Putty vs iTerm2: What are the differences?

Introduction

In this article, we will discuss the key differences between Putty and iTerm2, two popular terminal emulators. Terminal emulators are software applications that allow users to access a command-line interface on their computers.

1. User Interface (UI): Putty primarily focuses on simplicity and minimalism in its user interface. It offers a straightforward and basic design with limited customization options. On the other hand, iTerm2 provides a more feature-rich UI with extensive customization capabilities. It offers various themes, fonts, and layout options, allowing users to personalize their terminal experience.

2. Operating System Compatibility: Putty is primarily designed for Windows operating systems and is not natively available for other operating systems like macOS or Linux. In contrast, iTerm2 is specifically developed for macOS and offers advanced functionalities tailored to the macOS ecosystem. There is no native support for Windows or Linux platforms.

3. Session Management: Putty is known for its excellent session management capabilities. It allows users to save session configurations, which they can easily load to establish connections with remote servers. iTerm2 also offers session management features, but it takes it a step further by providing more advanced features like window arrangements, instant replay, and the ability to set rules for automatically opening specific sessions.

4. Advanced Features: iTerm2 is renowned for its extensive feature set. It provides features such as split panes, tabs, hotkeys, and mouse interactions that enhance user productivity and multitasking. Putty, on the other hand, offers a more bare-bones approach and lacks many advanced features found in iTerm2.

5. Scripting and Automation: Putty has limited capabilities when it comes to scripting and automation. It supports basic scripting with its own scripting language, but it is not as versatile as iTerm2's scripting abilities. iTerm2 comes with advanced scripting options, allowing users to write complex scripts using a wide range of scripting languages like Python or AppleScript.

6. Integration with Third-Party Tools: iTerm2 provides better integration with various third-party tools commonly used by developers and system administrators. It supports integration with tools like Shell Integration, tmux, and Zsh, enhancing the overall terminal experience. Putty, on the other hand, lacks such extensive integrations.

In summary, Putty and iTerm2 differ significantly in their user interface, operating system compatibility, session management capabilities, advanced features, scripting and automation abilities, and integration with third-party tools. While Putty focuses on simplicity and Windows compatibility, iTerm2 offers a feature-rich experience tailored for macOS users, with extensive customization options, advanced features, and better integration with other tools.