Shell/SSH access on a Linux, BSD or Unix-type server is access to a command prompt on the server itself. This enables you to issue commands as a user of the system – for example, for changing permissions on files, copying, moving, deleting and moving to a folder.  Most of the cheaper web hosting packages do not offer shell access.

On a dedicated server or VPS, you will probably also have “root” access (like Administrator access in Windows) and you will be able to compile and install programs, update and patch your system and a whole lot more.  Though most web hosting Control Panels like Cpanel offer many features, they have many limitations, like you cannot find the files last modified or delete certain files easily.

Some of the popular  SSH clients are: