Windows Terminal vs Alacritty
Windows Terminal vs Alacritty: built-in tabs and panes for Windows shells versus a minimal cross-platform, TOML-configured Rust terminal.
Updated
short verdict
Pick Windows Terminal if you work on Windows and want PowerShell, CMD, WSL and Azure Cloud Shell in one window with built-in tabs and panes. Pick Alacritty if you want one terminal on Linux, macOS, Windows and BSD, a TOML config file, and vi-style scrollback, and you will use a window manager or a separate terminal multiplexer for tabs and splits.
Both are GPU-accelerated terminal emulators, but they differ in scope. Windows Terminal is a Windows-only C++ application that bundles tabs, panes and several shell profiles. Alacritty is a Rust terminal that renders with OpenGL, runs on four platform families, and leaves tabs and splits to other software.
this page is for
- Windows developers switching between PowerShell, CMD and WSL
- Users who want the same terminal on Linux, macOS, Windows and BSD
- People deciding between built-in tabs and a minimal terminal plus a multiplexer
The better pick when you are on Windows and want tabs, panes and multiple shells without installing anything else.
best for
- Windows developers using PowerShell, CMD and WSL side by side
- Users who want tabs and panes built in
strengths
- Runs PowerShell, CMD, WSL and Azure Cloud Shell in one window
- Tabs and panes are built in, so no multiplexer is needed
- Themes, backgrounds and key bindings are customizable
- Unicode support covers emoji and international characters
weaknesses
- Windows only, so it does not carry over to Linux or macOS machines
- No vi-style scrollback navigation is listed among its features
The better pick when you want the same minimal terminal on Linux, macOS, Windows or BSD and already handle tabs and splits elsewhere.
best for
- Users who work across several operating systems
- Users who pair a terminal with a window manager or a terminal multiplexer
strengths
- Runs on Linux, macOS, Windows and BSD
- OpenGL rendering with a focus on speed and simplicity
- Vi mode gives vi-like navigation through scrollback
- Configuration lives in a TOML file
weaknesses
- No tabs or splits, so you need a window manager or a separate terminal multiplexer
- No built-in shell profiles or launcher for multiple shells
Key differences
- Platform: Windows Terminal runs on Windows only; Alacritty runs on Linux, macOS, Windows and BSD.
- Tabs and panes: built into Windows Terminal; Alacritty has none and expects a window manager or multiplexer.
- Language: Windows Terminal is written in C++; Alacritty is written in Rust.
- License: Windows Terminal is MIT; Alacritty is Apache-2.0.
- Rendering: both are GPU-accelerated, and Alacritty specifically uses OpenGL.
- Scope: Windows Terminal hosts PowerShell, CMD, WSL and Azure Cloud Shell; Alacritty is a minimal emulator with a TOML config and vi mode.
Choose Windows Terminal when
- You work only on Windows and switch between PowerShell, CMD and WSL.
- You want tabs and panes without setting up a separate terminal multiplexer.
- You use Azure Cloud Shell and want it alongside your local shells.
- You want themes and window backgrounds as part of the terminal's customization.
Choose Alacritty when
- You use more than one OS and want the same terminal on Linux, macOS, Windows or BSD.
- You already run a window manager or a terminal multiplexer for tabs and splits.
- You want a TOML config file for your settings.
- You want vi-style navigation through scrollback.
When not to use these
- You want built-in tabs and splits on Linux or macOS: Windows Terminal is Windows only and Alacritty has neither feature.
FAQ
- Which is faster, Windows Terminal or Alacritty?
- Both use GPU-accelerated rendering. Alacritty describes itself as the fastest terminal emulator and puts speed and simplicity first, but neither project provides benchmarks comparing the two, so the claim is not settled here.
- Can I use both on Windows?
- Yes. Alacritty runs on Windows as well as Linux, macOS and BSD, so you can install it next to Windows Terminal. Alacritty has no tabs or splits, so you would need a separate terminal multiplexer there.
- Which is easier to configure?
- Alacritty uses a single TOML config file. Windows Terminal offers themes, backgrounds and key bindings, but its config format is not stated, so which is easier is not settled.
- Does Alacritty have tabs like Windows Terminal?
- No. Alacritty has no tabs or splits and is meant to be used with a window manager or a terminal multiplexer. Windows Terminal has tabs and panes built in.