Icon of program: XShell

XShell for Windows

  • Trial version
  • 4.3
    2241
  • 2.2M
  • V8.0.0068

Cathy Buggs

Updated 6 months ago

An easy-to-use terminal emulator!

XShell is a popular and straightforward network program designed to emulate a virtual terminal. While it’s not beginner-friendly, experienced users find it easier to use. With this tool, you can use a specific computer to act as a terminal. It’s quite useful in offices and workplaces, where data in a mainframe needs to be accessed. Since this is an open-source platform, you don’t need to pay any fee or subscribe to plans. Once you download and install the program, you can start using it from the get-go. There’s no need to worry about software activation.

Plenty of features and a clean interface!

XShell is one of the most powerful terminal emulators. It supports RLOGIN, SFTP, SERIAL, TELNET, SSH2, and SSH1. With a wide range of features, the tool delivers exceptional performance. In fact, XShell offers a combination of benefits and features unavailable with other leading SSH clients like AnyDesk or TeamViewer.

The platform is used by several enterprises around the world. The most important reason for its increasing popularity is the availability of dynamic port forwarding, tabbed environment, set highlighting, custom key mapping, dual font support for non-ASCII and ASCII characters, Jscript/VB/Python scripting, and PKCS#11 support.

XShell provides you with a wide range of drop-down tabs, and as such, it’s considered to be a solid modular emulator. While using the tool, you can click on any tab to create a separate window. It’s quite beneficial for multitasking on your Windows PC.

Is XShell a powerful emulator?

As mentioned earlier, XShell is a solid modulator emulator, since it comes with several drop-down tabs. You can easily click on one or many of the tabs to open separate windows. It can help you control multiple computers simultaneously while you continue with some other work too. As per the company information and user feedback, XShell employs the secure MIT Kerberos authentication system, which ensures your data remains private and safe.

While using XShell, you don’t have to be concerned about any information getting compromised. The tool comes with a live update feature, which automatically downloads upgrades on the network. There’s also a redirect key, which provides easy access to several remote terminals, whenever required.

It’s worth mentioning that XShell is free to use. However, the free version can only be used in educational or home settings. There’s no reason to undervalue the benefits of this app because of this aspect. While the free edition has limited features, the developers have bundled the complete feature set of the commercial version. For a small fee, you can access the full potential of the program.

One of the most powerful and secure terminal emulators, XShell can be used to access Linux/Unix hosts directly from a Microsoft Windows PC. The program is intuitive and comes with a wide range of advanced tools specifically designed to meet the requirements of beginners as well as experts. Some of the prominent highlights include regular expression support, file management, local commands, tunneling, and dynamic port forwarding.

Does XShell have strong security features?

Compared to MobaXterm and SecureCRT, XShell comes with several security features. In fact, even the free version is equipped with solid public key authentication methods, SSH2/SSH1 protocols, traffic encryption, and password protection. With these features, the tool is able to prevent interception by third parties and keeps your data secure and private.

Does XShell give configuration options?

XShell can emulate several terminals, including SCOANSI, XTERM, LINUX, ANSI, VT320, VT220, and VT100. As such, it helps you completely customize the default settings. Since the program features a multi-tabbed interface, you can run multiple sessions simultaneously. There’s a compose bar, which can be used to send a string of text to multiple servers.

With XShell, you can create and activate scripts to automate repetitive and menial tasks. This makes your workflow more efficient. Additionally, you can receive and send files while monitoring the transfers. In order to let you perform remote tasks without errors, XShell uses dynamic port forwarding, protocol tracing, and key mapping.

Considering the plenty of features and a simple interface, the free edition of XShell proves to be a secure and reliable terminal emulator. While the intuitive interface pleases beginners, advanced options help experts create a more secure working environment. RAM and CPU consumption is minimal and ensures you don’t have to worry about lags.

Where can you run XShell?

XShell download is available in the form of a freeware tool for Windows 64-bit and 32-bit operating systems. You can use the SSH/TELNET client on a desktop or laptop without restrictions. If you’re using a Windows 10 PC, you’ll be able to use XShell without any issues. The program is also available for Windows 8 and Windows 7 computers.

It’s worth mentioning that the program is lightweight, and requires only 50 MB free hard drive space. While the compatibility of this tool may vary, if your laptop or desktop is in good condition, you wouldn’t experience any lags or crashes. NetSarang Computer also offers a separate x64 version.

Unlike Ammyy Admin, XShell supports a wide range of languages. As such, it provides you with excellent multilingual emulation. Additionally, the tool supports multiple protocols, including TELNET, SSH, SERIAL, RLOGIN, and SFTP. While offering comprehensive and diverse terminal configuration options, XShell aims to replace unsecure TELNET clients around the world.

A solid platform to emulate a virtual terminal!

The latest version of XShell comes with more scripting languages. Moreover, this offline software offers various levels of automation to ensure superior performance. Compared to generic terminal emulators, XShell focuses on security and ease-of-use. With UTF8 coding, the program is able to provide support for multiple languages. As such, it’s an ideal choice for foreign users trying to access an international terminal. With teams in global offices, this feature comes in handy. Last but not least, XShell has a simple and clean interface, which allows you to use the program without much trouble.

We recommend you to read our article about Best VPNs

Cathy Buggs

    I was born and raised in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. I started working in a branch of the military before moving into the computer industry in 1979. We moved to Cape Town in 1983 where I worked for a import/export company. I then joined De Beers, where I worked for the next 20 years, rising to become the IT Manager at one of the De Beers mines. I retired in 2007 and since then I have enjoyed a third career as a freelance writer, editor and freelance tutor to disadvantaged students mainly over the internet. I have always had a deep love for English and the written word and have relished writing and expanding my skill set. I love reading and also dabble in many arts and crafts. My husband and I love camping, travelling and using our 4X4 to spend as much time as possible in the wild areas of Southern Africa.

    • Pros

      • Open-source platform
      • Supports multiple languages
      • Simple and clean interface
      • No payments required
    • Cons

      • Not beginner friendly
      • Needs 50 MB free hard drive
     0/5

    App specs

    Program available in other languages


    Icon of program: XShell

    XShell for PC

    • Trial version
    • 4.3
      2241
    • 2.2M
    • V8.0.0068

    User reviews about XShell

    4.3

    5 reviews

    Main reviews for you

    • Anonymous user

      I like XShell , it's very useful.I always use the XShell to connect Linux in Windows.

    • Anonymous user

      The function that I like the most in XShell is it's ability to create a number of drop-down tabs that enables me to create a separate window and perform multiple tasks with these tabs. I highly recommend this software because it provides a high protection and security as it has an automatic terminal lock that prevents unauthorized access.

    • Anonymous user

      Wow! XShell's features is indeed incredible! This software shouldn't be underestimated for this small piece of program has a lot of additional tools that will surely greatly help in almost every aspect of emulating. This software provides the best virtual terminal! It even has a UTF8 coding that supports various languages which is very ideal for foreigners!

    • Anonymous user

      Most of the tech experts recommended this XShell emulator that's why I tried to download this software! And, I'm glad that I listened to those tech experts because by far the performance of this software is at the top. I have a huge love for the MIT Kerberos authentication system that this software employs!

    • Anonymous user

      Out of all the modular emulator that I have tried, I can confidently say that this XShell emulator is greatest one! This is very useful and functional and believe it or not, it has many additional features that makes me think that this software is more than an emulator because it is capable to do many works.

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    Laws concerning the use of this software vary from country to country. We do not encourage or condone the use of this program if it is in violation of these laws.
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    Score result: Clean

    This file passed a comprehensive security scan using VirusTotal technology. It is safe to download.

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    Scan Info

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    Tuesday, October 14, 2025
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    File Integrity

    File
    XShell_V8.0.0068.exe
    SHA256
    491e619e78ab9952a233acf72110988593a68aab100637772ddf2a8139969db8
    SHA1
    7789c999c809f80126bcc6c56bd133643304bbbd

    Softonic security commitment

    XShell has been thoroughly scanned by our advanced security systems and verified by industry-leading partners. This file comes from the official developer and has passed all our security checks, showing no signs of viruses, malware, or spyware.