Apple’s Terminal app on the Mac is a great tool for diving into the command line, but it isn’t the only option available. The Mac Observer rounded up several alternatives to Terminal you can use to flex your macOS command line muscles.
Most people can use their Macs without ever needing to dive under macOS’s graphic interface. If you need to, or just want to, get some command line action going on the first place to go is Apple’s own Terminal app. It’s hiding in the Utilities folder inside the Applications folder on your Mac.
If the Terminal app doesn’t get you all excited, check out these alternatives:
To install the terminal, download the installer 'mt4setup.exe'. After the download is complete, launch the setup file. PlayOnMac will be used automatically to open it. The standard terminal installation process with all its stages will start.
iTerm2
iTerm2 lets you slice up a single window into multiple panes, each with its own independent session. It also sports a robust search tool, auto-complete for commands, multiple profile support, and more. iTerm2 is a free download, and the developers accept donations.
iTerm2 for the Mac
Hyper
Hyper is a terminal app that also supports JavaScript, HTML, and CSS. The developers are always working on new features and you can create your own plug-ins, too. Hyper is a free download.
Upterm
Upterm calls itself “A terminal emulator for the 21st century.” It’s both a terminal app and an IDE, or integrated development environment. In other words, you can bang out terminal commands and code in the same app. Upterm used to be called Black Screen. It’s a free download.
Terminator
Terminal App Mac Download
Terminator lets you group together multiple terminal windows in a grid. In fact, you can make some ridiculously complicated layouts if you want. It also supports tabs, and you can even type in multiple terminal instances at the same time. Terminator is a free download.
Terminator for the Mac
Mac Terminal Download File
PowerShell Core
PowerShell Core lets you work with Microsoft’s PowerShell automation framework and work with the command line at the same time. The idea was to make a tool IT teams can use to automate routine tasks and configure systems, but it’s useful outside of that scope, too. PowerShell Core is a free download.
Alacritty
Alacritty is a terminal app that gets a boost from your Mac’s GPU for better performance. It isn’t overloaded with features, but doesn’t cut out what you most likely need. The developers say its OpenGL support makes it the fastest terminal app around. Alacritty is a free download.
Alacritty for the Mac
ZOC
ZOC is a terminal app and SSH client. It emulates Emulations: xterm, VT220, TN3270, TN5250, Wyse, and QNX, plus supports communication SSH, Telnet, Rlogin, Modem, and Serial Cable. You can try out ZOC free for 30 days, and it’s priced at US$79.99.
ZOC for the Mac
MacTerm
MacTerm is billed as “a better Terminal” thanks to its tabbed window interface, 24-bit color support, powerful search support, macro support, session management, and more. MacTerm is free to download.
Cathode
Cathode is a full-featured terminal app that looks decidedly old school with its retro CRT-like interface. You can customize how your terminal window looks and work in full-screen mode—a great way to really confuse people who like to look over your shoulder at coffee shops. The app is also a text editor, so it’s handy for people who don’t need to get at their Mac’s command line. Cathode is priced at $4.99 and is available for download at Apple’s Mac App Store.
Getting Started with the Mac Command Line
Even if you’re content with controlling your Mac from the graphic interface playing with the command line can still be fun, or at least educational. If you want to learn more about Terminal and getting started with the command line check out TMO’s list of the five best Terminal commands.
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Version 1.6.0.3.708:
New/Changed Features:
Added 'Open Recent' menu item. Recent items are saved between sessions.
Added 'Close All' menu to close all open window.
Added capability to restore the previous sessions. If enabled via the Preferences, the current session is saved if CoolTerm is quit via File/Quit (macOS/Linux) or File/Exit (Windows). CoolTerm will attempt to restore all the open terminal windows from the previous session at the next start.
Added context menu for Copy/Paste operations to plain text display.
Replaced option to stop Autoscrolling with option to pause the display instead. When enabled, the display contents are not updated until pausing the display is disabled again. Opening and closing the port automatically un-pauses the display.
Added baud rate selector in the connections to allow setting a custom baudrate. The custom baudrate can be saved as part of the connection settings.
The font size for text input fields (line mode input field 'Send String' input field) can now be set independently via the preferences.
Added preferences option to automatically refresh the list of serial ports when opening the connection options.
Added preferences option to check for development releases when checking for updates.
[Mac] Added the following AppleScript commands:
WindowIDfromName(WindowName as string) as integer
SaveSetting(ID as integer, FilePath as String) as boolean
CoolTermVersion as string
RescanSerialPorts
SerialPortCount as integer
SerialPortName(SerialPortIndex as integer) as string
GetCurrentSerialPort(ID as integer) as integer
SetCurrentSerialPort(ID as integer, SerialPortIndex as integer) as boolean
GetParameter(ID as integer, ParameterName as string) as string
SetParameter(ID as integer, ParameterName as string, Value as string) as boolean
GetAllParameters(ID as integer) as string
Added support for dark mode on platforms that support it (such as macOS Mojave).
Supporting Raspberry Pi
Default is now 64-bit for all platforms (except Raspberry Pi)
Improvements:
File/Save menu item is now permanently enabled. Selecting File/Save when settings have not previously been saved will present the user with a 'Save As...' dialog.
Connection Settings saved as default no longer contain the selected serial port and window position. New windows using the default settings will select the first available port rather than trying to force a port that may or may not be available.
The text and background color settings for the text display are now also applied ot the line mode input text field.
Terminal Get Into Download Mac
Bug Fixes and Stability Improvements:
Download Terminal For Macbook Pro
Fixed bug where the receive buffer size wouldn't be set upon loading of connection settings.
Fixed bug that causes setting to not be properly loaded on Mac when starting CoolTerm for the command line with a settings file as argument or when starting CoolTerm by double-clicking a settings file or dragging it onto the CoolTerm icon.
[Mac] Disabled splash window for macOS Sierra and newer.