Want to practice your Linux commands? For this, it is not necessary to install a full-fledged distribution kit. There are many websites that allow you to use a Linux terminal online. But these sites work well on desktops, not mobile devices. No panic. After all, Android is based on the Linux kernel.

Several applications have been written for Android smartphones that support Linux commands for connecting to a remote server via SSH. Of course, don't expect them to replace your regular Linux terminal emulators on computers. But for Android, you can find some interesting options.

POPULAR LINUX TERMINAL EMULATORS IN ANDROID

For ease of understanding, the article is divided into 2 different categories. The first is about terminal emulators, and the second is about remote connection (SSH) capabilities with a terminal interface. You can choose the most suitable option.

Some applications from the article are not distributed with open source (open-source); they are labeled accordingly. Such applications are here because they allow you to work with a Linux terminal on Android.

Please note that to use commands such as Is to navigate directories, copy/paste, and perform advanced operations, you will need root access on your Android smartphone.

Note:   Without root access (i.e. root access) your work will be limited to the basic functionality of most applications/terminals (eg pinging, updating and installing packages if these options are supported at all) .

1. QUTE: TERMINAL EMULATOR (NOT FREE)

The Qute terminal emulator offers access to a built-in command shell on an Android device. On a smartphone, you can use popular commands (ping, trace, cd, mkdir, etc.). In addition to a number of useful Linux commands, you can also install bin files and create shell scripts.

And the bash script editor and support for rooted devices make Qute a very tempting app to try. In addition, in Qute you can turn on a light theme, hide the keyboard, toggle syntax highlighting, and more.

Unfortunately, the developer points out that due to Google's latest privacy policy, the app has a number of known issues on Android 11 and up. So without a rooted device, you're unlikely to be able to do much.

2. TERMINAL EMULATOR FOR ANDROID

Terminal Emulator, written by Jack Palewich, is one of the oldest Linux terminal emulators available on Android. You can work with simple commands, add multiple windows, and use launch shortcuts to speed up your work.

Best of all, you won't see ads, in-app purchases, or any distractions here. Unfortunately, Terminal Emulator has been out of support for a long time, and its  GitHub page  went into archive back in 2020, signaling the end of development.

But even in its current state, Terminal Emulator seems to work for many users. So, perhaps, you should not immediately dismiss this option; it is better to take and try.

3. MATERIAL TERMINAL (NOT FREE)

Material Terminal is an updated version of Terminal Emulator for Android. You get the same options, multiple windows, no ads, and support for basic commands. And also - the ability to install BusyBox and other command-line utilities on a device with root rights.

Basically, you get everything the same as above, but with a Material Design style UI. Pretty good too, right?

BEST SSH CLIENTS FOR ANDROID

Do you need a terminal emulator with SSH connectivity on Android? Or are you only interested in remote connection via SSH? Here are some options.

4. TERMUX

Termux is a very popular terminal emulator available for Android. It contains an impressive collection of packages that allow you to work with the bash and zsh shells. And with root access, you can manage files with nnn and edit them with nano, vim, or emacs. The user interface has nothing but a terminal.

You can also access servers via SSH . In addition, development in C is provided through clang, make and gdb. Of course, it all depends on your preferences and the presence / absence of a device with root access.

On the GitHub page  you can find information on solving any problems. So far, updates for the version on the Play Store have been suspended for technical reasons. So, if the version from the Play Store does not work, look for the latest build on F-Droid.

5. TERMIUS (NOT FREE)

Termius is an SSH and SFTP client designed for remote access from Android devices. With Termius you can manage UNIX and Linux systems. On the Play Store page, Termius is described as a good PuTTY client for Android, and it's actually a fitting description. The user interface is easy to understand and does not seem confusing. In addition, there is support for Mosh and Telnet protocols.

When you connect to a remote device, it will recognize OS like Raspberry Pi, Ubuntu, Fedora. Even with this application, you can work on a keyboard connected to a smartphone. To top it all off, there are no banners or ads here, making Termius a small, perfect remote connection app.

Termius also offers a paid version (with a free 14-day period) with advanced options: encrypted cross-sync, SSH key agent forwarding, SFTP, terminal tabs, etc. You can read more on the official website .

6. JUICESSH (NOT FREE)

JuiceSSH is another popular SSH client with tons of free features and the ability to upgrade to a PRO version.

In addition to Telenet and Mosh support, you also get access to some third party plugins to extend the functionality. You can customize the appearance from the set of available options and easily organize your connections into groups.

In addition, do not forget that you also get IPv6 support. And with a paid license, you can set up AWS integration, enable secure sync, automate backups, and more.

7. CONNECTBOT

If all you need is a simple SSH client, ConnectBot is the way to go. You can work in multiple SSH sessions at the same time, create secure tunnels, and use the copy/paste option between applications.

LINUX COMMANDS IN ANDROID WITHOUT ROOT ACCESS

If you do not have root access on Android, or you do not plan to configure it, then there is a unique opportunity to install Linux distributions on your smartphone using the Andronix program. You get a huge selection of Linux distributions and desktop environment options with window managers.

But the best part is that you don't need root access to run various Linux commands. It is enough to install your favorite distribution kit, which will do everything. In addition to being easy to use, you also get premium options with access to features such as offline installation of distros and the ability to sync commands across devices.

But installing a Linux distribution doesn't mean you can do whatever you want. Still, it's a great option. You can download the application in the Play Store, and read more on  GitHub .

RESULTS

In this article, we reviewed the best Linux terminal emulators for Android, as well as SSH clients. Accessing a Linux terminal on Android is not as easy as choosing a terminal emulator. Before making a decision, you should familiarize yourself with command support and find out what you can do with a rooted / non-rooted device.

For those who like to experiment, any of these applications will do. What is your favorite terminal emulator app? Did it make it to this list? Write in the comments!