Software Alternatives & Startups

iTerm2 VS Hyper

Compare iTerm2 VS Hyper and see what are their differences

iTerm2

A terminal emulator for macOS that does amazing things.

Rating
4.0 · 1 review
Pricing
Open source
Hyper

Extensible, cross-platform terminal built on open web standards.

Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Open source

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, iTerm2 should be more popular than Hyper. It has been mentioned 119 times since March 2021.

social mentions
119 vs 47
Developer Tools popularity
77% vs 23%

Base details

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

iTerm2
Hyper
Website iterm2.com hyper.is
Pricing
Open source
Open source
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

iTerm2 6 features
Hyper 5 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.
  • Cross-Platform
    Hyper is available for multiple operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux, making it versatile for users on different platforms.
  • Extensibility
    Hyper is built on web technologies like JavaScript, HTML, and CSS, allowing users to customize and extend it with plugins and themes easily.
  • Modern UI
    It offers a sleek and modern user interface that is visually appealing and user-friendly.
  • Performance
    Despite being built on Electron, Hyper's performance is generally satisfactory for the majority of terminal tasks.
  • Ecosystem
    A rich ecosystem of plugins and themes is available, which enhances the terminal's functionality and customization options.

Possible disadvantages

  • Resource Usage
    As an Electron-based application, Hyper can consume more memory and CPU compared to more lightweight terminal emulators.
  • Startup Time
    Hyper may have a slower startup time compared to native terminal applications because it initializes a lot of components at launch.
  • Complexity
    For users who are not familiar with web development technologies, customizing and extending Hyper might be challenging.
  • Stability
    Occasional bugs and crashes can occur, especially when using numerous plugins or custom configurations.
  • Native Feature Gaps
    Some of the features available in native terminal emulators might be missing or less optimized in Hyper.

Analysis

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

iTerm2
Hyper

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

  • Hyper is a good choice for users who value customization and a visually appealing interface over performance. While it may not match the speed and efficiency of native terminal applications, its flexibility and design appeal to those who are comfortable with and prefer Electron-based applications.

Why this product is good

  • Hyper is an electron-based terminal that is highly customizable, allowing users to enhance its functionality through plugins and themes. It's built with web technologies, making it easy for developers familiar with JavaScript, HTML, and CSS to contribute and modify. This enables a rich ecosystem of community contributions, offering users a wide variety of enhancements to tailor the terminal experience to their needs.

Recommended for

  • Developers who prefer a customizable terminal environment
  • Users who enjoy experimenting with plugins and themes
  • Individuals who prioritize design and aesthetics in their tooling

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

iTerm2 1 video + Add
Hyper 3 videos + Add

Customizing iterm2 with ZSH and PowerLevel9k | Z shell Tutorial

Motorola One Hyper Review

More videos

  • - SKECHERS GOrun RAZOR 3 HYPER & GOrun 7 HYPER REVIEW | The Ginger Runner
  • - Motorola One Hyper "Real Review"

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
Hyper
77% 77%
23% 23%
58% 58%
42% 42%
86% 86%
SSH
14% 14%
82% 82%
18% 18%

User comments

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

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Reviews and articles

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

iTerm2 4.0 · 1 review
Hyper no reviews yet
  • Useful
    SaaSHub review
    · Mar 2024

    I've had so many problems with terminal in my Mac.. thanks for this tool. It's like really useful

  • MobaXterm for Mac: Best Alternatives to MobaXterm for Mac
    www.macoszon.com · Jul 2022

    You can choose a Hotkey and register it as a shortcut to open the iTerm2. When you are using other application, just press the Hotkey and it will bring iTerm (terminal) to the foreground of your screen. So the iTerm2...

  • 30 best PuTTY alternatives for SSH clients for 2020
    www.comparitech.com · Aug 2020

    The iTerm2 system is available for Macs. Specifically, the program can run on Mac OS 10.10 and higher. This interface shows different terminal sessions through a split screen method, allowing you to tile sessions side...

Social recommendations and mentions

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

iTerm2 119 mentions
Hyper 47 mentions

View more

  • A Fig That Works Anywhere — FaiTerm
    This was Fig's smartest move. Every other approach at the time either forced you onto a brand-new terminal emulator (Warp, Tabby) or left you stuck with the weak completion of the day. Fig chose to piggyback instead — it supported macOS... - Source: dev.to / about 1 month ago
  • Ratty – A terminal emulator with inline 3D graphics
    Or Terminal is already a full featured web browser? https://hyper.is/. - Source: Hacker News / 6 months ago
  • Show HN: Hyper – Standards first React alternative
    I wish open-source projects checked to see if other projects share the same name. Especially since there are packages in NPM already about hyper. https://hyper.is/ has been around for a while and is kind of big. - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago

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Alternatives to iTerm2 and Hyper

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