Comparison · Terminal emulators
kitty vs Windows Terminal: which is better in 2026?
Windows Terminal ranks higher in our list of terminal emulators (#4 against #5, score 86.5 against 85.0), but the gap is small and the better choice depends on what you need.
- 85.0Editorial score86.5
- 2Platforms1
- YesFree to useYes
- YesOpen sourceYes
Which should you choose?
Choose kitty if you want
Scripting and layouts on Linux or macOS.
A GPU-based terminal for Linux and macOS with window layouts, a remote control protocol and image display. It has no Windows build, and its GPL-3.0 license requires shared source for modified distributions.
Choose Windows Terminal if you want
Windows, WSL and command-line work.
Microsoft's MIT-licensed terminal for Windows, free from the Microsoft Store and built to host cmd, PowerShell and WSL sessions. It runs only on Windows.
The main differences
- Only kitty runs on Linux.
- Only Windows Terminal runs on Windows.
- Only kitty runs on macOS.
Side by side
 kitty |  Windows Terminal | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 85.0 | 86.5 |
| Rank in list | #5 of 10 | #4 of 10 |
| Price | Free and open sourceFree under the GPL-3.0; source code published on GitHub | Free and open sourceFree from the Microsoft Store; MIT-licensed source on GitHub |
| Free to use | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Yes | Yes |
| Platforms | LinuxmacOSLinux, macOS | WindowsWindows |
| Made by | Kovid Goyal | Microsoft |
| Built-in tabs and splits | Yes | Yes |
| Best for | Scripting and layouts on Linux or macOS | Windows, WSL and command-line work |
| Strengths |
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| Limits |
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| Links | Visit site | Visit site |
Questions about kitty vs Windows Terminal
- Is Windows Terminal better than kitty?
- Windows Terminal ranks higher in our list of terminal emulators (#4 against #5, score 86.5 against 85.0), but the gap is small and the better choice depends on what you need. kitty is best for: scripting and layouts on Linux or macOS. Windows Terminal is best for: Windows, WSL and command-line work.
- Which is cheaper, kitty or Windows Terminal?
- kitty: Free under the GPL-3.0; source code published on GitHub. Windows Terminal: Free from the Microsoft Store; MIT-licensed source on GitHub.
- Do kitty and Windows Terminal run on the same platforms?
- kitty supports Linux, macOS. Windows Terminal supports Windows.
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.
