Tabby vs Alacritty
Tabby vs Alacritty: a TypeScript terminal with built-in SSH and plugins against a Rust, GPU-accelerated terminal with a TOML config.
Updated
short verdict
Pick Tabby if you SSH into servers or talk to serial devices and want a connection manager, SFTP and plugins inside the terminal. Pick Alacritty if you want a small, OpenGL-rendered terminal configured in TOML and you already use a window manager or a separate terminal multiplexer for tabs and splits.
Both are cross-platform terminal emulators, but they cover different scope. Tabby (TypeScript, MIT) bundles an SSH client, serial port support, SFTP and a plugin system. Alacritty (Rust, Apache-2.0) renders with OpenGL, leaves out tabs and splits, and concentrates on speed and simplicity.
this page is for
- Admins and developers deciding between an all-in-one terminal and a minimal one
- Readers who need SSH or serial access from the terminal app itself
- Readers who prioritize rendering speed and a plain config file
The better pick when you want remote connectivity and customization built into the terminal instead of added from separate tools.
best for
- Sysadmins who SSH into many servers
- Anyone working with serial devices
- Users who want plugins and the same app on every OS
strengths
- Built-in SSH client with a connection manager
- Serial port support for connecting to serial devices
- Built-in SFTP for file transfer
- Plugin system for extending the app
weaknesses
- Does not advertise GPU-accelerated rendering or speed as a goal, unlike Alacritty
- Bundles SSH, serial and SFTP features even if you only need a local shell
The better pick when you want a fast, minimal emulator and handle tabs and splits with a window manager or multiplexer.
best for
- Power users who want raw rendering speed
- Users already running a window manager or a terminal multiplexer
- People who prefer a TOML config file
strengths
- GPU-accelerated rendering through OpenGL
- Runs on Linux, macOS, Windows and BSD
- Vi mode for keyboard navigation of scrollback
- TOML-based configuration file
weaknesses
- No tabs or splits; you need a window manager or separate multiplexer
- No built-in SSH client, serial support or SFTP
- No plugin system described by the project
Key differences
- Scope: Tabby adds SSH, serial and SFTP; Alacritty is only a terminal emulator.
- Language: Tabby is written in TypeScript, Alacritty in Rust.
- Rendering: Alacritty uses OpenGL GPU acceleration; Tabby does not describe its renderer.
- Tabs and splits: Alacritty omits them by design; Tabby does not list that restriction.
- Configuration: Alacritty uses a TOML file; Tabby highlights a plugin system for customization.
- Platforms and license: Tabby covers Linux, macOS and Windows under MIT; Alacritty adds BSD under Apache-2.0.
Choose Tabby when
- You connect to remote hosts often and want an SSH connection manager in the app.
- You need to open serial ports to talk to hardware.
- You want to move files over SFTP without a separate client.
- You want to extend the terminal through plugins.
Choose Alacritty when
- Rendering speed matters more than built-in features.
- You already use a window manager or a separate multiplexer for tabs and splits.
- You want a TOML config file you can keep in version control.
- You use BSD, which Alacritty lists as a supported platform.
When not to use these
- You want tabs, splits and a session manager in one app while also needing the fastest rendering; neither fully covers both.
FAQ
- Which is faster, Tabby or Alacritty?
- Alacritty describes itself as GPU-accelerated through OpenGL and focused on performance. Tabby does not make speed claims, so no direct benchmark comparison is given.
- Can I use Tabby and Alacritty together?
- Both are separate terminal emulators for Linux, macOS and Windows, so you can install both. Neither project documents using them together.
- Which is easier to configure?
- Alacritty uses a single TOML config file. Tabby is described as highly configurable with a plugin system. Neither project settles which is easier.
- Does Alacritty support tabs or SSH?
- No. Alacritty has no tabs or splits and is meant to be paired with a window manager or a terminal multiplexer. It lists no built-in SSH client, while Tabby includes one.