The macOS default for power users vs a modern cross-platform alternative.
iTerm2 has been the go-to Mac terminal for over a decade. It is mature, deeply customizable, and free. If you have been using it for years, switching feels unnecessary. So what would make you consider something else?
Yaw is not trying to be a better iTerm2. It is a different kind of terminal — one that bundles connections, databases, and AI alongside the shell. Whether that matters depends on how you work.
| Feature | Yaw | iTerm2 |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux | macOS only |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Tabs and split panes | Yes | Yes |
| SSH connection manager | Built-in | No (profiles only) |
| Database connections | 6 types built-in | No |
| AI assistant | 9 providers (BYOK) | Optional plugin (multi-provider) |
| Triggers and automation | Limited | Extensive |
| Shell integration | Basic | Deep (marks, captures) |
| Hotkey window | No | Yes |
| Native performance | WebGL (Electron) | Native macOS |
| Customization depth | Moderate | Extensive |
| Built-in file editor | Yes | No |
| Telemetry | None | None |
iTerm2 is a native macOS app with decades of refinement. It has features yaw does not match:
If you rely on any of these features heavily, iTerm2 is the better choice and will be for the foreseeable future.
iTerm2 has profiles that can run SSH commands, but it does not have a connection manager. Yaw lets you save, organize, and tag SSH connections alongside database connections (PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQL Server, MongoDB, Redis). Credentials are encrypted locally with AES-256-GCM.
Yaw has a built-in AI assistant that sees your terminal output. It supports 9 providers with bring-your-own-key — Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, and more. Ask it to explain errors, suggest commands, or help debug. iTerm2 now has a stable AI plugin (since 3.6.9) supporting multiple providers, though it is an optional add-on rather than a core part of the terminal experience.
If you use macOS at work and Windows at home (or vice versa), yaw is the same terminal on both. Your connections, snippets, and workflows carry over. iTerm2 is macOS-only.
iTerm2 is a native macOS app. It will always have lower baseline resource usage than an Electron-based terminal. For most workflows this difference is negligible, but if you run many terminal windows simultaneously or process extremely high-throughput output, iTerm2 has the edge.
Stay with iTerm2 if you are happy with it, rely on its advanced features (triggers, shell integration, hotkey window), and work exclusively on macOS. It is an excellent terminal.
Consider yaw if you want your terminal to manage SSH and database connections, you want a built-in file editor, an AI assistant with provider choice, or you work across platforms.
Try yaw on macOS
Free, no account required. Install with one command:
curl -fsSL https://yaw.sh/install-mac.sh | sh