Hyper Terminal vs Putty: What are the differences?

Both Hyper Terminal and Putty are popular terminal emulators used to connect to remote servers or devices. Let's discuss the key differences between Hyper Terminal and Putty.

1. User Interface: Hyper Terminal has a more modern and visually appealing user interface compared to Putty. It offers various customization options, themes, and a robust set of features to enhance the overall user experience. Putty, on the other hand, has a simpler and more straightforward user interface without many customization options or graphical enhancements.

2. Cross-Platform Support: Hyper Terminal is designed specifically for macOS and Windows operating systems, providing seamless compatibility across these platforms. Putty, on the contrary, is a truly cross-platform tool, available not only for Windows but also for Unix-like operating systems including Linux and macOS.

3. Configuration Options: Hyper Terminal offers extensive configuration options, allowing users to customize various aspects including fonts, text colors, cursor styles, and more. It also supports keyboard shortcuts and allows users to create custom key bindings. Putty, although not as feature-rich in terms of configuration options as Hyper Terminal, provides enough flexibility to adjust settings such as terminal appearance, window behavior, and connection parameters.

4. File Transfer Protocols: Putty has an advantage over Hyper Terminal when it comes to file transfer protocols. Putty includes a built-in SCP (Secure Copy Protocol) client, allowing users to securely transfer files between local and remote systems. Hyper Terminal, on the other hand, does not have native support for file transfer protocols, although it can be supplemented with third-party tools for this functionality.

5. Session Management: Hyper Terminal offers more advanced session management capabilities compared to Putty. It allows users to save and organize multiple sessions, making it easier to connect to frequently accessed servers or devices. Putty, while it supports session saving, lacks some of the more advanced organization features provided by Hyper Terminal.

6. Integration and Extensions: In terms of integration with other tools and extensions, Hyper Terminal has a slight edge over Putty. It provides integration with popular tools like Git and HyperJS, allowing users to easily perform version control operations and extend the functionality of their terminal emulator. Putty, while it can be extended with additional tools, does not offer the same level of integration as Hyper Terminal.

In summary, Hyper Terminal provides a more visually appealing and feature-rich experience. Putty offers cross-platform support and built-in file transfer functionality.