Local shells. Remote servers. One workspace.

Start in your local shell. Connect over SSH, open a VNC desktop, or reach a serial device. Keep your connections and tools in one desktop app.

Get Zync for Windows

Linux Windows macOS

Free to use
Local-first
No account required

LOCAL + REMOTE, TOGETHER

Zync home workspace with quick SSH connection, recent servers, and open connection tabs

What is Zync?

A desktop workspace for local shells, SSH connections, VNC desktops, serial consoles, files and tunnels.

Why Zync

Your servers.
Your workspace.
Your rules.

Less switching between tools. More control over how you work.

Start without the signup

Free to use. Ready when you are.

Open a local terminal or connect over SSH without creating an account or paying for a desktop subscription.

Unlike ‘100% free’ that becomes ‘please upgrade’ after 30 days.

Get Zync

01 Stay in your flow

Keep your work together.

Arrange terminals, files, and server information side by side. Keep the context of your connection while you work.

Explore your workspace

02 Start with what you have

Use your existing setup.

Bring your SSH configuration and key files. Choose the encrypted vault when you want it.

See connection options

03 Local comes first

Your credentials. On your device.

Store SSH passwords and private keys in the optional encrypted Local Vault. Zync does not host your SSH credentials. Existing key files still work.

Explore the vault

Your data

Your data.
Clear boundaries.

See what stays on your device and what happens when you choose backup.

Local by default

Your machine

Zync workspace

Hosts, tunnels, snippets, settings, and session state are stored in your local Zync data folder.

Hosts
Tunnels
Snippets
Settings

Optional · on-device

Encrypted vault

The optional Local Vault encrypts stored credentials on your device. You control its passphrase and recovery key.

Existing SSH key files still work.

Explore the vault

Encrypted before upload

You choose when

Optional encrypted backup

Your Google Drive

Selected data is encrypted before upload to your Google Drive. Uploads and restores are manual.

Zync does not host a copy of your backup.

Understand backup

Capabilities

SSH, VNC, serial, files.
One desktop workspace.

Terminals, remote desktops, device consoles and host tools. One workspace.

One workspace.

Split a host across terminal, Files, and Dashboard without leaving the session.

Zync split workspace: htop in a terminal, a Files list, and a host Dashboard.

Terminal
Run commands in the connected session.
Files
Browse files beside your terminal.
Dashboard
Keep CPU, memory, and disk usage in view.

02 · Connect

Servers, desktops and device consoles.

Choose SSH, VNC or Serial, then keep your connection tools together. Use local, remote and SOCKS tunnels for services reached through SSH.

SSH connections
Shells, files and tunnels, with server-requested verification when needed.
VNC desktops
Remote desktops through SSH or a saved direct endpoint, with display and Vault password settings.
Serial consoles
Local device consoles with saved port, baud rate, framing and Enter settings.

Port forwarding

Local
Remote
SOCKS

Local

Remote

SOCKS

03 · Files & SFTP

Files without another app.

Browse local and remote files, transfer them, and edit them from the same workspace.

Files with Places for This PC and Linux distros, showing a Debian folder grid.

Open the editor preview

In-app editor open on docker-compose.yml on a remote host.

Edit local or remote files in the same workspace.

04 · Vault

Keep your secrets close.

Passwords for SSH and VNC, plus SSH keys, can stay in an on-device encrypted vault.

Open the vault preview

Local vault unlocked on this device, with stored SSH keys, repair, recovery, and credential list.

Explore the vault

Optional · Sync & backup

Sync when you need it.

Optional Google Drive backup, encrypted on this device first.

Open the backup preview

Sync and Backup with Google Drive connect, encrypt, and unlock steps.

Understand backup

Daily workspace tools

Small tools. A complete workspace.

Compact previews for everyday SSH work.

Local-first

Local-first by design.

Keep hosts, settings, and your optional vault on your machine.

Terminal

Local shell first. SSH when you need it.

Use local shells and SSH sessions with ghost suggestions and session restore.

Dashboard

See the host while you work.

Inspect CPU, memory, and disk usage for the connected host.

AI command bar

Ctrl+I

Ctrl+I writes the next command.

Generate a shell command with Ollama or your own provider API key. Review it before running.

Snippets

Reusable commands.

Save reusable commands globally or for an individual host, then send them to the terminal.

Keyboard shortcuts

Keyboard friendly.

Switch tabs, focus panes, and open workspace tools from your keyboard.

Plugins

Tools, icons and editor providers.

Add workspace tools, icon packs and editor providers. Review each package and its permissions before installing.

Pro editor

Edit remote files in place.

Edit local and remote files with syntax highlighting, search, and completion.

Native speed

Native desktop performance.

A Tauri desktop app with a Rust backend and GPU terminal rendering where supported.

Security hardening audit

Review your host configuration.

Run selected Linux checks over SSH. Review evidence, compare assessments and keep reports on your device. No account required.

Explore hardening audits

Alternatives

Your workflow matters too.

Not every SSH client is built around the same idea. Some put the IDE first. Some put managed access first. Zync puts the entire workspace on your machine.

01 / IDE-first
VS Code Remote
Remote development centered around the editor.
Compare with Zync
02 / Local-first
Zync
SSH, VNC, serial consoles, files, tunnels and vault on your desktop.
TerminalFilesTunnelsVault
03 / Windows toolbox
MobaXterm
Terminal, X11, SFTP, and networking tools for Windows.
Compare with Zync
04 / Managed SSH
Termius
SSH across devices with managed sync and collaboration features.
Compare with Zync

Side by side

What changes in practice.

Four tools can connect you to a remote machine. What changes is what they put around that connection.

Compare Zync with

VS Code RemoteMobaXtermTermius

Detail	ZyncLocal-first SSH workspace	VS Code RemoteIDE remote development
Workspace
Best fit	Day-to-day SSH work in one local-first desktop app	Editing, building, and debugging on a remote host
Workspace	SSH, VNC, serial consoles, files, tunnels and vault together	Remote editor window with terminal and extensions
Files / SFTP	Local files, SFTP, Places, in-app editing	Remote explorer inside the IDE
Port forwarding	Local, remote, and SOCKS. Public URLs is separate.	Forwarded ports for remote sessions
Credentials & Sync
Credentials	Optional on-device vault, or local key files	Keys, agent, and host auth you configure
Sync	Optional manual encrypted backup to your Google Drive	Manage SSH config separately from editor Settings Sync
Cost & Platforms
Platforms	Linux, Windows, macOS	Linux, Windows, macOS; remote host requirements apply
License	FSL-1.1-ALv2; Apache 2.0 after two years	Microsoft license. Remote extensions are not OSS.
Pricing	Free. No subscription limits.	Free with VS Code and Remote SSH

Detail	ZyncLocal-first SSH workspace	MobaXtermWindows terminal toolbox
Workspace
Best fit	Day-to-day SSH work in one local-first desktop app	Windows terminal, X11, and network tools
Workspace	SSH, VNC, serial consoles, files, tunnels and vault together	Tabbed terminal with X11 and embedded tools
Files / SFTP	Local files, SFTP, Places, in-app editing	Graphical SFTP beside sessions
Port forwarding	Local, remote, and SOCKS. Public URLs is separate.	Graphical SSH tunnels manager
Credentials & Sync
Credentials	Optional on-device vault, or local key files	Passwords behind a master password
Sync	Optional manual encrypted backup to your Google Drive	Saved sessions; see vendor documentation for sharing options
Cost & Platforms
Platforms	Linux, Windows, macOS	Windows
License	FSL-1.1-ALv2; Apache 2.0 after two years	Proprietary Home and Professional
Pricing	Free. No subscription limits.	Free Home: 12 sessions, 2 SSH tunnels; paid Professional

Detail	ZyncLocal-first SSH workspace	TermiusManaged cross-device SSH
Workspace
Best fit	Day-to-day SSH work in one local-first desktop app	Managed SSH across desktop and mobile
Workspace	SSH, VNC, serial consoles, files, tunnels and vault together	SSH client with vaults, groups, and snippets
Files / SFTP	Local files, SFTP, Places, in-app editing	Built-in SFTP client
Port forwarding	Local, remote, and SOCKS. Public URLs is separate.	Port forwarding in the SSH client
Credentials & Sync
Credentials	Optional on-device vault, or local key files	Local vault on Starter. Cloud vaults on paid plans.
Sync	Optional manual encrypted backup to your Google Drive	Paid plans sync desktop and mobile
Cost & Platforms
Platforms	Linux, Windows, macOS	Linux, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
License	FSL-1.1-ALv2; Apache 2.0 after two years	Proprietary
Pricing	Free. No subscription limits.	Free Starter, paid individual and team plans

Install

Get Zync

Connect to your server. Bring your terminal, files, and tools into one workspace.

Desktop downloads View on GitHub

Zync wearing headphones at a laptop in a cozy attic, with evening clouds, distant mountains, and birds outside the window. — Linux
Windows
macOS
v2.39.0

Support

A few things, answered.

The essentials before your first connection.

Browse by topic

Getting startedWorkflowData & sharing

Getting started

04 questions

Is Zync really free?

Yes. Zync is free to use, with no subscription-gated features. Desktop source is available under FSL-1.1-ALv2.

Is Zync a good free SSH client?

Zync is a strong fit if you want a free desktop SSH client with terminals, VNC desktops, serial consoles, SFTP, tunnels, snippets and an encrypted local vault in one app. Its source is available under FSL-1.1-ALv2, and core connections do not require an account.

I am on Windows. Do I need WSL?

No. Zync runs natively. WSL is optional. PowerShell, Command Prompt, and Git Bash work out of the box.

Which platforms are supported?

Native binaries for Windows 10/11, macOS (Intel and Apple Silicon), and major Linux distributions.

Workflow

08 questions

Can Zync assess my server configuration?

Security hardening audit reviews selected Linux host and application settings over SSH after your approval. It shows evidence and guidance without applying changes. Sudo is optional for protected checks, reports can be saved locally, and no Zync account or scanner installation is required.

Is Zync a Termius alternative?

Yes, for developers who want a local-first desktop SSH workspace instead of a managed cross-device SSH service. Zync is desktop only, its source uses FSL-1.1-ALv2, and credentials stay on-device unless you choose optional encrypted backup.

How does Zync compare with MobaXterm?

MobaXterm is a Windows-focused terminal toolbox. Zync runs on Linux, Windows and macOS, with SSH, VNC desktops, serial consoles, SFTP files, tunnels and an optional encrypted vault in a local-first workspace.

Can Zync replace ControlOps or operations platforms?

Zync is an SSH client and desktop workspace, not an incident, observability, or control-plane platform. It can sit beside those tools when you need hands-on terminal, file, tunnel, and credential workflows.

Does it support ProxyJump / bastion hosts?

Yes. Configure jump hosts in connection settings. Zync follows the jump chain.

Can I connect to VNC desktops and serial devices?

Yes. Open VNC through a connected SSH host or save a direct VNC address and port. Save a Serial profile for a local physical or virtual serial port. Both have independent tabs; restored tabs wait for you to connect.

Does SSH support verification codes?

When your server requests keyboard-interactive verification, Zync shows its prompts during Connect or Test Connection. Enter the code from your authenticator or other server-configured source. Zync does not generate TOTP codes.

Is there a plugin system?

Yes. Add workspace tools, panels, editor providers and icon packs through the marketplace. Full-app colors use trusted built-in themes or Theme JSON import; third-party plugin CSS does not restyle the app shell.

Data & sharing

04 questions

Where are my keys and passwords stored?

SSH keys and reusable Password entries for SSH or VNC can live in an on-device vault. Optional sync encrypts selected records to your Google Drive before upload. VNC and Serial profiles remain on this device.

What is the Vault?

An encrypted on-device store for Password entries, SSH private keys and other supported credentials. Explicitly link a Password to an SSH or VNC connection. Unlock with a passphrase and keep the recovery key offline.

Where does sync data go?

Encrypted records go to your Google Drive (drive.appdata). Zync does not keep a copy on its servers. Sync is optional.

What are Public URLs?

Public URLs (Beta) shares a localhost port with an HTTPS link. It is not SSH port forwarding. Sign in with GitHub or Google (a Zync share account, not Drive Sync).