SecureCRT vs Free Alternatives for Network Engineers

Terminal emulators are essential tools for network engineers, system administrators, and IT professionals. They provide secure access to network devices, servers, and infrastructure using protocols such as SSH, Telnet, and serial connections.

This article explains what terminal emulators are, highlights the most popular options—including SecureCRT—and compares paid and free alternatives so you can choose the right tool for your workflow.

What Is a Terminal Emulator?

A terminal emulator is software that allows a computer to act as a text-based terminal. In networking and systems administration, terminal emulators are commonly used to:

• Connect to routers, switches, and firewalls
• Manage Linux and Unix servers
• Access devices over SSH, Telnet, or serial console
• Run commands, scripts, and automation tasks

For network engineers, terminal emulators are often used daily and become a core part of the workflow.

SecureCRT: The Industry Standard (Paid)

SecureCRT is widely regarded as the gold standard terminal emulator for professional network engineers.

Key Features

• SSH, Telnet, Serial, and TFTP support
• Strong encryption and security controls
• Tabbed sessions and session manager
• Built-in scripting (Python, VBScript)
• Advanced logging and session auditing
• Cross-platform (Windows, macOS, Linux)

Why Engineers Use SecureCRT

SecureCRT excels in environments where engineers manage many devices and need:

• Saved session profiles
• Reliable session handling
• Automation and scripting
• Long-term stability

Downsides

• Paid license required
• Overkill for casual or occasional use

Best for: Enterprise networking, consultants, MSPs, and engineers managing large environments.

Popular Free Terminal Emulators

While SecureCRT is powerful, many free terminal emulators offer excellent functionality—especially for smaller labs, students, or lightweight workflows.

PuTTY (Free – Windows)

PuTTY is one of the most widely used free terminal emulators.

Pros

• Free and lightweight
• Supports SSH, Telnet, and serial
• Very stable
• Easy to launch quickly

Cons

• Outdated interface
• No tabbed sessions (without add-ons)
• Limited automation and session management

Best for: Quick SSH access and basic device management on Windows.

Windows Terminal (Free – Windows)

Windows Terminal is Microsoft’s modern terminal application.

Pros

• Clean, modern UI
• Tabbed terminals
• Supports PowerShell, CMD, WSL, and SSH
• Actively developed

Cons

• Limited advanced networking features
• No native session manager for network devices

Best for: System administrators and developers using Windows and WSL.

Termius (Free & Paid Versions)

Termius is a modern, cross-platform terminal emulator.

Pros

• Clean interface
• SSH key management
• Cross-platform sync (paid)
• Mobile support

Cons

• Advanced features locked behind subscription
• Limited scripting compared to SecureCRT

Best for: Engineers who want a modern UI and cross-device access.

MobaXterm (Free & Paid Versions)

MobaXterm is popular among Windows-based engineers.

Pros

• SSH, X11 forwarding, SCP, SFTP
• Built-in Unix tools
• Tabbed sessions
• Portable version available

Cons

• Free version has feature limitations
• Interface can feel cluttered

Best for: Windows users who need an all-in-one SSH and Unix toolkit.

iTerm2 (Free – macOS)

iTerm2 is the most popular terminal emulator on macOS.

Pros

• Excellent performance
• Split panes and tabs
• Strong scripting and automation
• Deep macOS integration

Cons

• macOS only
• Requires external tools for advanced networking workflows

Best for: macOS users managing Linux servers or network devices.

Comparison Table: SecureCRT vs Free Terminal Emulators

Which Terminal Emulator Should You Use?

The best terminal emulator depends on your needs:

• Enterprise / Consulting: SecureCRT
• Students / Labs: PuTTY, Windows Terminal, iTerm2
• Modern UI & Mobility: Termius
• All-in-One Windows Tool: MobaXterm

Many engineers start with free tools and eventually move to SecureCRT as their environments grow.

Final Thoughts

Terminal emulators are foundational tools for network engineering and systems administration. While free options are more than capable for basic tasks, paid tools like SecureCRT offer significant productivity gains for professionals managing complex or large-scale environments.

Choosing the right terminal emulator can improve efficiency, reduce errors, and streamline daily workflows.