Alacritty vs Kitty: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Alacritty and Kitty comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Alacritty
GPU-accelerated terminal emulator for blazing-fast performance
Best for you if:
- • GPU-accelerated terminal
- • Cross-platform support
Kitty
The fast, feature-rich, GPU-based terminal emulator for power users.
Best for you if:
- • Fast, GPU-accelerated terminal emulator for high performance.
- • Feature-rich with graphics, ligatures, emojis, and advanced window management.
| At a Glance |  Alacritty | |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free | Free |
Best For | Terminal Tools | Terminal Tools |
Rating | - | - |
Choose Alacritty or Kitty?
Choose Alacritty if
GPU-accelerated terminal emulator for blazing-fast performance
- Extremely fast
- GPU-accelerated
- Minimal resource usage
Choose Kitty if
The fast, feature-rich, GPU-based terminal emulator for power users.
- Fast GPU-accelerated terminal
- Built-in tabs, splits, multiplexing
- Image rendering support
| Feature | Alacritty | Kitty |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Free |
| User Rating | ★4.3/5 12 reviews | No ratings yet |
| Categories | Terminal ToolsDeveloper Tools | Terminal ToolsDeveloper Tools |
In-Depth Analysis
Alacritty
GPU-accelerated terminal emulator for blazing-fast performance
Strengths
- +Extremely fast
- +GPU-accelerated
- +Minimal resource usage
Weaknesses
- -No tabs built-in
- -Configuration via YAML
Key features
Kitty
The fast, feature-rich, GPU-based terminal emulator for power users.
Strengths
- +Fast GPU-accelerated terminal
- +Built-in tabs, splits, multiplexing
- +Image rendering support
- +Highly configurable
- +Cross-platform
Weaknesses
- -Configuration file-based only
- -Documentation can be dense
- -Learning curve
- -Some compatibility issues
- -Font rendering varies
Key features
Pricing: Alacritty vs Kitty
| Plan | Alacritty | Kitty |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free Free | Free Free |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Alacritty pricing and Kitty pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are free. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Alacritty
Want the highest-rated option?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Alacritty
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Alacritty
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are free. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Both are terminal tools tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Key Takeaways
Alacritty
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
Kitty
- Choose if you want the fast, feature-rich, GPU-based terminal emulator for power users
The Bottom Line
Alacritty is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Alacritty or Kitty better?
Alacritty is rated in our evaluation. Both are free.
What are Alacritty and Kitty used for?
Alacritty: GPU-accelerated terminal emulator for blazing-fast performance. Kitty: The fast, feature-rich, GPU-based terminal emulator for power users..
What does Alacritty cost vs Kitty?
Alacritty is completely free. Kitty is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.