Best Free Terminal Emulators of 2025

Commander One is an all-in-one file management program for Mac. It supports dual-panel file storage. It supports Mac M1 and M2 silicon. It has a simple interface that is easy to use and productivity-driven. The app has many features that will speed up and simplify the process of working with files. It is ideal for people who work with lots of content. You can customize hotkeys, show hidden files, select files and view the entire history and your favorite files. Commander One also includes an operation queue section that allows users to see all their files being processed. It also supports archives and has a built-in viewer that can view text files of any type. With the built-in and simple to use encryption feature, users can choose to encrypt files. The terminal emulator, which comes with the application, allows you to set up specific tasks and take full control of your workflow.

Tera Term is a versatile terminal emulator designed for Microsoft Windows that facilitates connections via serial ports, telnet, and SSH. In addition to its numerous functionalities, it features a built-in macro scripting language that is particularly useful for automating tasks associated with remote connections from a PC. This free software is capable of handling various communication types, including serial port connections and TCP/IP (telnet, SSH1, SSH2) connections, as well as offering capabilities such as log replaying, named pipe connections, and supporting IPv6. Furthermore, Tera Term provides emulation for VT100 along with selected VT200/300 and TEK4010 types, and it supports various file transfer protocols like Kermit, XMODEM, YMODEM, ZMODEM, B-PLUS, and Quick-VAN. It also accommodates scripts through the "Tera Term Language" and supports an array of character sets and encodings, including Japanese, English, Russian, Korean, and UTF-8, along with a message catalog available in multiple languages such as German, French, and Chinese. Overall, Tera Term stands out not only for its robust features but also for its ability to cater to a diverse set of user needs across different languages.

iTerm2 serves as a modern alternative to the standard Terminal application and is the evolution of the original iTerm, designed specifically for Macs running macOS 10.14 or later. This application redefines terminal usage by incorporating features that users may not have realized they needed until now. With a wide array of functionalities, iTerm2 anticipates and addresses nearly every possible requirement of terminal enthusiasts. But there's more to discover beyond the primary offerings! Users can split a single tab into multiple panes, allowing for diverse sessions to be displayed simultaneously, with the flexibility to arrange them both vertically and horizontally in various configurations. Additionally, you can set up a hotkey that instantly brings iTerm2 to the forefront, even while you're engaged in other tasks, ensuring your terminal is always just a keystroke away. This hotkey can also be configured to open a dedicated window, providing you with immediate access to a terminal whenever necessary. iTerm2 features an advanced find-on-page function that allows for quick searches, while maintaining an unobtrusive user interface, where all occurrences are highlighted in real-time, and it even includes support for regular expressions to refine your searches further. Users will find that iTerm2 not only enhances productivity but also transforms the way they interact with the terminal environment.

MobaXterm serves as an all-encompassing toolkit for remote computing tasks. This single Windows application is equipped with a myriad of features designed specifically for programmers, webmasters, IT administrators, and virtually anyone who requires a more straightforward approach to managing their remote work. One of the key benefits of utilizing an integrated network application for your remote activities is that, for instance, when you establish an SSH connection to a remote server, a graphical SFTP browser conveniently appears, enabling you to edit your remote files instantly. Additionally, any remote applications you run will integrate smoothly with your Windows desktop thanks to its built-in X server. The development of MobaXterm was driven by a clear mission: to offer an intuitive user interface that allows you to easily access remote servers across various networks and systems. Users can download the MobaXterm Home Edition at no cost, while companies interested in enhanced features should consider opting for a subscription to the MobaXterm Professional Edition. With its extensive functionalities and user-friendly design, MobaXterm stands out as a reliable solution for remote computing needs.

PuTTY serves as a free software solution for SSH and Telnet on both Windows and Unix systems, also functioning as an xterm terminal emulator. This client application supports protocols including SSH, Telnet, Rlogin, and SUPDUP, which facilitate remote sessions on computers over a network. Essentially, it operates from the client side of these sessions, where users can view and interact with the remote system. For instance, if you launch PuTTY on a Windows device and establish a connection to a Unix server, a window will open for you. Any commands you enter in this window are transmitted directly to the Unix machine, and the responses from the server will appear in the same window. Consequently, it allows you to operate on the Unix system as if you were physically present at its terminal, even though you could be located in a different place entirely. Additionally, PuTTY permits users to save their configurations in named session profiles, while also giving them the option to modify the default settings that apply to new connections. This flexibility makes it a versatile tool for managing remote sessions effectively.

MacTerm serves as a robust alternative to the macOS Terminal, featuring support for 24-bit color, standard graphics protocols, as well as iTerm2 image sequences and color schemes. It stands out among terminal emulators globally by enabling terminal-based applications to utilize up to 8 bits per RGB component, resulting in a total of 24 bits and thus offering a wide array of colors for visual display. The terminal excels in accurately preserving incoming text, ensuring that any copied content, whether sent to the Clipboard, saved to a file, printed, or dragged and dropped, maintains all special characters. Users benefit from a floating command line window that allows for the input of any character type, enhancing flexibility. In the 4.1.0 version, there were restrictions on the Unicode characters that the terminal could display, but these limitations are set to be lifted in the upcoming 5.0 release. Additionally, MacTerm supports Unicode for various elements, including file names, preference collection names, and macros, ensuring compatibility and ease of use across different applications. This makes it not only a powerful tool for developers but also a versatile platform for everyday users seeking advanced terminal functionality.

Muon offers a straightforward and enjoyable method for managing remote servers using SSH. This graphical SSH client includes an advanced SFTP file browser, an SSH terminal emulator, a remote resource and process manager, a server disk space analyzer, a remote text editor, a substantial remote log viewer, and numerous additional tools that facilitate remote server interactions. By functioning similarly to web-based control panels, Muon operates directly over SSH from a local machine, eliminating the need for any server-side installations. Compatible with both Linux and Windows, Muon has been verified with various Linux and UNIX servers, such as Ubuntu server, CentOS, RHEL, OpenSUSE, FreeBSD, OpenBSD, NetBSD, and HP-UX. Primarily aimed at web and backend developers who regularly deploy and debug their applications on remote servers while preferring to avoid complex command-line operations, this tool can also be beneficial for system administrators managing multiple remote servers. With its user-friendly interface and robust features, Muon enhances productivity by simplifying server management tasks.

When connecting to several servers, utilizing distinct background colors and window titles featured in profiles can significantly aid in quickly identifying the right terminal window. You have the option to use the pre-existing profiles available in Terminal or design your own personalized profiles. As you progress through your tasks, you can incorporate markup and bookmarks to facilitate swift navigation across the extensive output displayed in the terminal window. The inspector tool can be utilized to monitor and manage ongoing processes, while also allowing adjustments to window titles and background colors. Customization of profiles enables alterations to various aspects such as colors, font styles, cursor appearance, backgrounds, and additional elements of Terminal windows. Each profile serves as a comprehensive collection of style and behavior settings tailored for a terminal window. Although Terminal includes a variety of predefined profiles, it also provides the flexibility to create unique profiles that suit your preferences. Furthermore, you can modify settings related to terminal type, input methods, prompt behavior, and international encodings, as well as adjust configurations for function keys, the option key, and the alternate display options. This level of customization ensures that your terminal experience is both efficient and tailored to your specific workflow needs.

Robust connection management supports various types of connections seamlessly. Whether you are using RDP, VNC, SSH terminals, S/FTP, or web-based interfaces, Royal TS has everything under control! It features an integrated credential management system and secure team-sharing options. This allows you to distribute a list of connections while keeping your personal credentials confidential. With command tasks and key sequence tasks, repetitive operations can be automated easily and efficiently. The SSH-based tunneling support acts as a secure gateway, seamlessly integrated into Royal TS. Additionally, Dynamic Folders enable the dynamic importation of data from external sources. You can assign specific credentials to individual connections by simply naming them, thus ensuring that sensitive information remains private in a secured document accessible only by you. Furthermore, Royal TS is capable of managing documents that are simultaneously accessed by multiple users and facilitates synchronization of document changes without requiring a SQL database backend, enhancing collaboration and efficiency. This makes Royal TS a comprehensive solution for connection management.

Warp is an exceptionally rapid terminal built with Rust, entirely redesigned to function like a contemporary application. This terminal is fully native and does not utilize Electron or any web technologies. Users can opt into cloud features, and their data remains securely encrypted when stored. Warp is compatible with zsh, fish, and bash right from the start. Experience input that mirrors the capabilities of a modern code editor; using the terminal to write code should not evoke the feel of the late 1970s. With Warp, you can edit your commands using selections, precise cursor positioning, and completion menus, enhancing your workflow significantly. The terminal also incorporates a powerful AI search, driven by GPT-3, which translates natural language into executable shell commands, functioning similarly to GitHub Copilot but tailored for terminal use. You can navigate through commands seamlessly, copying outputs with a single click and avoiding unnecessary scrolling. Furthermore, Warp facilitates access to frequently used workflows through an intuitive GUI, and it allows users to create and share their own workflows with team members, fostering collaboration and efficiency.

Wave is a free, AI-native terminal that allows for seamless developer workflows. It features inline rendering, modern UI, and persistent sessions. Features Include: - Render anything with plugins, including audio/video, Markdown, images, and more. - Edit code fast with the same editor used by VSCode both locally and remotely. - Persistent Sessions, searchable Universal History, and workspaces between local and remote sessions. - Native integration of AI with ChatGPT. In the future, users will be able to bring their own AI with them (BYOLLM). - Packages are available for macOS and Linux, licensed under the Apache 2.0 License.

Kitty is crafted for users who prefer keyboard navigation, ensuring that all controls are operable via the keyboard while also accommodating mouse usage. Its configuration is streamlined into a single, human-readable file, which simplifies the process of maintaining and sharing settings, a practice I often utilize with version control systems. The architecture of kitty emphasizes simplicity, modularity, and ease of modification, comprising a combination of C for performance-critical components and Python to facilitate user interface enhancements. Instead of relying on bulky and intricate UI frameworks, kitty utilizes OpenGL for all rendering tasks, which keeps the application lightweight. Designed with modern terminal functionalities in mind, kitty supports features such as Unicode, true color, and various text styles, including bold and italic fonts, along with advanced text formatting options. Additionally, it enhances traditional text formatting escape codes to incorporate unique features like colored and styled curly underlines, setting it apart from other terminals. A significant aspect of kitty's design is its extensibility, allowing for the integration of new features as user needs evolve over time. This thoughtful architecture aims to keep kitty relevant and adaptable in the fast-paced world of technology.

Initially conceived and developed over an extended period by Chris Jones, this project's objective is to create a practical tool for organizing terminal windows. It draws inspiration from applications like gnome-multi-term and quadkonsole, primarily focusing on the arrangement of terminals in grid layouts, although tabbed interfaces remain the default option, which Terminator also accommodates. A significant portion of Terminator's functionality mirrors that of gnome terminal, and we continuously aim to incorporate additional features from it as we progress, while also aspiring to innovate with valuable tools tailored for system administrators and various other users. Your feedback is crucial; if you have any ideas or suggestions, we encourage you to submit wishlist bugs! This collaborative approach ensures that the tool evolves to meet the needs of its users effectively.

Initially created to add sophisticated improvements to the basic and utilitarian GNU Screen for the Ubuntu server version, Byobu has evolved significantly. It now features an upgraded profile, user-friendly keybindings, configuration tools, and optional system status alerts for both the GNU Screen window manager and the contemporary Tmux terminal multiplexer, functioning seamlessly across various Linux, BSD, and Mac distributions. Additionally, Byobu boasts an enhanced profile, configuration tools, and system status notifications specifically tailored for the GNU Screen and Tmux. Byobu is made available as free software under the GPLv3 license, ensuring that users can freely access and modify it. This commitment to open-source principles strengthens its community support and continuous improvement.

Picture yourself engaged in your preferred text editor, ready to run commands such as executing unit tests, checking manual pages, or modifying configuration files—all while keeping your hands firmly on the keyboard. With a simple press of your designated "Show Guake" hotkey, you can swiftly execute your desired command and then press it again to hide the terminal, effortlessly returning to your workflow. Guake is designed to work seamlessly in a multimonitor environment, allowing you to open it on the screen where your cursor is or in a separate dedicated display. You can utilize multiple named tabs, with names automatically generated based on the command you are running, or you can customize them to your liking. Additionally, you have the option to have Guake launch automatically upon logging in and can set up a script to run at startup, enabling you to configure your Guake tabs according to your specific needs. This level of integration makes it a powerful tool for anyone looking to streamline their coding process.

This robust open-source security terminal simulation software is designed to work across various platforms and supports popular protocols such as SSH, SFTP, TELNET, RDP, and VNC. It offers multiple key authentication methods and allows for data backup and synchronization of SFTP sessions. The software features a variety of customizable skin interfaces, efficient tunnel management, and the capability for script design. Users can benefit from managing multiple tabs and floating windows, as well as utilizing an administrator mode. Additionally, it supports 4K remote desktop functionality and is compatible with various VNC remote desktop applications, while also providing session group management for enhanced organization. Its extensive features make it an essential tool for professionals in need of reliable remote access solutions.