17.3
Free planOpen sourceWebLinuxmacOS
Best Command-Line Shells in 2026
Avidemux leads this chart of 27 (7.3/10, free plan). Hamilton C shell is next (6.1/10), and Bash is the next highest-placed with a free plan (6.0/10). Command-line shells provide a way to work with commands and scripts. Use this chart to compare free plans, paid starting prices, platforms and shell features. Android is listed as a supported platform for tools in this category, but support can vary by shell. Check the platform details, scripting language, package manager, configuration files and command completion before choosing.
26.1
Windows
36.0
Free planLinuxmacOSWindows
- 4
Elvish
Free planLinuxmacOSWindows6.0Free plan - 5
4DOS
Free planWindows5.7Free plan - 6
BusyBox ash
Free planLinuxSelf-hosted5.7Free plan - 7
Dash
Free planLinux5.6Free plan - 8
FreeCOM
Free planSelf-hosted5.6Free plan - 9
Fish
LinuxmacOSWindows5.2 - 10
Es shell
Linux4.9 - 11
KornShell (ksh93u+m)
AndroidLinuxmacOS4.9 - 12
MirBSD Korn Shell (mksh)
AndroidLinuxmacOS4.9 - 13
Smoosh
WebLinuxmacOS4.8 - 14
Hilbish
LinuxmacOSWindows4.7 - 15
Murex
LinuxmacOSWindows4.7 - 16
Nushell
LinuxmacOSWindows4.7 - 17
PowerShell
LinuxmacOSWindows4.7 - 18
scsh (Scheme Shell)
LinuxmacOSWindows4.7 - 19
Yash
LinuxmacOSWindows4.7 - 20
Zsh
LinuxmacOSWindows4.7 - 21
Take Command Console (TCC)
Windows4.5 - 22
Ion Shell
Linux4.4 - 23
loksh
Linux4.4 - 24
Oil Shell
Linux4.4 - 25
tcsh
Linux4.4
Choosing well
Check your platform
The category covers Linux, macOS, Windows, web and Android. Confirm that the shell supports the device or operating system where you plan to use it.
For Android, check the shell's own platform details before installing or setting up a workflow.
Compare free and paid plans
A free plan is available from entries marked free. Paid entries show a starting price where one is supplied.
If you need to read or change the code, check the tool's licence and whether its code is open source.
Match the scripting language
Compare the scripting language used by a shell with the scripts you need to run or maintain. This can affect how easily you move commands between environments.
Review shell features
Package manager support can shape how you install command-line software. Configuration-file support matters when you want settings stored and reused.
Command completion can make command entry easier. Check this field alongside the shell's platform and scripting details.
Questions people ask
Is Android supported for command-line shells?
Android is one of the supported platforms represented in this category. Check an individual shell's platform details before installing it.
Are free command-line shells available?
Yes. Entries with a free plan are marked in the comparison, while paid starting prices are shown where supplied.
What platforms should I compare?
The chart covers Linux, macOS, Windows, web and Android. Match the shell's supported platforms to the device you plan to use.
Why does the scripting language matter?
The scripting language affects which commands and scripts you can run or maintain. Compare it with the language used by your existing work.
Should I check configuration and completion support?
Yes. Configuration-file support helps preserve settings, while command completion can assist with entering commands.