Windows Terminal vs iTerm2

WTWindows Terminal9.3Visit iTerm29.2Visit

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

vs

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

• Windows Terminal fits best

  Windows users with multiple shell environments

• iTerm2 fits best

  Mac users wanting automation and rich session management

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Side by side

Feature	WTWindows Terminal 9.3/10 Visit ↗	iTerm2 9.2/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.3	9.2
Ranking	#2 in Terminal Emulators	#3 in Terminal Emulators
Best for	Windows users with multiple shell environments	Mac users wanting automation and rich session management
Pricing model	Free	Free
Starting price	Free plan	Free plan
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	Windows	macOS
Integrations	6 integrations	3 integrations
Features Windows Terminal 4/5 · iTerm2 4/5
Split panes	✓	✓
Session sync	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
GPU acceleration	✓	✓
Scripting API	✓	✓
SSH support	✓	✓
Specs
Supported platforms	Windows	macos
Our review
Pros	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	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	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	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	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 →	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

• 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

• 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

• WTWindows Terminal9.3/10 · Free plan

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

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

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

  Visit iTerm2Full verdict →