwin, Cmder, and CMD. Windows users also get tab completion, Explorer integration, and portable mode. This combination serves people moving between Windows shells and remote systems better than a tool aimed only at straightforward local command-line work.

SSH tools and organization

SSH options include X11 and port forwarding, jump hosts, and agent forwarding. Tabby can store SSH secrets and configuration in an encrypted container, and its optional password manager uses a master passphrase. These features make it a substantial SSH workspace, though they do not change the support trade-off: the support model provides download and GitHub links without dedicated support terms.

Open tabs and split panes persist when leaving the app. Users can build nested pane layouts and send input to multiple panes simultaneously, which can help when coordinating related sessions. CSS themes, color schemes, configurable shortcuts, and plugins allow further customization. GPU acceleration, session sync, and a scripting API are also supported.

Pricing

Tabby is a forever-free FOSS product. Its Free FOSS plan has no published price, so there is no stated paid tier or plan cap to weigh; the main limitation for buyers is the lack of dedicated support terms. It is a sensible fit for individuals and teams comfortable relying on the project’s GitHub presence rather than a defined support arrangement.

Platforms

Tabby runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Windows receives additional shell integration and portable mode, while the core app’s cross-platform availability makes it a candidate for users who want a similar terminal workspace across desktop operating systems.

Who it's for

Choose Tabby if your work spans local shells, SSH, serial, or Telnet and you value persistent tabs, nested panes, and built-in SSH tools in a free application. Its breadth is especially relevant to Windows users who need several shell environments alongside remote sessions. Someone seeking only a minimal local terminal, or requiring dedicated support, should consider a narrower or better-supported option.

Pros and cons

Pros

One app handles local shells, SSH, serial, and Telnet, reducing the need to switch tools for these connection types.
SFTP and Zmodem transfers, plus SSH forwarding and jump-host features, support richer remote workflows.
Persistent tabs, nested panes, and simultaneous multi-pane input help keep related sessions together.
Free, open-source availability across Windows, macOS, and Linux makes it accessible to users on all three platforms.

Cons

No dedicated support terms are provided, which may be a drawback for users who need formal support.
The wide set of connection types, shells, and customization options may be unnecessary for someone who wants only a basic local terminal.

Alternatives

Warp is worth considering for developers who want a free tier with core terminal features and Warp Agent CLI access; it also supports Linux, macOS, Windows, and self-hosted use.

Contour is another free option for Linux, macOS, and Windows, with no paid plans stated.

WezTerm suits readers looking for free, MIT-licensed software for Linux, macOS, or Windows, with pre-built releases or source builds.

Windows Terminal is a free Windows-only choice; its GitHub distribution does not automatically update.

MobaXterm is a Windows alternative with a Home Edition capped at 12 sessions, 2 SSH tunnels, and 4 macros, plus a 360-second limit for TFTP, NFS, and Cron; its Professional Edition costs 69.00 USD per year.

Alacritty is a free, open-source terminal emulator for Linux, macOS, and Windows.

iTerm2 is a free option for macOS users.

Ghostty is free and open source for Linux and macOS, with no commercial backing or dedicated support team.

Verdict

Tabby is a strong fit for users who want a free, configurable workspace for local shells and varied remote connections, particularly those who benefit from persistent multi-pane sessions and integrated SSH tools. Its main reason to look elsewhere is the absence of dedicated support terms; for support-dependent use, choose another tool.

	Core Shell	Tabby
Free plan	Yes	Yes
Free trial	No	No
Paid from	$2.50/mo	Free
Open source	No	No
Platforms	iOS, macOS	Linux, macOS, Windows
Free plan	Yes	Yes
Supported protocols	SSH/OpenSSH, SFTP, serial	—
Supported platforms	macOS, iOS, iPadOS	Windows, macOS, Linux
SFTP support	Yes	—
Port forwarding	No	—
Session management	tabs	—

Core Shell vs Tabby

Core Shell

Tabby