Is there a decent SSH/RDP session manager for macOS?
Hi! I’ve worked on Windows my entire life and have done some server administration. I used mRemoteNG as a session manager, then switched to MobaXterm. I have around 400+ servers in my pool.
Recently I switched to macOS and encountered a problem: the familiar session managers aren’t available on Mac. Working without them is very inconvenient.
Please recommend a decent solution for macOS. I can consider paid options, as this is a critically important tool for my work.
Devolutions Remote Desktop Manager is the best solution for managing SSH/RDP sessions on macOS, supporting work with 400+ servers through a single platform with secure credential storage. Royal TSX offers an excellent alternative with a tabbed interface and reliable session management, while Remmina and Termius are suitable for less demanding users. All these solutions provide cross-platform support and integration with various remote access protocols.
Contents
- Best SSH/RDP Session Managers for macOS
- Devolutions Remote Desktop Manager: Comprehensive Solution
- Royal TSX: Professional Manager for Mac
- Free Alternatives
- Comparison and Solution Selection
- Installation and Setup
- Conclusion
Best SSH/RDP Session Managers for macOS
For managing 400+ servers on macOS, there are several worthy alternatives to mRemoteNG and MobaXterm. Each solution offers unique features for administering remote connections via SSH, RDP, and other protocols.
Devolutions Remote Desktop Manager is the most comprehensive solution, specifically designed for large IT infrastructures. It provides centralized session management, secure credential storage, and support for multiple protocols in a single interface.
Royal TSX offers an elegant tabbed interface with advanced customization options, ideal for administrators who value productivity and convenience when working with a large number of servers.
Remmina and Termius represent free and paid options respectively, suitable for less demanding users or specialized tasks.
Devolutions Remote Desktop Manager: Comprehensive Solution
Devolutions Remote Desktop Manager (RDM) is a professional solution for managing remote connections, available for macOS, Windows, Linux, and mobile platforms. According to research, RDM supports all major remote access protocols, including RDP, SSH, VNC, Telnet, FTP, and many others.
Key Features:
- Management of 400+ servers: A single platform for organizing and accessing all remote systems
- Secure credential storage: Integrated vault with multi-factor authentication support
- Cross-platform support: macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android
- Automation: Connection scheduling, scripts, and macros
- Team collaboration: Session and credential sharing with role-based access
As users note on Reddit, Devolutions RDM offers “excellent cross-platform support, advanced session management, and enhanced security features” compared to Apple Remote Desktop.
Royal TSX: Professional Manager for Mac
Royal TSX is a specialized solution for macOS that positions itself as one of the best tools for managing a large number of remote servers. According to reviews, this application offers “a multi-session, multi-protocol, cross-platform interface with excellent credential management.”
Royal TSX Advantages:
- Tabbed interface: Convenient session organization with tabs
- Multiple protocol support: RDP, SSH, VNC, SFTP, HTTP/HTTPS
- Flexible customization: Extensible capabilities through plugins and AppleScript
- KeePass integration: Support for password management through external vaults
- Free version with limitations: 10 connections without a license
Users note on Reddit that Royal TSX costs around €30 per year and provides licenses for both Windows and macOS, making it “one of the best investments in work tools.”
Free Alternatives
Remmina
Remmina is an open-source remote desktop client with multi-protocol support. As noted in the documentation, Remmina supports RDP, VNC, SSH, SPICE, X2Go, and other protocols.
Users on Reddit note that Remmina “supports multiple network protocols in an integrated and sequential user interface.” However, some users consider it “a somewhat simple application without frills, but definitely functional.”
Termius
Termius is a modern SSH client for macOS with advanced session management capabilities. According to sources, Termius offers tabs, a file manager, device synchronization, and SFTP support.
Features:
- Modern interface: Intuitive design with dark theme
- Session management: Server grouping, connection settings saving
- Security: SSH key support, port forwarding
- Multi-platform: Synchronization between Mac, iOS, Windows, Linux
As users note on Reddit, Termius can become expensive for a home lab, but is well-suited for professional use.
Comparison and Solution Selection
| Criterion | Devolutions RDM | Royal TSX | Remmina | Termius |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Platform | macOS, Windows, Linux, Mobile | macOS, Windows, iOS, Android | macOS, Linux, Windows | macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, Linux |
| RDP Support | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| SSH Support | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| 400+ Server Management | ✅ | ✅ | ⚠️ | ⚠️ |
| Secure Password Storage | ✅ | ✅ | ⚠️ | ✅ |
| Price | Paid (free version available) | Paid (€30/year) | Free | Paid ($4.99/month) |
| Automation | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ⚠️ |
For managing 400+ servers, Devolutions Remote Desktop Manager is the preferred solution due to its scalability and professional security features. Royal TSX is excellent for users who value an intuitive interface and good macOS integration.
Installation and Setup
Devolutions Remote Desktop Manager
- Download the installer package from the official website
- Install the application via the standard macOS installer
- Create a vault for credential storage
- Import existing connections from mRemoteNG via export/import
Royal TSX
- Download the application from the official website
- Launch the free version (10 connections)
- Configure server groupings and save connection settings
- Integrate with KeePass for password management
Remmina
- Install via Homebrew:
brew install --cask remmina - Configure plugins for SSH and RDP connections
- Create connection profiles for frequently used servers
Conclusion
For managing 400+ servers via SSH and RDP on macOS, Devolutions Remote Desktop Manager is the most professional and scalable solution. It offers comprehensive security features, automation, and cross-platform support.
Royal TSX represents an excellent alternative with an elegant interface and good macOS integration, especially if you prefer simpler solutions.
For a budget option, consider Remmina (free) or Termius (with SSH focus), although they may not be suitable for managing very large infrastructures.
All the solutions presented will significantly improve your productivity when working with remote servers on macOS, restoring the convenience you were accustomed to having in Windows.
Sources
- Devolutions Remote Desktop Manager - Official Website
- Royal TSX - Features and Capabilities
- Remmina - Project Documentation
- Termius - Modern SSH Client
- mRemoteNG Alternatives Comparison
- Review of Best Remote Access Managers
- Reddit Discussion - Devolutions vs Apple Remote Desktop
- Reddit Discussion - Royal TSX Reviews
- Reddit Discussion - SSH Managers for Mac
- Devolutions RDM vs MobaXterm - Comparison