Bastillion vs Nexterm
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted remote access & vpn options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
Nexterm
Open-source server management for SSH, VNC, and RDP
| Feature | Bastillion | Nexterm |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 88 · Excellent | 90 · Excellent |
| Category | Remote Access & VPN | Remote Access & VPN |
| License | GPL-3.0 | MIT |
| Language | Java | JavaScript |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 512 MB | 256 MB |
| Deployment | docker, binary | docker |
| GitHub stars | ★ 3,551 | ★ 5,042 |
| First released | 2013 | 2024 |
| Replaces | Teleport, Termius | Apache Guacamole, Termius |
What are Bastillion and Nexterm?
Bastillion
Bastillion is an open-source, web-based SSH console that centrally manages access to systems and distributes SSH keys. It is self-hosted to provide audited, browser-based administrative access to servers.
- Web SSH console
- SSH key distribution
- Session auditing
- Multi-user access control
Nexterm
Nexterm is an open-source, self-hosted server management platform that provides SSH, VNC, and RDP access from a single web interface. It organizes connections and supports two-factor authentication.
- SSH, VNC and RDP access
- Web-based interface
- Two-factor authentication
- Connection organization
Bastillion vs Nexterm: key differences
Bastillion is written in Java, while Nexterm is built with JavaScript. Licensing differs — GPL-3.0 for Bastillion versus MIT for Nexterm. Nexterm is the lighter option, starting around 256 MB of RAM against 512 MB for Bastillion. Bastillion is the more established project (first released 2013), while Nexterm arrived in 2024.
Why pick each one
Choose Bastillion if…
- Released under the GPL-3.0 license
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Active community (3.6k GitHub stars)
- Written in Java
Choose Nexterm if…
- Released under the MIT license
- Easy to set up — beginner-friendly
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Mature project with 5k GitHub stars
Frequently asked questions
Is Bastillion or Nexterm better?
Nexterm is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler easy setup. Consider Bastillion if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are Bastillion and Nexterm free and open-source?
Yes. Bastillion is licensed under GPL-3.0 and Nexterm under MIT. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Bastillion and Nexterm with Docker?
Bastillion: yes. Nexterm: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, Bastillion or Nexterm?
Nexterm has the smaller minimum footprint at 256 MB of RAM, compared to about 512 MB for Bastillion. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.