Default terminal alternatives

Alacritty

Fast, lightweight and has easy to edit configuration. It is a GPU-accelerated terminal emulator that balances features and simplicity perfectly. Some of Alacritty's features include font size adjustment, cursor setting, clickable links, Vi mode, multi-window, and copy/paste right from the start.

Kitty

Kitty also uses the GPU for rendering, just like Alacritty. Using OpenGL and GPU acceleration ensures smooth rendering even when dealing with large amounts of program output. With Kitty, you can open new tabs and windows, switch between them, and customize the layout. It includes advanced features like true color, mouse support, focus tracking, hyperlinks, and image display.

Terminator

Terminator sets itself apart from your default terminal by providing the ability to split your screen horizontally and vertically within a single window. This feature is particularly useful for multitasking, comparing command outputs, and running multiple services simultaneously without switching between terminals.

Guake

Guake is a lightweight terminal emulator designed specifically for the GNOME desktop environment. It takes inspiration from the Quake game console, sliding down from the top of your screen when you need it and disappearing just as quickly.

Guake pops up with a single hotkey (default: F12) and vanishes just as easily, keeping your workflow uninterrupted. You can personalize Guake's appearance with various color schemes and transparency levels. Guake seamlessly works across multiple monitors, ensuring you have a terminal wherever you need it.

cool-retro-term

cool-retro-term is a retro terminal emulator that brings back the classic look and feel of old CRT monitors. It offers customizable themes such as amber, monochrome green, and pixelated options, to create a nostalgic aesthetic.

Terminology

Terminology is a terminal emulator designed for the Enlightenment desktop, but it works well with other desktops too. It combines simplicity with powerful features and has a lightweight, minimalistic interface that is customizable with themes and fonts.

foot

foot is a terminal emulator known for its speed and lightweight design. It is specifically created with a simple style for Wayland systems. Its server continuously runs in the background in daemon mode, which allows your terminals to start up quickly.

Konsole

Konsole is a free terminal emulator that provides several features, such as detachable tabs for multiple sessions, customizable colors and fonts, and others. It integrates with other KDE applications like KDevelop, Kate, and Dolphin for easy terminal access.

rxvt-unicode

rxvt, or extended virtual terminal, is a lightweight option compared to other terminal emulators. By excluding non-essential features, rxvt becomes the preferred choice for power users who seek responsiveness and simplicity in their command-line environment.

Install all

# apt install alacritty kitty terminator guake cool-retro-term terminology foot konsole rxvt-unicode