Extraterm vs Alacritty: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Extraterm 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.
Bottom line: Alacritty wins this matchup. Podman is our overall Terminal Tools pick. Podman is our free Terminal Tools pick. Pick Extraterm if you need a fully free option.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Extraterm
A powerful, open-source terminal emulator with advanced features for command-line users.
Best for you if:
- • You want open source with MIT license
- • You want feature-rich terminal experience
Alacritty
GPU-accelerated terminal emulator for blazing-fast performance
Best for you if:
- • You want extremely fast
- • You want gPU-accelerated
| At a Glance | Extraterm | Alacritty |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | Terminal Tools | Terminal Tools |
Rating | - | 4.3/5 |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose Extraterm or Alacritty?
Choose Extraterm if
A powerful, open-source terminal emulator with advanced features for command-line users.
- You want open source with MIT license
- You want feature-rich terminal experience
Choose Alacritty if
GPU-accelerated terminal emulator for blazing-fast performance
- You want extremely fast
- You want gPU-accelerated
| Feature | Extraterm | Alacritty |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Free |
| User Rating | No ratings yet | ★4.3/5 12 reviews |
| Categories | Terminal ToolsDeveloper Tools | Terminal ToolsDeveloper Tools |
In-Depth Analysis
Extraterm
A powerful, open-source terminal emulator with advanced features for command-line users.
Strengths
- +Open source with MIT license
- +Feature-rich terminal experience
- +Keyboard-friendly design
- +Cross-platform support (Linux, macOS, Windows)
- +Shell integration for enhanced workflows
Weaknesses
- -Currently in steady development, not yet 1.0 release
- -Occasional bugs may be present
- -Some features only in older Electron version (as noted on features page)
Key features
Alacritty
GPU-accelerated terminal emulator for blazing-fast performance
Alacritty's pricing is exceptionally fair and generous, as it is entirely free.
Strengths
- +Extremely fast
- +GPU-accelerated
- +Minimal resource usage
Weaknesses
- -No tabs built-in
- -Configuration via YAML
Key features
Pricing: Extraterm vs Alacritty
| Plan | Extraterm | Alacritty |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | N/A | Free Free |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Extraterm pricing and Alacritty pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are free. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Extraterm
Want the highest-rated option?
Alacritty is rated 4.3/5. Extraterm has no ratings yet.
Go with: Alacritty
Value user reviews?
Extraterm: no ratings yet. Alacritty: 12 reviews (4.3/5).
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?
Alacritty is rated 4.3/5; Extraterm has no ratings yet.
Key Takeaways
Alacritty
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
Extraterm
- Choose if you want a powerful, open-source terminal emulator with advanced features for command-line users
The Bottom Line
Alacritty wins this matchup. Podman is our overall Terminal Tools pick. Podman is our free Terminal Tools pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Extraterm or Alacritty better?
Alacritty is rated in our evaluation. Both are free.
What are Extraterm and Alacritty used for?
Extraterm: A powerful, open-source terminal emulator with advanced features for command-line users.. Alacritty: GPU-accelerated terminal emulator for blazing-fast performance.
What does Extraterm cost vs Alacritty?
Extraterm is completely free. Alacritty is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.