sshforward vs ngrok
Both sshforward and ngrok solve the same core problem: making a machine behind a firewall reachable from the outside. They take different approaches, and the right choice depends on what you need.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | sshforward | ngrok |
|---|
| Permanent machine name | ✓ myserver.alice | ✗ URLs change each session |
| Survives reboots | ✓ Runs as a system service | ✗ Must restart manually |
| One-command install | ✓ sudo sshforward.net install | ✗ Requires manual setup |
| Connect from any device | ✓ One command | ✓ Via generated URL |
| No client app needed to connect | ✓ Any SSH client | ✓ Any browser/client |
| Web dashboard | ✓ Health, RAM, disk | ✗ Limited on free tier |
| Free tier | ✓ | ✓ |
| Browser-based SSH terminal | ✓ Built-in | ✗ HTTP inspection only |
| End-to-end encrypted | ✓ | ✓ |
Permanent Names vs Temporary URLs
ngrok gives your machine a randomly generated URL each time you start a session. If you restart ngrok, you get a new URL and need to share it again. Paid plans offer reserved domains, but that is an extra cost.
sshforward assigns your machine a permanent, memorable name like myserver.alice. Once installed, that name never changes. Anyone you share it with can always reach your machine at the same address.
Always-On vs Session-Based
ngrok runs in the foreground and stops when you close the terminal or the connection drops. Getting it to persist across reboots requires writing your own systemd unit or launch agent.
sshforward installs as a system service with a single command. It starts on boot, reconnects automatically after network interruptions, and stays online without any manual intervention.
When to Choose What
Choose ngrok if you need to expose HTTP endpoints temporarily during development, or if you need features like request inspection and replay.
Choose sshforward if you want to reach a machine reliably over SSH, with a permanent name, and without worrying about sessions expiring or URLs changing.
Get Started
Install sshforward on any machine with one command and connect from anywhere.
Create a free account to get started.