Before delving into the list of free shell account providers, let’s first define what a shell provider is. In essence, these services offer free shell accounts, which allow remote access to a Unix/Linux system via a command-line interface. In addition to limited capabilities, they may offer features such as file storage, script execution, and sometimes development or testing services for users.
Now, why did I need such a service?
When I came up with the idea of developing a file explorer for Linux servers, I needed a Proof of Concept (POC). Not wanting to immediately spend money on a VPS (yes, I’m in that category of people😆😅…), I stumbled upon a link on Stack Overflow to a list of free shell account providers. This allowed me to develop my POC and test features such as listing folder contents on a Linux server, copy, editing, zipping and others files manipulations, etc.
Let’s go
So, without further ado, here are four providers I explored, and the last one is the one that made my server explorations easier:
Blinkenshell: This service has some strict rules to follow, like prohibiting the use of scanning tools, DoS/DDoS attacks, or running malicious software on the server. You can connect to the server by using SSH command or a SSH client like Server Explorer. Some interesting features you have with the free plan are :
- Detach (GNU Screen, tmux)
- IPv4 & IPv6 IRC access (irssi, weechat)
- Static HTTPS Website
- E-Mail Account @blinkenshell.org
You can find more information about their rules on their website.
Insomnia247: This provider requires an invitation code, which deterred me pretty quickly. It’s up to you if you’re willing to go through that step.
Picrofo CLinux: Although I haven’t personally used this service, it looks promising. Just make sure to abide by their rules to avoid any issues.
XShellz: My favorite for several reasons. Easy account creation, straightforward rules to follow, convenient for learning terminal commands, and offers various server possibilities. It’s the one that helped me the most in testing for Server Explorer.
Now that you have this list, you can explore these providers for your own testing needs, learning Linux, or for any other non-illicit use. Remember not to send sensitive data to these servers, and enjoy exploring and learning risk-free!
Speaking of Server Explorer, it’s your SSH client with a file explorer and many other cool features. You can see all others features here.
Available on MacOS here and on the Microsoft Store here.
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