Cool Retro Term review
A free, open-source terminal for users who value retro visuals over workflow depth.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Cool Retro Term is an open-source terminal emulator for Linux and macOS that recreates the appearance of vintage cathode-ray tube displays. It suits users who want their terminal to feel visually distinctive, with controls for colors, fonts, visual effects, frame size, frame color, and shininess. The application is built with Qt6 and uses a QML port of Konsole’s qtermwidget engine. Multiple tabs and windows, along with tab-management shortcuts, cover its core layout needs.
Its strongest area is visual customization. A context menu gives users access to display styling, while cathode-ray tube emulation provides the defining look. Linux users can download an AppImage, and macOS users can use a DMG. The project is also packaged by several Linux distributions, giving Linux users additional installation routes. This makes Cool Retro Term a focused choice for personal terminals, demonstrations, and retro-themed desktop setups where appearance matters as much as command-line access.
The trade-off is a narrow product focus. The published feature set emphasizes display effects, layout, and basic terminal interaction, rather than broader workflow or integration capabilities. Users seeking a terminal centered on advanced session management, extensive platform coverage, or deeper development workflows should consider a different category option. Cool Retro Term is best suited to Linux and macOS users who specifically want a CRT-inspired interface and are comfortable with a project whose current releases are labeled beta and rolling.
Cool Retro Term pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Cathode-ray tube emulation with extensive visual customization
- Free and open source for Linux and macOS
- Supports multiple tabs, windows, and tab-management shortcuts
- Where it doesn't
- Available for Linux and macOS, not other listed platforms
- Focuses on appearance and layout rather than broader workflow tooling
- The project currently shows beta and rolling releases
Cool Retro Term fact sheet, pricing and score →
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