Tabby vs Windows Terminal

Tabby9.4Visit WTWindows Terminal9.3Visit

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

vs

WT Windows Terminal #2 in Terminal Emulators 9.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 5 features Visit Microsoft

• Tabby fits best

  Power users needing SSH and extensive automation

• Windows Terminal fits best

  Windows users with multiple shell environments

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Side by side

Feature	Tabby 9.4/10 Visit ↗	WTWindows Terminal 9.3/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.4	9.3
Ranking	#1 in Terminal Emulators	#2 in Terminal Emulators
Best for	Power users needing SSH and extensive automation	Windows users with multiple shell environments
Pricing model	Free	Free
Starting price	Free plan	Free plan
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop, Self-hosted	Desktop
Platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux	Windows
Integrations	10 integrations	6 integrations
Features Tabby 5/5 · Windows Terminal 4/5
Split panes	✓	✓
Session sync	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
GPU acceleration	✓	✓
Scripting API	✓	✓
SSH support	✓	✓
Specs
Supported platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux	Windows
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	Hosts PowerShell, Command Prompt, WSL, Git Bash, and Azure Cloud Shell Tabs, split panes, profiles, themes, shortcuts, and customizable backgrounds GPU-accelerated rendering, SSH profiles, and wt.exe command-line automation
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	Runs on Windows rather than across multiple operating systems Its value depends on working primarily with command-line tools Profile and layout customization may require workflow configuration
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 →	Windows Terminal is Microsoft’s open-source terminal application for running command-line shells and applications on Windows. It is aimed at users who move between PowerShell, Command Prompt, Windows Subsystem for Linux distributions,… 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

• Windows Terminal — where it wins

  • Hosts PowerShell, Command Prompt, WSL, Git Bash, and Azure Cloud Shell
  • Tabs, split panes, profiles, themes, shortcuts, and customizable backgrounds
  • GPU-accelerated rendering, SSH profiles, and wt.exe command-line automation

  Where it doesn't

  • Runs on Windows rather than across multiple operating systems
  • Its value depends on working primarily with command-line tools
  • Profile and layout customization may require workflow configuration

• Tabby9.4/10 · Free plan

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

  Visit TabbyFull verdict →
• WTWindows Terminal9.3/10 · Free plan

  A free, open-source Windows terminal with tabs, panes, profiles, and automation.

  Visit MicrosoftFull verdict →