kitty alternatives: 5 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave kitty: no Windows support, and config file only, no settings UI. We ranked 5 alternatives by how directly each one replaces kitty, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Ghostty currently ranks first.

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The best kitty alternative for…

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

Best kitty alternative for most people

Ghostty

Native macOS and GTK interface with similar speed and simpler config.

Best kitty alternative for a free option

WezTerm

Comparable features with Windows support and Lua configuration.

Best kitty alternative for open source

Alacritty

Stripped-down and fast, for people who prefer tmux for tiling.

Best kitty alternative for Mac

iTerm2

Mature macOS terminal with a settings UI instead of a config file.

Best kitty alternative for Windows

WezTerm

Comparable features with Windows support and Lua configuration.

Best kitty alternative for Linux

foot

Lightweight Wayland-native option for Linux desktops.

kitty alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to kitty?

Ghostty ranks first right now. Native macOS and GTK interface with similar speed and simpler config. WezTerm and Alacritty follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to kitty?

Yes. Ghostty (open source), WezTerm (open source), Alacritty (open source) and foot (open source) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to kitty?

Yes: Ghostty, WezTerm, Alacritty and foot, plus 1 more in the list above.

Which kitty alternatives work on Linux?

Ghostty, WezTerm, Alacritty and foot run on Linux.

Why do people switch from kitty?

The complaints we hear most: no Windows support; config file only, no settings UI; opinionated defaults and design decisions.

How is this list ranked?

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