Bast vs Tabby

Bast is a command-line tool and terminal interface for managing SSH hosts and connecting to servers. It uses the system OpenSSH client and relies on the existing SSH configuration as its source of truth. Users can search, sort, group, tag, color, favorite, and hide hosts, then connect through SSH or use port forwarding. A dual-pane Files tab supports local and remote file browsing and transfers through OpenSSH SFTP. The key manager can generate, import, export, and install SSH keys. Bast documents host synchronization with GCP, AWS, Azure, box.ascii.dev, Upstash Box, Vercel Sandbox, and Hetzner Cloud. Its Vault encrypts managed hosts and keys on the client using a passphrase-derived key and XChaCha20-Poly1305; the server stores ciphertext. Users can self-host the web app and keep Vault data on their own infrastructure. Bast is free, with plans for macOS, Linux, and Windows 11. Windows requires OpenSSH Client commands on PATH. Vercel Sandbox sessions are capped at five hours.

Tabby is a free, open-source terminal app for Windows, macOS, and Linux. It connects to local shells, serial devices, SSH servers, and Telnet hosts, and supports shell environments including PowerShell, WSL, Git-Bash, Cygwin, and CMD. Its SSH2 client has a connection manager, while the serial terminal offers connection profiles and input modes. SSH sessions support SFTP and Zmodem file transfers, X11 and port forwarding, jump hosts, and agent forwarding. Tabby can restore open tabs and split panes after you leave the app, and nested panes support simultaneous input. SSH secrets and configuration can be stored in an encrypted container; an optional password manager uses a master passphrase. Customization includes CSS themes, color schemes, shortcuts, and plugins. Other listed capabilities include GPU acceleration, session sync, scripting, portable mode, Explorer integration, and WinSCP integration. The app is described as forever-free FOSS. The page provides download and GitHub links but states no dedicated support terms.