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Dropbear SSH Server and Client VS OpenSSH

Compare Dropbear SSH Server and Client VS OpenSSH and see what are their differences

Dropbear SSH Server and Client logo Dropbear SSH Server and Client

Dropbear is a relatively small SSH 2 server and client.

OpenSSH logo OpenSSH

OpenSSH is a free version of the SSH connectivity tools that technical users rely on.
  • Dropbear SSH Server and Client Landing page
    Landing page //
    2019-09-02
  • OpenSSH Landing page
    Landing page //
    2018-09-29

Dropbear SSH Server and Client features and specs

  • Lightweight
    Dropbear is designed to be compact and efficient, making it an excellent choice for environments with limited resources such as embedded systems.
  • Memory Efficiency
    Due to its small footprint and efficient memory usage, Dropbear is well-suited for devices with constrained memory availability.
  • Ease of Configuration
    Dropbear has a straightforward configuration process, which can simplify deployments and ease of use, especially in embedded environments.
  • Cross-Compatibility
    Dropbear is compatible with OpenSSH public keys and formats, allowing it to work alongside other SSH servers and clients.
  • Optimized for Embedded Systems
    Specifically designed to meet the needs of embedded systems, Dropbear runs efficiently on limited hardware.

Possible disadvantages of Dropbear SSH Server and Client

  • Limited Features
    Compared to OpenSSH, Dropbear offers fewer features and customization options which may not fulfill all user needs.
  • Security Concerns
    Being a lightweight solution, Dropbear might not receive security updates and scrutiny as rigorously as more established SSH servers like OpenSSH.
  • Performance Under High Load
    Dropbear might not perform as well as other SSH servers in high-load environments due to its lightweight nature.
  • Single-threaded Limitations
    Dropbear operates single-threaded, which could potentially be less efficient on multi-core systems that benefit from multithreading.

OpenSSH features and specs

  • Security
    OpenSSH provides secure encrypted communications between two untrusted hosts over an insecure network, offering strong encryption standards and authentication mechanisms.
  • Open Source
    As an open-source project, OpenSSH is free to use and benefits from contributions and transparency from a wide community of developers and users.
  • Portability
    OpenSSH is highly portable and available across many operating systems, including Linux, macOS, and Windows, making it a versatile tool for different environments.
  • Rich Feature Set
    In addition to basic SSH functionality, OpenSSH includes features like secure file transfer (SFTP and SCP), tunneling, forwarding, and key management.
  • Strong Community Support
    OpenSSH benefits from extensive community and developer support, ensuring regular updates, patches, and a wealth of documentation and user discussions.

Possible disadvantages of OpenSSH

  • Complexity
    Configuring and managing OpenSSH can be complex, especially for beginners, and requires a good understanding of security principles and SSH protocols.
  • Performance Overhead
    Encryption and decryption processes can introduce performance overhead, which can be a concern in environments with high traffic or limited resources.
  • Dependency on Proper Configuration
    The security of OpenSSH heavily depends on proper configuration; misconfigurations can lead to vulnerabilities, defeating the purpose of using a secure protocol.
  • Limited GUI Tools
    OpenSSH primarily operates via command-line interface (CLI), which may not be as user-friendly as graphical user interface (GUI) tools for some users.
  • Compatibility Issues
    While OpenSSH is highly portable, there can be compatibility issues with certain legacy systems or non-standard SSH implementations.

Dropbear SSH Server and Client videos

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OpenSSH videos

Ubuntu Server 18.04 Administration Guide Part 02 - Securing OpenSSH

More videos:

  • Review - Linux Commands for Beginners 22 - Remote Management with OpenSSH

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Dropbear SSH Server and Client and OpenSSH)
SSH
12 12%
88% 88
Server Management
14 14%
86% 86
Terminal Tools
20 20%
80% 80
Server Configuration And Automation

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Dropbear SSH Server and Client and OpenSSH

Dropbear SSH Server and Client Reviews

We have no reviews of Dropbear SSH Server and Client yet.
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OpenSSH Reviews

Top 10 Best MobaXterm Alternatives for Windows, macOS & Linux In 2021
OpenSSH is a safe and secure alternative to tools like MobaXterm (for which the password flows in clear on the network), however it is much more than that considering that it likewise permits to release remote commands (like rsh, or remsh), but also to transfer whole files or directories (like rcp). OpenSSH is available in the form of a daemon and a customer, the daemon...
30 best PuTTY alternatives for SSH clients for 2020
OpenSSH is a widely-used open source free emulator for Windows, Mac OS, Linux, and iOS. It is protected by SSH and incorporates SCP and SFTP for file transfers.

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, OpenSSH seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 1 time since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Dropbear SSH Server and Client mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Dropbear SSH Server and Client yet. Tracking of Dropbear SSH Server and Client recommendations started around Mar 2021.

OpenSSH mentions (1)

  • is ssh (OpenSSH) impacted by CVE-2022-3786 and CVE-2022-3602
    I haven't found a clear answer to this. After checking openssh.com I haven't found any mention. Source: about 2 years ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Dropbear SSH Server and Client and OpenSSH, you can also consider the following products

MobaXterm - Enhanced terminal for Windows with X11 server, tabbed SSH client, network tools and much more

Symantec Data Loss Prevention - Fully protect your data with the comprehensive detection technologies and unified policies of Symantec's industry leading Data Loss Prevention (DLP).

KiTTY - KiTTY is a fork from version 0.70 of PuTTY. It adds extra features to PuTTY.

Microsoft BitLocker - BitLocker is a full disk encryption feature included with Windows Vista and later.

MobaSSH - Enhanced SSH server for Windows with Unix tools and much more

PuTTY - Popular free terminal application. Mostly used as an SSH client.