Software Alternatives & Startups

iTerm2 VS HHVM

Compare iTerm2 VS HHVM and see what are their differences

iTerm2

A terminal emulator for macOS that does amazing things.

Rating
4.0 · 1 review
Pricing
Open source
HHVM

HHVM is an open-source virtual machine designed for executing programs written in Hack and PHP.

Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Open source

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, iTerm2 seems to be a lot more popular than HHVM. While we know about 119 links to iTerm2, we've tracked only 7 mentions of HHVM.

social mentions
119 vs 7
Developer Tools popularity
95% vs 5%
alternatives listed
240+ vs 55

Base details

Website, pricing, platforms and company facts side by side.

iTerm2
HHVM
Website iterm2.com hhvm.com
Pricing
Open source
Open source
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

iTerm2 6 features
HHVM 4 features
  • Versatility
    iTerm2 supports a wide range of features such as split panes, multiple tab management, and hotkey-activated terminal windows, making it highly versatile for different workflows.
  • Customization
    Offers extensive customization options, including themes, color schemes, and key bindings, allowing users to tailor the terminal to their preferences.
  • Advanced Features
    Includes advanced functionality like instant replay, which allows users to rewind their terminal session, and integration with automation tools like AppleScript.
  • Performance
    Designed to be efficient and responsive, ensuring it performs well even with multiple sessions and tabs open simultaneously.
  • Integrations
    Seamless integration with macOS features such as native notifications, fullscreen mode, and support for external editors.
  • Community Support
    Active community and comprehensive documentation, which can be very helpful for troubleshooting and learning advanced configurations.

Possible disadvantages

  • Mac-Only
    iTerm2 is exclusive to macOS, which means users on other operating systems cannot utilize its features.
  • Complexity
    The sheer number of features and customization options can be overwhelming for beginners, requiring a learning curve to utilize efficiently.
  • System Resource Usage
    iTerm2 may consume more system resources compared to simpler terminal emulators, which could be a concern on lower-end hardware.
  • Update Frequency
    Occasional updates can introduce bugs or unexpected behavior, requiring users to adjust settings or find workarounds.
  • Performance
    HHVM uses Just-In-Time (JIT) compilation to convert PHP code into machine code, which can significantly improve execution speed compared to traditional PHP interpreters.
  • Hack Language Support
    HHVM supports the Hack programming language, which offers additional features like static type checking, generics, and asynchronous code execution, allowing developers to write safer and more efficient code.
  • Scalability
    HHVM is designed to handle high-traffic environments, making it suitable for large-scale applications and websites with high concurrency demands.
  • Open Source
    HHVM is open-source software, allowing developers to contribute to its development and benefit from community-driven improvements and support.

Possible disadvantages

  • Compatibility
    HHVM is not fully compatible with all PHP extensions and libraries. This can create issues when migrating existing PHP applications to HHVM, requiring additional refactoring.
  • Resource Intensive
    HHVM can consume more memory and CPU resources than traditional PHP interpreters, which might be a concern for applications running on limited hardware.
  • Linux Focused
    HHVM primarily supports Linux-based systems. While there is some support for other operating systems, it may not be as robust, limiting its use in heterogeneous environments.
  • Evolving Technology
    HHVM and the Hack language are continuously evolving, which can lead to breaking changes and the need to keep development teams updated with the latest features and fixes.

Analysis

An editorial look at what each product does well and who it suits.

iTerm2
HHVM

Overall verdict

  • iTerm2 is regarded as an excellent terminal emulator for macOS due to its robust feature set and usability, making it a top choice for power users.

Why this product is good

  • iTerm2 is often praised for its advanced features, customization options, and efficiency that enhance productivity for users who work with the command line frequently. It offers split panes, hotkey window, undo close, instant replay, and a highly configurable interface that caters to power users, making it a versatile tool for developers and system administrators.

Recommended for

  • Developers and programmers who need a highly customizable terminal.
  • System administrators who require powerful scripting and automation capabilities.
  • Users who frequently work with command-line interfaces and require multiple sessions handled efficiently.
  • Anyone seeking an enhanced, feature-rich alternative to the default macOS terminal.

Overall verdict

  • In recent years, HHVM has shifted focus more towards supporting Hack rather than full PHP compatibility. While it was once a popular option for running PHP applications efficiently, many projects now recommend sticking to PHP 7.x or later, which has seen significant performance improvements. Therefore, HHVM is considered good if you're specifically using Hack, but might not be the best choice for standard PHP applications.

Why this product is good

  • HHVM (HipHop Virtual Machine) was originally developed by Facebook to provide improved performance for PHP applications. It offers features like a just-in-time (JIT) compiler and compatibility with Hack, Facebook's PHP dialect. It has been praised for enhancing the speed of PHP execution, particularly for large-scale applications.

Recommended for

    HHVM is recommended for organizations or projects that primarily use Hack or have legacy systems built around it. It can also be beneficial for enterprises looking to leverage its performance benefits in a Hack environment. However, for new projects or those focused solely on PHP, sticking with the latest PHP versions is advisable.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

iTerm2 1 video + Add
HHVM 3 videos + Add

Customizing iterm2 with ZSH and PowerLevel9k | Z shell Tutorial

HHVM GLIMPSE MEME REVIEW||HARI HARA VEERA MALLU MEME REVIEW||POWER STAR..!

More videos

  • - HHVM Performance Status - Hack Dev Day
  • - Scaling PHP-based Development with HHVM and Hack

Category popularity

How often each product is chosen within a category, 0–100% relative to the other.

Score bands 0–20 21–40 41–50 51–60 61–100
iTerm2
HHVM
95% 95%
5% 5%
0% 0%
100% 100%
100% 100%
SSH
0% 0%

User comments

Share your experience with using iTerm2 and HHVM. For example, how are they different and which one is better?

Log in or Post with

Reviews and articles

External articles and on-site reviews we used to compare the two products.

iTerm2 4.0 · 1 review
HHVM no reviews yet

We have no reviews of HHVM yet. Be the first one to post

Social recommendations and mentions

Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.

iTerm2 119 mentions
HHVM 7 mentions

View more

  • GraphQL vs REST: 18 Claims Fact-Checked with Primary Sources (2026)
    Facebook ran a massive PHP codebase, scaled through HipHop (a PHP-to-C++ transpiler) and later HHVM (a just-in-time compiler for PHP). Keith Adams , Facebook's Chief Architect and HHVM team lead, describes how Facebook scaled a large,... - Source: dev.to / 6 months ago
  • THT v0.8.1 – A modern re-design of PHP
    $hayStack.contains('needle') This looks more or less like a new language ? It must be amazing amount of time and energy to rewrite PHP in to this. I don't see the benefits. I understand the Facebook's HHVM had some. (https://hhvm.com/)... - Source: Hacker News / about 2 years ago
  • I know that's the name of the language, I'm asking about the first P
    PHP is nearly as old as the web. Change the conversation and say: I use Hack on the Hip Hop Virtual Machine. Source: over 4 years ago

View more

Alternatives to iTerm2 and HHVM

When comparing iTerm2 and HHVM, you can also consider the following products.