MobaXterm

ApplicationMobatek

Also called mobaxterm, moba xterm

MobatekProductivity

Windows terminal with SSH, a built-in X server, and tabs. The process is MobaXterm.exe. It is not PuTTY.

What you need to know

MobaXterm is SSH plus an X server. It is not PuTTY.

MobaXterm.exe bundles tabs, SSH, and X11. PuTTY is a smaller client. Windows Terminal is Microsoft's tab host.

What is it?: SSH and X11 terminal
Still current?: Yes, see Current status
Official download?: Use the vendor link in this article

Feex says

If you only need one SSH window, PuTTY is enough. If you need X11 and tabs, I open MobaXterm.exe, not putty.exe.

What is MobaXterm?

MobaXterm.exe is SSH, SFTP, and an X11 server in one window. PuTTY is putty.exe. WezTerm and Windows Terminal are other terminals without Mobatek's X server.

If you have never used it

If you want SSH tabs plus an X server so Linux GUIs can open on Windows, MobaXterm is that bundle. Download it from mobatek.net. PuTTY is a slimmer SSH client without this X server and tab session manager.

What is it used for?

SSH and saved sessions

Tabs and credentials Moba stores. A PuTTY .ppk still works, but this is not PuTTY.

X server for Linux GUIs

The reason people pick Moba over PuTTY. WezTerm does not ship this X server.

SFTP and local tools

Embedded utilities Mobatek documents. Not a full WSL distro.

Who is it for?

People who SSH to Linux boxes from Windows
Users who need X11 forwarding without a separate VcXsrv
Anyone comparing this with PuTTY

Current status

MobaXterm (2008) is a current ssh and x11 terminal from Mobatek. The vendor still points Windows users at https://mobaxterm.mobatek.net/download.html.

How old is it?

Mobatek shipped MobaXterm in 2008 as a "Swiss army" terminal. PuTTY is older and smaller. Windows Terminal is Microsoft's tab host and is not an X server.

Versions

Major channels first. Exact build numbers are not all verified here.

MobaXterm Home

MobaXterm Professional

System requirements

Values follow the publisher's public guidance. Workload still changes the real need.

Minimum

Minimum system requirements
Operating system	A current supported Windows 10 or Windows 11 release, per the vendor
RAM	Enough for Windows plus this app. Heavy projects want more.

Resource profile

CPU demand: Follows what you open inside the app
RAM demand: Follows documents, tabs, or libraries

Installed processes

These executables belong to this product when it is installed.

Installed processes
MobaXterm.exe	Main Windows executable

Startup components

MobaXterm does not need to start with Windows unless you want saved sessions ready.

File locations

Common MobaXterm locations
Typical install	C:\Program Files (x86)\Mobatek\MobaXterm\

File formats

PPKPEM

Common problems

Expected PuTTY-only key UI

Moba can use PuTTY keys, but the session UI is Mobatek's. This is not putty.exe.

X app will not display

Enable X11 forwarding in the Moba session. Installing WezTerm will not add an X server.

Getting unstuck

Download Home or Professional from mobatek.net/download.html

The portable zip is official too. Skip "Moba cracked Pro" hosts.

Import a PuTTY key if you already have one

That is a key file, not a reason to abandon Moba. The app is still not PuTTY.

Turn on X11 in the session settings before you install a second X server

Moba already includes one. VcXsrv is optional, not required.

Alternatives

PuTTY is smaller. Windows Terminal plus OpenSSH is inbox-ish. WezTerm is a GPU terminal without Mobatek's X server.

Official help and downloads

Start with the vendor. Random exe sites are not a support channel.

Official contacts
Download	mobaxterm.mobatek.net/download.html Official installer or vendor page
Help	blog.mobatek.net/ Vendor support
Official site	mobaxterm.mobatek.net/download.html Start here, not a random exe host

Related hardware

SSH is light. X11 forwarding follows the remote app. A GPU helps local rendering, not the SSH tunnel.

Technical details

Vendor version numbers change. This article does not pin a build.

Sources and verification

Reviewed by Feex editorial. Last verified August 2026 Status: Feex Reviewed. How we research.

MobaXterm official site · Vendor product page
MobaXterm help · Vendor support
Foxhole process map · First-party samples on Windows PCs. Not a lab benchmark.

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