Tilix alternatives: 5 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Tilix: slow development in recent years, and still on GTK 3. We ranked 5 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Tilix, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Terminator currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#	App	Pricing	Open source	Platforms	Verified facts	Score
1	kitty	Open source	Yes	Linux, macOS	4 of 4	59.6
2	Zellij	Open source	Yes	Linux, macOS, Windows	4 of 4	57.2

1. kittyTop pick
Best for: Linux and Mac users who want a fast, scriptable terminal with built-in tiling
Open sourceLinux, macOS
59.6
score / 100
Why switch from Tilix
Built-in tiling layouts with GPU rendering.
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 ×0.377
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 Tilix 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)
2. Zellij
Best for: People who want tmux-style sessions with less configuration and visible shortcuts
Open sourceLinux, macOS, Windows
57.2
score / 100
Why switch from Tilix
Terminal workspace with panes and layouts that works in any terminal.
Pros
On-screen hints make shortcuts discoverable
Floating and stacked panes, layouts and session resurrection
Plugins in any language that compiles to WebAssembly
Cons
Heavier than tmux
Default keybindings can clash with other programs
Smaller ecosystem than tmux
Visit Zellij Details and reviews
How this score is calculated
Editorial fit ×0.369
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 Zellij a good Tilix alternative?
Verified facts
4 of 4 verified
License
MIT
Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
Description
Terminal workspace with batteries included
Checked Oct 25, 2026zellij.dev(opens source in a new tab)
Plugins
Any language compiling to WebAssembly
Checked Oct 25, 2026zellij.dev(opens source in a new tab)
Pane types
Floating and stacked panes
Checked Oct 25, 2026zellij.dev(opens source in a new tab)

The best Tilix alternative for…

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

Best Tilix alternative for most people

Terminator

Long-running grid terminal with broadcast input and plugins.

Best Tilix alternative for a free option

Ptyxis

Modern GTK 4 terminal for GNOME with container support.

Best Tilix alternative for open source

kitty

Built-in tiling layouts with GPU rendering.

Best Tilix alternative for Mac

Zellij

Terminal workspace with panes and layouts that works in any terminal.

Best Tilix alternative for Windows

Zellij

Terminal workspace with panes and layouts that works in any terminal.

Best Tilix alternative for Linux

Guake

Dedicated drop-down terminal for GNOME.

Tilix alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Tilix?

Terminator ranks first right now. Long-running grid terminal with broadcast input and plugins. Ptyxis and kitty follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Tilix?

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

Is there an open-source alternative to Tilix?

Yes: Terminator, Ptyxis, kitty and Zellij, plus 1 more in the list above.

Which Tilix alternatives work on Linux?

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

Why do people switch from Tilix?

The complaints we hear most: slow development in recent years; still on GTK 3; linux only.

How is this list ranked?

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