7 Best GNOME Terminal Alternatives on Ubuntu

GNOME Terminal has long been the default terminal emulator application in many Ubuntu distributions. Its functionality is sufficient for basic needs: open a shell, run commands, and finished. However, as our requirements expand, such as flexible split panes, modern tab views, or fast text rendering via GPU acceleration, GNOME Terminal begins to feel limited.

The good news is that starting with Ubuntu 26.04 LTS "Resolute Raccoon", Canonical itself replaced the default terminal from GNOME Terminal to Ptyxis. GNOME Terminal and several other alternatives remain available in the repository, but they are no longer the primary application.

This article covers 7 of the most relevant terminal alternatives to use on Ubuntu: from developers who need container workflows, sysadmins managing multiple servers simultaneously, to users who simply want a lightweight and fast terminal. Each application is thoroughly discussed with its advantages, disadvantages, and installation methods.

1. Criteria for Choosing a Replacement Terminal

Before diving into the application list, it is helpful to establish the benchmarks used to compare each terminal. These five criteria also serve as the foundation for the comparison table at the end of this article.

• Performance and GPU acceleration: whether the terminal renders text via GPU hardware (faster, especially during rapid scrolling or large outputs) or strictly via the CPU.
• Native split panes and tabs: whether we can divide the window into multiple panels without additional tools like tmux, or if we must rely on them.
• Customization: how easy it is to change themes, fonts, and keybindings, whether through a GUI or text configuration files.
• Ease of installation on Ubuntu: whether it is available directly via apt, requires snap/flatpak, or needs additional repositories.
• Integration with GNOME desktop: how natively its appearance integrates with the system theme, including automatic dark mode support.

2. List of Terminal Alternatives

1. Ptyxis

Ptyxis is a terminal emulator based on GTK4 and libadwaita that officially replaced GNOME Terminal as the default application starting in Ubuntu 26.04 LTS. Ptyxis was built with a focus on container workflows: we can open a new tab directly inside Podman, Toolbox, or Distrobox without needing to execute podman exec manually.

Advantages:

• Modern appearance, fully integrated with the GNOME theme including automatic dark mode.
• Container-aware integration is a key selling point for developers who frequently work inside containers.
• Includes tab pinning, saved sessions, scrollback search with regex filtering, and a terminal inspector for debugging.
• Lightweight because it is built on top of the same GTK4/libadwaita libraries as other GNOME applications.

Disadvantages:

• Split pane functionality is not yet as flexible as Tilix or Terminator, as Ptyxis relies more on tabs rather than a tiling grid.
• The latest version of Ptyxis requires newer versions of GTK4 and libadwaita, so not all releases build smoothly on older Ubuntu releases such as 24.04.

How to install on Ubuntu:

In Ubuntu 26.04 LTS, Ptyxis is pre-installed as the default terminal, requiring no additional setup. For older Ubuntu versions like 24.04, the safest method is via Flatpak because the latest Ptyxis version requires newer GTK4/libadwaita libraries than those available in apt.

1. Install Flatpak if it is not installed yet.

   sudo apt install flatpak

2. Add the Flathub remote.

   flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo

3. Install Ptyxis.

   flatpak install flathub app.devsuite.Ptyxis

4. Run it using the following command, or through the application menu.

   flatpak run app.devsuite.Ptyxis

2. Tilix

Tilix is a GTK-based tiling terminal that has long been a favorite among sysadmins and developers who frequently work with multiple shell sessions simultaneously. Its standout feature is the ability to split windows into grid panes via drag-and-drop, plus a quake (dropdown) mode accessible with a single shortcut key.

Advantages:

• Native split panes without needing tmux, and can be rearranged simply by drag-and-drop.
• Good GNOME theme integration, including support for color variables from the active GTK theme.
• Supports session saving, allowing pane layouts to be restored after closing the terminal.

Disadvantages:

• Active development stalled for several years before receiving updates again, so it is necessary to verify if its latest release aligns with recent GTK versions.
• Not a GPU-accelerated terminal, meaning rendering speed lags behind Kitty or Alacritty.

How to install on Ubuntu:

1. Update the package list.

   sudo apt update

2. Install Tilix.

   sudo apt install tilix

3. (Optional) Set Tilix as the default terminal via Settings > Default Applications, or run the following command.

   sudo update-alternatives --config x-terminal-emulator

3. Terminator

Terminator is specifically designed for heavy multitasking requirements: we can divide a single window into an unlimited number of grid panes, then broadcast the same input to multiple panes simultaneously. This feature is particularly useful for sysadmins who need to execute identical commands across multiple servers over SSH concurrently.

Advantages:

• Most flexible grid split panes compared to most other terminals on this list.
• Input broadcast to multiple panes serves as a practical solution for parallel operations on multiple servers.
• Comprehensive GUI configuration for profiles, keybindings, and layouts.

Disadvantages:

• User interface feels dated compared to Ptyxis or Ghostty, which follow modern design standards.
• Development moves slowly, so new features appear infrequently compared to more actively developed terminals.

How to install on Ubuntu:

1. Update the package list.

   sudo apt update

2. Install Terminator.

   sudo apt install terminator

3. Open via the application menu, or set as default via update-alternatives similar to Tilix.

4. Kitty

Kitty is a GPU-accelerated terminal offering a combination of high performance and feature completeness. Beyond native tabs and split panes, Kitty supports the kitty graphics protocol, a custom protocol that allows images (and even PDF or video previews) to render directly inside the terminal rather than plain text alone.

Advantages:

• Fast rendering by leveraging GPU acceleration via OpenGL.
• Native tabs and split panes without relying on tmux.
• Powerful scripting via a remote control protocol, ideal for terminal layout automation.
• Supports graphics protocols to render images directly inside the terminal.

Disadvantages:

• Purely text-file-based configuration (kitty.conf), resulting in a steeper learning curve compared to terminals with full GUI settings.

How to install on Ubuntu:

1. Install via apt.

   sudo apt install kitty

2. Or use the official installer script from Kitty to get the latest version.

   curl -L https://sw.kovidgoyal.net/kitty/installer.sh | sh /dev/stdin

3. Launch by typing kitty in the terminal, or search for it in the application menu after installation completes.

5. Alacritty

Alacritty positions itself as the most lightweight and fastest terminal among GPU-accelerated options. Its design philosophy is intentionally minimalist, omitting built-in tabs or split panes entirely because the development team believes such features are better left to dedicated multiplexers like tmux.

Advantages:

• Text rendering performance ranks among the fastest in the GPU-accelerated terminal category.
• Configuration via a concise and readable alacritty.toml file.
• Pairs well with tmux for workflows requiring split panes alongside maximum performance.

Disadvantages:

• No native tabs or split panes, requiring pairing with tmux or screen for those needs.
• Minimal visual features such as image support in the terminal or extensive built-in themes.

How to install on Ubuntu:

1. Update the package list.

   sudo apt update

2. Install Alacritty.

   sudo apt install alacritty

3. Configuration resides at ~/.config/alacritty/alacritty.toml; create this file manually if it does not exist yet.

6. Ghostty

Ghostty is a modern GPU-based terminal created by Mitchell Hashimoto, founder of HashiCorp. Its main focus is high performance with minimal configuration, allowing new users to get started immediately without extensive setup.

Advantages:

• Fast performance thanks to GPU acceleration, with comfortable out-of-the-box configuration defaults.
• Matches native platform styling and is available cross-platform (Linux and macOS).
• Supports the kitty graphics protocol, making it compatible with tools created for Kitty.

Disadvantages:

• Official support on Ubuntu remains limited. Although Ghostty has entered the Ubuntu 26.04 LTS repository, it resides in the universe component rather than main, meaning it does not receive direct regular updates from Canonical.
• Plugin and theme ecosystem is not as extensive as Kitty, as the project is relatively new compared to other terminals on this list.
• The apt version may lag behind the latest Ghostty releases, requiring verification if the newest features are needed.

How to install on Ubuntu:

1. For Ubuntu 26.04 LTS and newer, install directly via apt.

   sudo apt install ghostty

2. To get a newer version or on older Ubuntu releases, use Snap.

   sudo snap install ghostty --classic

3. Another alternative is the .deb package from the mkasberg/ghostty-ubuntu community repository, which tracks official Ghostty releases faster than official Ubuntu repositories.

7. Guake

Guake is a drop-down (quake-style) terminal that appears from the top of the screen when a shortcut key is pressed, then hides away upon pressing it again. Guake is not a replacement for a primary terminal, but rather a complement for quick access without needing to alt-tab to find an open terminal window.

Advantages:

• Instant access via a single keyboard shortcut, suitable for quick commands amidst other tasks.
• Lightweight and runs in the background without consuming significant system resources.

Disadvantages:

• Not a replacement for a primary terminal due to minimal features compared to Kitty, Tilix, or Terminator.
• Best used alongside another terminal rather than as the sole daily-driver terminal.

How to install on Ubuntu:

1. Install via apt.

   sudo apt install guake

2. Or via Snap for automatic updates.

   sudo snap install guake

3. After installation, launch Guake once via the application menu so its icon appears in the system tray, then configure shortcuts via Preferences.

3. Comparison Table

4. Recommendations Based on Needs

• Most similar to GNOME Terminal, easiest transition: Ptyxis, especially as it is the new default in Ubuntu 26.04 LTS.
• GNOME theme integration plus tiling: Tilix.
• Multitasking with many panes simultaneously: Terminator.
• Most feature-complete with in-terminal image viewing: Kitty.
• Fastest performance and most lightweight: Alacritty.
• Modern interface with minimal configuration: Ghostty.
• Quick on-demand access via drop-down: Guake.

5. Conclusion

There is no single terminal that is universally best for everyone. The choice depends on personal priorities: for the smoothest transition from GNOME Terminal, Ptyxis is the most sensible choice as it serves as the new standard in Ubuntu 26.04 LTS. If raw performance is the priority, Alacritty or Kitty are far superior through GPU acceleration. Meanwhile, for sysadmins managing multiple servers at once, Terminator with its broadcasting feature remains hard to replace.

Try one of these seven alternatives based on your needs, and compare the experience directly with GNOME Terminal.

6. Frequently Asked Questions

Will GNOME Terminal be removed from Ubuntu?

GNOME Terminal is not removed, but its status as the default application has been replaced by Ptyxis since Ubuntu 26.04 LTS. You can still install it via apt if you prefer using it.

What is the fastest and most lightweight terminal for Ubuntu?

Alacritty is generally the fastest and most lightweight option thanks to GPU acceleration and a minimalist design philosophy, although it must be combined with tmux for split pane functionality.

Does Alacritty have built-in tabs?

No. Alacritty intentionally does not provide native tabs or split panes. For those features, you need to pair it with a terminal multiplexer such as tmux or screen.

How do I set the default terminal in Ubuntu?

After installing your chosen terminal, run sudo update-alternatives --config x-terminal-emulator and select the number corresponding to your desired terminal. For GNOME users, this option can also be configured via Settings > Default Applications if supported by the terminal.