iTerm2 vs Windows Terminal:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, iTerm2 had more branded searches than Windows Terminal among terminal emulators worldwide. iTerm2 had about 60,500 branded searches, while Windows Terminal had 50,500. iTerm2 made up 14.1% of all terminal emulator searches we track, and Windows Terminal accounted for 11.8%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about terminal emulators, Windows Terminal appeared in four of the five answers and iTerm2 in three. iTerm2 was mentioned before Windows Terminal in three out of four answers that named either.
Who do people search for more?
iTerm2, about 20% more searches than Windows Terminal
Who does AI mention more?
Windows Terminal, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, iTerm2 in 3
Who does AI recommend more?
iTerm2, named ahead of Windows Terminal in 3 of 4 answers
Follow iTerm2 vs Windows Terminal and get free monthly updates on what changed
By continuing you'll get index updates and occasional product news from Brandwave. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy
Top terminal emulators in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Windows Terminal was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. iTerm2 was mentioned in three out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. iTerm2 was listed before Windows Terminal in three out of four answers that named either.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Ghostty5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Windows Terminal4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- WezTerm4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Alacritty4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers- iTerm23 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Kitty3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Warp2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Hyper0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about terminal emulators
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which terminal emulator should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best terminal emulators?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best terminal emulator for a developer workflow?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“terminal emulator”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“linux terminal emulator”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 21, 2026.
Is iTerm2 or Windows Terminal more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for iTerm2 and Windows Terminal by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all eight terminal emulators we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for iTerm2, Windows Terminal. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Ghostty | iTerm2 | Windows Terminal | Warp | WezTerm | Alacritty | Kitty | Hyper |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 28.6% | 15.7% | 13.1% | 12.9% | 8.6% | 10.5% | 8.6% | 2.1% |
| Nov 2025 | 26.7% | 17.9% | 12.2% | 12% | 9.8% | 9.8% | 9.8% | 1.9% |
| Dec 2025 | 30.7% | 16.9% | 11.5% | 9.2% | 9.2% | 11.3% | 9.2% | 1.8% |
| Jan 2026 | 35.9% | 16.1% | 11% | 8.8% | 10.8% | 8.8% | 7.2% | 1.4% |
| Feb 2026 | 38.6% | 17.4% | 9.7% | 9.5% | 9.5% | 7.8% | 6.4% | 1.3% |
| Mar 2026 | 43.4% | 15.9% | 10.9% | 7.1% | 8.7% | 7.1% | 5.8% | 0.95% |
| Apr 2026 | 40% | 17.9% | 10% | 9.8% | 8% | 6.6% | 6.6% | 1.1% |
| May 2026 | 37% | 16.7% | 11.4% | 11.1% | 9.1% | 7.5% | 6.1% | 1.2% |
| Jun 2026 | 35.9% | 16.1% | 11% | 10.8% | 10.8% | 7.2% | 7.2% | 1.2% |
| Jul 2026 | 36.8% | 13.5% | 11.3% | 9% | 13.5% | 7.4% | 7.4% | 1.2% |
| Aug 2026 | 37.7% | 13.8% | 11.5% | 9.3% | 11.3% | 7.6% | 7.6% | 1.2% |
| Sep 2026 | 38.5% | 14.1% | 11.8% | 9.4% | 9.4% | 7.7% | 7.7% | 1.3% |
How has the iTerm2 and Windows Terminal comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- iTerm2 was ahead of Windows Terminal in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, iTerm2’s share of searches among terminal emulators worldwide moved from 15.7% to 14.1%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 60.5K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Windows Terminal’s share of searches among terminal emulators worldwide moved from 13.1% to 11.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 50.4K to 50.5K.
How did search popularity change for terminal emulators worldwide in September 2026?
1 change
Windows Terminal’s share of searches among terminal emulators worldwide has gained ground for 3 months in a row, from 11% to 11.8% in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
3 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using iTerm2’s and Windows Terminal’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
iTerm2
1 branded search term
- iterm2
Windows Terminal
2 branded search terms
- windows terminal
- windowsterminal
Other head-to-heads among terminal emulators
Put your own brand in this comparison
Brandwave tracks your branded demand next to the rival you actually watch, with your campaigns, spend and outcomes on the same timeline.