WezTerm
What WezTerm is
WezTerm is a free, Rust-based terminal emulator and multiplexer for Windows, macOS, and Linux. It arranges terminal sessions as panes, tabs, and windows across local or remote hosts, with mouse support and scrollback. Display features include ligatures, color emoji, font fallback, true color, and dynamic color schemes. Configuration is stored in a file that supports hot reloading. An embedded SSH client provides native tabs, and remote multiplexer instances can be reached over SSH or TLS over TCP/IP. Ad-hoc SSH sessions are non-persistent, so their tabs end if the network connection is interrupted. WezTerm can also connect to serial ports for embedded and Arduino work. Its shell integration supports escape sequences for working directories, prompt zones, and user variables; user variables can work through tmux when passthrough is enabled. Graphics support includes the iTerm2-compatible image protocol and Kitty graphics, plus experimental Sixel graphics. Pre-built downloads are listed for Windows, macOS, Linux, FreeBSD, and NetBSD, and the code can be built from source. Windows requires 64-bit Windows 10.0.17763 or later. The MIT license permits free use and distribution, with no warranty.
Who it suits
WezTerm suits people who want a terminal emulator with local and remote panes, tabs, and windows. Its serial connections and shell integration may also suit embedded and command-line workflows.
What it does well
- Free under the MIT license.
- Multiplexes panes, tabs, and windows across hosts.
- Includes an embedded SSH client with native tabs.
- Supports serial ports and several image protocols.
What to know first
- Ad-hoc SSH tabs end if the network is interrupted.
- Windows requires 64-bit Windows 10.0.17763 or later.
- Sixel graphics support is experimental.
- The MIT license provides no warranty.
Limits
Ad-hoc SSH sessions are non-persistent, and associated tabs end when the network connection is interrupted. Windows support requires 64-bit Windows 10.0.17763 or later.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Open source | Download pre-built releases or build from source · No paid plans advertised | On request |
| MIT-licensed software | MIT License | Free |
As wezterm.org lists them, read 20 Sept 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Open https://wezterm.org/.
- Choose a pre-built download for Windows, macOS, Linux, FreeBSD or NetBSD, or build from source.
- On Windows, use a 64-bit system running Windows 10.0.17763 or later.
- Configure WezTerm in its configuration file; changes can hot reload.
Verdict
WezTerm combines terminal multiplexing, SSH, configuration hot reloading, and graphics features across Windows, macOS, and Linux. Note that ad-hoc SSH sessions do not persist through a network interruption.
Questions
Is WezTerm free?
Yes. The MIT-licensed software is available free of charge.
Which platforms have pre-built downloads?
Pre-built releases are provided for Windows, macOS, Linux, FreeBSD and NetBSD.
Is WezTerm open source?
Yes. Its open-source code can be built from source.
Does WezTerm support SSH?
Yes. It includes an embedded SSH client and can connect to remote multiplexer instances over SSH or TLS over TCP/IP. Ad-hoc SSH sessions end if their network connection is interrupted.
What does WezTerm cost?
The MIT-licensed software is free. No paid plans are advertised.
What does the MIT license allow?
It grants use, copying, modification, distribution, sublicensing and sale free of charge. The software is provided as-is without warranty.
Facts from WezTerm's own pages
- Configuration
- Configuration uses a file with hot reloading. · wezterm.org, 1 Oct 2026
- Distribution
- Pre-built downloads are provided for Windows, macOS, Linux, FreeBSD and NetBSD, and the open-source code can be built from source. · wezterm.org, 1 Oct 2026
- Free plan
- Yes · wezterm.org, 20 Sept 2026
- GPU acceleration
- Yes · wezterm.org, 20 Sept 2026
- Graphics protocols
- WezTerm supports the iTerm2-compatible image protocol, Kitty graphics and experimental Sixel graphics. · wezterm.org, 1 Oct 2026
- License and warranty
- The MIT license grants use, copying, modification, distribution, sublicensing and sale free of charge, and provides the software as-is without warranty. · github.com, 1 Oct 2026
- Multiplexing
- It multiplexes terminal panes, tabs and windows on local and remote hosts with native mouse and scrollback. · wezterm.org, 1 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- WezTerm is a cross-platform terminal emulator and multiplexer implemented in Rust. · wezterm.org, 1 Oct 2026
- Remote multiplexing
- It can connect to remote multiplexer instances using SSH or TLS over TCP/IP. · wezterm.org, 1 Oct 2026
- Rendering
- Features include ligatures, color emoji, font fallback, true color and dynamic color schemes. · wezterm.org, 1 Oct 2026
- Scripting API
- Yes · wezterm.org, 20 Sept 2026
- Serial integration
- It can connect to serial ports for embedded and Arduino work. · wezterm.org, 1 Oct 2026
- Shell integration
- Shell integration supports OSC 7, OSC 133 and OSC 1337 escape sequences for working-directory, prompt-zone and user-variable features. · wezterm.org, 1 Oct 2026
- Split panes
- Yes · wezterm.org, 20 Sept 2026
- SSH
- WezTerm includes an embedded SSH client with native tabs. · wezterm.org, 1 Oct 2026
- SSH limitation
- Ad-hoc SSH sessions are non-persistent and associated tabs die if the network connection is interrupted. · wezterm.org, 1 Oct 2026
- SSH support
- Yes · wezterm.org, 20 Sept 2026
- Supported platforms
- Windows,macOS,Linux · wezterm.org, 20 Sept 2026
- tmux integration
- Shell user variables can work through tmux when tmux passthrough is enabled. · wezterm.org, 1 Oct 2026
- Windows requirement
- 64-bit Windows 10.0.17763 or later is required. · wezterm.org, 1 Oct 2026
Where WezTerm stands on Freedom251
- Terminal apps#12 of 41
- Terminal Emulators#24 of 40