Terminator as a Linux alternative to MobaXterm
Updated
Our verdict
Terminator is a solid terminal emulator for Linux that covers most of the core terminal features of MobaXterm, such as tabbed/split panes, SSH connectivity, and a configurable keybinding system. However, it lacks the built‑in X server, RDP/VNC support, and the bundled Unix utilities that MobaXterm offers. It is best suited for users who need a lightweight, split‑pane terminal and already have separate X server or remote‑desktop tools. For those who rely on MobaXterm’s all‑in‑one GUI‑forwarding and extra utilities, Terminator alone will not be a full replacement.
- License
- GPL-3.0
- Price
- Free
- Latest version
- 2.1.6
- Rating
- —
What works the same
- Both provide terminal emulation with SSH support
- Both support split panes or tabbed views
- Both allow configurable profiles and keybindings
What is different
- Terminator does not include an X server for remote GUI apps
- Terminator lacks built‑in RDP/VNC clients
- Terminator does not bundle Unix command‑line utilities like grep or rsync
- MobaXterm offers a single‑click session manager for multiple hosts
- MobaXterm includes a graphical session editor
Opening your MobaXterm files
MobaXterm stores session data in its own proprietary .MobaXterm file format. Terminator does not natively read or write these files. To migrate, users must manually re‑create SSH sessions in Terminator’s config (terminator.conf) or use a generic SSH config file (~/.ssh/config).
Switching from MobaXterm to Terminator, step by step
- Export MobaXterm sessions to a plain text list or note them down.
- Create a new Terminator profile for each host in ~/.config/terminator/config.
- Add SSH commands to the profiles’ command field (e.g., ssh user@host).
- Set up any custom keybindings in the config file.
- If you need X forwarding, install and run an external X server such as Xming or VcXsrv on Windows or use X11 forwarding on Linux.
- Test each session to confirm connectivity and terminal appearance.
- faq
Key features of Terminator
- Multiple resizable panes in a single window
- Keyboard shortcuts for pane navigation and resizing
- Configurable profiles and color schemes
- Session persistence across restarts
- Ability to run commands in all panes simultaneously
- Customizable keybindings via a simple config file
How to install Terminator on Linux
sudo apt install terminatorsudo apt install terminatorsudo dnf install terminatorsudo pacman -S terminatorsudo zypper install terminator4 other alternatives to MobaXterm
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