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Head-to-head · Command-Line Shells

OpenBSD KornShell (ksh) vs tcsh

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 3 checks side by side
Higher score OpenBSD KornShell (ksh) #6 in Command-Line Shells 8.1/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 3 features Visit site
tcsh #7 in Command-Line Shells 8.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 3 features Visit tcsh

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

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreOpenBSD KornShell (ksh) · 8.1/10
  • Free planboth

OpenBSD KornShell (ksh) scores higher on our rubric for command-line shells: 8.1 against 8.0 out of 10; our editors rank them #6 and #7.

OpenBSD KornShell (ksh) is the better fit for openBSD users preferring KornShell-style scripting. tcsh is the better fit for C shell users who want history and completion.

  • OpenBSD KornShell (ksh) fits best

    OpenBSD users preferring KornShell-style scripting

  • tcsh fits best

    C shell users who want history and completion

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 OpenBSD KornShell (ksh) 8.1/10 Visit ↗ tcsh 8.0/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.1 8.0
Ranking #6 in Command-Line Shells #7 in Command-Line Shells
Best for OpenBSD users preferring KornShell-style scripting C shell users who want history and completion
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Not published Not published
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Support Docs Community, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features OpenBSD KornShell (ksh) 2/3 · tcsh 2/3
Package manager Not published Not published
Config file support ✓ ✓
Command completion ✓ ✓
Specs
Supported platforms OpenBSD Linux (Debian and Ubuntu); most Unix variants
Scripting language KornShell language (superset of sh) C shell (csh)
Our review
Pros
  • 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.
  • Keeps compatibility with csh scripting
  • Provides command-line editing and command and filename completion
  • Includes history browsing, timestamps, and job control
Cons
  • 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.
  • Requires local compilation and installation from source
  • Platform coverage is focused on Linux and Unix variants
  • Support is through community resources and documentation
Our verdict

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 →

For people who prefer the C shell, tcsh combines interactive command-line features with csh-compatible scripting. It is open-source software distributed as source code, with Debian and Ubuntu packages also available through the project’s…

Read the review →
  1. OpenBSD KornShell (ksh)Command-Line Shells 8.1Free plan
  2. tcshCommand-Line Shells 8.0Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • 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.

  • tcsh — where it wins

    • Keeps compatibility with csh scripting
    • Provides command-line editing and command and filename completion
    • Includes history browsing, timestamps, and job control

    Where it doesn't

    • Requires local compilation and installation from source
    • Platform coverage is focused on Linux and Unix variants
    • Support is through community resources and documentation
  • OpenBSD KornShell (ksh)8.1/10 · Free plan

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

    Visit siteFull verdict →
  • tcsh8.0/10 · Free plan

    A free, C shell-compatible option for interactive work, scripting, history, and completion.

    Visit tcshFull 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