18.3
Free planLinuxmacOSSelf-hosted
Best Terminal Apps in 2026
Warp leads this chart of 41 (8.3/10, free plan). MobaXterm is next (8.1/10, free plan), and Termalin is the next highest-placed with a free plan (7.8/10). Terminal software lets you work from a command line to issue commands, connect with systems, and handle files or services. This category includes desktop terminals, SSH clients and tools with web, self-hosted or API access. Use split panes, session sync, GPU acceleration, scripting APIs and SSH as comparison points, and verify each app's device platforms.
28.1
MobaXterm combines remote-computing tools and Unix commands in a Windows application for people working with remote systems.
Free planWindows
37.8
Termalin is an SSH client for people and AI agents, bringing terminal sessions, file tools, database access, and agent connections together.
Free planiOSWebAPI
- 4
Tabby
Tabby is a free, open-source terminal app for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Free planLinuxmacOSWindows7.5Free plan - 5
Konsole
Konsole is a free terminal emulator for running a command shell and controlling a computer through a text-based command line.
Free planLinuxmacOSWindows7.4Free plan - 6
Tabby (formerly Terminus)
Free planWebLinuxmacOSSelf-hosted7.2Free plan - 7
ZOC
macOSWindows7.1$79.99 one-time - 8
Contour
Contour is a free, modal terminal emulator for Linux, macOS, FreeBSD, OpenBSD, and Windows, designed for everyday use and aimed at advanced power users.
Free planLinuxmacOSWindows7.1Free plan - 9
Cool Retro Term
Cool Retro Term is a free, open-source terminal emulator for Linux and macOS that gives terminal sessions the appearance of cathode tube screens.
Free planOpen sourceLinuxmacOSSelf-hosted7.1Free plan - 10
Windows Terminal
Windows Terminal is a Windows host for command-line shells, including Command Prompt, PowerShell, and bash through WSL.
Free planWindows7.0Free plan - 11
iTerm2
iTerm2 is a macOS replacement for Terminal and the successor to iTerm, with tools for people who spend much of their time in a terminal.
Free planmacOS7.0Free plan - 12
Alacritty
Alacritty is a cross-platform terminal emulator built with OpenGL for performance and extensive configuration.
Free planLinuxmacOSWindows7.0Free plan - 13
WezTerm
WezTerm is a free, Rust-based terminal emulator and multiplexer for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Free planLinuxmacOSWindows7.0Free plan - 14
kitty
kitty is a free, open-source terminal emulator for Linux and macOS, designed for keyboard users.
Free planLinuxmacOS6.9Free plan - 15
PuTTY
Free planLinuxWindows6.9Free plan - 16
Ghostty
Ghostty is a free terminal emulator for macOS and Linux, with GPU-accelerated rendering and native interface components.
Free planLinuxmacOS6.9Free plan - 17
ConEmu
ConEmu is a free terminal emulator for Windows that hosts console programs and simple GUI applications in a customizable window.
Free planWindows6.8Free plan - 18
6.8Free plan - 19
QTerminal
QTerminal is a lightweight Qt terminal emulator based on QTermWidget and maintained by the LXQt project.
Free planLinuxmacOS6.8Free plan - 20
mintty
mintty is a free terminal emulator for Windows, intended for Cygwin, MSYS, MSYS2, related projects, and WSL.
Free planWindows6.8Free plan - 21
gitsome
gitsome is a free Git and GitHub command-line interface for Linux, macOS, Unix, and Windows.
Free planLinuxmacOSSelf-hostedWindows6.8Free plan - 22
Cmder
Cmder is a portable console emulator package for Windows, built on ConEmu with enhancements from Clink, a Monokai color scheme, and a custom prompt layout.
Free planWindows6.7Free plan - 23
Hyper
Hyper is a free terminal for people who work with a command-line interface.
Free planLinuxmacOSWindows6.7Free plan - 24
GNOME Terminal
GNOME Terminal is a free Linux terminal program for GNOME, providing graphical access to command-line applications.
Free planLinux6.6Free plan - 25
xterm
xterm is a terminal emulator for the X Window System, available for Linux, macOS, and Windows.
Free planLinuxmacOSWindows6.6Free plan
Choosing well
Check the platform
Linux, Windows and macOS are represented here, along with some web, self-hosted and API offerings. Check the supported platform before installing.
Match your connection needs
When you must reach another computer or server, look for an app that lists SSH support. A scripting API can help connect terminal actions to your own workflows.
Web, self-hosted or API options can fit setups that are not tied to one desktop installation.
Compare daily controls
Split panes let you arrange multiple command sessions in one window. Session sync can keep terminal state available across supported devices or installations.
Rendering performance can depend on whether the terminal uses GPU acceleration. Check whether these controls fit your work.
Review cost and licensing
A free plan, paid starting point or free trial can change the cost of trying a tool. Read the current pricing details before committing.
Some listed apps provide open-source code. If you need to read or change the code, check the licence and project terms.
Questions people ask
Which platforms are covered?
Linux, Windows, macOS, self-hosted, web and API platforms appear in this category. Support differs by app, so review its platform listing.
Can I use a terminal app for SSH?
Some apps list SSH among their capabilities, while others do not. Check the app details to confirm support before choosing a client.
Are free terminal apps available?
Items on this list include free plans, and some also provide free trials. Pricing and limits depend on the app.
Does open-source code matter when choosing?
Some entries make their source code available. If code access or modification matters, review the licence and project terms.