Terma
What it is
Terma is a remote connection workspace that brings terminal sessions, file transfers, remote desktops, forwarding, and batch commands together. It supports SSH plus RDP, VNC, XDMCP, FTP/FTPS, Telnet, and serial connections. SSH sign-in can use a password, private key, or SSH Agent; an included wizard can create Ed25519 keys and deploy public keys. Terminal workspaces can hold multiple sessions, synchronize input across selected terminals, and keep snippets and logs. SFTP tools cover browsing, editing, transfers, permissions, compression, and synchronization between local and remote directories. Terma stores connections, forwarding rules, settings, and task state in SQLite, with backup and restore support. Desktop builds are available for Windows, macOS, and Linux; Web mode runs on Linux servers and Termux, with mobile Web access described by the maker. Terma is free under GPL-3.0. It listens on loopback by default; LAN access calls for a Web password, and direct exposure to the public Internet is discouraged. The v1.7.5 macOS packages are not signed or notarized, so Gatekeeper may block them.
For and against
For
- Supports SSH and several other connection protocols.
- Offers multi-session terminals, synchronized input, snippets, and logs.
- SFTP includes editing, transfers, permissions, and synchronization.
- SQLite data can be backed up and restored.
- Free and available for Windows, macOS, Linux, and Web.
Against
- LAN access should use a Web password.
- Maker advises against direct public Internet exposure.
- XDMCP is unencrypted and intended for trusted LANs.
- macOS v1.7.5 packages lack signing and notarization.
The verdict
Terma combines remote access, terminal work, and SFTP tools, with desktop and self-hosted Web options. Its security guidance and unsigned macOS packages are worth considering before setup.
Who it suits
Terma suits people who manage remote systems and want terminal, file-transfer, desktop, and forwarding tools in one workspace. It also fits users seeking desktop software or a self-hosted Web deployment.
Plans and prices
Terma
GPL-3.0 licensed · desktop and self-hosted Web
Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
On the record
- Configuration security
- The README describes configuration encryption, protected runtime data, and access-token or Web-password authentication.github.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Connection protocols
- It supports RDP, VNC, XDMCP, FTP/FTPS, Telnet, and serial connections in addition to SSH.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Credential protection
- Terma supports configuration encryption and states that sensitive runtime data should be protected.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Data storage
- Terma stores connections, forwarding rules, settings, and task state in SQLite and supports database backup and restore.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Desktop platforms
- Desktop builds are available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- File management
- SFTP supports file browsing, editing, transfers, permissions, compression, and synchronization between local and remote directories.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- File transfer
- Its SFTP tools support browsing, editing, transfers, directory synchronization, and file operations such as compression and permission changes.github.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The README names VS Code and custom editors for remote-file editing, and Tailscale, ZeroTier, or WireGuard as private-network options.github.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- License
- The repository states that Terma is released under the GNU General Public License v3.0.github.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- macOS release limitation
- The v1.7.5 release page says macOS packages are not code-signed or notarized and Gatekeeper may report that Terma is damaged or cannot be opened.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Maker
- The maker’s GitHub organization says it was founded in 2017 and describes its work as network services and software development.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Network security
- The README advises against exposing Terma directly to the public Internet and says XDMCP is unencrypted and intended only for a trusted LAN.github.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Port forwarding
- It supports local, remote, and SOCKS5 dynamic SSH forwarding, with templates and automatic reconnection options.github.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Product
- Terma combines SSH, terminals, SFTP, remote desktops, port forwarding, and batch commands in one workspace.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Protocols
- The project lists RDP, VNC, XDMCP, FTP/FTPS, Telnet, and serial connections alongside SSH.github.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Terma combines SSH, terminals, SFTP, remote desktops, port forwarding, and batch commands in one workspace.github.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Release
- The latest release page opened is v1.6.4, dated September 7, 2026, and describes maintenance fixes and an updated SFTP transfer library.github.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Security
- The service listens on loopback by default; the maker advises setting a Web password for LAN access and warns against exposing Terma directly to the public Internet.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
