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Head-to-head · Command-Line Shells

Dash vs OpenBSD KornShell (ksh)

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score Dash #4 in Command-Line Shells 8.5/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 3 features Visit Debian Project
OpenBSD KornShell (ksh) #6 in Command-Line Shells 8.1/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 3 features Visit site

Dash leads on 0 checks, OpenBSD KornShell (ksh) on 1, and 3 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 4 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreDash · 8.5/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresOpenBSD KornShell (ksh) · 2 of 3

Dash scores higher on our rubric for command-line shells: 8.5 against 8.1 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #6.

OpenBSD KornShell (ksh) offers command completion; Dash doesn't.

Dash is the better fit for lightweight POSIX shell scripting on Linux. OpenBSD KornShell (ksh) is the better fit for openBSD users preferring KornShell-style scripting.

  • Dash fits best

    Lightweight POSIX shell scripting on Linux

  • OpenBSD KornShell (ksh) fits best

    OpenBSD users preferring KornShell-style scripting

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Dash 8.5/10 Visit ↗ OpenBSD KornShell (ksh) 8.1/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.5 8.1
Ranking #4 in Command-Line Shells #6 in Command-Line Shells
Best for Lightweight POSIX shell scripting on Linux OpenBSD users preferring KornShell-style scripting
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Not published Not published
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Support Docs Docs
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Dash 1/3 · OpenBSD KornShell (ksh) 2/3
Package manager — Not published
Config file support ✓ ✓
Command completion — ✓ (best)
Specs
Supported platforms linux OpenBSD
Scripting language POSIX sh shell language KornShell language (superset of sh)
Our review
Pros
  • Implements POSIX /bin/sh for portable shell scripts
  • Supports pipelines, redirection, expansions and shell builtins
  • Offers interactive job control plus Vi and Emacs editing modes
  • Combines interactive command use with a language superset of sh.
  • Includes arrays, functions, arithmetic expansion, and job control.
  • Offers vi or Emacs editing plus command and file-name completion.
Cons
  • Linux platform coverage only
  • No command-completion support
  • Focused on POSIX sh rather than broader shell features
  • Its listed supported platform is limited to OpenBSD.
  • Its command language may not suit users seeking another shell style.
  • Documentation is the listed support channel.
Our verdict

Dash is a compact, open-source command interpreter and POSIX-compliant implementation of /bin/sh, distributed by the Debian Project. It is suited to Linux users and administrators who need a lightweight shell for running scripts or…

Read the review →

OpenBSD KornShell (ksh) is the OpenBSD Project's command interpreter for interactive sessions and shell scripts. It is aimed at people who want KornShell-style scripting alongside command-line work in an OpenBSD environment. Its language…

Read the review →
  1. DashCommand-Line Shells 8.5Free plan
  2. OpenBSD KornShell (ksh)Command-Line Shells 8.1Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Dash — where it wins

    • Implements POSIX /bin/sh for portable shell scripts
    • Supports pipelines, redirection, expansions and shell builtins
    • Offers interactive job control plus Vi and Emacs editing modes

    Where it doesn't

    • Linux platform coverage only
    • No command-completion support
    • Focused on POSIX sh rather than broader shell features

  • OpenBSD KornShell (ksh) — where it wins

    • Combines interactive command use with a language superset of sh.
    • Includes arrays, functions, arithmetic expansion, and job control.
    • Offers vi or Emacs editing plus command and file-name completion.

    Where it doesn't

    • Its listed supported platform is limited to OpenBSD.
    • Its command language may not suit users seeking another shell style.
    • Documentation is the listed support channel.
  • Dash8.5/10 · Free plan

    A focused, open-source shell for POSIX scripting and everyday command execution on Linux.

    Visit Debian ProjectFull verdict →
  • OpenBSD KornShell (ksh)8.1/10 · Free plan

    OpenBSD ksh pairs KornShell scripting with interactive editing and completion on OpenBSD.

    Visit siteFull verdict →

More comparisons

All Command-Line shells comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update