McFly History vs iTerm2: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between McFly History and iTerm2 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 is our overall pick for terminal tools workflows. Pick McFly History if you need a fully free option.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
McFly History
Fly through your shell history with an intelligent, neural network-powered search.
Best for you if:
- • Intelligent shell history search powered by a neural network.
- • Prioritizes commands based on context, directory, and usage.
iTerm2
The macOS terminal replacement for power users
Best for you if:
- • The definitive terminal replacement for Mac, free and open source
- • Powerful split panes, search, and session management
| At a Glance |  McFly History |  iTerm2 |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free | Free |
Best For | Terminal Tools | Terminal Tools |
Rating | - | - |
Choose McFly History or iTerm2?
Choose McFly History if
Fly through your shell history with an intelligent, neural network-powered search.
- Significantly improves shell history search efficiency
- Context-aware suggestions are highly relevant
- Fast and safe due to being written in Rust
Choose iTerm2 if
The macOS terminal replacement for power users
- Free and powerful
- Split panes
- Highly customizable
| Feature | McFly History | iTerm2 |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Free |
| User Rating | No ratings yet | ★4.7/5 50 reviews |
| Categories | Terminal ToolsProductivity | Terminal ToolsDeveloper Tools |
In-Depth Analysis
McFly History
Fly through your shell history with an intelligent, neural network-powered search.
Strengths
- +Significantly improves shell history search efficiency
- +Context-aware suggestions are highly relevant
- +Fast and safe due to being written in Rust
- +Easy to install and uninstall without losing existing history
- +Supports multiple popular shells
Weaknesses
- -Requires initial setup in shell configuration files
- -May have a slight learning curve for new keybindings/features
Key features
iTerm2
The macOS terminal replacement for power users
Strengths
- +Free and powerful
- +Split panes
- +Highly customizable
Weaknesses
- -macOS only
- -Can be overwhelming
Key features
Pricing: McFly History vs iTerm2
| Plan | McFly History | iTerm2 |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free Open Source | N/A |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on McFly History pricing and iTerm2 pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are free. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: McFly History
Want the highest-rated option?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: McFly History
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: iTerm2
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?
Both are terminal tools tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Key Takeaways
iTerm2
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
McFly History
- Choose if you want fly through your shell history with an intelligent, neural network-powered search
The Bottom Line
iTerm2 is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is McFly History or iTerm2 better?
iTerm2 is rated in our evaluation. Both are free.
What are McFly History and iTerm2 used for?
McFly History: Fly through your shell history with an intelligent, neural network-powered search.. iTerm2: The macOS terminal replacement for power users.
What does McFly History cost vs iTerm2?
McFly History is completely free. iTerm2 is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.