Extraterm vs Rio Terminal: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Extraterm and Rio Terminal 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: Extraterm is our overall pick for terminal tools workflows. Pick Rio Terminal if you need a free tier to start with.
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 need something completely free
- • Enhances terminal experience with modern features.
- • Includes built-in SSH, image support, and shell integration.
Rio Terminal
A fast, modern, and customizable terminal emulator for developers.
Best for you if:
- • GPU-accelerated for performance
- • Highly customizable appearance
| At a Glance |  Extraterm | |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free | Free tier + paid plansFree tier available |
Best For | Terminal Tools | Terminal Tools |
Rating | - | - |
Choose Extraterm or Rio Terminal?
Choose Extraterm if
A powerful, open-source terminal emulator with advanced features for command-line users.
- Open source with MIT license
- Feature-rich terminal experience
- Keyboard-friendly design
- You want a fully free tool (Rio Terminal requires payment)
Choose Rio Terminal if
A fast, modern, and customizable terminal emulator for developers.
- Excellent performance due to GPU acceleration
- High degree of customization for aesthetics and behavior
- Modern and clean user interface
| Feature | Extraterm | Rio Terminal |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Freemium |
| User Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| 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
Rio Terminal
A fast, modern, and customizable terminal emulator for developers.
Strengths
- +Excellent performance due to GPU acceleration
- +High degree of customization for aesthetics and behavior
- +Modern and clean user interface
- +Open-source and actively developed
Weaknesses
- -May require more system resources than basic terminals due to GPU usage
- -Newer project, so community support might be smaller than established alternatives
- -Configuration might require some initial setup for new users
Key features
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Extraterm is free. Rio Terminal is freemium.
Go with: Extraterm
Want the highest-rated option?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Extraterm
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Extraterm
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Extraterm is free. Rio Terminal is freemium. Go with Extraterm if free matters most.
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
Extraterm
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
Rio Terminal
- Choose if you want a fast, modern, and customizable terminal emulator for developers
The Bottom Line
Extraterm is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Extraterm or Rio Terminal better?
Extraterm is rated in our evaluation. Extraterm is free and Rio Terminal is freemium.
What are Extraterm and Rio Terminal used for?
Extraterm: A powerful, open-source terminal emulator with advanced features for command-line users.. Rio Terminal: A fast, modern, and customizable terminal emulator for developers..
What does Extraterm cost vs Rio Terminal?
Extraterm is completely free. Rio Terminal is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.