Comparison · Terminal emulators
Ghostty vs iTerm2: which is better in 2026?
iTerm2 ranks higher in our list of terminal emulators (#2 against #3, score 89.5 against 88.0), but the gap is small and the better choice depends on what you need.
- 88.0Editorial score89.5
- 2Platforms1
- YesFree to useYes
- YesOpen sourceYes
Which should you choose?
Choose Ghostty if you want
Fast native terminal on macOS and Linux.
A fast, native terminal for macOS and Linux with GPU acceleration and search through scrollback, under the MIT license. Its download page lists no Windows build, and it is a younger project.
Choose iTerm2 if you want
Power features on a Mac.
A long-standing macOS terminal with split panes, profiles and shell integration, free under the GPL v2. It runs only on macOS, so it cannot cover a mixed set of computers.
The main differences
- Only Ghostty runs on Linux.
Side by side
 Ghostty |  iTerm2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 88.0 | 89.5 |
| Rank in list | #3 of 10 | #2 of 10 |
| Price | Free and open sourceFree under the MIT license; source code published on GitHub | Free and open sourceFree software under the GPL v2; source code published on GitHub |
| Free to use | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Yes | Yes |
| Platforms | macOSLinuxmacOS, Linux | macOSmacOS |
| Made by | Not stated | George Nachman |
| Built-in tabs and splits | Yes | Yes |
| Best for | Fast native terminal on macOS and Linux | Power features on a Mac |
| Strengths |
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| Limits |
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| Links | Visit site | Visit site |
Questions about Ghostty vs iTerm2
- Is iTerm2 better than Ghostty?
- iTerm2 ranks higher in our list of terminal emulators (#2 against #3, score 89.5 against 88.0), but the gap is small and the better choice depends on what you need. Ghostty is best for: fast native terminal on macOS and Linux. iTerm2 is best for: power features on a Mac.
Choosing between the two
Learning Center
1:17How to decide between two good optionsSettle a close call by sorting it by how hard it is to undo, setting a deadline, scoring the criteria as a tie-breaker and writing down why you chose.
1:20How to compare products fairly: what to keep in mindDefine the job, cap the must-haves, compare like with like, count total cost over one period and weigh the criteria. Includes a worked example.
