Pick iTerm2 if
mac users who will stay on the GPL binary at $0 while they split a first vim + compile pane — not Warp Build $20 first unless they want a hosted agent, and not a Linux-only build (there isn’t one).
Read the iTerm2 pageiTerm2 vs WezTerm
Our take
Pick iTerm2 if mac users who will stay on the GPL binary at $0 while they split a first vim + compile pane — not Warp Build $20 first unless they want a hosted agent, and not a Linux-only build (there isn’t one). Pick WezTerm if developers who will stay on OSS at $0 while they open a first src/main.rs pane, then keep WezTerm beside Ghostty or kitty rather than paying Warp for a hosted prompt.
Best for
iTerm2 A local Mac terminal you start at a public $
WezTerm A local terminal you run at $0
Free plan
iTerm2 $0 · download from the site. Optional donation button on iterm2.com
WezTerm $0 · download / build from the docs and GitHub. No printed hosted seat
Lowest paid
iTerm2 Not published by the vendor
WezTerm Not published by the vendor
Runs where
iTerm2 Terminal; models hosted
WezTerm Terminal; models hosted
Watch out
iTerm2 macOS-only
WezTerm There is no hosted team SKU
Last checked
iTerm2 2026-10-23 · iterm2.com
WezTerm 2026-10-23 · wezfurlong.org/wezterm
Which one, then?
Pick WezTerm if
developers who will stay on OSS at $0 while they open a first src/main.rs pane, then keep WezTerm beside Ghostty or kitty rather than paying Warp for a hosted prompt.
Read the WezTerm page