iTerm2 vs PuTTY

iTerm29.2Visit PPuTTY8.8Visit

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

vs

P PuTTY #5 in Terminal Emulators 8.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 5 features Visit PuTTY

• iTerm2 fits best

  Mac users wanting automation and rich session management

• PuTTY fits best

  Free SSH and network-session management

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Side by side

Feature	iTerm2 9.2/10 Visit ↗	PPuTTY 8.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.2	8.8
Ranking	#3 in Terminal Emulators	#5 in Terminal Emulators
Best for	Mac users wanting automation and rich session management	Free SSH and network-session management
Pricing model	Free	Free
Starting price	Free plan	Free plan
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	macOS	Windows, Linux
Features iTerm2 4/5 · PuTTY 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 and Unix
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	Supports SSH, Telnet, Rlogin, serial, raw, and other connections Includes SFTP, SCP, port forwarding, proxy support, and X11 forwarding Provides saved sessions, Pageant, PSCP, PSFTP, and Plink
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	Session management is basic No release-quality Android, iOS, or macOS ports Unix support is provided as source code
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 →	PuTTY is a free, open-source terminal client for users who need SSH access, file transfer, serial connections, or other network sessions. It supports Windows and Unix systems and combines an xterm-style terminal emulator with tools for… 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

• PuTTY — where it wins

  • Supports SSH, Telnet, Rlogin, serial, raw, and other connections
  • Includes SFTP, SCP, port forwarding, proxy support, and X11 forwarding
  • Provides saved sessions, Pageant, PSCP, PSFTP, and Plink

  Where it doesn't

  • Session management is basic
  • No release-quality Android, iOS, or macOS ports
  • Unix support is provided as source code

• iTerm29.2/10 · Free plan

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

  Visit iTerm2Full verdict →
• PPuTTY8.8/10 · Free plan

  A free, open-source terminal client with broad SSH and network-session coverage.

  Visit PuTTYFull verdict →