Best Terminal Emulators for Mac of 2025

ZOC is professional terminal emulator software for Windows and macOS. It has a large number of emulations, powerful features, and is reliable and elegant. You can connect to hosts and mainframes using secure shell, telnet and serial cable, as well as other communication methods. This terminal is easy to use thanks to its modern user interface. ZOC is versatile, robust, and reliable. Tabbed sessions with thumbnails, an address book with folders, color-coded hosts and host names, highly customizable to your preferences and needs. A scripting language with over 200 commands is available. It is compatible with Windows 10/11, macOS 12 Monterey and is administrator friendly (deployment and configuration). Logging, scrollback, keyboard remapping and extensive logging. You can define buttons, automate actions, and create macros. Emulations include xterm and VT220.

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.

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.

Rio is a terminal application developed using Rust, WebGPU, and the Tokio runtime, aimed at delivering an exceptional frames-per-second experience while also providing the flexibility to minimize GPU usage. The terminal's rendering engine utilizes a Redux state machine, ensuring that unchanged lines are not redrawn, thereby prioritizing a minimal rendering process most of the time. Furthermore, Rio is crafted to be compatible with a WebAssembly runtime, paving the way for future enhancements such as customizable tab systems through WASM plugins written in various programming languages. Additionally, Rio employs WGPU, which serves as a WebGPU implementation designed for non-browser environments and acts as a backend for Firefox’s own WebGPU implementation, allowing for a more efficient utilization of modern GPUs compared to WebGL alternatives. This focus on performance and customization makes Rio a versatile choice for terminal users seeking both speed and adaptability.

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.

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.

Alacritty is an advanced terminal emulator that operates across multiple platforms and utilizes OpenGL for enhanced GPU performance, offering both practical defaults and a wide range of configuration options. Instead of duplicating existing features, it works in harmony with various applications to furnish users with a customizable experience while maintaining high speed. Compatible with BSD, Linux, macOS, and Windows, Alacritty is currently in beta and continues to evolve, yet it is already favored by many as their primary terminal application. Among its notable functionalities are Vi Mode, which allows users to navigate and create selections using vi commands; a Search feature that enables users to look for text in the scrollback history; Regex Hints that highlight specific patterns for interaction via mouse or keyboard; and Multi-Window support that optimizes resource efficiency by operating within a single process. Additionally, the ongoing development promises to introduce even more features and improvements, ensuring that Alacritty remains a relevant choice for terminal users in the future.

Ghostty is a high-speed, feature-laden terminal emulator compatible with multiple platforms, utilizing native user interfaces and GPU acceleration to provide an unparalleled combination of speed and functionality. This terminal emulator adheres to full standards compliance by incorporating ECMA-48 and xterm conventions, ensuring it works seamlessly with existing shells and software. Its innovative multi-renderer design employs OpenGL, complete with ligature support, enabling it to maintain smooth rendering at up to 60 frames per second even during heavy usage, while a dedicated I/O thread minimizes jitter. Ghostty also supports advanced windowing features like multiple windows, tab management, and split views, all while integrating with native platform experiences through SwiftUI and GTK4. At its core, it is built on a shared library written in Zig, referred to as "libghostty," which can be embedded using a C API. Users are given the opportunity for basic customization options, including fonts, backgrounds, and color schemes, alongside an opt-in set of features tailored for interactive command-line tools, making its performance rival that of the top terminal emulators on the market today. Furthermore, Ghostty's design philosophy emphasizes user-friendliness, ensuring that both novice and experienced users can easily navigate its capabilities.

Tmux serves as a versatile terminal multiplexer, allowing users to create, access, and manage multiple terminal sessions from a single interface. One of its key features is the ability to detach sessions, enabling them to run in the background, which can later be reattached just as they were left. Each window within tmux is operated as a distinct client process, and it supports color through ANSI/ISO standards via VT220 control sequences. Users can easily configure tmux using its example tmux.conf file and extensive man page. Built with minimal dependencies, it relies on libevent 2.x and ncurses, requiring only a C compiler, make, pkg-config, and Yacc for compilation. Its lightweight, single-screen design, combined with comprehensive documentation and cross-platform compatibility, makes tmux an efficient and standards-compliant choice for terminal workflow management. Additionally, its ability to handle multiple sessions seamlessly enhances productivity for users who rely on command-line interfaces.

WezTerm is a robust, cross-platform terminal emulator and multiplexer created in Rust, known for its GPU-accelerated rendering capabilities, which incorporate features such as ligatures, color emojis, true color support, dynamic color schemes, and hyperlinks, alongside advanced windowing controls like panes, tabs, and the ability to manage multiple windows on both local and remote systems. This terminal emulator utilizes a single-process multiplexer that allows for scrollback, searchable history, mouse integration, and a Quick Select mode designed for fast selections. Users can also take advantage of the Copy mode, shell integration, compatibility with the iTerm image protocol, SSH connectivity, and support for serial ports and Arduino devices, all while managing workspaces and sessions through customizable Lua scripts. Configuration is streamlined through a wezterm.lua file that supports hot-reloading, and a comprehensive command-line interface (wezterm cli) enables users to launch programs, manipulate tabs and panes, and configure domains seamlessly. Moreover, WezTerm complies with ECMA-48 and xterm standards for complete ANSI/ISO conformity, and it also integrates natively with the user interface by utilizing platform-specific APIs, ensuring a smooth and versatile experience for terminal users. Overall, WezTerm stands out as a powerful tool for both casual users and developers seeking a feature-rich terminal solution.

Zellij is a versatile workspace tailored for developers, operations experts, and terminal aficionados, built on the principle that one can achieve both simplicity and functionality without compromise, thus offering an exceptional out-of-the-box experience alongside sophisticated features. It caters to a diverse audience, from novices to seasoned professionals, by providing extensive customization options and personal automation capabilities through customizable layouts, true multiplayer collaboration, and distinctive user experience attributes like floating and stacked panes, complemented by an advanced resizing algorithm that smartly positions new panes for optimal efficiency. The inclusion of a plugin system allows users to create their own pane types in any language that compiles to WebAssembly, while an extensive command-line interface introduces Command Panes for executing and re-executing commands in dedicated spaces, as well as functions such as running, editing, and renaming panes. With its single-process architecture, Zellij guarantees quick and responsive performance, and its all-inclusive design equips users with a comprehensive terminal workspace that meets the demands of contemporary development practices. As a result, Zellij not only enhances productivity but also fosters a collaborative environment, making it an indispensable tool for both individual developers and teams alike.

The PowerTerm InterConnect Series includes a variety of powerful terminal emulation tools designed to meet the host access demands of both large and small enterprises. This suite enables companies to adopt a unified host access solution across their operations. The PowerTerm InterConnect applications ensure quick and dependable access to information stored on numerous host systems, including IBM Mainframe zSeries, IBM AS/400 iSeries, UNIX, OpenVMS, Tandem, and HP. Each product within the series facilitates terminal emulation through multiple communication methods. Additionally, PowerTerm InterConnect comes equipped with a versatile and comprehensive feature set aimed at optimizing user productivity while offering a multitude of options. With the integration of Power Script Language, users can streamline processes and enhance their operational efficiency. Furthermore, the compact design of PowerTerm InterConnect allows it to serve as a straightforward, rapid, and efficient solution for executing legacy applications, and its installation is quick and hassle-free on any personal computer. Overall, the series stands out for its ability to adapt to diverse user needs while maintaining high performance levels.

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.

SecureCRT, available for Windows, Mac, and Linux, offers reliable terminal emulation tailored for IT professionals, enhancing efficiency through sophisticated session management and various methods to automate tedious tasks. This robust application ensures secure remote access, file transfers, and data tunneling for all members of your team. Whether transitioning from Telnet or Terminal, or in search of a more versatile secure remote access solution, SecureCRT is a tool that can be used extensively throughout your day. With its dependable SSH security, comprehensive session management, and advanced scripting capabilities, SecureCRT is designed to significantly boost your productivity. Users can easily highlight specific words, phrases, or substrings within the session window, aiding in the identification of mistakes in log files or streaming outputs while also emphasizing prompts. Additionally, support for regular expressions simplifies the process of highlighting elements such as IP addresses, and various keyword display attributes like bold, reverse video, and color can be mixed and matched for enhanced visibility. Overall, this powerful tool stands out as an essential resource for professionals seeking to optimize their workflow.

Terminator Terminal Emulator offers a user-friendly way to run and organize multiple GNOME terminal sessions within a single window. Initially created in 2007 by Chris Jones, this tool started as a simple Python script and has since grown into a robust terminal multiplexer inspired by popular terminal emulators like Iterm2 and Tilix. Users can easily split, rearrange, and customize terminal panes to fit their specific workflow preferences, especially useful for managing many remote sessions concurrently. Terminator supports both light and dark themes, along with various customizations to improve the command-line experience. It is designed for developers, system admins, and anyone who relies heavily on terminal work. The software enhances productivity by minimizing window clutter and enabling seamless multitasking. Terminator also offers integration with GNOME and supports various shell environments. Its flexibility makes it a preferred choice for advanced terminal users.

StayLinked allows you to move to the most advanced devices, measure and optimize productivity using cutting-edge business intelligence and interface with ground-breaking technologies such as automation, robotics and augmented reality. It is crucial to keep employees on the job. Traditional terminal emulator solutions can cause erratic performance and connectivity. End users spend more time attempting to fix problems with the help desk than they do performing critical application tasks. StayLinked ensures that applications and users run at their best by eliminating lost sessions, enabling central application configuration and management, as well as providing highly efficient help desk tools. StayLinked Terminal Emulation is the fastest TE solution for mobile devices. Traditional terminal emulators send all telnet/SSH traffic directly to the mobile device.

MacWise provides emulation for a variety of terminals including ADDS Viewpoint, Wyse 50, Wyse 60, Wyse 370, Televideo TV 925, DEC VT100, VT220, and Prism, while also offering support for ANSI and SCO ANSI color, with additional compatibility for Esprit III color in Wyse 370 mode. This software enables a Macintosh to function as a terminal connected to host computers through various means such as direct connections, modems, local area networks, or via the Internet using telnet or ssh. The emulators feature support for multiple video attributes, including dimming, reverse display, underlining, 132-column modes, protected fields, and the transmission of graphic characters from the host, along with an enhanced Viewpoint mode. Users will find tools like a phone list and dialer for modems, programmable function keys that can be accessed on-screen, and customizable connection scripts, enhancing usability. Compatible with desktop Macs, MacBooks, and PowerBooks, the program also allows users to scroll back through the last 50 pages of data. Notably, MacWise retains the last 50 pages displayed, whether the information has scrolled off the screen or the display has been cleared, ensuring that users can easily revisit prior data at their convenience. This feature proves especially beneficial for users who require frequent access to previously viewed information.

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.

Flynet Viewer™, TE (Terminal Emulation), is a browser-based terminal emulator that allows you to access key business systems. Access Mainframe, iSeries and Unix systems from any device that has zero client software. The terminal emulator is installed on a server environment either on-premises or in the cloud and centrally managed by Flynet Viewer administration center. Flynet Viewer is compatible with all browsers and devices that do not require ActiveX or Java plugins. Flynet Viewer includes all the features that you would expect from an enterprise terminal emulator. These include file transfer, client and server-side macros, single sign-on and MFA, file transfer, file transfers, file transfer, single-sign-on, MFA, and keyboard remapping. Flynet Viewer Terminal Emulation offers the same functionality as a full fat desktop Terminal Emulation Client but is delivered over the internet and served up via browser. Flynet Viewer Terminal Emulation can be used on any device, regardless of the operating system or native browser.

You can configure sessions with hotspots and keyboard mapping. Web frameworks built around mainframe applications. You can centrally install and deploy applications for instant availability. Users automatically download the latest version of your updates when they connect to your server. Connect to any major GDS. To generate tickets, baggage tags, boarding passes, and tickets using the Airlines Printer component, Connect to host systems to make IBM, UNIX and Unisys data instantly available to browsers from any location, without the need to use Java. End users can access the mainframe and other applications using the new Reflection for the Web Launcher. This removes the need for Oracle Java. Allow users to work in the way they prefer by allowing them to access terminal sessions, file transfer, and printing.

You can quickly provide browser-based access from one central location without having to manage Java runtime environments. You must know who has access to your mainframe and make sure that only authorized users can get to the login screen. To move from a potentially insecure eight-character password to a one-time pass ticket, leverage enterprise credentials. Why reinvent the wheel? Through the corporate user directory, you can provision terminal emulation just like other corporate resources. Securely deploy browser-based sessions that are customized with quick keys, macros, and supporting keyboards. Access HTML5 to 3270, 5250 VT, Unisys, VT, Unisys, and Airline host applications from a central place - without the need for managing workstation dependencies or Java runtime environments.

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.