exa vs Starship: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between exa and Starship 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:
exa
A modern, color-coded ls replacement with Git integration
Best for you if:
- • AI-powered terminal with natural language
- • Search files and run commands with plain English
Starship
The minimal, blazing-fast, and infinitely customizable prompt for any shell!
Best for you if:
- • A fast, customizable cross-shell prompt.
- • Built with Rust for speed and reliability.
| At a Glance |  exa |  Starship |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free | Free |
Best For | Terminal Tools | Terminal Tools |
Rating | - | - |
Choose exa or Starship?
Choose exa if
A modern, color-coded ls replacement with Git integration
- AI search API
- Good for semantic search
- Active development
Choose Starship if
The minimal, blazing-fast, and infinitely customizable prompt for any shell!
- Fast and customizable prompt
- Works with any shell
- Git status, language versions shown
| Feature | exa | Starship |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Free |
| User Rating | No ratings yet | ★3.4/5 13 reviews |
| Categories | Terminal ToolsDeveloper Tools | Terminal ToolsDeveloper Tools |
In-Depth Analysis
exa
A modern, color-coded ls replacement with Git integration
Strengths
- +AI search API
- +Good for semantic search
- +Active development
- +Good features
- +Fair pricing
Weaknesses
- -Newer platform
- -Learning curve
- -Feature gaps
- -Per-query pricing
- -Still maturing
Key features
Starship
The minimal, blazing-fast, and infinitely customizable prompt for any shell!
Strengths
- +Fast and customizable prompt
- +Works with any shell
- +Git status, language versions shown
- +Minimal configuration
- +Beautiful defaults
Weaknesses
- -Requires nerd font for icons
- -Configuration learning curve
- -Some features slow on large repos
- -Can conflict with other prompts
- -TOML config not intuitive
Key features
Pricing: exa vs Starship
| Plan | exa | Starship |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free Free | Free Open Source |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on exa pricing and Starship pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are free. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: exa
Want the highest-rated option?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: exa
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Starship
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
Starship
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
exa
- Choose if you want a modern, color-coded ls replacement with Git integration
The Bottom Line
Starship is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is exa or Starship better?
Starship is rated in our evaluation. Both are free.
What are exa and Starship used for?
exa: A modern, color-coded ls replacement with Git integration. Starship: The minimal, blazing-fast, and infinitely customizable prompt for any shell!.
What does exa cost vs Starship?
exa is completely free. Starship is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.