Free and open first
Best Command Line Tools in 2026
- 27 apps
- Research read 7 Oct 2026
- How the order is worked out
- 1
HTTPie
Free plan Open source LinuxMacWeb+1HTTPie 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.
- 2
restic
Free plan Open source APILinuxMac+2restic 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.
- 3
- 4
- 5
GitHub CodeQL
Free plan ExtensionLinuxMac+3 - 6
btop
Free plan LinuxMacbtop combines resource monitoring with process controls, graphs, themes and presets in a terminal interface.
- 7
gs-batch-pdf
Free plan LinuxMacWindowsChoose gs-batch-pdf if you want a free command-line utility for parallel PDF batches, with recursive processing and flexible file handling.
- 8
jq
Free plan LinuxMacSelf-hosted+2jq provides a flexible filter model for selecting and transforming JSON, with options for output formatting and large inputs.
- 9
Homebrew
Free plan LinuxMacWindowsHomebrew 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.
- 10
Nmap
Free plan LinuxMacSelf-hosted+1Nmap combines discovery and scanning functions with scripting and companion tools. It is free for end users, while commercial redistribution requires separate OEM licensing.
- 11
rclone
Free plan AndroidAPILinux+4Rclone offers broad storage support and flexible file operations, but it is a command-line program rather than a finished graphical tool.
- 12
fdupes
Free plan LinuxChoose 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.
- 13
- 14
NetsCLI
Free plan LinuxMacWindowsNetsCLI brings desktop, terminal, CLI, and MCP access to local network scanning in a free MIT-licensed package.
- 15
htop
Free plan LinuxMachtop 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.
- 16
Terraform
Free plan APILinuxMac+3Terraform provides a configuration-based workflow, reusable modules, and providers for connecting to services.
- 17
yt-dlp
Free plan LinuxMacSelf-hosted+1yt-dlp offers extensive source and format support for users who are comfortable with command-line software.
- 18
1Password
by AgileBits Inc.Free trial AndroidAPIExtension+51Password offers individual, family, team, and business plans, with support for major desktop and mobile platforms and several browsers.
- 19
Azure CLI
Free plan LinuxMacWindows - 20
Docker CLI
Free plan LinuxMacWindows - 21
fzf
Free plan LinuxMacWindows - 22
AWS Client VPN
Paid LinuxMacWeb+1AWS Client VPN provides managed client VPN access with administrative and audit features. Review the separate hourly-billed endpoint and connection charges when estimating costs.
- 23
eza
Free plan LinuxMac - 24
GNU Wget
Free plan LinuxMacWindows - 25
kubectl
Free plan LinuxMacWindows
#1Places #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 on this list can be bought by the makers of the software on it. See the price