I routinely use three distinctly different operating systems:

  • Windows XP – This runs on my laptop and desktop (though my desktop rarely boots into it now).
  • Ubuntu (Kubuntu) – My primary OS on the desktop, which is nearly always on and works great.
  • Mac OS X – Used in the office at work.

The Problem with SSH on Mac OS X

Generally, the Mac is fine, apart from some keyboard issues (since I don’t use a Mac-specific keyboard, so the mappings can get wonky). However, for SSH access, nothing on the Mac even comes close to Putty.

Why Putty?

Putty is a well-known and incredibly popular SSH client. I’ve been using it since around 2003—maybe even earlier.

  • It was primarily developed for Windows, and honestly, it’s the best SSH client I’ve seen.
  • It’s simple, clean, and efficient—letting you save session data and quickly access multiple servers.
  • It also exists for Linux, and I have it installed on my Ubuntu system. I don’t recall how I installed it, but it works similarly to the Windows version, with only minor quirks.

But What About Mac?

This is where the frustration kicks in. I’ve searched and searched, tried different builds, attempted compiling it from source—but nothing works properly!

Why is there no real equivalent of Putty for Mac? There are a few options that pretend to be as good, but when you’re administering multiple servers, they just don’t quite cut it.

Mac Software Gaps

This isn’t just about Putty. There are several key programs available for Linux that make life easier for people switching from Windows—especially for those who still like using a graphical interface occasionally. But on Mac, these tools are just missing.

I get that Apple wants the Mac to be more mainstream, and they are making progress. But they’re just not there yet…

P.S.

I’m sure I’ll rant about Windows and Ubuntu at some point too… in fact, I feel an Ubuntu rant coming soon…