KonsoleLinux
vs
Windows Terminal (legacy)Windows
Konsole as a Linux alternative to Windows Terminal (legacy)
Updated
Our verdict
Konsole is a solid replacement for Windows Terminal (legacy), especially for users already on KDE or other desktop environments that support Qt apps. It supports tabs, Unicode, color output, and multiple shell sessions—core features users expect. It's fast, customizable, and handles copy-paste, keyboard shortcuts, and split views well. While its look and feel differ from Windows Terminal, it fulfills the same practical role. Users coming from Windows may need minor adaptation, but power users will appreciate its depth and integration with KDE tools.
- License
- GPL-2.0+
- Price
- Free
- Latest version
- 26.04.3 (July 2, 2026)
- Rating
- —
What works the same
- Both support tabbed terminal sessions
- Handle multiple shells (bash, zsh, etc.) and display colored output correctly
- Allow text selection, copy-paste, and keyboard customization
- Support Unicode and international text rendering
- Offer customizable profiles and color schemes
What is different
- Konsole lacks PowerShell integration by default (requires manual setup)
- No built-in JSON-based settings like Windows Terminal, uses GUI or config files
- Split views are layout-dependent and less flexible than Windows Terminal panes
- No GPU-accelerated text rendering by default
- Activity/silence notifications are more advanced in Konsole
Opening your Windows Terminal (legacy) files
Konsole does not directly open Windows Terminal (legacy) configuration files (like settings.json). However, you can manually recreate profiles, keybindings, and color schemes. There's no automated import tool, but the settings are straightforward to port by hand. Exported terminal output from either can be saved as plain text and shared without issues.
Switching from Windows Terminal (legacy) to Konsole, step by step
- Install Konsole via your distro's package manager (e.g., sudo apt install konsole)
- Open Konsole and go to Settings > Configure Profiles to set up shells (bash, zsh, etc.)
- Customize fonts, colors, and keyboard shortcuts under Settings > Configure Shortcuts
- Use Bookmarks > Edit to add frequent directories
- Enable tab bar and split views via View menu or right-click tabs
- Save output via Session > Save History if needed
Key features of Konsole
- Tabbed terminal sessions
- Customizable color schemes and fonts
- Multiple terminal profiles with different settings
- Silence and activity notifications
- Bookmark support for frequently used directories
- Search within terminal output
- Save terminal output to file
- Drag-and-drop and split views (in some layouts)
How to install Konsole on Linux
flatpak install flathub org.kde.konsolesudo apt install konsolesudo apt install konsolesudo dnf install konsolesudo pacman -S konsolesudo zypper install konsoleFrequently asked questions
Can Konsole run PowerShell like Windows Terminal?
Yes, if PowerShell is installed on Linux (via snap or package). Konsole can launch it as a shell, but it's not installed by default.
Is Konsole only for KDE?
No, it runs on GNOME, XFCE, and others, though it uses Qt libraries and fits best in KDE.
Does Konsole support the same keyboard shortcuts?
Not by default, but you can customize most shortcuts in Settings > Configure Shortcuts to match your preference.
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