The whole purpose of a terminal emulator is to mimic the performance of normal computer terminals and allow the primary computer to connect and use a remote computer via a command line or graphical interface. Terminal emulators are known to perform functions using software.
It allows the transfer of files between the primary and remote computers using SSH (Secure Shell) and also allows the host system to run applications on the remote system. Although it comes with a graphical user interface, programmers rather prefer the text-based interface to gain more control over all functions and speed up the process.
We have selected some of the best terminal emulators that mimic the Unix format and other similar consoles.
It is an advanced terminal emulator for Windows that comes with an SSH (tabbed) client, network utilities, and more. This unprecedented toolkit with many features (specially designed for developers, programmers, etc.) is perfect for those who want to manage remote jobs via remote processing.
Features:
- Lightweight, single platform tool bundled with GNU / Unix commands.
- It can be saved in a USB stick (pen drive) which makes it portable and thus can be installed on any machine that establishes a local terminal.
- As soon as an SSH connection is complete, it starts automatically and makes changes to the X-11 forwarding.
- Show remote applications on your computer using X11 forwarding.
- It offers easy access to the built-in X server and many other network clients via a tabbed terminal.
- Makes it extremely easy to access UNIX commands.
- It allows you to view multiple remote networks on the same platform.
- It supports network and client tools such as telnet, SSH, rlogin, etc. And also commands like rsync, bash, cat, etc.
Among its other features is an option to download free plug-ins, to run a single command for multiple networks at the same time, with integrated servers with network daemons, quick access tools, RDP with multiple settings, and so on.
Price: free.
This powerful terminal emulator mimics the host system to create a virtual terminal in association with remote systems. It allows your system to function as a terminal which is especially useful when you want to extract data inside the mainframe.
Features:
- It comes with a wide variety of drop-down tabs that you can click to generate a whole new window.
- System secure and use the Kerberos MIT verification method to keep your data safe.
- Automatically launch any updates as and when available using a special real-time update feature.
- Block any unjustified access by activating a function: automatic terminal blocking.
Furthermore, it provides support for multiple scripting languages using UTF8 encoding and makes the automation level higher than other similar tools.
Price: free.
Those who are looking for a compact, portable and easy-to-use terminal emulator may be just what they want. It can be downloaded in both compact and enlarged versions. This is a terminal emulator that emulates the video game consoles on your system and can also be carried in a USB drive.
Features:
- It features a tabbed interface showing options for Console, command line, etc.
- A user-friendly app that allows you to experiment with it and do unique things, for example, creating fundamental UNIX commands.
- It comes with built-in aliases, for example, the one like in Explorer from which you can open the Explorer window by simply typing “.e” and the existing location.
Additionally, it also introduces the latest animated GUI with extremely special color schemes along with enhancements like keyboard shortcuts or context-based completion. It can also be downloaded in both compact and enlarged versions.
Price: free.
It offers an attractive and innovative experience for those who are regular users of the command line interface. Built on open web principles, the software focuses primarily on speed, stability, and building an accurate API for those who develop extensions.
Features:
- Offers a range of extensions available on npm. All you have to do is use "hyper" as a keyword in "package.json".
- It allows you to modify all the commands and therefore, to change them, you need to modify the field and insert the modification of your choice in the "key maps".
- Allows you to configure the default image size in pixels, fonts, color, shape, and more.
- Provides extensions which are general modules of Node.js.
- Allows hot reload and hot reload of plug-ins by clicking Command + R keys to refresh.
Among its other main features are the ability to offer a higher level component for individual pieces of the user interface and it also offers the ability to create, overwrite or completely remove effects.
Price: free.
This terminal emulator allows you to run several console apps simultaneously in a tabbed interface. It also allows you to work with a built-in text editor, along with UNIX commands and Shell scripts.
Features:
- Easy to use environment with multiple tabs.
- It allows you to work with different activities, simultaneously and effortlessly.
- It helps you to run several command lines at the same time which includes PowerShell, CMD.exe, etc.
- It also allows you to edit multiple different text files at the same time and effortlessly change the source of the scripting language or programming language and collect or execute the data in a separate tab.
- The built-in command line interpreter comes with a number of features that help you perform your tasks easily.
- It allows you to add file and directory names indicating target items, create 500 pseudo names and more.
In addition, it supports HTML and CSS codes, has the ability to remember command history for the following sessions and directories, and also allows you to edit and save command sessions in HTML format.
Price: Free trial available; Pro version priced at $ 29.
It is a free and open source terminal emulator that allows you to access other machines via a host system. It is a client program for the SSH, Telnet and Rlogin network models, serial console and network file transfer tool that allows you to perform a remote session to a machine on a connected network.
Features:
- Hosts and executes protocols that allow you to perform terminal emulation over the Internet.
- Made for SSH, Telnet and rlogin, it allows you to safely execute commands from the main computer.
- It offers a wide range of tools to help you run it properly and also clients like PuTTYtel, PSCP, etc. For certain activities.
Additionally, it also sports a command line interface on the backend, Pageant (SSH Verification Agent), and tools like PuTTYgen, RSA, and DSA.
Price: free and open source.
It is an advanced terminal emulator designed for online and Windows users and which allows you to access, synchronize and simplify terminal-dependent applications.
Features:
- It allows you to connect to a wide range of hosts which include SSH, UNIX, VNC, etc.
- Particularly useful for those who work on multiple computers where it is possible to manage them remotely with this tool.
- Allows you to choose terminal variant, display size or while selecting host types.
- If you choose Remote Desktop as the host type, you will also need the host name, user ID, password, and a web address.
- Connect reactively with visual feedback of the system you are connected to.
The option to add connections to your favorites, a built-in browser where you can view your web pages or read feeds or a native web browser are among its other main features.
Price: Free trial available; Plans start at $ 69.
If you are looking for a professional tool for your terminal emulation needs, this can be a great choice. It is one of the most reliable and sophisticated tools in its class, with a powerful feature index. It connects you to host and mainframe computers using clients such as telnet, SSH, capable serial, and several other communication methods.
Features:
- It comes with an advanced user interface that makes your work easier.
- It features tabbed sessions with thumbnails, an address book with folders, colorful hosts and with more than 200 commands for the scripting language.
- It offers extended recording, full keyboard remapping, and an option to swipe back.
- Provides the ability to create user-indicated buttons, predefined actions, and an option for recording macros.
Also, it emulates using Wyse, xterm, VT220 and communicates using Rlogin, SSH, Telnet, etc. And it also supports file transfer via Xmodem, SCP, Ymodem, etc.
Price: Free trial available; Upgrade for $ 79,99.
This terminal emulator is a branch of PuTTY and is one of the best SSH / Telnet clients. Gain remote access to another system in the terminal. In addition to PuTTY-like features, it also offers sports session filters, default logo script, session initiation, and more.
Features:
- A free and open source program, and is a secure terminal emulator that can mimic the sets of controls from xterm, VT102 or ECMA-48 terminal emulations.
- Download rendering to the GPU to reduce system load and easy scrolling.
- Provides support for all advanced terminal functions.
- Ability to handle it from script or shell prompt.
- Facilitates startup sessions that allow you to mention the window or tab design.
Among its other significant features are the support of tiling of different terminal windows along with different designs, the offer of a structure for the kittens, the multi-platform support and more.
Price: freeware.
This useful, detailed, fast and reliable tool works as a terminal for GUI-based programs. It includes several consoles and simple GUI applications in a single user interface configured with a tabbed window and with different functionalities.
Features:
- It offers an appropriate, uniform and friendly way to resize the window.
- Choice of settings for individual applications and offers easy-to-use text and block selection.
- Sort the different applications into tabs and separate them.
- Facilitates regular and zoomed graphics modes to full screen, vertical or horizontal cursor, provides ANSI and Xterm series 256 colors and more.
In addition, it also offers drop-down menus in the form of a quiver, option to customize the font family, height, width, etc., drag and drop functionality, a status bar that can be configured and clicked, and so on.
Price: free.
This best-in-class application works perfectly with Cygwin and comes with a user interface (for Windows) without the need for any display server.
Features:
- Lightweight and portable, this software acts as a terminal emulator for remote systems and is perfect for developers, programmers and programmers.
- Its terminal emulation function works with xterm.
- The process that runs within the software connects using the POSIX API and the user interface is added using the Windows API.
In addition, it also has a full set of features that includes 256 colors and support for True-color, support for a wide variety of character encoding, emojis, optional characters, drag-and-drop capabilities, and so on.
Price: free.
This is a Windows shell that has the potential to run multiple command line programs. Unlike Cygwin (another shell) which makes it difficult to bring up and run the normal shell, this program instead makes it very convenient along with some extra features.
Features:
- It offers a minimal configuration and provides all the features of Cygwin.
- To get more benefit from its features in a Linux-like environment, you can use this special bundle manager and it also supports proxies, offers plugins, and more.
Above all, it is easy to use a shell that can be used effortlessly by both beginners and professionals
Price: free.
Conclusion
Windows 10 previously lacked an efficient command line interface, so developers needed third-party terminal emulators to do their job. However, recently, Windows 10 offers the option to add a bash shell into it. However, there is no better alternative than third-party emulators to seamlessly access a remote computer. While there are many terminal emulators available online, these are some of the best. These emulators are not only efficient, they can also be handled easily. So, make your choice and easily log into a remote system.
