st
st: A focused, free terminal emulator for users who value simplicity over advanced workflows. Ranked #34 of 40 in Terminal Emulators by our editors (5.9/10); pricing: Free plan; best for minimalists needing basic terminal emulation.
At a glance
- Editor score5.9 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forMinimalists needing basic terminal emulation
- Free planYes
- Paid fromFree
- Facts checked20 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Free and open source with VT10X, UTF-8, and wide-character support
- Supports clipboard, colors, configurable shortcuts, and font fallbacks
- Offers command execution, I/O recording, X-window embedding, and serial support
Where it doesn't
- Designed for the X Window System rather than broad platform coverage
- Configuration requires editing config.h and recompiling the source
- Does not provide verified panes, sessions, GPU acceleration, or integrations
Our verdict on st
st is a lightweight terminal emulator for the X Window System from suckless.org. It is aimed at users who want core terminal emulation without a larger feature set or workflow layer. Its published capabilities include most VT10X escape sequences, UTF-8 and wide-character support, clipboard handling, resizing, 256-color and true-color support, antialiased fonts, and fallback fonts. It also supports configurable mouse and keyboard shortcuts through config.h.
The main appeal is its focused feature depth. st can execute a specified command with the -e option, record terminal I/O to a file, embed the terminal in another X window, and use a serial device. These functions give it useful flexibility for command-line work, automation-oriented launch commands, embedded X workflows, and serial access while keeping the core product centered on terminal emulation. Its free and open-source model also suits users who prefer a source-based tool they can configure directly.
The trade-off is a narrow scope and a source-oriented setup process. Configuration involves editing config.h and recompiling, so it is better suited to users comfortable with that workflow than to people seeking a graphical settings panel or ready-made customization. The product is also centered on X and is not positioned around split panes, session synchronization, GPU acceleration, a scripting API, built-in SSH support, or integrations. Choose st for straightforward terminal emulation and direct configuration; choose an alternative if your priority is a broader platform ecosystem or advanced terminal workspace features.
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st pricing
st fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| Supported platforms | Not verified |
| Split panes | Not verified |
| Session sync | Not verified |
| GPU acceleration | Not verified |
| Scripting API | Not verified |
| SSH support | Not verified |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | st.suckless.org |
| Facts checked | 20 Sep 2026 |
Alternatives to st
- 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
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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