GNOME Console alternatives: 5 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave GNOME Console: no profiles or split panes, and very few customisation options. We ranked 5 alternatives by how directly each one replaces GNOME Console, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Ptyxis currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#	App	Pricing	Open source	Platforms	Verified facts	Score
1	kitty	Open source	Yes	Linux, macOS	4 of 4	55.3

1. kittyTop pick
Best for: Linux and Mac users who want a fast, scriptable terminal with built-in tiling
Open sourceLinux, macOS
55.3
score / 100
Why switch from GNOME Console
Fast GPU terminal with layouts and extensive configuration.
Pros
Very fast GPU rendering with low latency
Built-in tabs, splits and layouts reduce the need for tmux
Kittens and remote control make it highly scriptable
Cons
No Windows support
Config file only, no settings UI
Opinionated defaults and design decisions
Visit kitty Details and reviews
How this score is calculated
Editorial fit ×0.363
Reviews ×0.363
Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
Freshness ×0.1585
Votes ×0.150
0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula
Is kitty a good GNOME Console alternative?
Verified facts
4 of 4 verified
License
GPL-3.0
Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
Rendering
GPU with SIMD instructions
Checked Oct 25, 2026sw.kovidgoyal.net(opens source in a new tab)
Platforms
Linux, macOS, BSDs
Checked Oct 25, 2026sw.kovidgoyal.net(opens source in a new tab)
Extensions
Kittens written in Python
Checked Oct 25, 2026sw.kovidgoyal.net(opens source in a new tab)

The best GNOME Console alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

Best GNOME Console alternative for most people

Ptyxis

Similar GNOME style with profiles and first-class container support.

Best GNOME Console alternative for a free option

Tilix

Tiling terminal for GNOME with split panes and sessions.

Best GNOME Console alternative for open source

Terminator

Grid of terminals in one window with broadcast input.

Best GNOME Console alternative for Mac

kitty

Fast GPU terminal with layouts and extensive configuration.

Best GNOME Console alternative for Linux

Guake

Drop-down terminal for GNOME on a hotkey.

GNOME Console alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to GNOME Console?

Ptyxis ranks first right now. Similar GNOME style with profiles and first-class container support. Tilix and Terminator follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to GNOME Console?

Yes. Ptyxis (open source), Tilix (open source), Terminator (open source) and Guake (open source) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to GNOME Console?

Yes: Ptyxis, Tilix, Terminator and Guake, plus 1 more in the list above.

Which GNOME Console alternatives work on Linux?

Ptyxis, Tilix, Terminator, Guake and kitty run on Linux.

Why do people switch from GNOME Console?

The complaints we hear most: no profiles or split panes; very few customisation options; linux and GNOME focused.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces GNOME Console, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.