Side by side
Cool Retro Term vs Ghostty
Both stand on terminal apps. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan Open source LinuxMacSelf-hosted
Cool 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.
Visit Cool Retro Term Free plan LinuxMac
Ghostty brings GPU rendering, native interface components, and a broad set of terminal features to macOS and Linux. Its community support model is an important consideration for users who need dedicated assistance.
Visit GhosttyThe facts
| Cool Retro Term | Ghostty | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Yes | Not published |
| Runs on | Linux, Mac, Self-hosted | Linux, Mac |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | Free or on request |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | github.com | ghostty.org |
| On terminal apps | #1 of 41 | #11 of 41 |
Cool Retro Term: what it does well
- Customizable colors, fonts and visual effects.
- Community themes include scanlines, curvature and static noise.
- Release notes list multiple tabs and windows.
- Available as a Linux AppImage and macOS DMG.
- Open-source and free.
What to know first
- Available platforms are Linux and macOS.
- Build requirements differ between the README and Linux build wiki.
Ghostty: what it does well
- GPU-accelerated rendering on macOS and Linux.
- Supports multiple windows, tabs, and splits.
- Includes hundreds of themes.
- SSH integration can forward environment variables.
What to know first
- No dedicated support team or resources.
- Support is community-provided through GitHub Discussions and Discord.
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