xterm vs iTerm : Which is Better?

xterm icon

xterm

xterm is the standard terminal emulator for the X Window System. A user can have many different invocations of xterm running at once on the same display, each of which provides independent input/output for the process running in it (normally the process is a Unix shell). Developed by Thomas E. Dickey

License: Open Source

Categories: OS & Utilities

Apps available for Mac OS X Linux BSD

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iTerm icon

iTerm

iTerm2 is a replacement for Terminal and the successor to iTerm. Developed by iTerm Project

License: Open Source

Categories: OS & Utilities

Apps available for Mac OS X

xterm VS iTerm

iTerm is a feature-rich terminal emulator for macOS, offering extensive customization options and advanced functionalities like split panes and search. In contrast, xterm is a lightweight, standard terminal emulator for Unix-like systems, prioritizing speed and compatibility over advanced features.

xterm

Pros:

  • Lightweight and fast
  • Works in a variety of environments including remote connections
  • Highly configurable through command line options
  • Standard terminal for Unix-like systems
  • Good compatibility with xterm control sequences

Cons:

  • Limited graphical features compared to iTerm
  • Does not support tabs natively
  • Less user-friendly for novice users

iTerm

Pros:

  • Highly customizable with themes and profiles
  • Supports split panes for multitasking
  • Integrated with macOS features like Touch Bar
  • Advanced search functionality
  • Supports various protocols like SSH

Cons:

  • macOS exclusive
  • Can be resource-intensive with heavy customization
  • May have a steep learning curve for beginners

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