Oh My Zsh vs Starship: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Oh My Zsh and Starship 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:
Oh My Zsh
A delightful, open source, community-driven framework for managing your Zsh configuration.
Best for you if:
- • You need terminal tools features specifically
- • Open-source framework for managing Zsh configuration.
- • Bundles over 300 plugins and 150 themes to enhance terminal experience.
Starship
The minimal, blazing-fast, and infinitely customizable prompt for any shell!
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.7/10 vs 7.1/10)
- • You need ide & code editors features specifically
- • A fast, customizable cross-shell prompt.
- • Built with Rust for speed and reliability.
| At a Glance |  Oh My Zsh |  Starship |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free | Free |
Best For | Terminal Tools | IDE & Code Editors |
Rating | 71/100 | 87/100 |
| Feature | Oh My Zsh | Starship |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Free |
| Editorial Score | 71 | 87 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Terminal ToolsAutomation | IDE & Code EditorsTerminal Tools |
How Oh My Zsh and Starship Compare
Oh My Zsh
A delightful, open source, community-driven framework for managing your Zsh configuration.
Free · 71/100 score
Starship
The minimal, blazing-fast, and infinitely customizable prompt for any shell!
Free · 87/100 score
Oh My Zsh is a terminal tools tool. Starship is in ide & code editors.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are free. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Oh My Zsh
Want the highest-rated option?
Oh My Zsh: 71/100. Starship: 87/100.
Go with: Starship
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Starship
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?
Oh My Zsh is a terminal tools tool. Starship is in ide & code editors. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Starship scores higher: 87/100 vs 71/100.
Key Takeaways
Starship
- Higher score: 87/100 vs 71
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
Oh My Zsh
- Better fit for terminal tools
The Bottom Line
Starship (87/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Oh My Zsh or Starship better?
Starship scores 87/100 in our evaluation. Both are free.
What are Oh My Zsh and Starship used for?
Oh My Zsh: A delightful, open source, community-driven framework for managing your Zsh configuration.. Starship: The minimal, blazing-fast, and infinitely customizable prompt for any shell!.
What does Oh My Zsh cost vs Starship?
Oh My Zsh is completely free. Starship is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.