iTerm2 vs kitty

iTerm29.2Visit kitty9.0Visit

Higher score iTerm2 #3 in Terminal Emulators 9.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 5 features Visit iTerm2

vs

kitty #4 in Terminal Emulators 9.0/10 Open source ✓ 4 of 5 features Visit kitty

• iTerm2 fits best

  Mac users wanting automation and rich session management

• kitty fits best

  Linux and macOS power users needing SSH tooling

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Side by side

Feature	iTerm2 9.2/10 Visit ↗	kitty 9.0/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.2	9.0
Ranking	#3 in Terminal Emulators	#4 in Terminal Emulators
Best for	Mac users wanting automation and rich session management	Linux and macOS power users needing SSH tooling
Pricing model	Free	Free
Starting price	Free plan	Open source
Free plan	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	macOS	Linux, macOS
Integrations	3 integrations	3 integrations
Features iTerm2 4/5 · kitty 4/5
Split panes	✓	✓
Session sync	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
GPU acceleration	✓	✓
Scripting API	✓	✓
SSH support	✓	✓
Specs
Supported platforms	macos	Linux, macOS
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	GPU-accelerated rendering with tabs, windows, and split layouts SSH connection reuse plus remote file editing, opening, and downloading Programmable kittens, scripting, remote control, and saved sessions
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	Documented directory support is limited to Linux and macOS Its extensive controls and extensions may require configuration effort No cross-device session synchronization is documented
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 →	kitty is a GPU-based terminal emulator for power users and developers who need more than a basic command-line window. It combines tabs, windows, split layouts, configurable keyboard controls, terminal graphics, ligatures, hyperlinks, shell… Read the review →

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

• kitty — where it wins

  • GPU-accelerated rendering with tabs, windows, and split layouts
  • SSH connection reuse plus remote file editing, opening, and downloading
  • Programmable kittens, scripting, remote control, and saved sessions

  Where it doesn't

  • Documented directory support is limited to Linux and macOS
  • Its extensive controls and extensions may require configuration effort
  • No cross-device session synchronization is documented

• iTerm29.2/10 · Free plan

  A capable Mac terminal with advanced panes, profiles, session restoration, and automation.

  Visit iTerm2Full verdict →
• kitty9.0/10 · Open source

  A programmable terminal with strong SSH workflows, graphics, layouts, and session control.

  Visit kittyFull verdict →