JusTTY vs Tabby: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between JusTTY and Tabby 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:
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.
Tabby
A modern, highly configurable terminal emulator for cross-platform use.
Best for you if:
- • You need something completely free
- • You need terminal tools features specifically
- • Modern, highly customizable terminal emulator.
- • Includes integrated SSH and serial client.
| At a Glance |  JusTTY |  Tabby |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | Developer Tools | Terminal Tools |
Rating | - | 3.9/5 |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose JusTTY or Tabby?
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
Choose Tabby if
A modern, highly configurable terminal emulator for cross-platform use.
- Modern terminal
- Good features
- Cross-platform
- You want a fully free tool (JusTTY requires payment)
- Your work is terminal tools-shaped, not developer tools-shaped
| Feature | JusTTY | Tabby |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Free |
| User Rating | No ratings yet | ★3.9/5 13 reviews |
| Categories | Developer ToolsTerminal Tools | Terminal ToolsDeveloper Tools |
In-Depth Analysis
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
Tabby
A modern, highly configurable terminal emulator for cross-platform use.
Strengths
- +Modern terminal
- +Good features
- +Cross-platform
- +Active development
- +Open source
Weaknesses
- -Resource usage
- -Learning curve
- -Feature bloat
- -Better alternatives exist
- -Configuration needed
Key features
Value 100/100. Tabby is an excellent free terminal emulator with modern features.
Watch out: None - completely free
Pricing: JusTTY vs Tabby
| Plan | JusTTY | Tabby |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | $0 USD per month Free | Free Tabby |
| Tier 2 | $4 USD per user/month Team | N/A |
| Tier 3 | $21 USD per user/month Enterprise | N/A |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on JusTTY pricing and Tabby pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Tabby is free. JusTTY is freemium.
Go with: Tabby
Want the highest-rated option?
Tabby is rated 3.9/5. JusTTY has no ratings yet.
Go with: Tabby
Value user reviews?
JusTTY: no ratings yet. Tabby: 13 reviews (3.9/5).
Go with: Tabby
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
JusTTY is freemium. Tabby is free. Go with Tabby if free matters most.
What's your use case?
JusTTY is a developer tools tool. Tabby is in terminal tools. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Tabby is rated 3.9/5; JusTTY has no ratings yet.
Key Takeaways
Tabby
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
JusTTY
- Better fit for developer tools
The Bottom Line
Tabby is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is JusTTY or Tabby better?
Tabby is rated in our evaluation. JusTTY is freemium and Tabby is free.
What are JusTTY and Tabby used for?
JusTTY: Minimal, native macOS terminal with real PTY shells. Tabby: A modern, highly configurable terminal emulator for cross-platform use..
What does JusTTY cost vs Tabby?
JusTTY is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Tabby is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.