Best Self Hosted Alternatives to Shells

Termix is a self-hosted, web-based server management platform for accessing and operating remote machines over SSH from a single interface. It combines a feature-rich terminal, SSH tunnel management, remote file operations, and basic container controls for day-to-day administration.

Key Features

• Web SSH terminal with tabbed sessions and split panels (up to 4)
• SSH tunnel management with health monitoring and automatic reconnection
• Remote file manager with upload/download, rename/move/delete, and built-in viewing/editing for common file types
• Docker container management (start/stop/pause/remove), container stats, and docker exec access
• Host and credential organization with tags/folders and reusable connection details, including SSH key deployment workflows
• Server stats for CPU, memory, disk, network, uptime, and system information
• Role-based access control (RBAC) for sharing hosts and permissions across users/roles
• Authentication features including OIDC support, TOTP-based 2FA, and session management
• Encrypted local storage using SQLite database files, plus import/export for hosts and related data

Use Cases

• Centralized SSH access for homelabs and small infrastructure teams
• Securely exposing internal services through managed SSH tunnels
• Lightweight remote operations: file edits, quick diagnostics, and basic Docker container administration

Termix fits teams and individuals who want an all-in-one SSH-centric management UI with built-in access controls and operational tooling. It is especially useful when you want a single place to manage connections, tunnels, files, and server health checks across multiple servers.

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.

Steam Headless is a containerized, headless Steam client environment designed to run on a Linux host and stream games remotely. It provides a full desktop session and multiple streaming options, enabling you to play your Steam library from other devices without a dedicated physical display.

Key Features

• Steam client preconfigured for Linux gaming with Proton
• Browser-accessible desktop via noVNC, including audio support
• Compatibility with Steam Link and Steam Remote Play
• Moonlight-compatible streaming server support (commonly used with Sunshine)
• GPU acceleration support for NVIDIA, AMD, and Intel
• Controller support for streamed gameplay
• Optional installation of additional launchers and tools (for example via Flatpak/AppImage)
• Startup scripting via user-provided init scripts for customization

Use Cases

• Turn a home server into a remote Steam gaming host for laptops, TVs, and handhelds
• Provide a disposable, reproducible Steam environment for homelabs and shared machines
• Run a browser-accessible Linux desktop with Steam for remote game management and launching

Limitations and Considerations

• Persistent data must be stored in the home directory or mounted volumes; other paths may be lost on updates
• For optimal Steam Remote Play behavior on local networks, network configuration may require a dedicated container IP

Steam Headless is best suited for users who want a flexible, container-based Steam host with remote desktop access and GPU acceleration. It combines a ready-to-run Steam setup with practical streaming options for playing from multiple clients and devices.