Table of Contents
- What Is MobaXterm and Why Mac Users Need Alternatives?
- 8 Best MobaXterm Alternatives for Mac in 2026
- 1. iTerm2 - Overall Best MobaXterm Alternatives for Mac
- 2. Termius - Best MobaXterm Alternatives for Mac
- 3. Royal TSX - All-in-one MobaXterm Alternatives for Mac
- 4. SecureCRT - Reliable and Secure MobaXterm Alternatives for Mac
- 5. ZOC Terminal - Feature-rich MobaXterm Alternatives for Mac
- 6. Hyper Terminal - Modern, Stylish MobaXterm Alternatives for Mac
- 7. Remote Desktop Manager - Easy-to-use MobaXterm Alternatives for Mac
- 8. MacWise - Simple and lightweight MobaXterm Alternatives for Mac
- Key Features to Look for in a MobaXterm Alternative for Mac
- Free vs Paid MobaXterm Alternatives for Mac
- How to Choose the Best MobaXterm Alternative for macOS
- FAQs – MobaXterm Alternatives for Mac
- Final Verdict
- Comparison Table
Top 8 Best MobaXterm Alternatives for Mac in 2026 (Top Picks)
Due to MacOS’s excellent performance and security, it is used by millions of people and businesses worldwide, approximately 79%. However, Mac users still have to do a lot of manual work to control a remote computer.
They have to give the same command to different servers again and again, type codes to transfer files and install plugins to access apps. This process takes a lot of time as users have to jump from one app to another.
MobaXterm can help avoid this lengthy process, but the problem is that it’s only designed for Windows.
So the solution is to use the Best MobaXterm Alternatives for Mac that connect multiple protocols onto a single platform so Mac users can access another computer’s files, database, apps, network, even keyboard remotely. These alternatives simplify complex coding work and repetitive tasks, helping developers, engineers, and fintech firms to enhance their productivity.
If you’d like to learn more about these alternatives, be sure to read this blog. We’ve discussed 8 terminal emulators for MacOS. You can choose a reliable alternative based on their features, use cases, pros, cons, and our expert tips.
But first we’ll learn what these alternatives actually are.
What Is MobaXterm and Why Mac Users Need Alternatives?
MobaXterm is a terminal emulator for Windows operating system with advanced features that lets you access any computer from anywhere if you have its IP address and port.
In simpler words, you can run a script in the command line interface of the remote computer, open its files, delete them, download something new, change the theme, font, anything of that computer.
This means you don’t need to be present at the server or computer to manage it.
MobaXterm uses multiple protocols, such as SSH for running commands, FTP and SFTP for managing files securely, and VNC for screen sharing. As it can do everything on a single platform, it is used by developers, IT engineers and large enterprises to save their time and increase productivity.
Why need MobaXterm Alternatives for Mac ?
First of all, MobaXterm isn’t compatible with MacOS. You can only use MobaXterm for Windows. Along with this, there are some other reasons why Max users need alternatives such as:
Switching between different apps: They have to switch between different apps for every task like FTP for managing files and terminal for typing commands, which takes a lot of time. MobaXterm, on the other hand, offers a unified platform to save time.
Typing repetitive commands: Mac users have to type the same command repeatedly while handling multiple servers remotely. However, Windows users can avoid this tiring task with MobaXterm, which handles repetitive tasks with ease.
GUI access: And when it comes to accessing GUI apps (like file managers, text editors), Mac users have to install XQuartz separately to access those apps from a remote server. This further increases user workload. But that’s not the same with Windows users who’ve MobaXterm.
So, from the reasons given above, you must have understood that Mac users have to spend a lot of time due to the lack of a good terminal emulator. That’s why we’re now going to discuss some best MobaXterm Alternatives for Mac
8 Best MobaXterm Alternatives for Mac in 2026
Although there are various terminal emulators for MacOS, finding a reliable one is tough. That’s why our team has selected the 8 Best MobaXterm Alternatives for Mac after deep research and testing. You can read each of them with their features, pros and cons to select a suitable alternative for remote connections.
⏰ TL;DR:
1. iTerm2 – Overall Best MobaXterm Alternatives for Mac
2. Termius – Best MobaXterm Alternatives for Mac
3. Royal TSX – All-in-one MobaXterm Alternatives for Mac
4. SecureCRT – Reliable and Secure MobaXterm Alternatives for Mac
5. ZOC Terminal – Feature-rich MobaXterm Alternatives for Mac
6. Hyper Terminal – Modern, Stylish MobaXterm Alternatives for Mac
7. Remote Desktop Manager – Easy-to-use MobaXterm Alternatives for Mac
8. MacWise – Simple and lightweight MobaXterm Alternatives for Mac
1. iTerm2 – Overall Best MobaXterm Alternatives for Mac
We’re going to start our discussion with iTerm2. It’s one of the best MobaXterm Alternatives for Mac because it fills the gap between a simple terminal and a professional workstation.
By using iTerm2, you can divide a single tab into multiple panels, and monitor your servers while writing your code side-by-side. There’s hotkey Window that provides a slide down terminal from anywhere in macOS and the search bar helps you find specific logs quickly.
Along with this, you get an autocomplete feature that suggests the next line. Due to its configurability, it’s a perfect choice for developers and IT businesses who want to manage complex coding projects.
Key features
- Instant Replay: You can rewind your screen to see the changes you’ve made earlier if you accidentally delete something or miss a log. It’s used for debugging live server errors as well.
- Paste History: iTerm2 keeps a record of everything you have copied recently so you never lose any command or script. This saves a lot of time for Mac users who move between different windows.
- Unixyness: This MobaXterm Alternative is designed for those who are comfortable with Linux based applications. Its copy on select option allows Mac users to navigate faster.
- Notification Support: You can set alerts while multitasking and iTerm2 will notify you when a task is finished, like data backup or debugging.
Pros & Cons
- Autocomplete feature suggests next command line.
- Open source and easy to access.
- High configurability allows developers to make changes.
- High memory usage
Best for
Our tech experts believe that iTerm2 is best for software developers and data scientists that manage remote servers and build complex applications. As iTerm2 has various automation and multitasking tools, it helps them to handle large-scale technical projects on macOS easily.
2. Termius – Best MobaXterm Alternatives for Mac
If you’re tired of switching between different tabs, we think you’ll love Termius. This all-in-one terminal is one of the Best MobaXterm Alternatives for Mac users as it features an advanced interface that allows you to connect to servers with just a simple click.
This means you won’t have to enter passwords or IP addresses again and again. Furthermore, the IDE-style autocomplete feature suggests the next line of code or commands as you type so you can finish your tasks quickly.
You can even restore your exact workspace and streamline workflow across multiple departments securely.
Key features
- Gloria AI: This smart AI assistant explains complex commands, fixes errors, and even helps you write shell scripts which makes Termius a good choice for beginners and experts.
- Zero Downtime: This is why Teermius is the best MobaXterm Alternatives for Mac! It allows you to stay connected to your session even if your internet is not working.
- One-Click Access: With one-click access, you don’t need to type login details every time. This allows engineers to focus on core tasks rather than managing settings.
- SOC 2 Compliance: SOC 2 Compliance makes Termius really trustworthy because it proves that it follows the highest security standards for protecting user’s data.
Pros & Cons
- SOC 2 Compliance protects user databases.
- Cross-platform compatibility allows it to work on Mac & Windows.
- Offers no downtime policy so Mac users can continue their work.
- Offers one-click access to save time.
- Expensive plans
Best for
We think Termius is best for DevOps engineers and software development firms that deal with large-scale cloud infrastructure and handle multiple servers together. Being the best Alternatives to MobaXterm it allows engineers to share important docs securely, reducing the time spent on manual setup.
3. Royal TSX – All-in-one MobaXterm Alternatives for Mac
Now, we’ll discuss Royal TSX. It’s a powerful remote management tool for Mac that acts as a central hub for all your server connections.
And the best part is that It offers both a free Shareware mode for beginners and startups and paid plans for large-enterprises.
This MobaXterm Alternative is fully compatible with RDP, VNC, SSH, and even web-based interfaces, allowing Mac users to manage everything in one window.
The built-in credential management and features like command tasks automate repetitive works like pings or VPN logins. Because of its strong encryption, it is widely used in IT projects.
Key features
- Command Tasks: This feature allows you to automate repetitive tasks, such as specific scripts or debugging. Therefore, it avoids manual typing and makes your workflow consistent.
- Secure Encryption: With the help of strong encryption, it protects all your sensitive data like passwords and server details from outsiders. You can even lock your documents with a master password to keep it safe.
- Cross-Platform Compatibility: It doesn’t matter which operating system you use because Royal TSX works on Windows, Mac, and iOS. This means no one will face compatibility issues even while using different computers.
- User-friendly interface: This MobaXterm Alternative provides a very easy-to-use interface that looks the same as a remote computer so Mac users can easily access them.
Pros & Cons
- Clear interface allows beginners to access features easily.
- You can run Royal TSX on Mac, Linux, Windows.
- It uses strong encryption for full data protection
- Provides both free and paid plans to help startups and professionals.
- Limited features in free plan
Best for
After carefully analyzing all the features, our team thinks that Royal TSX is best for both startups and well established software development teams and IT organizations. It’s because it allows you to stay organized and finish complex projects neatly and it won’t raise any issue because it’s compatible with Mac, Windows and iOS.
4. SecureCRT – Reliable and Secure MobaXterm Alternatives for Mac
Another best alternative to MobaXterm is SecureCRT because it mimics the functions of the terminal (of the main computer) on different computers.
It offers an Active Sessions Manager and Snapshots to save and restore entire workspaces quickly.
Along with this, it handles everything from advanced Linux servers to outdated systems by using advanced SFTP and Unicode support.
The built-in firewall protects the database from cybercriminals and automatic Python scripting simplifies repetitive codes to save the time of Mac users. Therefore, it’s perfect for large-scale projects that require high security and stability.
Key features
- SSH encryption: To help Mac users get enterprise-grade security, it comes with SSH encryption to protect your login data and commands and ensures your remote connections remain private.
- Terminal Emulation: Mac users get high-quality terminal emulation so they can see the same text and graphics on the remote server as they have on Mac screen.
- Automation Tools: Repetitive tasks consume a lot of time that’s why SecureCRT uses Python scripting and a command manager that allows you to record repetitive tasks.
- Session Management: This feature helps you organize thousands of connections into folders and you can filter or search them quickly without any IP address.
Pros & Cons
- You can open multiple tabs for different tasks.
- Strong data encryption protects the user’s data.
- Terminal emulation comes with CLI, SSH, RDP & SFTP.
- Expensive for startups
Best for
SecureCRT is best for network engineers and game developers because it uses Python scripting that automates recurring codes to avoid manual typing. It’s also useful for government agencies as it follows strong SOC 2 compliance measures to prevent data breaches.
5. ZOC Terminal – Feature-rich MobaXterm Alternatives for Mac
And the 5th best MobaXterm Alternatives for Mac OS is ZOC Terminal. Its tabbed interface with thumbnails allows you to visually track multiple live sessions at once, giving you professional level server management.
To keep Mac user’s data secure, it uses industry-level encryption and scripting language with more that 200 commands to automate complex workflows. You can easily organize servers with the help of a built-in address book.
We also noticed that ZOC terminal has a user-friendly design that makes it perfect for large-scale IT projects
Key features
- Hex Debug Mode: This mode displays data in hexadecimal format allowing developers to find hidden characters and errors that normal text terminals usually miss.
- Macro Recorder: This feature records repetitive keystrokes and saves them as a script so that developers won’t have to rewrite code and maintain the same tasks daily.
- Dynamic Port Forwarding: The best quality of this MobaXterm Alternative is its ability to turn ZOC into a SOCKS proxy so you can tunnel web traffic through a secure SSH connection.
- Remapping: With keyword remapping, you can map specific Unix or legacy commands to Mac shortcuts and speed up your workflow.
Pros & Cons
- It won’t crash midway like other terminal emulators.
- You don’t have to pay any renewal cost.
- Users can set new shortcuts with keyword remapping.
- Multiple tabs and protocols save time.
- Outdated interface
Best for
ZOC Terminal is best for developers working on complex projects as they won’t have to rewrite the same source code again and again. Along with this, it’s highly stable and allows keyword remapping that saves time and boosts productivity.
6. Hyper Terminal – Modern, Stylish MobaXterm Alternatives for Mac
The next MobaXterm Alternative for Macbook is Hyper Terminal. It allows you to handle both modern and legacy systems.
Because of its flexibility, it is widely used for managing medical billing systems, lab equipment, and heating or cooling (HVAC) controllers.
You can easily send commands and edit configurations for various hardware, including phone systems and radio transmitters with the help of Hyper Terminal.
To take care of the user database, it uses Secure Shell (SSH) to ensure safe communication over TCP/IP networks.
Key features
- Free 30-Day Trial: Hyper Terminal offers a 30 day free trial for Mac users who are hesitant to spend money. You can test every feature for 1 month then continue with the paid plan if satisfied.
- Easier Updates: The newer version also provides regular updates so it remains stable and compatible with the latest macOS versions.
- Versatile Uses: Its versatile uses makes it the best MobaXterm Alternatives for Mac. You can use Hyper Terminal for phone systems, radio transmitters, and even manufacturing robots.
- Edit Configurations: Engineers can easily change the settings of remote equipment directly through the terminal. This means they won;t have to be present on the physical site.
Pros & Cons
- Works on both outdated and modern setup.
- Offers regular updates so it remains compatible with the latest macOS.
- A 30 day free trial helps beginners and startups to test them.
- Limited features
Best for
As per our technical experts, Hyper Terminal is very useful for medical technicians and field engineers as they won’t have to be present on the site to handle complex systems and equipment.
7. Remote Desktop Manager – Easy-to-use MobaXterm Alternatives for Mac
Now, it’s time to discuss one of the popular MobaXterm Alternatives for Mac OS called Remote Desktop Manager.
It also provides mobile and offline access so you can launch sessions from your phone or without an internet connection.
Remote Desktop Manager supports multiple protocols like RDP and secure shell, alongside various VPNs.
Along with this, it allows Mac users, IT teams and big enterprises to enhance productivity through granular access control and high-level security features like two-factor authentication and a centralized password vault.
Key features
- Audit and Reports: This feature tracks the users accessing servers and helps industries like finance and healthcare get detailed logs for security audits and compliance.
- Role-Based Access: This MobaXterm Alternative allows Mac users to set specific permissions for different team members to keep data much safe from fraudsters.
- Password Vault: RDM stores all your credentials like id and passwords safely. It can auto-fill logins instantly, reducing the risk of a data breach from weak passwords.
- Easy Management: This feature organizes hundreds of remote connections into folders and allows Mac users to manage different cloud servers from one single dashboard.
Pros & Cons
- Web databases help Mac users access computers from anywhere.
- Offers high security to protect user databases.
- Log Auditing stores all the previous changes so you can restore them.
- You can manage multiple remote connections.
- Complex setup
Best for
The features and protocols of Remote Desktop Manager makes it best for IT Departments and Managed Service Providers (MSPs) that handle sensitive client data and large servers.
8. MacWise – Simple and lightweight MobaXterm Alternatives for Mac
It’s time to discuss the 8th best MobaXterm Alternatives for Mac named MacWise that supports SSH, Telnet, and Serial ports to enable remote access.
MacWise is a reliable terminal emulator for Mac users who work with legacy systems. It includes unique tools like the TM Error Logger to track communication glitches and the Icon Palette for quick access to frequent commands.
Apart from this, it has a PC Code Sleuth that extracts hidden control codes that often cause display issues in the computer. These features make it perfect for businesses using older mainframes or database projects.
Key features
- Legacy Emulation Support: Mac users can connect old business systems or specialized hardware that modern terminals cannot handle because MacWise emulates older terminals like Viewpoint and Wyse.
- PC Code Sleuth: This feature helps users to see exactly which data is being sent from the host and allows you to find and fix invisible characters. Thus, it saves a lot of time.
- Programmable Icon Palette: You can create a custom bar to run complex scripts and speed up your workflow by replacing long strings of manual typing with a single click.
- TM Error Logger: This feature automatically records data errors during a session, making it extremely useful for developers as they can view the history and check why a communication failed.
Pros & Cons
- Users can connect old system with modern terminal.
- Simple interface helps beginners establish remote connection easily.
- You can run source code without leaving the current tab.
- It automatically finds data error to save time.
- Outdated
Best for
MacWise is best for database managers working in retail, manufacturing, or logistics. It is ideal for businesses that rely on outdated mainframes. Its specialized features ensure that the critical legacy systems stay accessible and easy to manage from modern Apple hardware.
Key Features to Look for in a MobaXterm Alternative for Mac
Having different apps for controlling a single server is very time taking. That’s why we need a single platform with multiple features. See, it’s true that modern terminal emulators contain latest features to save time but it’s useless without these key features:
- SSH: SSH, or Secure Shell, acts as a communicator between your computer and the server. Without it, you can’t run any commands.
- RDP: Running commands isn’t enough. Your MobaXterm alternative should also have a Remote Desktop Protocol which mimics the actual screen and shows everything that is happening on it.
- SFTP: Secure File Transfer Protocol allows you to move files from one computer to another with just a drag-and-drop tool. This saves a lot of time because users don’t have to write code.
- VNC: Virtual Network Computing mimics both the screen and the keyboard. This means that Mac users can control the keyboard of a remote computer if they’re handling any technical issue.
- X11: X11 allows Mac users to access apps on a remote computer. Although VNC does the same thing but, X11 is faster because it only focuses on the app, not other features.
- CLI: This is the most important feature because without it you can’t give any command to the remote computer. Command line interface runs scripts to make the computer perform specific tasks.
Free vs Paid MobaXterm Alternatives for Mac
Many alternatives to MobaXterm are free and open-source and some of them provide both free and paid plans to help startups and big enterprises. Before you choose a specific plan, it’s necessary to understand what each plan contains.
So, go through this table where we’ve compared the free and paid plan of each MobaXterm alternative:
| Alternatives | Free | Paid |
| iTerm2 | All protocols, tools and features | No |
| Termius | SSH, SFTP, autocomplete | All protocols and features |
| Royal TSX | 10 credentials | Unlimited credentials and connections |
| SecureCRT | 30 days free plan | Permanent plan/one time purchase |
| ZOC Terminal | 30 days free plan | Permanent plan/one time purchase |
| Hyper Terminal | All tools available for 30 days | Private and advanced version |
| Remote Desktop Manager | Unlimited connections with basic security measures | Unlimited connections with Multi-factor authentication |
| MacWise | Limited session time | Unlimited sessions |
How to Choose the Best MobaXterm Alternative for macOS
There’s a big difference between the workload of a startup and a large firm. Therefore, you should review the essential tools before selecting a MobaXterm alternative. We’ve listed below some tips to help you choose the suitable MobaXterm Alternatives for Mac:
- Protocols: The first thing you should look for when choosing an alternative is the protocol. Having multiple protocols on the same platform (such as CLI, RDP, VNC, SSH, FTP) saves you from switching between different tabs.
- Split panels: Split panels and multiple tabs allow you to do a lot of work on a single screen, such as managing files, typing commands, debugging scripts, checking server resource consumption, and more.
- Cross platform compatibility: Choosing a MobaXterm alternative or terminal emulator with multiple OS compatibility, helps you and your team members to access the remote server from any device, be it Mac, Windows or iOS.
- Command management: Repeating the same task or writing the same line of code takes a lot of time, so try to choose an alternative that has an autocomplete or command management feature that automatically recommends the next line of code.
FAQs – MobaXterm Alternatives for Mac
Q1: Is MobaXterm available for Mac?
A: No, MobaXterm is not available for Mac, it is only designed for Windows. However, there are some alternatives of MobaXterm like iTerm2, HyperTerminal, and RDM that can be used to access MacOS remotely.
Q2: What is the best free MobaXterm alternative for Mac?
A: The best free MobaXterm alternatives for Mac are iTerm2 and Remote Desktop Manager. Both of them allow you to connect with your main server remotely.
Q3: Which tool supports SSH and RDP on Mac?
A: Termius and Royal TSX support SSH and RDP on Mac to help users communicate with the remote server.
Q4: Are MobaXterm alternatives secure?
A: Yes, MobaXterm alternatives are secure because they use secure shell and secure file transfer protocol that encrypts data between the main and the remote computer.
Q5: Can I use MobaXterm alternatives on Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3 Macs)?
A: Yes, you can use MobaXterm alternatives on Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3 Macs) as they are compatible with every Mac device
Q6: Are there any browser-based MobaXterm alternatives for Mac?
A: Yes, Termius is a browser based MobaXterm alternative for Mac. It comes with a web dashboard that allows you to drag and drop files and save snippets.
Q7: Can I use these alternatives for Docker and Kubernetes servers?
A: Yes, you can use these alternatives for Docker and Kubernetes servers. They provide great SSH connectivity and help users to manage settings and run code.
Q8: Can I automate tasks using scripts and macros?
A: Yes, you can automate tasks using scripts and macros. Macros are useful for automating actions of a specific application whereas scripts run commands to perform tasks.
Q9: Can I manage multiple cloud accounts from one tool?
A: Yes, you can manage multiple cloud accounts from one tool (MobaXterm alternative). These tools can handle multiple servers together in a single tab.
Final Verdict
Mac users often face difficulties while accessing remote servers because they have to open different tabs, type the same commands repeatedly for each server, and install separate plugins. All of this wastes a lot of time, especially for large tech and IT firms with heavy workloads.
Although you will find many terminal emulators online, all of them aren’t reliable enough to establish a secure network between the remote server and the user computer and make their work easier.
That’s why we’ve provided information about 8 best MobaXterm Alternatives for Mac in this blog you just read so you can easily complete hours of work on your Mac device. All you need to do is just select the best alternative based on the features and specific uses explained by our experts .
To clear your doubts, we have also mentioned some tips through which you can choose a secure and reliable alternative.
Comparison Table
Don’t worry if you can’t read each MobaXterm Alternative mentioned in our list. Just go through this table where we’ve compared the SSH support, pricing plans, SFTP and X11 availability and platform compatibility of each provider.
| Providers | SSH Support | SFTP | X11 Forwarding | Platform Compatibility | Price |
| iTerm2 | Native | CLI | Yes | macOS | Free |
| Termius | Available | GUI | Yes | macOS, Windows, iOS, linux, Android | Free and paid ($10-$30/month) |
| Royal TSX | Via Plugin | Via Plugin | No | macOS and Windows | Free and paid ($65-$4249/year) |
| SecureCRT | Available | GUI | Yes | macOS. Windows, Linux | $47-$129/year |
| ZOC Terminal | Available | Yes | Yes | macOS and Windows | One time purchase of $79 |
| Hyper Terminal | Native | Via Plugin | No | macOS, Windows, linux | Free |
| Remote Desktop Manager | Native | GUI | No | macOS, Windows, iOS, linux, Android | Free and paid ($3-$50/month) |
| MacWise | Native | No | No | MacOS | Free |
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