Software Alternatives & Startups

KiTTY VS Terminay

Compare KiTTY VS Terminay and see what are their differences

KiTTY

KiTTY is a fork from version 0.70 of PuTTY. It adds extra features to PuTTY.

Rating
0 reviews
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

Which is more popular?

SSH popularity
100% vs 0%
alternatives listed
191 vs 9

Base details

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

KiTTY
Terminay
Website 9bis.net terminay.com
Pricing —
Open source Free
Platforms —
MacOS Linux
Listed in

About KiTTY and Terminay

In their own words, as submitted to SaaSHub.

KiTTY
Terminay

No description of KiTTY 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.

KiTTY 5 features
Terminay 3 features
  • Enhanced Features
    KiTTY offers more features than PuTTY, including additional options such as automatic password saving, session filtering, and session launcher, enhancing user experience and productivity.
  • Portability
    The tool is available in a portable version, which does not require installation. This makes it convenient for use on different machines without needing administrator permissions.
  • Customization
    KiTTY supports a variety of customization options, such as configurable shortcuts, transparency options, and built-in chat functionalities, allowing users to tailor the terminal emulator to their specific needs.
  • Integration with Windows
    KiTTY integrates well with Windows, offering features like the ability to create desktop shortcuts for sessions and support for Windows jump lists.
  • Scripting Capabilities
    KiTTY allows the automation of tasks through its scripting capabilities, making it easier for users to perform repetitive tasks efficiently.

Possible disadvantages

  • Windows-Only
    KiTTY is designed primarily for Windows, which limits its usability for users on other operating systems such as macOS or Linux.
  • Steeper Learning Curve
    The additional features and options may result in a steeper learning curve for new users who are accustomed to simpler tools.
  • Stability Issues
    Some users may encounter stability issues or bugs, which could affect reliability during critical tasks.
  • Less Frequent Updates
    Compared to some other terminal emulators, KiTTY does not receive updates as frequently, which may lead to slower implementation of new features or security fixes.
  • Security Concerns
    Automatically saving passwords can introduce security risks if the local machine is compromised, as stored credentials could become accessible to unauthorized users.
  • 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.

KiTTY
Terminay

Overall verdict

  • Overall, KiTTY is considered a good choice for users who are already comfortable with PuTTY but need extra features, better customization, and enhanced security. Its popularity in the tech community stems from its reliability, wide range of features, and the fact that it builds on a well-established tool.

Why this product is good

  • KiTTY is a free and open-source terminal emulator that's based on PuTTY. It offers additional features such as session filtering, automatic logon scripts, a portable version, and support for various encryptions. These enhancements make it particularly valuable for users who require more robust functionality than what is available in the basic PuTTY client.

Recommended for

    KiTTY is recommended for developers, network administrators, and IT professionals who regularly use SSH and telnet protocols, especially those who require advanced features and automation in managing their connections. It is also a good option for anyone looking for a portable, customizable terminal emulator.

No analysis of Terminay yet.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

KiTTY 4 videos + Add
Terminay 1 video + Add

Kitty In My Pocket Series 4 Hidden Kitties Blind Bag Toy Review | PSToyReviews

More videos

  • - Kitty Paw Review - with Tom Vasel
  • - Sparkle * Kitty Review - with Tom Vasel
  • - KiTTY -SSH Client for Windows

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
KiTTY
Terminay
100% 100%
SSH
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%

Questions & Answers

As answered by people managing KiTTY 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

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Reviews and articles

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

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Terminay no reviews yet

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