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iTerm2 VS Terminay

Compare iTerm2 VS Terminay and see what are their differences

iTerm2

A terminal emulator for macOS that does amazing things.

Rating
4.0 · 1 review
Pricing
Open source
Promote on VibeVoted
Alternatives Is it good?
Terminay

Terminay is a desktop terminal workspace for projects and coding agents, with split panes, file tools, macros, recordings, and secure remote access.

Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Open source Free
Promote on VibeVoted
Alternatives Is it good?
HTMLCSS to Image API
Capture website screenshots, render HTML/CSS, or create templated graphics. Render images or PDFs. Use MCP with AI, no-code automation, or the REST API. No browsers needed. sponsored

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, iTerm2 seems to be more popular. It has been mentioned 119 times since March 2021.

social mentions
119 vs 0
Developer Tools popularity
98% vs 2%
alternatives listed
240+ vs 9

Base details

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

iTerm2
Terminay
Website iterm2.com terminay.com
Pricing
Open source
Open source Free
Platforms —
MacOS Linux
Listed in
Terminal Developer Tools SSH Server Management Server Configuration And Automation +2
Terminal Tools Terminal Developer Tools Open Source +1

About iTerm2 and Terminay

In their own words, as submitted to SaaSHub.

iTerm2
Terminay

No description of iTerm2 yet.

Terminay is a professional terminal workspace designed for developers who work with multiple projects, files, and AI coding agents. Key Features: - Split Panes: Organize your workspace with flexible horizontal and vertical splits for side-by-side terminal sessions - Project-Based Workspaces:...

Read more about Terminay

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

iTerm2 6 features
Terminay 3 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.
  • Split Panes
    Organize your workspace with flexible horizontal and vertical splits
  • Macros
    Record and replay command sequences to automate repetitive tasks
  • Agent Control
    Built-in MCP server for AI coding agents to control terminal sessions

Analysis

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

iTerm2
Terminay

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.

No analysis of Terminay yet.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

iTerm2 1 video + Add
Terminay 1 video + Add

Customizing iterm2 with ZSH and PowerLevel9k | Z shell Tutorial

Terminay Showcase

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
Terminay
98% 98%
Developer Tools
2% 2%
98% 98%
Terminal
2% 2%
100% 100%
SSH
0% 0%
0% 0%
Open Source
100% 100%

Questions & Answers

As answered by people managing iTerm2 and Terminay.

What's the story behind your product?

Terminay's answer:

Terminay was born from frustration with the gap between how developers actually work and what existing terminals offer.

The turning point came with the rise of AI coding agents. Tools like Claude Code need to run terminal commands, but existing terminals weren't built for this. They're either focused purely on speed and aesthetics, or they're feature-rich but closed-source with mandatory accounts and subscriptions.

Terminay started as a personal tool to solve three problems: 1. Project switching was painful - constantly reconfiguring terminal layouts when changing contexts 2. AI agents had no good way to interact with terminals securely 3. Repetitive command sequences needed automation without writing bash scripts

Rather than building another "fast terminal with nice fonts," the goal was to build a workspace that treats projects, files, AI agents, and automation as core features. Open source from day one, because developers deserve to own their tools.

Which are the primary technologies used for building your product?

Terminay's answer:

Terminay is built with:

  • Electron - Cross-platform desktop framework for macOS and Linux
  • TypeScript - Type-safe JavaScript for the entire codebase
  • Node.js - Runtime for the backend and MCP server
  • xterm.js - Terminal emulator component
  • node-pty - Pseudoterminal bindings for spawning shell processes

The MCP (Model Context Protocol) server is implemented natively, allowing AI coding agents to communicate with Terminay using Anthropic's open standard for tool use.

The codebase is fully open source under AGPL-3.0 and available on GitHub.

What makes your product unique?

Terminay's answer:

Terminay is the only terminal that combines a full workspace environment with native AI agent control. While other terminals focus on just being fast or pretty, Terminay is built for how developers actually work today:

  • Project-based workspaces that restore your terminal layout, files, and sessions when you switch contexts
  • Built-in MCP server that lets AI coding agents like Claude Code securely control terminal sessions
  • Macros and automation to record and replay command sequences
  • Integrated file browser so you never leave the terminal to manage files
  • Session recordings for documentation and debugging

It's open source (AGPL-3.0) and designed specifically for developers who juggle multiple projects and use AI tools in their workflow.

Why should a person choose your product over its competitors?

Terminay's answer:

Choose Terminay over competitors if you:

  • Work with AI coding agents - Terminay's built-in MCP server gives AI tools like Claude Code secure access to run commands. Other terminals don't have this.
  • Juggle multiple projects - Persistent workspaces remember your terminal layouts, open files, and sessions per project. Switch contexts without losing your setup.
  • Want automation without scripting - Record macros visually and replay them. No bash scripting required.
  • Value open source - Terminay is AGPL-3.0 licensed. No subscription fees, no vendor lock-in, full transparency.
  • Need remote access - Secure remote access to your terminal sessions without complex SSH tunneling.

Unlike Warp (closed source, requires account), iTerm2 (Mac-only, no AI integration), or Ghostty (focused on speed over features), Terminay is purpose-built for the modern developer workflow where projects, files, and AI assistants need to work together.

How would you describe the primary audience of your product?

Terminay's answer:

Terminay's primary audience is software developers who work across multiple projects and increasingly use AI coding assistants in their workflow.

Specifically: - Full-stack developers managing frontend, backend, and infrastructure in parallel - Developers using AI tools like Claude Code, GitHub Copilot CLI, or other AI coding agents - Freelancers and consultants switching between client projects frequently - DevOps engineers running commands across environments - Open source contributors who value transparency and no vendor lock-in

The common thread: developers who want their terminal to understand projects as first-class concepts, not just tabs, and who see AI as a collaborative tool in their workflow rather than a novelty.

User comments

Share your experience with using iTerm2 and Terminay. 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
Terminay 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...

We have no reviews of Terminay 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
Terminay 0 mentions

View more

Tracking Terminay since Oct 2026.

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