Kitty vs Alacritty: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Kitty 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.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated February 28, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Kitty
The fast, feature-rich, GPU-based terminal emulator for power users.
Best for you if:
- • You need font tools features specifically
- • Fast, GPU-accelerated terminal emulator for high performance.
- • Feature-rich with graphics, ligatures, emojis, and advanced window management.
Alacritty
GPU-accelerated terminal
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.4/10 vs 8.0/10)
- • You need terminal tools features specifically
- • GPU-accelerated terminal
- • Cross-platform support
| At a Glance |  Alacritty | |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free | Free |
Best For | Font Tools | Terminal Tools |
Rating | 80/100 | 84/100 |
| Feature | Kitty | Alacritty |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Free |
| Editorial Score | 80 | 84 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Font ToolsIDE & Code Editors | Terminal Tools |
How Kitty and Alacritty Compare
Kitty
The fast, feature-rich, GPU-based terminal emulator for power users.
Free · 80/100 score
Alacritty
GPU-accelerated terminal
Free · 84/100 score
Kitty is a font tools tool. Alacritty is in terminal tools.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are free. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Kitty
Want the highest-rated option?
Kitty: 80/100. Alacritty: 84/100.
Go with: Alacritty
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
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?
Kitty is a font tools tool. Alacritty is in terminal tools. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Alacritty scores higher: 84/100 vs 80/100.
Key Takeaways
Alacritty
- Higher score: 84/100 vs 80
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
Kitty
- Better fit for font tools
The Bottom Line
Alacritty (84/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kitty or Alacritty better?
Alacritty scores 84/100 in our evaluation. Both are free.
What are Kitty and Alacritty used for?
Kitty: The fast, feature-rich, GPU-based terminal emulator for power users.. Alacritty: GPU-accelerated terminal.
What does Kitty cost vs Alacritty?
Kitty is completely free. Alacritty is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.