Free and open first
Best Terminal apps in 2026
Terminal apps provide a way to open and manage command-line sessions on Linux, Windows, macOS, self-hosted setups, the web, or through an API. This list is for people choosing a terminal on a budget.
- 41 apps
- Research read 24 Sept 2026
- How the order is worked out
- 1
Cool Retro Term
Free plan Open source LinuxMacSelf-hostedCool Retro Term pairs a terminal emulator with configurable CRT-inspired appearance options. Check its system-specific installation guidance if you plan to build it yourself.
- 2
Tabby
Free plan LinuxMacWindowsTabby brings several connection types, SSH tools, and flexible pane layouts into a free FOSS terminal. Readers who need dedicated support terms should note that none are stated.
- 3
Tabby (formerly Terminus)
Free plan LinuxMacSelf-hosted+2 - 4
- 5
Alacritty
Free plan LinuxMacWindowsAlacritty offers terminal navigation, search, and multiple windows, with configuration kept in a TOML file. Its beta status and lack of tabs, splits, and a graphical editor are important to weigh.
- 6
- 7
kitty
Free plan LinuxMacChoose kitty if you use Linux or macOS and want a keyboard-oriented terminal that combines configurable layouts with session files and shell control.
- 8
PuTTY
Free plan LinuxWindows - 9
Windows Terminal
by Windows TerminalFree plan WindowsWindows Terminal combines several Windows command-line environments with tabs, panes, profiles, and customization. Choose the distribution carefully if automatic updates or portable use matters.
- 10
iTerm2
Free plan MaciTerm2 combines terminal search, split panes, shell integration, and scripting features in a free macOS app. Check the macOS version requirement before choosing it.
- 11
Ghostty
Free plan LinuxMacGhostty brings GPU rendering, native interface components, and a broad set of terminal features to macOS and Linux.
- 12
WezTerm
Free plan LinuxMacWindowsWezTerm combines terminal multiplexing, SSH, configuration hot reloading, and graphics features across Windows, macOS, and Linux.
- 13
Hyper
Free plan LinuxMacWindowsHyper combines configurable terminal settings with an extension system and support for three desktop platforms. It is free, with listed downloads for several operating systems and package formats.
- 14
- 15
Contour
Free plan LinuxMacWindowsContour offers a broad set of terminal workflow features, including persistent sessions and GPU rendering. Note that daemon mode is experimental and the project website is still in draft mode.
- 16
xterm
Free plan LinuxMacWindowsxterm offers broad terminal emulation, remote display and configuration options across the listed desktop platforms.
- 17
ConEmu
Free plan WindowsConEmu provides a configurable Windows window for running console programs, with tabs, splits and Far Manager integration.
- 18
GNOME Terminal
by GNOME TerminalFree plan LinuxGNOME Terminal provides a configurable graphical terminal for Linux, with tabs, profiles, SSH, text tools, and shell startup settings.
- 19
GNOME Console
Free plan LinuxGNOME Console is a free terminal emulator focused on the GNOME desktop, with contribution and translation paths available.
- 20
Yakuake
Free plan LinuxYakuake is a focused Linux terminal with drop-down access and several integration options.
- 21
Xfce Terminal
Free plan Linux - 22
Cmder
Free plan WindowsCmder combines a portable Windows console with multiple shells and customization options. The choice between Mini and Full mainly affects whether Git for Windows binaries are included.
- 23
Terminator
by TerminatorFree plan LinuxTerminator provides a configurable multi-terminal workspace for Linux, including layouts, grouped input, SSH and plugins.
- 24
Tilix
Free plan LinuxTilix offers pane management, saved terminal groups, SSH and configurable profiles in a free Linux application.
- 25
QTerminal
Free plan LinuxMacQTerminal combines tabbed and split sessions with interface customization and clipboard support. Its documented source-build requirements matter if distribution packages are not the preferred route.
#1Places #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 on this list can be bought by the makers of the software on it. See the price
Compare free plans, trial access, and paid starting prices. If reading or changing code matters, check the licence. Before choosing, check supported platforms and features such as split panes, session sync, GPU acceleration, scripting APIs, and SSH support.
Questions
Can I use a terminal app without paying?
Yes. Tools in this category offer free plans, and some are listed as free software. Check the specific plan terms before choosing.
Are open-source terminal apps available?
Yes. Open-source code is available from tools in this category. Review the licence for a tool if code access or modification matters.
Which platforms do these terminal apps support?
Supported platforms include Linux, Windows, macOS, self-hosted setups, the web, and API access. Check the platform details for the tool you are considering.
What features should I compare?
Compare split panes, session sync, GPU acceleration, scripting API access, and SSH support, along with free-plan and paid-starting-price details.
Do terminal apps offer trials?
A free trial is available from tools in this category. Check the trial terms for the tool you want to use.
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