Private Shell

Private Shell can be used to remotely connect to another computer via the SSH1 or SSH2 protocols and, since it comes with a built-in SFTP client, it can also be used to connect to a FTP Server. It’s list of features includes things like VNC server connection, X1 tunneling, access to CVS/SVN repositories, and database connection (MySQL, Oracle, Postgres, DB2).

Private Shell version 1.0 was released to the public in April 2003 and it kept getting updates for more than a decade, until August 2014 when version 3.3 was rolled out. Unfortunately, Private Shell has not received any updates since. It is August 2017 at the time of writing this, meaning that it’s been 3 years since this SSH client received any updates. I don’t want to say that it’s been abandoned by the developer, but it certainly seems that way.

According to the system requirements, Private Shell is compatible with 32- and 64-bit versions of Windows 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, 2003, Windows 7, and Windows 8. Getting Private Shell up and running on a Windows PC is a very simple process. Just download an installer, run it, and then follow the setup wizard’s instructions. Once you’re done with the installation process, you have 30 days at your disposal to use Private Shell for free and evaluate the functionality it has to offer.

By default, Private Shell will bring up a "Log in – Server paramaters" prompt at startup. From this prompt you can select a profile, choose the protocol you want to use (SSH, Telnet, Serial port), enter a server and user name, pick a port number, select an authentication method (password, public key, keyboard-interactive), save the profile, and access some advanced settings.

Private Shell isn’t free, it is only free to try, meaning that you can use a fully-functional trial for 30 days. When that trial period expires, you will have to buy a license to keep using Private Shell. Before you go and buy a license, keep in mind that this SSH client hasn’t received any updates since 2014. A non-commercial Private Shell license is priced at $29.95 at the time of writing this. Commercial licenses start at $49.95 and go up to $12K.

Private shell is an easy to use SSH client for Windows that comes with a built-in SFTP client.