iTerm2 vs MobaXterm

iTerm29.2Visit MobaXterm8.6Visit

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

vs

MobaXterm #7 in Terminal Emulators 8.6/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 5 features Visit MobaXterm

• iTerm2 fits best

  Mac users wanting automation and rich session management

• MobaXterm fits best

  Windows administrators managing many protocols

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Side by side

Feature	iTerm2 9.2/10 Visit ↗	MobaXterm 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.2	8.6
Ranking	#3 in Terminal Emulators	#7 in Terminal Emulators
Best for	Mac users wanting automation and rich session management	Windows administrators managing many protocols
Pricing model	Free	Free plan + paid
Starting price	Free plan	—
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	macOS	Windows
Features iTerm2 4/5 · MobaXterm 0/5
Split panes	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Session sync	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
GPU acceleration	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Scripting API	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
SSH support	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Specs
Supported platforms	macos	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	Broad protocol coverage, including SSH, RDP, VNC, SFTP and Serial Embedded X server, graphical SFTP and SSH tunnel management Saved sessions, multi-execution and portable or installer versions
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	Windows is the only supported platform Home Edition is limited to personal use Team sharing and shared session files require Professional Edition
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 →	MobaXterm is a Windows desktop application for programmers, system administrators, developers and webmasters managing remote Unix/Linux and Windows systems. It brings a tabbed terminal, embedded Unix commands, an X server, remote desktop… 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

• MobaXterm — where it wins

  • Broad protocol coverage, including SSH, RDP, VNC, SFTP and Serial
  • Embedded X server, graphical SFTP and SSH tunnel management
  • Saved sessions, multi-execution and portable or installer versions

  Where it doesn't

  • Windows is the only supported platform
  • Home Edition is limited to personal use
  • Team sharing and shared session files require Professional Edition

• iTerm29.2/10 · Free plan

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

  Visit iTerm2Full verdict →
• MobaXterm8.6/10 · Free plan

  A broad Windows terminal suite with free personal use and paid team features.

  Visit MobaXtermFull verdict →