Tabby vs iTerm2

Tabby9.4Visit iTerm29.2Visit

Higher score Tabby #1 in Terminal Emulators 9.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 5 of 5 features Visit Tabby

vs

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

• Tabby fits best

  Power users needing SSH and extensive automation

• iTerm2 fits best

  Mac users wanting automation and rich session management

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Side by side

Feature	Tabby 9.4/10 Visit ↗	iTerm2 9.2/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.4	9.2
Ranking	#1 in Terminal Emulators	#3 in Terminal Emulators
Best for	Power users needing SSH and extensive automation	Mac users wanting automation and rich session management
Pricing model	Free	Free
Starting price	Free plan	Free plan
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop, Self-hosted	Desktop
Platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux	macOS
Integrations	10 integrations	3 integrations
Features Tabby 5/5 · iTerm2 4/5
Split panes	✓	✓
Session sync	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
GPU acceleration	✓	✓
Scripting API	✓	✓
SSH support	✓	✓
Specs
Supported platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux	macos
Our review
Pros	Integrated SSH includes jump hosts, forwarding, and connection management Nested split panes, GPU rendering, and extensive customization Documented TypeScript plugin API supports automation-focused extensions	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
Cons	Session sync depends on a plugin using Gist or Gitee Its broad feature set may exceed simple local-shell needs The web application is available through self-hosting	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
Our verdict	Tabby is an open-source terminal emulator for developers and system administrators who work across local shells, remote servers, serial connections, and Telnet. It runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux, and also offers a self-hosted web… Read the review →	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 →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Tabby — where it wins

  • Integrated SSH includes jump hosts, forwarding, and connection management
  • Nested split panes, GPU rendering, and extensive customization
  • Documented TypeScript plugin API supports automation-focused extensions

  Where it doesn't

  • Session sync depends on a plugin using Gist or Gitee
  • Its broad feature set may exceed simple local-shell needs
  • The web application is available through self-hosting

• 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

• Tabby9.4/10 · Free plan

  A versatile open-source terminal for power users who automate across systems.

  Visit TabbyFull verdict →
• iTerm29.2/10 · Free plan

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

  Visit iTerm2Full verdict →