iTerm2 vs Kitty: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between iTerm2 and Kitty 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: iTerm2 wins this matchup. Podman is our overall Terminal Tools pick. Podman is our free Terminal Tools pick. Pick Kitty if you need a fully free option.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
iTerm2
The macOS terminal replacement for power users
Best for you if:
- • You want free and powerful
Kitty
The fast, feature-rich, GPU-based terminal emulator for power users.
Best for you if:
- • You want fast GPU-accelerated terminal
| At a Glance | iTerm2 | |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free 100% free | Free 100% free |
Category | Terminal Tools Developer Tools | Terminal Tools Developer Tools |
Rating | 4.7/5 G2 4.7 51 reviews | n/a |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose iTerm2 or Kitty?
Choose iTerm2 if
- You want free and powerful
- You want split panes
Choose Kitty if
- You want fast GPU-accelerated terminal
- You want built-in tabs, splits, multiplexing
In-Depth Analysis
iTerm2
The macOS terminal replacement for power users
iTerm2 is an incredibly generous offering, being completely free and open-source.
Strengths
- Pro: Free and powerful
- Pro: Split panes
- Pro: Highly customizable
Weaknesses
- Con: macOS only
- Con: Can be overwhelming
Key features
Kitty
The fast, feature-rich, GPU-based terminal emulator for power users.
Kitty's pricing is exceptionally generous, as it is entirely free and open-source.
Strengths
- Pro: Fast GPU-accelerated terminal
- Pro: Built-in tabs, splits, multiplexing
- Pro: Image rendering support
- Pro: Highly configurable
- Pro: Cross-platform
Weaknesses
- Con: Configuration file-based only
- Con: Documentation can be dense
- Con: Learning curve
- Con: Some compatibility issues
- Con: Font rendering varies
Key features
Pricing: iTerm2 vs Kitty
| Plan | iTerm2 | Kitty |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | N/A | Free Free |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on iTerm2 pricing and Kitty pricing.
Key Takeaways
iTerm2
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
Kitty
- Choose if you want the fast, feature-rich, GPU-based terminal emulator for power users
The Bottom Line
iTerm2 wins this matchup. Podman is our overall Terminal Tools pick. Podman is our free Terminal Tools pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is iTerm2 or Kitty better in 2026?
iTerm2 wins this matchup. Podman is our overall Terminal Tools pick. Podman is our free Terminal Tools pick. Pick iTerm2 for terminal tools workflows (main strength: free and powerful). Pick Kitty for terminal tools workflows (main strength: fast GPU-accelerated terminal).
What are iTerm2 and Kitty used for?
iTerm2: The macOS terminal replacement for power users. Kitty: The fast, feature-rich, GPU-based terminal emulator for power users.
What does iTerm2 cost vs Kitty?
iTerm2 is free. Kitty is free.
What's the main difference between iTerm2 and Kitty?
iTerm2's main strength: free and powerful. Kitty's main strength: fast GPU-accelerated terminal.