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Head-to-head · Terminal Emulators

iTerm2 vs Contour

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score iTerm2 #3 in Terminal Emulators 9.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 5 features Visit iTerm2
Contour #24 in Terminal Emulators 7.1/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 5 of 5 features Visit Contour

iTerm2 leads on 0 checks, Contour on 0, and 6 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreiTerm2 · 9.2/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresContour · 5 of 5

iTerm2 scores higher on our rubric for terminal emulators: 9.2 against 7.1 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #24.

iTerm2 is the better fit for mac users wanting automation and rich session management. Contour is the better fit for users needing persistent sessions across platforms.

  • iTerm2 fits best

    Mac users wanting automation and rich session management

  • Contour fits best

    Users needing persistent sessions across platforms

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Side by side

Feature iTerm2 9.2/10 Visit ↗ Contour 7.1/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.2 7.1
Ranking #3 in Terminal Emulators #24 in Terminal Emulators
Best for Mac users wanting automation and rich session management Users needing persistent sessions across platforms
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop Desktop
Platforms macOS Linux, macOS, Windows
Integrations 3 integrations 1 integrations
Features iTerm2 4/5 · Contour 5/5
Split panes ✓ ✓
Session sync Not checked yet ✓ (best)
GPU acceleration ✓ ✓
Scripting API ✓ ✓
SSH support ✓ ✓
Specs
Supported platforms macos Linux, macOS, FreeBSD, OpenBSD, Windows
Our review
Pros
  • Tabbed windows, split panes, profiles, and saved session arrangements
  • GPU-accelerated rendering with inline image display
  • Python scripting API, RPC automation, SSH workflows, and tmux integration
  • Persistent sessions can reattach locally or over an encrypted network connection
  • GPU rendering, tabs, split panes, and configurable terminal profiles
  • Broad Linux, macOS, Windows, and BSD support with SSH and tmux interoperability
Cons
  • Supports macOS rather than multiple desktop operating systems
  • Automation features may require Python or RPC scripting knowledge
  • Its focus is terminal work, not broader developer collaboration tools
  • Daemon mode, central to persistent sessions, is experimental
  • Powerful configuration and command-line controls favor experienced users
  • Focused on terminal workflows rather than a broader remote-development suite
Our verdict

iTerm2 is a free, open-source terminal emulator for macOS and a replacement for Apple’s Terminal. It is aimed at Mac users who want more control over terminal layouts, shell sessions, remote workflows, and automation. The feature set…

Read the review →

Contour is an open-source terminal emulator for developers and other power users. It combines GPU-accelerated rendering with tabs, split panes, configurable profiles, Unicode support, image protocols, vi-like input modes, runtime…

Read the review →
  1. iTerm2Terminal Emulators 9.2Free plan
  2. ContourTerminal Emulators 7.1Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • iTerm2 — where it wins

    • Tabbed windows, split panes, profiles, and saved session arrangements
    • GPU-accelerated rendering with inline image display
    • Python scripting API, RPC automation, SSH workflows, and tmux integration

    Where it doesn't

    • Supports macOS rather than multiple desktop operating systems
    • Automation features may require Python or RPC scripting knowledge
    • Its focus is terminal work, not broader developer collaboration tools

  • Contour — where it wins

    • Persistent sessions can reattach locally or over an encrypted network connection
    • GPU rendering, tabs, split panes, and configurable terminal profiles
    • Broad Linux, macOS, Windows, and BSD support with SSH and tmux interoperability

    Where it doesn't

    • Daemon mode, central to persistent sessions, is experimental
    • Powerful configuration and command-line controls favor experienced users
    • Focused on terminal workflows rather than a broader remote-development suite

More comparisons

All terminal emulators comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update