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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
KittyKitty
AlacrittyAlacritty
Price
FreeFree
Best For
Font ToolsTerminal Tools
Rating
80/10084/100
FeatureKittyAlacritty
Pricing ModelFreeFree
Editorial Score
80
84
Community RatingNo ratings yetNo ratings yet
Total Reviews00
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

1

What's your budget?

Both are free. Pricing won't help you decide here.

2

What's your use case?

Kitty is a font tools tool. Alacritty is in terminal tools. Pick the category that matches your needs.

3

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.

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