Yes. The first 7 days have everything turned on, with no key, account or card. After that it keeps working for free with up to 10 saved sessions. A full-access key lifts the limits and is free on request.

Which platforms does it run on?

Windows 10 and 11, macOS on Apple Silicon and Intel, and Linux. It is the same app with the same sessions and shortcuts on all three.

Does it do SFTP file transfer?

Yes. The Files tab in the sidebar shows the connected server's files over the same connection as the terminal. Browse, upload, download, or open a remote file in your own editor and every save is uploaded.

Can it manage SSH tunnels and port forwarding?

Yes. Local, remote and dynamic SOCKS5 forwarding are saved with the session, with live status and one-click start, so you stop keeping them in a shell script.

How does the AI assistant work?

You bring your own key (Anthropic, OpenAI, DeepSeek, or a local Ollama). The assistant works in your open terminal, runs read-only commands on its own and asks before anything that changes the machine. Keys and passwords never leave your computer.

Free SSH client with terminal, files and tunnels on one connection

SetuSSH replaces the SSH client, the file transfer app and the tunnel script you keep open side by side. One saved session opens all three. Setu (सेतु) is the Sanskrit word for bridge. Setu SSH is the bridge between you and your servers.

$ ssh deploy@prod-web-01
Host key SHA256:9f2c...4ab1 matched known_hosts.
Connected in 240 ms. Terminal, SFTP and tunnels ready.
deploy@prod-web-01:~$

Download SetuSSH Free for 7 days. No account, no card.
Windows and macOS builds are still under test

What you get

Tabs and split panes

Saved sessions in folders, tabs you can split side by side or stacked, a command palette, and a local terminal for your own machine next to the remote ones.
Files on the same connection

The Files tab shows the server's files the moment you connect. Browse, upload by dragging, download, or open a remote file in your own editor and every save goes back up.
Port forwarding that stays put

Local, remote and dynamic SOCKS tunnels are part of the saved session, so they come back with it instead of living in a shell script.
An assistant that asks first

Bring your own API key from OpenAI, Anthropic, or a local model. It reads the terminal, runs read-only commands on its own, and waits for your click before anything that changes the machine.
Credentials stay on your machine

Passwords are encrypted by your OS keychain, with an optional master password on top. Host keys are checked on every connect. Nothing is sent to us.
The same app on all three desktops

Windows, macOS and Linux, with agent authentication, your existing ~/.ssh/config, and the shortcuts each platform expects.

What it costs

Nothing to start, and it never stops working. After the first week SetuSSH keeps running with a smaller set of servers. Your saved sessions are never taken away.

First 7 days

Free

Everything turned on
Unlimited saved sessions
AI assistant included
No key, no account, no card

Starts when you first open the app.

After that

Still free

Up to 10 saved sessions
Terminal, files and tunnels
AI assistant paused
Nothing is deleted

Keeps working for as long as you like.

Full access

By request

Unlimited saved sessions
AI assistant on
Valid for the term of your key
Works offline once activated

Tell us what you are working on and we send a key by email.

Frequently asked questions

Is SetuSSH free?: Yes. The first 7 days have everything turned on, with no key, account or card. After that it keeps working for free with up to 10 saved sessions. A full-access key lifts the limits and is free on request.
Which platforms does it run on?: Windows 10 and 11, macOS on Apple Silicon and Intel, and Linux. It is the same app with the same sessions and shortcuts on all three.
Does it do SFTP file transfer?: Yes. The Files tab in the sidebar shows the connected server's files over the same connection as the terminal. Browse, upload, download, or open a remote file in your own editor and every save is uploaded.
Can it manage SSH tunnels and port forwarding?: Yes. Local, remote and dynamic SOCKS5 forwarding are saved with the session, with live status and one-click start, so you stop keeping them in a shell script.
How does the AI assistant work?: You bring your own key (Anthropic, OpenAI, DeepSeek, or a local Ollama). The assistant works in your open terminal, runs read-only commands on its own and asks before anything that changes the machine. Keys and passwords never leave your computer.
Where do I report a problem?: Email support@setussh.com. If SetuSSH crashes it offers to send a report, which is the fastest route to a fix.

Download

Pick your platform and open it. The first 7 days need no key at all.

Windows and macOS are still under test

SetuSSH is developed and used every day on Linux, so that build has the most hours behind it. The Windows and macOS builds pass the same automated checks and a platform review, but far fewer real hours. Expect rough edges and please report anything you hit. If SetuSSH crashes it offers to send a report, which is the fastest route to a fix.

Loading the current build.

Trouble downloading? Get the files from GitHub. What changed in each build is on the Releases page.

Verifying a download

Every release ships a SHA256SUMS file and a SHA256SUMS.asc signature made with the same key that signs the apt repository. To check what you downloaded:

curl -fsSL https://setussh.com/apt/setussh.asc | gpg --import
gpg --verify SHA256SUMS.asc SHA256SUMS
sha256sum -c SHA256SUMS --ignore-missing

Windows and macOS builds are not code-signed yet, so both systems warn on first launch. The checksums above are how you confirm the file is ours in the meantime.

Installing

Windows in testing

Run the .exe. Test builds are not code-signed yet, so SmartScreen says "Unknown publisher". Choose More info, then Run anyway.

macOS in testing

Open the .dmg and drag SetuSSH to Applications. Gatekeeper reports an unsigned app as damaged. It is not. Clear the flag once:

xattr -cr /Applications/SetuSSH.app

Linux most tested

Add the SetuSSH repository once. Installs are verified against our signing key and updates come through apt upgrade like everything else:

curl -fsSL https://setussh.com/apt/setussh.gpg \
  | sudo tee /usr/share/keyrings/setussh.gpg > /dev/null

echo "deb [signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/setussh.gpg] \
https://setussh.com/apt stable main" \
  | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/setussh.list

sudo apt update && sudo apt install setussh

Prefer a single file? The .deb above installs with sudo apt install ./SetuSSH-*-amd64.deb. It will not update itself, and apt notes that a downloaded file is not from a signed repository. The AppImage is portable but needs libfuse2.

Request full access

Full access lifts the 10-session limit and switches the AI assistant back on. Tell us a little about how you would use SetuSSH and we send a key by email from support@setussh.com. A person reads every request, so give us something to go on.

Contact

Two addresses, so your message lands with the right person. Both are read by a human, usually within a working day.

Help, bugs and licence keys

support@setussh.com

Something not working, a question about the app, or anything to do with a full access request. Keys are sent from this address, so add it to your contacts if you are waiting for one.

Business, partnerships and press

info@setussh.com

Licensing for a team, a partnership or reseller conversation, marketing, or a press enquiry. Not for support requests, which get a faster answer at the address on the left.

Found a security issue? Email support@setussh.com with "security" in the subject and we will respond before anything is published.