WezTerm

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Score7.0

Rank#6 of 40

PriceFree

Free planYes

Runs onLinux, macOS, Windows

Summary

WezTerm is a free, Rust-based terminal emulator and multiplexer for Windows, macOS, and Linux. It organizes terminal panes, tabs, and windows across local and remote hosts, with mouse support and scrollback. Its display features include ligatures, color emoji, font fallback, true color, and dynamic color schemes. Configuration lives in a file that can reload while the program is running. 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: if the network connection is interrupted, their tabs end. WezTerm can also connect to serial ports for embedded and Arduino work. Shell integration supports escape sequences for working directories, prompt zones, and user variables; user variables can work through tmux when passthrough is enabled. Image support includes the iTerm2-compatible and Kitty protocols, plus experimental Sixel graphics. Pre-built downloads are available 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 the software provided as-is without warranty.

Who it is for

WezTerm suits people who want terminal sessions organized into panes, tabs, and windows across local or remote hosts. It may also suit embedded and Arduino users who connect to serial ports.

What is good

Free under the MIT license.
Supports panes, tabs, and windows on local and remote hosts.
Embedded SSH client includes native tabs.
Configuration file supports hot reloading.
Connects to serial ports.

What to know first

Ad-hoc SSH tabs end if the network connection drops.
Windows requires 64-bit Windows 10.0.17763 or later.
Sixel graphics support is experimental.
Software is provided without warranty.

Verdict

WezTerm combines terminal multiplexing, configurable rendering, and remote access in a free cross-platform program. Its ad-hoc SSH sessions are not persistent, and Windows users need the specified 64-bit version or later.

WezTerm plans and pricing

All plans

Open source Not published Download pre-built releases or build from source · No paid plans advertised wezterm.org · 20 Sept 2026

MIT-licensed software Free MIT License github.com · 1 Oct 2026

Compared on terminal emulators

Free plan: Yeswezterm.org
Supported platforms: Windows, macOS, Linuxwezterm.org
Split panes: Yeswezterm.org
GPU acceleration: Yeswezterm.org
Scripting API: Yeswezterm.org
SSH support: Yeswezterm.org

Facts

Purpose: WezTerm is a cross-platform terminal emulator and multiplexer implemented in Rust.wezterm.org · 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
Rendering: Features include ligatures, color emoji, font fallback, true color and dynamic color schemes.wezterm.org · 1 Oct 2026
Configuration: Configuration uses a file with hot reloading.wezterm.org · 1 Oct 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
Remote multiplexing: It can connect to remote multiplexer instances using SSH or TLS over TCP/IP.wezterm.org · 1 Oct 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
tmux integration: Shell user variables can work through tmux when tmux passthrough is enabled.wezterm.org · 1 Oct 2026
Graphics protocols: WezTerm supports the iTerm2-compatible image protocol, Kitty graphics and experimental Sixel graphics.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
Windows requirement: 64-bit Windows 10.0.17763 or later is required.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