Puter

Best Self Hosted Alternatives to Puter

A curated collection of the 2 best self hosted alternatives to Puter.

Puter is a cloud personal computer platform providing a browser-accessible virtual desktop with web apps, integrated file storage, and a persistent workspace so users can run applications, manage files, and use a desktop-like environment from any browser.

Alternatives List

#1
WeTTY

WeTTY

WeTTY provides browser-based terminal access to local shells or remote SSH hosts using xterm.js and WebSockets for responsive interactive sessions.

WeTTY screenshot

WeTTY is a web terminal that lets you access a shell session directly from a browser over HTTP or HTTPS. It can run a local login shell (for example when running as root) or proxy interactive sessions over SSH, providing a responsive terminal experience via WebSockets.

Key Features

  • Browser-based terminal UI powered by xterm.js terminal emulation
  • WebSocket-based communication for low-latency interactive sessions
  • Connect to localhost or remote systems via SSH (host, port, user, auth options)
  • Supports running a specified command/shell instead of SSH when desired
  • Configurable base path and server bind settings (host/port), suitable for reverse proxies
  • Optional TLS support via provided SSL key/certificate
  • Docker image available for containerized deployments

Use Cases

  • Provide web-based SSH access for administrators on internal networks
  • Offer a simple in-browser terminal for lab servers, appliances, or homelabs
  • Embed terminal access into internal tools or portals where browser access is preferred

Limitations and Considerations

  • Exposing terminal access is high-risk and should be protected with strong authentication, HTTPS, and network controls
  • Feature set focuses on terminal access; it is not a full remote desktop or full-featured SSH client suite

WeTTY is a practical alternative to older AJAX-based web terminals, emphasizing modern terminal emulation and real-time responsiveness. It is well-suited for controlled environments where browser-based terminal access improves usability and access workflows.

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#2
Sshwifty

Sshwifty

Sshwifty is a web-based SSH and Telnet client that lets you access remote terminals directly from a browser, with presets, access control, and optional TLS.

Sshwifty screenshot

Sshwifty is a web SSH and Telnet client that lets users connect to remote hosts directly from a browser. It runs as a lightweight server that provides a web UI and proxies terminal traffic to SSH/Telnet endpoints.

Key Features

  • Browser-based terminal access for SSH and Telnet sessions
  • Optional shared access password (“SharedKey”) to protect the web UI
  • Configurable connection timeouts, heartbeat, and read/write throttling
  • Remote presets (“Known remotes”) to predefine commonly used targets
  • Optional SOCKS5 proxy support for outbound connections
  • Server-side hook system (for example, pre-connection checks or policy enforcement)
  • Runs as a single binary and is commonly deployed via Docker
  • Optional built-in TLS configuration per listener

Use Cases

  • Provide temporary browser access to SSH for admins, support, or on-call teams
  • Centralize access to lab, network, or IoT devices where installing a client is inconvenient
  • Offer controlled Telnet/SSH access behind a reverse proxy in restricted environments

Limitations and Considerations

  • Preset data is delivered to clients without protection and should not contain secrets
  • The hook system executes external processes and must be designed carefully to avoid security risks

Sshwifty is well-suited for exposing terminal access through a web interface while keeping deployment simple. With presets, access protection, and flexible configuration, it can fit both homelab and operational workflows.

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Why choose an open source alternative?

  • •Data ownership: Keep your data on your own servers
  • •No vendor lock-in: Freedom to switch or modify at any time
  • •Cost savings: Reduce or eliminate subscription fees
  • •Transparency: Audit the code and know exactly what's running