Tabby vs Kitty: Which Should You Choose 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.
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:
Tabby
A modern, highly configurable terminal emulator for cross-platform use.
Best for you if:
- • You need ide & code editors features specifically
- • 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:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.0/10 vs 7.5/10)
- • You need font tools features specifically
- • Fast, GPU-accelerated terminal emulator for high performance.
- • Feature-rich with graphics, ligatures, emojis, and advanced window management.
| At a Glance |  Tabby | |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free | Free |
Best For | IDE & Code Editors | Font Tools |
Rating | 75/100 | 80/100 |
| Feature | Tabby | Kitty |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Free |
| Editorial Score | 75 | 80 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | IDE & Code EditorsTerminal Tools | Font ToolsIDE & Code Editors |
How Tabby and Kitty Compare
Tabby
A modern, highly configurable terminal emulator for cross-platform use.
Free · 75/100 score
Kitty
The fast, feature-rich, GPU-based terminal emulator for power users.
Free · 80/100 score
Tabby is a ide & code editors tool. Kitty is in font tools.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are free. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Tabby
Want the highest-rated option?
Tabby: 75/100. Kitty: 80/100.
Go with: Kitty
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Kitty
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?
Tabby is a ide & code editors tool. Kitty is in font tools. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Kitty scores higher: 80/100 vs 75/100.
Key Takeaways
Kitty
- Higher score: 80/100 vs 75
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
Tabby
- Better fit for ide & code editors
The Bottom Line
Kitty (80/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tabby or Kitty better?
Kitty scores 80/100 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.