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Sakura review

Free#36 of 40 in Terminal Emulators

A focused, open-source tabbed terminal for Linux users who value minimal dependencies.

5.7/10Editor score
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Sakura5.7 Visit Sakura

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Sakura is an open-source terminal emulator for Linux, built with GTK and libvte. It is aimed at users who want multiple terminal sessions in one window without requiring a complete GNOME desktop environment. Its design favors a small dependency footprint and a focused interface over a wide feature set. Tabs keep separate terminals together, while the GTK-based presentation gives the application a familiar Linux desktop foundation.

The core experience centers on tabbed terminals, libvte-based emulation, and configuration through a contextual menu. That narrow focus makes Sakura relevant for Linux users who need straightforward terminal access and basic session organization rather than an extensive ecosystem of integrations or advanced tooling. Development and distribution run through Launchpad, and the project is distributed as source archives under the GNU GPL v2 license. The project page lists version 3.8.9, released in April 2025.

Sakura is a sensible pick when free, open-source software, Linux support, tabs, and few dependencies matter most. Its trade-off is scope: the published positioning emphasizes a lightweight terminal with a limited verified feature breadth, not a broad cross-platform application with a large collection of specialized capabilities. Users who need support beyond Linux or expect a more expansive terminal feature set should consider another option. For a minimal tabbed terminal with GTK and libvte foundations, Sakura keeps the product choice clear and focused.

Sakura pros and cons

  • Where it wins
    • Free and open source under the GNU GPL v2 license
    • Combines multiple terminals in one window through tabs
    • Uses GTK and libvte with few dependencies
  • Where it doesn't
    • Supports Linux rather than multiple desktop platforms
    • Feature breadth is limited compared with broader terminal tools
    • Configuration is accessed through a contextual menu

Sakura fact sheet, pricing and score →

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