SSH is a protocol that can be used for many applications across many platforms including UNIX, Microsoft Windows, Apple Mac and Linux. Some of the applications below may require features that are only available or compatible with specific SSH clients or servers. For example, using the SSH protocol to implement a VPN is possible, but presently only with the OpenSSH server and client implementation.

1. For login to a shell on a remote host (replacing Telnet and rlogin)
2. For executing a single command on a remote host (replacing rsh)
3. For copying files from a local server to a remote host. See SCP, as an alternative for rcp
4. In combination with SFTP, as a secure alternative to FTP file transfer
5. In combination with rsync to backup, copy and mirror files efficiently and securely
6. For port forwarding or tunneling a port (not to be confused with a VPN which routes
   packets between different networks or bridges two broadcast domains into one.).
7. For using as a full-fledged encrypted VPN. Note that only OpenSSH server and client supports this feature.
8. For forwarding X from a remote host (possible through multiple intermediate hosts)
   For browsing the web through an encrypted proxy connection with SSH clients that support the SOCKS protocol.
9. For securely mounting a directory on a remote server as a filesystem on a local computer using SSHFS.
10. For automated remote monitoring and management of servers through one or more of the mechanisms as discussed above.
11. For secure collaboration of multiple SSH shell channel users where session transfer, swap, sharing, and recovery of disconnected sessions is possible.