bat vs Alacritty: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between bat and Alacritty 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.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated February 28, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
bat
A `cat` command clone with syntax highlighting, Git integration, and more.
Best for you if:
- • You need ide & code editors features specifically
- • Modern `cat` replacement with syntax highlighting.
- • Integrates with Git to show file modifications.
Alacritty
GPU-accelerated terminal
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.4/10 vs 7.8/10)
- • You need terminal tools features specifically
- • GPU-accelerated terminal
- • Cross-platform support
| At a Glance |  bat |  Alacritty |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free | Free |
Best For | IDE & Code Editors | Terminal Tools |
Rating | 78/100 | 84/100 |
| Feature | bat | Alacritty |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Free |
| Editorial Score | 78 | 84 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | IDE & Code EditorsTerminal Tools | Terminal Tools |
How bat and Alacritty Compare
bat
A `cat` command clone with syntax highlighting, Git integration, and more.
Free · 78/100 score
Alacritty
GPU-accelerated terminal
Free · 84/100 score
bat is a ide & code editors tool. Alacritty is in terminal tools.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are free. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: bat
Want the highest-rated option?
bat: 78/100. Alacritty: 84/100.
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?
bat is a ide & code editors tool. Alacritty is in terminal tools. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Alacritty scores higher: 84/100 vs 78/100.
Key Takeaways
Alacritty
- Higher score: 84/100 vs 78
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
bat
- Better fit for ide & code editors
The Bottom Line
Alacritty (84/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is bat or Alacritty better?
Alacritty scores 84/100 in our evaluation. Both are free.
What are bat and Alacritty used for?
bat: A `cat` command clone with syntax highlighting, Git integration, and more.. Alacritty: GPU-accelerated terminal.
What does bat cost vs Alacritty?
bat is completely free. Alacritty is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.