iTerm2 vs JusTTY: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between iTerm2 and JusTTY 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:
iTerm2
The macOS terminal replacement for power users
Best for you if:
- • You need something completely free
- • You need terminal tools features specifically
- • The definitive terminal replacement for Mac, free and open source
- • Powerful split panes, search, and session management
JusTTY
Minimal, native macOS terminal with real PTY shells
Best for you if:
- • You need developer tools features specifically
- • Native macOS terminal built with Swift and libghostty, using Metal for rendering.
- • Minimal design with multi-window, tabs, customizable themes, and fonts.
| At a Glance |  iTerm2 |  JusTTY |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | Terminal Tools | Developer Tools |
Rating | 4.7/5 | - |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose iTerm2 or JusTTY?
Choose iTerm2 if
The macOS terminal replacement for power users
- Free and powerful
- Split panes
- Highly customizable
- You want a fully free tool (JusTTY requires payment)
- Your work is terminal tools-shaped, not developer tools-shaped
Choose JusTTY if
Minimal, native macOS terminal with real PTY shells
- Lightweight and minimal, focusing on essential terminal features
- Uses Ghostty's Metal renderer for smooth, hardware-accelerated rendering
- Open source with MIT license, allowing modification and redistribution
- Your work is developer tools-shaped, not terminal tools-shaped
| Feature | iTerm2 | JusTTY |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Freemium |
| User Rating | ★4.7/5 50 reviews | No ratings yet |
| Categories | Terminal ToolsDeveloper Tools | Developer ToolsTerminal Tools |
In-Depth Analysis
iTerm2
The macOS terminal replacement for power users
Strengths
- +Free and powerful
- +Split panes
- +Highly customizable
Weaknesses
- -macOS only
- -Can be overwhelming
Key features
Value 100/100. iTerm2 is an incredibly generous offering, being completely free and open-source.
Watch out: None whatsoever; it's entirely free.
JusTTY
Minimal, native macOS terminal with real PTY shells
Strengths
- +Lightweight and minimal, focusing on essential terminal features
- +Uses Ghostty's Metal renderer for smooth, hardware-accelerated rendering
- +Open source with MIT license, allowing modification and redistribution
Weaknesses
- -Requires macOS 15.6 or later, limiting compatibility with older systems
- -Self-signed builds are not notarized, requiring extra steps to bypass Gatekeeper
- -Lacks advanced features like split panes, session management, or plugin support
Key features
Value 72/100. JusTTY's pricing is generous for a terminal emulator, with a fully functional free tier and a Team plan at $4/user/month that adds useful collaboration features.
Watch out: No overage fees but CI/CD minutes limited per tier
Pricing: iTerm2 vs JusTTY
| Plan | iTerm2 | JusTTY |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | N/A | $0 USD per month Free |
| Tier 2 | N/A | $4 USD per user/month Team |
| Tier 3 | N/A | $21 USD per user/month Enterprise |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on iTerm2 pricing and JusTTY pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
iTerm2 is free. JusTTY is freemium.
Go with: iTerm2
Want the highest-rated option?
iTerm2 is rated 4.7/5. JusTTY has no ratings yet.
Go with: iTerm2
Value user reviews?
iTerm2: 50 reviews (4.7/5). JusTTY: no ratings yet.
Go with: iTerm2
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
iTerm2 is free. JusTTY is freemium. Go with iTerm2 if free matters most.
What's your use case?
iTerm2 is a terminal tools tool. JusTTY is in developer tools. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
iTerm2 is rated 4.7/5; JusTTY has no ratings yet.
Key Takeaways
iTerm2
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
JusTTY
- Better fit for developer tools
The Bottom Line
iTerm2 is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is iTerm2 or JusTTY better?
iTerm2 is rated in our evaluation. iTerm2 is free and JusTTY is freemium.
What are iTerm2 and JusTTY used for?
iTerm2: The macOS terminal replacement for power users. JusTTY: Minimal, native macOS terminal with real PTY shells.
What does iTerm2 cost vs JusTTY?
iTerm2 is completely free. JusTTY is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.