Alacritty vs iTerm2: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for Alacritty and iTerm2 side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Alacritty
GPU-accelerated terminal emulator for blazing-fast performance
Best for you if:
- • You want extremely fast
iTerm2
The macOS terminal replacement for power users
Best for you if:
- • You want free and powerful
| At a Glance | Alacritty | iTerm2 |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free 100% free | Free 100% free |
Category | Terminal Tools Developer Tools | Developer Tools Terminal Tools |
Rating | 4.3/5 G2 4.3 12 reviews | 4.7/5 G2 4.7 51 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose Alacritty or iTerm2?
Choose Alacritty if
- You want extremely fast
- You want GPU-accelerated
- You work in terminal tools, not developer tools
Choose iTerm2 if
- You want free and powerful
- You want split panes
- You work in developer tools, not terminal tools
In-Depth Analysis
Alacritty
GPU-accelerated terminal emulator for blazing-fast performance
Alacritty's pricing is exceptionally fair and generous, as it is entirely free.
Strengths
- Pro: Extremely fast
- Pro: GPU-accelerated
- Pro: Minimal resource usage
Weaknesses
- Con: No tabs built-in
- Con: Configuration via YAML
Key features
iTerm2
The macOS terminal replacement for power users
iTerm2 is an incredibly generous offering, being completely free and open-source.
Strengths
- Pro: Free and powerful
- Pro: Split panes
- Pro: Highly customizable
Weaknesses
- Con: macOS only
- Con: Can be overwhelming
Key features
Plans and prices: Alacritty vs iTerm2
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Alacritty |
| alacritty.org read Oct 6, 2026 |
| iTerm2 | No plan prices on file | iterm2.com read Oct 7, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on Alacritty pricing and iTerm2 pricing.
Key Takeaways
Alacritty
- Choose if you want GPU-accelerated terminal emulator for blazing-fast performance
iTerm2
- Choose if you want the macOS terminal replacement for power users
What the data shows
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
- User ratings rest on too few reviews to rank (4.3/5 from 12 reviews for Alacritty, 4.7/5 from 51 reviews for iTerm2; we compare ratings only above 20 reviews on both sides).
- Both have a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Alacritty and iTerm2 compare in 2026?
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair. User ratings rest on too few reviews to rank (4.3/5 from 12 reviews for Alacritty, 4.7/5 from 51 reviews for iTerm2; we compare ratings only above 20 reviews on both sides). Both have a free plan.
What are Alacritty and iTerm2 used for?
Alacritty: GPU-accelerated terminal emulator for blazing-fast performance. iTerm2: The macOS terminal replacement for power users.
What does Alacritty cost vs iTerm2?
Alacritty is free. iTerm2 is free. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Oct 7, 2026.
What's the main difference between Alacritty and iTerm2?
Alacritty's main strength: extremely fast. iTerm2's main strength: free and powerful.