SSH and SFTP side by side
SSH terminal with SFTP in the same view, and jump host (bastion) connections.
MSKeyHole for Windows · NextGen Shell System
The alternative to Royal TS, PuTTY, RDCMan, mRemoteNG, OpenSSH and MobaXterm
MSKeyHole brings together in one Windows app what many administrators spread across several tools: SSH and SFTP, RDP remote desktop and a local terminal, with an encrypted vault locked by YubiKey. Your existing connections can be imported.
At a glance
Switching to MSKeyHole from your current tool
MSKeyHole imports Royal TS, RDCMan, mRemoteNG, PuTTY and ~/.ssh/config directly, as well as CSV files.
| Tool | Typical use | With MSKeyHole |
|---|---|---|
| Royal TS | Multi-protocol connection manager | Imports .rtsz documents, including passwords and gateways |
| PuTTY | SSH and Telnet client | Imports PuTTY sessions |
| RDCMan | Remote desktop (RDP) manager | RDCMan import |
| mRemoteNG | Open-source tabbed connection manager | mRemoteNG import |
| OpenSSH | Command-line ssh client built into Windows | Imports ~/.ssh/config, SSH agent for ssh.exe, git and VS Code |
| MobaXterm | Tabbed terminal with SSH client and network tools | No direct import: CSV file or add your hosts |
One app
What MSKeyHole brings together
RDP remote desktop
In tabs, with RD Gateway, redirections, audio, Windows shortcuts and full screen.
Local terminal
PowerShell, Command Prompt and WSL, next to your remote sessions.
Forwarding and SSH agent
Port forwarding (-L, -R, -D) and an SSH agent for ssh.exe, git and VS Code.
YubiKey-locked vault
YubiKey or FIDO2 key, Windows Hello or master password. Auto-lock and protected clipboard.
The AI of your choice
Anthropic, OpenAI or Mistral AI with your own API key, or an MCP client. Passwords are never shown to it.
Detachable sessions
Any session can open in its own window.
Video recording
Sessions can be recorded as MP4 video.
Royal TS alternative
Royal TS is a commercial connection manager used by many IT teams for their RDP and SSH sessions.
- MSKeyHole imports your Royal TS documents (.rtsz), including passwords and gateways.
- The vault that receives them opens with a YubiKey, Windows Hello or the master password.
- MSKeyHole Pro licence: €24 per year, unlimited hosts and all updates included.
PuTTY alternative
PuTTY is the long-standing Windows SSH client: lightweight, one window per session, no remote desktop.
- Your PuTTY sessions can be imported into MSKeyHole.
- Sessions open in tabs, with SFTP side by side and RDP remote desktop in the same app.
- Passwords are kept in the encrypted vault, and a copied password is cleared from the clipboard after 30 seconds.
RDCMan alternative
Remote Desktop Connection Manager (RDCMan), Microsoft's Sysinternals tool, organises your remote desktops into groups. It is limited to RDP.
- MSKeyHole imports your RDCMan configuration.
- RDP opens in tabs, with RD Gateway, and your Linux servers stay in the same window thanks to SSH and SFTP.
- Shared credentials save you from typing the same account on every host.
mRemoteNG alternative
mRemoteNG is an open-source connection manager that brings several protocols together in tabs.
- MSKeyHole imports your mRemoteNG configuration.
- The vault opens with a YubiKey or FIDO2 key: without the physical key, the secret protecting it exists nowhere on the PC.
- The MSIX package is signed by IT-SECURE Luxembourg, and the app checks its executable at every launch.
OpenSSH: a companion rather than a replacement
Windows 10 and 11 include the OpenSSH client (ssh.exe), on the command line. Keep it for your scripts.
- MSKeyHole imports your ~/.ssh/config file.
- Its SSH agent works with ssh.exe, git and VS Code.
- You gain a tabbed interface, SFTP side by side and port forwarding (-L, -R, -D) without memorising options.
MobaXterm alternative
MobaXterm combines a tabbed terminal, an SSH client with an SFTP browser and many network tools.
- MSKeyHole focuses on SSH, SFTP, RDP and the local terminal (PowerShell, Command Prompt, WSL).
- It adds a YubiKey-locked vault and the AI of your choice, which drives the sessions you hand over without seeing passwords.
- There is no direct MobaXterm import: add your hosts or use a CSV file.
Migration
Migrate in three steps
The trial is limited to 1 host; the MSKeyHole Pro licence (€24 per year) unlocks unlimited hosts.
See the licenceInstall MSKeyHole
Request the download link by email, double-click the .msix file, then click “Install”.
Import your connections
Royal TS (.rtsz), RDCMan, mRemoteNG, PuTTY, ~/.ssh/config or CSV.
Lock the vault
Turn on the YubiKey, Windows Hello or the master password. Methods can be combined.
Frequently asked questions
Is MSKeyHole free, like PuTTY?
The trial is free and limited to 1 host. The annual MSKeyHole Pro licence costs €24 per year: unlimited hosts and all updates included.
Can I import my Royal TS, RDCMan or mRemoteNG connections?
Yes. MSKeyHole imports Royal TS (.rtsz, with passwords and gateways), RDCMan, mRemoteNG, PuTTY, ~/.ssh/config and CSV files.
What about MobaXterm?
There is no direct MobaXterm import: add your hosts in MSKeyHole or prepare a CSV file.
Do I need to uninstall OpenSSH?
No. Keep ssh.exe for your scripts: the MSKeyHole SSH agent works with ssh.exe, git and VS Code.
Does MSKeyHole run on Mac?
MSKeyHole is the Windows edition. On Mac and iPad, KeyHole is available on the App Store; licences are separate.
Royal TS, PuTTY, Remote Desktop Connection Manager (RDCMan), mRemoteNG, OpenSSH and MobaXterm are trademarks or names of their respective owners. MSKeyHole is not affiliated with any of them.
Try MSKeyHole for free
Trial limited to 1 host, Pro licence €24/year. On a Mac or iPad? KeyHole is on the App Store (separate purchase).
Version 1.3.1 · MSIX package signed by IT-SECURE Luxembourg.