5 Best SSH and FTP Android Apps for Linux

Remote access tools have become essential for developers, system administrators, and power users. While SSH scripts like takeover.sh make it easy to control Linux systems from another computer, modern workflows increasingly rely on smartphones. With the right Android app, you can manage Linux servers, cloud instances, and even Raspberry Pi devices directly from your pocket.

In this guide, we highlight the best Android apps for controlling Linux remotely, focusing on performance, security, ease of use, and real-world practicality.

1. Termius – SSH/SFTP and Telnet client

Termius is an SSH client for managing UNIX and Linux systems on a local machine, remote service, Docker container, Raspberry Pi, AWS instance, or Virtual Machine.

With support for ECDSA, ed25519, and chacha20-poly1305, Termius is the closest thing to a Putty for Android that you can get.

Among the several features in the free app are include 12 color themes, organizing hosts into groups with the option to share settings, no ads or banners, a desktop app for Windows, Mac, and Linux, security (password, jet, 2FA authentication), Mosh & Telnet protocol support.  It offers extra features in a pro version that costs $99.99 per annum.

2. ServerAuditor — The Enterprise-Grade Choice

ServerAuditor is built for professionals who need more than just a terminal — they need audit trails, accountability, and enterprise-grade security. It’s designed for compliance-heavy industries where session logging and credential management are non-negotiable.

Key highlights:

• Full SSH and SFTP support with strong encryption
• Detailed session logging and command history export
• Multi-account switching for managing client environments
• Organized host management with folder structure
• Built-in key generation and management
• Secure credential storage with encryption at rest

Why it stands out: If you work in an environment where every command needs to be documented — healthcare, finance, government — ServerAuditor gives you the audit trail that other clients don’t. It’s the only app on this list purpose-built for compliance workflows.
Price: $14.99 (one-time purchase)

3. Mobile SSH (Secure Shell)

Mobile SSH is a free Android SSH app built using the OpenSSH and Putty libraries. It was created with the hope of extending the usage of OpenSSH on Android devices. It features a simple design for usability and has all the basic features for remote connection such as Sessions, Remote IP, and SSH Port settings.

4. SSH/SFTP/FTP/TELNET Advanced Client

This Advanced Client app is a client for SSH, SFTP, FTP, and Telnet combined with an all-in-one monitor for monitoring the basic metrics of a server in real-time. It provides metrics on free RAM, disk space, CPU usage, and network usage, among others.

Its feature highlights include parallel sessions, Users (identity), a built-in text editor with syntax highlighting, Google ‘Material Design‘ compliance, and an Android widget.

5. ConnectBot

ConnectBot is a powerful free and open-source SSH client for managing simultaneous SSH sessions, creating secure tunnels, and copying & pasting between other applications. It works well with a physical keyboard, connects to any Secure Shell server, and features a simple list-style layout with gesture navigation.

💡 Pro Tip

For better security, always:

• Use SSH keys instead of passwords
• Disable root login when possible
• Keep your apps updated

Final Thoughts:

Which Android App Is Best for Linux Remote Control?

All the apps listed above are popular for good reason. They’re fast, lightweight, secure, and easy to use. Choosing the best one depends on your needs:

• Best overall experience: Termius
• Best balance of features and usability: ServerAuditor
• Best lightweight option: Mobile SSH
• Best for monitoring servers: Advanced Client
• Best open-source solution: ConnectBot

If you know of another Android app that deserves a spot on this list, share it in the comments — great tools are always worth discovering.