What is the main difference between iTerm 2 and Kitty?

iTerm 2 and Kitty are both terminal emulators but differ in their approach, features, and target audience. Compare their GitHub stats, technology stack, and community adoption to make the best choice.

Which is better: iTerm 2 or Kitty?

The choice between iTerm 2 and Kitty depends on your specific needs, technical requirements, and team preferences. Both are quality open source solutions with active communities.

Can I migrate from iTerm 2 to Kitty?

Migration between iTerm 2 and Kitty is possible but requires careful planning. Consider data export/import capabilities, feature parity, and potential workflow changes.

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iTerm 2 vs Kitty

Learn how iTerm 2 and Kitty differ in their key features, development activity, technology stack and community adoption, so you can decide which of these terminal emulators is best for you.

iTerm 2

Feature-rich terminal replacement for macOS with split panes, search, autocomplete, and extensive customization options for enhanced productivity.

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Stars
17,555
Forks
1,380
Last commit
2 hours ago
Repository age
15 years
License
GPL-2.0

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Kitty

High-performance terminal emulator with GPU acceleration, graphics support, and advanced scripting capabilities for developers and system administrators.

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Stars
32,941
Forks
1,367
Last commit
2 hours ago
Repository age
10 years
License
GPL-3.0

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Detailed Comparison

Both iTerm 2 and Kitty have their unique strengths and serve similar purposes effectively. Consider your specific needs regarding popularity, activity, technology, maturity, licensing and features when making your decision.

Kitty wins

Community & Popularity

Kitty leads in popularity with 32,941 stars vs 17,555 stars for iTerm 2. The 88% higher star count indicates stronger community adoption. In terms of developer contributions, iTerm 2 has 1,380 forks, indicating strong developer engagement.

Comparable

Development Activity

Both projects show recent activity, with iTerm 2 last updated 2 hours ago and Kitty 2 hours ago.

Comparable

Technology Stack

Both tools share common technology foundations, being built with JavaScript, CSS, Bash, Python, C, Objective-C, MATLAB. However, they differ in their additional technology choices: iTerm 2 uses Ruby, C++, Swift while Kitty leverages Golang, GLSL.

iTerm 2 wins

Project Maturity

iTerm 2 has been in development longer, starting 15 years ago, compared to Kitty which began 10 years ago. This 5.6-year head start suggests iTerm 2 may have more mature features and established processes.

Comparable

Licensing

The projects use different licenses: iTerm 2 is licensed under GPL-2.0 while Kitty uses GPL-3.0. Consider the licensing requirements when choosing for your project.

Comparable