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PuTTY vs TeamViewer

Professional comparison and analysis to help you choose the right software solution for your needs.

PuTTY icon
PuTTY
TeamViewer icon
TeamViewer

PuTTY vs TeamViewer: The Verdict

Last updated: May 2026 · Comparison by Sugggest Editorial Team

Feature PuTTY TeamViewer
Sugggest Score — —
Category Network & Admin Remote Work & Education
Pricing Open Source —

Product Overview

PuTTY
PuTTY

Description: PuTTY is a popular open-source terminal emulator and SSH client for Windows. Developed by Simon Tatham, PuTTY provides a lightweight and versatile tool for connecting to remote servers using various network protocols, including SSH, Telnet, and Rlogin. It is widely used for secure and convenient command-line access to remote systems.

Type: software

Pricing: Open Source

TeamViewer
TeamViewer

Description: TeamViewer is a popular remote desktop software that allows users to access and control computers or mobile devices remotely over the internet. It facilitates remote support and online meetings with features like screen sharing, file transfer, and more.

Type: software

Key Features Comparison

PuTTY
PuTTY Features
  • SSH client
  • Telnet client
  • Rlogin client
  • Raw socket connection
  • Serial port connection
  • Basic file transfer (SCP and SFTP)
  • Proxying for tunneling connections through HTTP proxies
  • Local terminal emulator (with VT100 and VT52 emulation)
  • Configurable keyboard shortcuts
  • Session logging
TeamViewer
TeamViewer Features
  • Remote desktop access
  • File transfer
  • Screen sharing
  • Online meetings
  • Remote printing
  • VPN access
  • Remote device control

Pros & Cons Analysis

PuTTY
PuTTY
Pros
  • Free and open source
  • Lightweight and fast
  • Supports multiple network protocols
  • Available for Windows, with unofficial ports for other platforms
  • Highly configurable with many options
  • Actively developed and maintained
Cons
  • Official builds only for Windows
  • Limited file transfer capabilities compared to FTP/SFTP clients
  • Minimalist interface lacks some conveniences of other SSH clients
  • Lacks advanced SSH features like agent forwarding or port tunneling
  • No official support offered
TeamViewer
TeamViewer
Pros
  • Easy to use interface
  • Cross-platform support
  • Secure encrypted connections
  • Free for personal use
  • No need to configure router or firewall settings
  • Mobile app available
Cons
  • Free version lacks some features
  • Can be expensive for business use
  • Requires installation on all devices
  • Session recording not available in free version
  • Free users limited to only 1 active session

Pricing Comparison

PuTTY
PuTTY
  • Open Source
TeamViewer
TeamViewer
  • Not listed

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Learn More About Each Product

PuTTY
PuTTY
Reviews, pricing & alternatives →
TeamViewer
TeamViewer
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