Kitty vs tmux: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for Kitty and tmux side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
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:
Kitty
The fast, feature-rich, GPU-based terminal emulator for power users.
Best for you if:
- • You want fast GPU-accelerated terminal
tmux
Create, access, and control multiple terminals from a single screen.
Best for you if:
- • You want maintains persistent sessions even after disconnection
| At a Glance | tmux | |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free 100% free | Free 100% free |
Category | Terminal Tools Developer Tools | Terminal Tools Productivity |
Rating | n/a | n/a |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose Kitty or tmux?
Choose Kitty if
- You want fast GPU-accelerated terminal
- You want built-in tabs, splits, multiplexing
Choose tmux if
- You want maintains persistent sessions even after disconnection
- You want improves productivity by organizing multiple terminal tasks
In-Depth Analysis
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
tmux
Create, access, and control multiple terminals from a single screen.
The pricing for tmux is exceptionally generous, as it is entirely free and open-source.
Strengths
- Pro: Maintains persistent sessions even after disconnection
- Pro: Improves productivity by organizing multiple terminal tasks
- Pro: Highly customizable through configuration files
- Pro: Open-source and free to use
- Pro: Runs on a wide range of Unix-like operating systems
Weaknesses
- Con: Steep learning curve for new users
- Con: Requires command-line proficiency
- Con: Configuration can be complex for advanced setups
Key features
Plans and prices: Kitty vs tmux
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kitty |
| sw.kovidgoyal.net/kitty read Sep 30, 2026 |
| tmux |
| github.com/tmux/tmux read Oct 30, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on Kitty pricing and tmux pricing.
Key Takeaways
Kitty
- Choose if you want the fast, feature-rich, GPU-based terminal emulator for power users
tmux
- Choose if you want create, access, and control multiple terminals from a single screen
What the data shows
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
- Both have a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Kitty and tmux compare in 2026?
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair. Both have a free plan.
What are Kitty and tmux used for?
Kitty: The fast, feature-rich, GPU-based terminal emulator for power users. tmux: Create, access, and control multiple terminals from a single screen.
What does Kitty cost vs tmux?
Kitty is free. tmux is free. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Oct 30, 2026.
What's the main difference between Kitty and tmux?
Kitty's main strength: fast GPU-accelerated terminal. tmux's main strength: maintains persistent sessions even after disconnection.