Nova vs Alacritty: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Nova 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:
Nova
A powerful and flexible native macOS code editor with integrated tools for development workflows.
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.8/10 vs 8.4/10)
- • You need ide & code editors features specifically
- • Native macOS code editor with a fast, feature-rich text editor.
- • Integrated development tools including Git, file browsers, terminal, and debugging.
Alacritty
GPU-accelerated terminal
Best for you if:
- • You need something completely free
- • You need terminal tools features specifically
- • GPU-accelerated terminal
- • Cross-platform support
| At a Glance |  Nova |  Alacritty |
|---|---|---|
Price | Paid | Free |
Best For | IDE & Code Editors | Terminal Tools |
Rating | 88/100 | 84/100 |
| Feature | Nova | Alacritty |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Free |
| Editorial Score | 88 | 84 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | IDE & Code EditorsDebugging | Terminal Tools |
How Nova and Alacritty Compare
Nova
A powerful and flexible native macOS code editor with integrated tools for development workflows.
Paid · 88/100 score
Alacritty
GPU-accelerated terminal
Free · 84/100 score
Nova is a ide & code editors tool. Alacritty is in terminal tools.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Alacritty is free. Nova is paid.
Go with: Alacritty
Want the highest-rated option?
Nova: 88/100. Alacritty: 84/100.
Go with: Nova
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Nova
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Nova is paid. Alacritty is free. Go with Alacritty if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Nova is a ide & code editors tool. Alacritty is in terminal tools. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Nova scores higher: 88/100 vs 84/100.
Key Takeaways
Nova
- Higher score: 88/100 vs 84
- Our pick for this comparison
Alacritty
- Completely free
- Better fit for terminal tools
The Bottom Line
Nova (88/100) is our pick. That said, Alacritty is free — hard to beat on price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Nova or Alacritty better?
Nova scores 88/100 in our evaluation. Nova is paid and Alacritty is free.
What are Nova and Alacritty used for?
Nova: A powerful and flexible native macOS code editor with integrated tools for development workflows.. Alacritty: GPU-accelerated terminal.
What does Nova cost vs Alacritty?
Nova is a paid tool. Alacritty is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.