ConEmu
ConEmu: A free, open-source Windows terminal for configurable layouts and command automation. Ranked #11 of 40 in Terminal Emulators by our editors (8.2/10); pricing: Free plan; best for windows users needing configurable panes and automation.
At a glance
- Editor score8.2 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forWindows users needing configurable panes and automation
- Free planYes
- Paid fromFree
- Split panesYes
- Facts checked20 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Tabbed windows, split panes, and multiple window modes
- Predefined tasks and GUI macro automation through ConEmuC
- Installable and portable packages with broad shell integrations
Where it doesn't
- Windows-only support limits mixed-platform use
- SSH workflows rely on shell tools or PuTTY
- GPU-accelerated rendering is not an established capability
Our verdict on ConEmu
ConEmu is a Windows console emulator that brings multiple console applications into one customizable graphical window. It is aimed at Windows users who want more control than a basic console window provides, especially when working with tabs, split layouts, predefined commands, and keyboard-driven automation. Its interface supports Quake-style, maximized, fullscreen, and normal window modes, while configurable fonts and font rendering add further control over the console experience. ConEmu is available under the BSD 3-Clause license and is distributed in both installable and portable packages.
Its ecosystem fit is a central strength. ConEmu can host cmd, PowerShell, and Bash, and it works with console tools including Far Manager and PuTTY. SSH sessions and ssh-agent integration are supported through shell tools, giving users a way to keep remote command-line work within the same Windows terminal environment. The combination of tabs, split panes, configurable layouts, tasks, and ConEmuC GUI macro automation suits developers, administrators, and power users who regularly switch between shells or repeat command sequences.
The trade-off is focus: ConEmu is designed for Windows rather than mixed-platform environments, so it is a poor fit for teams that need the same terminal across Windows and other operating systems. SSH is also presented through shell commands or PuTTY-related workflows rather than as a standalone cross-platform workspace. Users who want a Windows terminal with extensive layout controls, portable packages, and automation should consider ConEmu. Those prioritizing broader platform coverage or a clearly established GPU-accelerated rendering path should choose an alternative.
Your product? Our editors can test ConEmu in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →
ConEmu pricing
ConEmu fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| Supported platforms | Windows |
| Split panes | Yes |
| Session sync | Not verified |
| GPU acceleration | Not verified |
| Scripting API | Yes |
| SSH support | Yes |
| Deployment | Desktop |
| Platforms | Windows |
| Integrations | 6 integrations: cmd, PowerShell, Bash, Far Manager, PuTTY, SSH |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | conemu.github.io |
| Facts checked | 20 Sep 2026 |
ConEmu integrations
ConEmu lists 6 integrations on its own site.
- cmd
- PowerShell
- Bash
- Far Manager
- PuTTY
- SSH
Alternatives to ConEmu
- TabbyA versatile open-source terminal for power users who automate across systems.9.4
- Windows TerminalA free, open-source Windows terminal with tabs, panes, profiles, and automation.9.3
- iTerm2A capable Mac terminal with advanced panes, profiles, session restoration, and automation.9.2
Used ConEmu? Be the first to review it
The editor score above is our own research. What this page doesn't have yet is a reader's view — what you used ConEmu for, what worked and what didn't. No stars are seeded and no review is paid for; an editor reads every one before it appears.
Write a reviewTwo minutes · verified accounts only · read by an editor before it appears
Featured on iTechGuides
ConEmu is listed in our Terminal Emulators directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.
<a href="https://www.itechguides.com/products/conemu/"><img src="https://www.itechguides.com/best/badge/conemu.svg" alt="Featured on iTechGuides" width="230" height="46"></a>
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
Last updated · How we research and update