Starship vs Warp: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Starship and Warp 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:
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 8.6/10)
- • You need something completely free
- • You need ide & code editors features specifically
- • A fast, customizable cross-shell prompt.
- • Built with Rust for speed and reliability.
Warp
Modern terminal with AI
Best for you if:
- • You need terminal tools features specifically
- • Modern terminal rebuilt in Rust with IDE-like features
- • Block-based output with AI-powered command suggestions
| At a Glance |  Starship |  Warp |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free | Free + Paid |
Best For | IDE & Code Editors | Terminal Tools |
Rating | 87/100 | 86/100 |
| Feature | Starship | Warp |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | 87 | 86 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | IDE & Code EditorsTerminal Tools | Terminal ToolsAI Coding |
How Starship and Warp Compare
Starship
The minimal, blazing-fast, and infinitely customizable prompt for any shell!
Free · 87/100 score
Warp
Modern terminal with AI
Free tier available · 86/100 score
Starship is a ide & code editors tool. Warp is in terminal tools.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Starship is free. Warp is freemium.
Go with: Starship
Want the highest-rated option?
Starship: 87/100. Warp: 86/100.
Go with: Starship
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Starship
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Starship is free. Warp is freemium. Go with Starship if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Starship is a ide & code editors tool. Warp is in terminal tools. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Starship scores higher: 87/100 vs 86/100.
Key Takeaways
Starship
- Higher score: 87/100 vs 86
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
Warp
- Better fit for terminal tools
The Bottom Line
Starship (87/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Starship or Warp better?
Starship scores 87/100 in our evaluation. Starship is free and Warp is freemium.
What are Starship and Warp used for?
Starship: The minimal, blazing-fast, and infinitely customizable prompt for any shell!. Warp: Modern terminal with AI.
What does Starship cost vs Warp?
Starship is completely free. Warp is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.