Ghostty vs Hyper
Ghostty vs Hyper: a Zig terminal with GPU rendering on Linux and macOS against an Electron terminal with npm plugins on Windows too.
Updated
short verdict
Pick Ghostty if you are on Linux or macOS and want a GPU-accelerated terminal with native UI and a focus on correct VT handling. Pick Hyper if you need Windows support or want to extend your terminal with npm plugins and style it with HTML/CSS/JS, and you accept that it is not the fastest.
Ghostty and Hyper are both MIT-licensed terminal emulators, but they sit on opposite sides of the native-versus-web divide. Ghostty is written in Zig, renders on the GPU and uses platform-native UI elements. Hyper is written in TypeScript on Electron, so its plugins and themes are built from npm packages and web technologies.
this page is for
- Developers on Linux or macOS who want a fast, native terminal
- Web developers who want to customize their terminal with JS and CSS
- Windows users who need a terminal with a plugin ecosystem
Better pick when you are on Linux or macOS and care about rendering speed, native UI and VT correctness over extensibility.
best for
- Linux and macOS users who avoid Electron apps
- People who want correct VT handling
strengths
- Written in Zig with GPU-accelerated rendering
- Uses platform-native UI elements instead of a web view
- Focuses on correct VT (terminal escape sequence) handling
- Aimed at users who want to move off Electron-based terminals
weaknesses
- No Windows support; platforms are Linux and macOS only
- No npm-style plugin ecosystem is documented by the project
Better pick when you need Windows support or want to build on npm plugins and web-based theming.
best for
- Web developers who want to theme with HTML/CSS/JS
- Windows, macOS and Linux users who want one consistent look
strengths
- Extensive npm-based plugin library
- Themes built with HTML, CSS and JS
- Runs on Linux, macOS and Windows with a consistent look
- Polished defaults out of the box
weaknesses
- Built on Electron and described by the project as not the fastest
- Written in TypeScript on a web runtime, not a native UI
- Rendering speed is not its focus, unlike a GPU-accelerated terminal
Key differences
- Language: Ghostty is written in Zig; Hyper is written in TypeScript.
- Runtime and UI: Ghostty uses native platform UI; Hyper runs on Electron with web technologies.
- Rendering: Ghostty is GPU-accelerated; Hyper is described by its project as not the fastest.
- Platforms: Ghostty runs on Linux and macOS; Hyper also runs on Windows.
- Extensibility: Hyper has an npm-based plugin ecosystem and HTML/CSS/JS theming; Ghostty emphasizes native behavior.
- License: both are MIT.
Choose Ghostty when
- You are on Linux or macOS and want GPU-accelerated rendering.
- You want platform-native UI elements rather than an Electron window.
- Correct VT handling matters for the programs you run in the terminal.
Choose Hyper when
- You need a terminal on Windows as well as Linux and macOS.
- You want to add features through npm plugins.
- You prefer to theme your terminal with HTML, CSS and JS.
When not to use these
- You need the lowest-latency terminal and are unwilling to run an Electron app: skip Hyper.
- You need Windows support and no web runtime: neither fits, since Ghostty is Linux and macOS only and Hyper uses Electron.
FAQ
- Which is faster, Ghostty or Hyper?
- Ghostty is GPU-accelerated and written in Zig with speed as a stated goal. Hyper's project says it is not the fastest. No benchmarks comparing the two are given.
- Does Hyper run on Windows?
- Yes. Hyper lists Linux, macOS and Windows. Ghostty lists only Linux and macOS.
- Can I use both Ghostty and Hyper?
- Neither project rules it out or says anything about running them together. On Linux or macOS you could install both and compare.
- Which is easier to configure?
- Neither project settles this. Hyper customizes through npm plugins and web-based theming, which suits web developers. Ghostty's configuration format is not described.