Tabby vs Kitty: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Tabby and Kitty 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: Kitty wins this matchup. Our overall Terminal Tools pick is Visual Studio Code. Our free Terminal Tools pick is Visual Studio Code. Pick Tabby 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:
Tabby
A modern, highly configurable terminal emulator for cross-platform use.
Best for you if:
- • Modern, highly customizable terminal emulator.
- • Includes integrated SSH and serial client.
Kitty
The fast, feature-rich, GPU-based terminal emulator for power users.
Best for you if:
- • Fast, GPU-accelerated terminal emulator for high performance.
- • Feature-rich with graphics, ligatures, emojis, and advanced window management.
| At a Glance |  Tabby | |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | Terminal Tools | Terminal Tools |
Rating | 3.9/5 | - |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose Tabby or Kitty?
Choose Tabby if
A modern, highly configurable terminal emulator for cross-platform use.
- Modern terminal
- Good features
- Cross-platform
Choose Kitty if
The fast, feature-rich, GPU-based terminal emulator for power users.
- Fast GPU-accelerated terminal
- Built-in tabs, splits, multiplexing
- Image rendering support
| Feature | Tabby | Kitty |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Free |
| User Rating | ★3.9/5 13 reviews | No ratings yet |
| Categories | Terminal ToolsDeveloper Tools | Terminal ToolsDeveloper Tools |
In-Depth Analysis
Tabby
A modern, highly configurable terminal emulator for cross-platform use.
Tabby is an excellent free terminal emulator with modern features.
Strengths
- +Modern terminal
- +Good features
- +Cross-platform
- +Active development
- +Open source
Weaknesses
- -Resource usage
- -Learning curve
- -Feature bloat
- -Better alternatives exist
- -Configuration needed
Key features
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
- +Fast GPU-accelerated terminal
- +Built-in tabs, splits, multiplexing
- +Image rendering support
- +Highly configurable
- +Cross-platform
Weaknesses
- -Configuration file-based only
- -Documentation can be dense
- -Learning curve
- -Some compatibility issues
- -Font rendering varies
Key features
Pricing: Tabby vs Kitty
| Plan | Tabby | Kitty |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free Tabby | Free Free |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Tabby pricing and Kitty pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are free. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Tabby
Want the highest-rated option?
Tabby is rated 3.9/5. Kitty has no ratings yet.
Go with: Tabby
Value user reviews?
Tabby: 13 reviews (3.9/5). Kitty: no ratings yet.
Go with: Tabby
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?
Tabby is rated 3.9/5; Kitty has no ratings yet.
Key Takeaways
Kitty
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
Tabby
- Choose if you want a modern, highly configurable terminal emulator for cross-platform use
The Bottom Line
Kitty wins this matchup. Our overall Terminal Tools pick is Visual Studio Code. Our free Terminal Tools pick is Visual Studio Code.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tabby or Kitty better?
Kitty is rated in our evaluation. Both are free.
What are Tabby and Kitty used for?
Tabby: A modern, highly configurable terminal emulator for cross-platform use.. Kitty: The fast, feature-rich, GPU-based terminal emulator for power users..
What does Tabby cost vs Kitty?
Tabby is completely free. Kitty is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.