GNOME TerminalLinux
vs
Windows TerminalWindows
GNOME Terminal as a Linux alternative to Windows Terminal
Updated
Our verdict
GNOME Terminal is a solid, stable replacement for Windows Terminal if you prioritize reliability over visual flair. It handles tabs, multiple shells, and standard Unicode without issue. However, it lacks native split panes and GPU acceleration, which are core features of Windows Terminal. If you rely heavily on split views or advanced JSON-based configuration, you might prefer Kitty or Alacritty instead. For typical command-line work, GNOME Terminal is sufficient and integrates deeply with the GNOME ecosystem, though it feels less modern in terms of rendering speed and layout flexibility.
- License
- GPL-3.0
- Price
- Free
- Latest version
- 3.60.0
- Rating
- —
What works the same
- Supports multiple tabs with independent sessions
- Configurable profiles for different shells and environments
- Full support for bash, zsh, fish, and other standard shells
- Customizable color schemes and font settings
- Supports Unicode and 256-color/true-color output
What is different
- No native split pane support (requires extensions or workarounds)
- No GPU-accelerated rendering; uses standard X11/Wayland compositing
- Configuration is via dconf/gsettings rather than a single JSON file
- Lacks built-in command palette or advanced shortcut customization found in Windows Terminal
- Scrollback is unlimited by default but lacks the specific performance optimizations of GPU terminals
Opening your Windows Terminal files
There is no direct file compatibility between Windows Terminal and GNOME Terminal. Windows Terminal uses a single JSON configuration file (profiles.json) to define settings, while GNOME Terminal stores its configuration in the dconf database (gsettings). You cannot import a Windows Terminal JSON file directly. You will need to manually recreate your profiles, color schemes, and keybindings in GNOME Terminal's settings interface or by editing dconf values.
Switching from Windows Terminal to GNOME Terminal, step by step
- Install GNOME Terminal via your package manager (e.g., sudo apt install gnome-terminal)
- Open GNOME Terminal and go to Preferences to set your default shell (bash, zsh, etc.)
- Create a new profile for each distinct environment you used in Windows Terminal
- Adjust font, color scheme, and transparency settings to match your previous setup
- Configure keyboard shortcuts for tabs and scrolling in the Shortcuts tab
- Set GNOME Terminal as your default terminal application in system settings
Key features of GNOME Terminal
- Tab support with independent profiles
- Unlimited scrollback buffer
- Customisable colour schemes and fonts
- Transparent background option
- Keyboard shortcuts for split panes (via extensions)
- Drag‑and‑drop of URLs and files
- Support for multiple shells
- Searchable output
How to install GNOME Terminal on Linux
sudo apt install gnome-terminalsudo apt install gnome-terminalsudo dnf install gnome-terminalsudo pacman -S gnome-terminalsudo zypper install gnome-terminalFrequently asked questions
Can I split panes in GNOME Terminal natively?
No, GNOME Terminal does not have built-in split pane support. You can install extensions or use a different terminal like Tilix or Kitty if split panes are essential for your workflow.
Is GNOME Terminal GPU-accelerated?
No, it is not GPU-accelerated. It uses standard system compositing. For GPU-accelerated performance, consider Alacritty, Kitty, or WezTerm instead.
How do I configure multiple shells?
Create separate profiles in GNOME Terminal preferences. In each profile, set the 'Command' field to the specific shell path (e.g., /usr/bin/fish) and any required arguments.
4 other alternatives to Windows Terminal
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