iTerm2 VS MSYS2

Compare iTerm2 VS MSYS2 and see what are their differences

Flagsmith

Flagsmith lets you manage feature flags and remote config across web, mobile and server side applications. Deliver true Continuous Integration. Get builds out faster. Control who has access to new features. We're Open Source. featured

Contents:

» Base Details
» Videos
» Reviews
» Alternatives

iTerm2

A terminal emulator for macOS that does amazing things.

MSYS2

A Cygwin-derived software distro for Windows using Arch Linux's Pacman

Landing page //
2018-10-29

Landing page //
2023-05-05

iTerm2

Website: iterm2.com
$ Details

Edit details

MSYS2

Website: msys2.org
$ Details: -

Edit details

iTerm2 features and specs

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 of iTerm2

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.

MSYS2 features and specs

Package Management
MSYS2 uses the Pacman package manager, which is known for its speed and ease of use. This allows users to easily install, update, and manage software packages and dependencies.
Unix-like Environment
MSYS2 provides a Unix-like environment on Windows, making it easier for developers familiar with Unix/Linux systems to work on Windows without having to adjust to a new command interface.
Compatibility
MSYS2 is compatible with many popular Unix/Linux tools and software, making it a versatile option for developers who need access to these tools on a Windows system.
Frequent Updates
The MSYS2 project is actively maintained, with frequent updates to keep up with new features, security patches, and bug fixes, ensuring a stable and secure environment.

Possible disadvantages of MSYS2

Complex Setup
The initial setup of MSYS2 can be complex and intimidating for new users, as it requires multiple packages and configurations to get started.
Overhead
Running a Unix-like environment on top of Windows can introduce some overhead, potentially impacting performance when compared to native Windows applications.
Learning Curve
Users who are not already familiar with Unix/Linux command-line environments may face a steep learning curve when transitioning to MSYS2, due to its reliance on command-line operations.
Package Availability
While MSYS2 has a wide range of packages, not every Linux package is available or may not work as expected due to differences between the environments.

Analysis of iTerm2

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.

Analysis of MSYS2

Overall verdict

MSYS2 is a highly recommended tool for developers looking to bring a Unix-like environment to Windows. It is versatile, regularly updated, and provides extensive support for building native Windows applications. The community-driven nature and the vast collection of packages available make it a robust choice for development tasks.

Why this product is good

MSYS2 is a software distribution and building platform for Windows that is based on the Arch Linux package distribution model. It provides a collection of Unix utilities, GNU toolchain, and various popular open-source libraries, all in a way that is native to Windows. This makes it a great choice for developers who need a Unix-like development environment or want to build software from source on Windows. MSYS2 uses the Pacman package manager, which simplifies installation and updates of software packages, making maintenance easy.

Recommended for

Windows developers who require Unix-like tools and software.
Developers and engineers looking to build and compile open-source projects on Windows.
Users needing a package manager for Windows to manage software installations efficiently.
Anyone who wants a more seamless experience transitioning between development environments on different operating systems.

iTerm2 videos

+ Add

Customizing iterm2 with ZSH and PowerLevel9k | Z shell Tutorial

MSYS2 videos

+ Add

QMK Firmware Tutorial - MSYS2, and Drivers (Part 1)

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to iTerm2 and MSYS2)

iTerm2

MSYS2

SSH

87 87%

SSH

13% 13

Terminal Tools

0 0%

Terminal Tools

100% 100

Server Management

83 83%

Server Management

17% 17

Developer Tools

100 100%

Developer Tools

0% 0

User comments

Share your experience with using iTerm2 and MSYS2. For example, how are they different and which one is better?

Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare iTerm2 and MSYS2

iTerm2 Reviews

KateBlanc

over 1 year ago

Useful

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

👍 Pros: Fast|Convenience|Fastest, safest, and cheapest

👎 Cons: None

MobaXterm for Mac: Best Alternatives to MobaXterm for Mac

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 is the best alternative to MobaXterm for Mac which will be always available for you.

Source: www.macoszon.com

30 best PuTTY alternatives for SSH clients for 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 by side. To lessen confusion, the active panel shows in full resolution, while the others dimmed. You can set up keyboard shortcuts to navigate through the...

Source: www.comparitech.com

MSYS2 Reviews

10 Termux Alternatives

MSYS2 is an advanced technology software with a user-friendly environment that provides libraries and tools for building, installing, and running a specific featured software on native 64bit windows. The software you generate on this platform would have a particular system of command called minty to have complete control over your profiles to run them smoothly. The primary...

Source: www.justalternativeto.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, iTerm2 seems to be a lot more popular than MSYS2. While we know about 111 links to iTerm2, we've tracked only 8 mentions of MSYS2. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

iTerm2 mentions (111)

Must-have apps and services in 2024
iTerm + fish. I wrote a post explaining my environment settings. - Source: dev.to / 7 months ago
Unavoidable developer tools
🍎 macOS: The default Terminal.app is widely used, but iTerm2 is often preferred for its rich feature set and customization options. - Source: dev.to / 8 months ago
Ask HN: How can I experiment with LLMs with a old machine?
Make yourself comfortable with https://blogs.oracle.com/database/post/freedom-to-build-announcing-oracle-cloud-free-tier-with-new-always-free-services-and-always-free-oracle-autonomous-database https://gist.github.com/rssnyder/51e3cfedd730e7dd5f4a816143b25dbd https://www.reddit.com/r/oraclecloud/ or any other offer. Deploy some minimal Linux on them, or use what's offered. Plus optionally, if you don't want to... - Source: Hacker News / 9 months ago
Honukai Color Theme Goes IDE
Honukai has long been my favorite iTerm, Oh My ZSH color theme, and I just assumed it existed for other use cases. But alas, I had to create them for myself. I adapted Oskar's work for Tabby terminal, ZED IDE and VS Code. You can get the files here. - Source: dev.to / 9 months ago
(Youtube blogpost) Building Tree Link app with Svelte and Tailwind CSS
iTerm2 is a fast terminal emulator for macOS. Install one of Nerd Fonts for displaying fancy glyphs on your terminal. My current choice is Hack. And use it on your terminal app. For example, on iTerm2:. - Source: dev.to / 10 months ago

MSYS2 mentions (8)

Trying to find the real MinGW
Hi, I have been learning C++ recently using Visual Studio and Replit and wanted to switch to using a compiler with the windows command prompt. When I search up how to install MinGW there are multiple tutorials of indian people and other people who use totally different links and download pages in each video and I'm not sure which one to trust. Is msys2.org the correct website or is sourceforge or a different... Source: about 2 years ago
Getting “QT with MinGW support”?
Apart from what other people already said, http://msys2.org/ is another easy-to-setup option. Source: over 2 years ago
I Hate Windows!
Also FYI: there’s a project called MSYS2 which derives from Cygwin and seeks to provide a proper set of Unix tools on Windows, including split: https://packages.msys2.org/package/coreutils. Source: over 2 years ago
std::cout << "It's a pain";
Still, it isn't a compiler. You also need to install the Visual Studio build tools, or GCC and/or Clang through MSYS2. Source: over 2 years ago
Installing MinGW W64 with FFMPEG on Windows and fixing the weird "file downloaded incorrectly" error.
Download the latest msys2 installer from http://msys2.org/ and run it. - Source: dev.to / almost 3 years ago