Anyone typing 'PuTTY SSH client download' is almost always about to connect to a Linux server, a router, or a Raspberry Pi and needs a terminal that just works without extra setup. PuTTY, written by Simon Tatham, has stayed the standard SSH client on Windows for over two decades precisely because it's a single small executable with no dependencies. This page gets you the right build fast; check our full PuTTY listing for companion tools like PuTTYgen and PSCP.
One Tool, Several Protocols Built In
PuTTY is open source and free for any use, and beyond SSH it also speaks Telnet, rlogin, and raw serial connections, which matters if you're configuring networking hardware rather than a server.
On Windows it's a standalone .exe with an optional installer, while Linux users typically get it through their distribution's package manager instead of a direct download.
Who ends up using PuTTY
PuTTY is the default pick for anyone who needs to reach a remote machine over SSH without installing a bulkier terminal suite.
- Sysadmins connecting to Linux servers, routers, or switches over SSH or Telnet
- Raspberry Pi hobbyists doing headless setup over a serial or SSH connection
- Network engineers configuring hardware that only exposes a serial console port
Before you install
A couple of things worth knowing about PuTTY before you request the link: it covers Windows and Linux, so grab the build that matches the machine you're setting up. And on pricing, PuTTY is open source, so the installer is free with no trial timer, feature lock, or upsell screen to click past. It's developed and maintained by Simon Tatham.
System requirements
- WindowsWindows 10 or 11 (64-bit); older 7/8.1 builds usually still run but no longer get official support
- Linuxmost current 64-bit distributions; look for a native .deb/.rpm/AppImage or a package in your distro's own repository
Heavier workloads (large files, high-res media, big projects) will naturally want more RAM and a faster CPU/GPU than the bare minimum.
Quick steps
- Choose the 32-bit or 64-bit Windows build below (or your distro's package for Linux).
- Run the installer or the portable .exe directly - no configuration needed to start.
- Enter your server's hostname or IP and click Open to start an SSH session.
PuTTY: the honest trade-offs
- Tiny standalone executable with no installation or dependencies required
- Supports SSH, Telnet, rlogin, and serial connections in one tool
- Free and open source with a two-decade track record of stability
- Bare-bones interface lacks tabs and modern conveniences found in newer terminal apps
- Session and saved-key management feels clunky compared to newer SSH clients
This download points to Simon Tatham's official PuTTY release, matching the checksums published on the project's own site.
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Keeping PuTTY up to date
Since PuTTY is open source, most Linux distributions keep it current through their own package manager. On Windows/macOS, re-running the installer from the official site (or an updater built into the app, if it has one) gets you the latest release. Sticking to the developer's own distribution channel — which is what this page links to — means you're never stuck on an old build with unpatched bugs just because a mirror site stopped updating its copy.
Features, install steps, alternatives and more detail live on the main PuTTY page.
Frequently asked questions
Does PuTTY only work for SSH connections?
No, alongside SSH it also supports Telnet, rlogin, and serial connections, making it useful for network hardware configuration too.
Is there a PuTTY version for Linux, or is it Windows-only?
PuTTY runs on Linux as well, usually installed via your distribution's package manager rather than a standalone download.
