Free and open first

Best Command Line Tools in 2026

Command line tools run from a terminal or command prompt. The entries span Linux, macOS, Windows, web, self-hosted environments, and API access.

27 apps
Research read 7 Oct 2026
How the order is worked out

1

HTTPie

Free plan Open source LinuxMacWeb+1

HTTPie offers command-line API testing alongside a graphical app for desktop and web. The CLI plan is open-source, while the Desktop and Web plan is in public beta; both are listed as free.

8.8 Free plan Visit site
2

restic

Free plan Open source APILinuxMac+2

restic offers free file backup with a range of storage options and integrity checks. Keep repository passwords safe, since losing one prevents access to the stored data.

8.6 Free plan Visit site
3

Tailscale
by Tailscale
Free plan Open source AndroidAPIExtension+6

Tailscale combines encrypted device connections with access rules, identity provisioning, monitoring, and sharing features.

8.6 Free plan · paid from $8/user/mo · 14-day trial Visit site
4

curl
by curl
Free plan AndroidiPhoneLinux+2

curl provides broad protocol coverage and detailed transfer controls across major operating systems. Its command-line tool and libcurl library support both direct scripting and embedded software use.

7.6 Free plan Visit site
5

GitHub CodeQL

Free plan ExtensionLinuxMac+3

7.4 Free plan · paid from $30/mo Visit site
6

btop

Free plan LinuxMac

btop combines resource monitoring with process controls, graphs, themes and presets in a terminal interface.

7.3 Free plan Visit site
7

gs-batch-pdf

Free plan LinuxMacWindows

Choose gs-batch-pdf if you want a free command-line utility for parallel PDF batches, with recursive processing and flexible file handling.

7.2 Open source Visit site
8

jq

Free plan LinuxMacSelf-hosted+2

jq provides a flexible filter model for selecting and transforming JSON, with options for output formatting and large inputs.

7.2 Free plan Visit site
9

Homebrew

Free plan LinuxMacWindows

Homebrew offers package installation across macOS, Linux, and WSL, with formulae, casks, and Brewfile-based setup. Its lack of lockfiles and limits on supported systems are worth considering.

7.1 Open source Visit site
10

Nmap

Free plan LinuxMacSelf-hosted+1

Nmap combines discovery and scanning functions with scripting and companion tools. It is free for end users, while commercial redistribution requires separate OEM licensing.

7.1 Free plan Visit site
11

rclone

Free plan AndroidAPILinux+4

Rclone offers broad storage support and flexible file operations, but it is a command-line program rather than a finished graphical tool.

7.1 Free plan Visit site
12

fdupes

Free plan Linux

Choose fdupes if you want a free Linux command-line utility with configurable duplicate matching and interactive deletion. Review its symlink and repeated-directory warning before using deletion.

7.0 Open source Visit site
13

Git
by Git
Free plan Mac

Choose Git if you need free, open-source distributed version control for a project of any stated size, with self-hosting and extensive learning materials.

7.0 Free plan Visit site
14

NetsCLI

Free plan LinuxMacWindows

NetsCLI brings desktop, terminal, CLI, and MCP access to local network scanning in a free MIT-licensed package.

7.0 Free plan Visit site
15

htop

Free plan LinuxMac

htop provides a terminal-based way to view processes, with controls for I/O priority and CPU affinity. Keep in mind that it does not report SWAP use per process.

6.9 Free plan Visit site
16

Terraform

Free plan APILinuxMac+3

Terraform provides a configuration-based workflow, reusable modules, and providers for connecting to services.

6.9 Free plan Visit site
17

yt-dlp

Free plan LinuxMacSelf-hosted+1

yt-dlp offers extensive source and format support for users who are comfortable with command-line software.

6.9 Free plan Visit site
18

1Password
by AgileBits Inc.
Free trial AndroidAPIExtension+5

1Password offers individual, family, team, and business plans, with support for major desktop and mobile platforms and several browsers.

6.6 From $2.99/mo first year, billed annually Visit site
19

Azure CLI

Free plan LinuxMacWindows

6.4 Free plan Visit site
20

Docker CLI

Free plan LinuxMacWindows

6.3 Free plan Visit site
21

fzf

Free plan LinuxMacWindows

6.2 Free plan Visit site
22

AWS Client VPN

Paid LinuxMacWeb+1

AWS Client VPN provides managed client VPN access with administrative and audit features. Review the separate hourly-billed endpoint and connection charges when estimating costs.

6.1 From $0.10 Visit site
23

eza

Free plan LinuxMac

6.1 Free plan Visit site
24

GNU Wget

Free plan LinuxMacWindows

6.1 Free plan Visit site
25

kubectl

Free plan LinuxMacWindows

5.9 Free plan Visit site

#1Places #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 on this list can be bought by the makers of the software on it. See the price

Use free-plan status, starting paid price, licence, platform coverage, installation options, interactive and offline use, and AI assistance to compare them. Check plan terms, trial limits, and the licence before choosing.

Questions

Do command line tools cost money?

The list includes free tools, free plans, freemium options, and paid software. Check the pricing model and paid-from note for a tool.

Do these tools include open-source software?

Yes. Some entries provide open-source code. Read the licence before modifying or sharing code.

Can I try a tool before paying?

Some entries include a free trial. Check a tool's trial terms and limits before payment.

Which platforms are covered?

Coverage may include Linux, macOS, Windows, web, self-hosted setups, or an API. Check the supported-platform details for the tool you want.

What should I compare before choosing?

Look at free-plan status, starting paid price, licence, platforms, install methods, interactive and offline use, and AI assistance.

Questions

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