Compare the Best Shell Software Alternatives in 2025

If you're not completely satisfied with your current Shell tool, or simply want to explore what's new and trending, this list of alternatives is your go-to resource. From advanced functionality to intuitive design and pricing flexibility, there’s something here for everyone.

rc - a shell

Shell

rc - a shell, a reimplementation of the Plan 9 shell by Byron Rakitzis, offers...

sash

Shell

sash is a unique, stand-alone shell renowned for its statically linked built-in commands, offering a...

KornShell

Shell

KornShell (ksh), developed by David G. Korn, has long been a powerful and versatile interactive...

Elvish

Shell

Elvish is celebrated for its friendly and expressive shell environment, offering powerful and intuitive pipelines,...

GeoShell

Windows Shell

GeoShell has long been celebrated as a premier minimalist Windows shell replacement, offering a unique...

Ergonomica

Shell

Ergonomica is a cross-platform shell language implemented in Python, aiming to modernize the terminal with...

Talisman Desktop

Shell Replacement

Talisman Desktop, a configurable Windows shell replacement introduced by Lighttek Software in 1997, offered users...

SharpEnviro

Shell Replacements

SharpEnviro (or SharpE) redefined the Windows desktop experience for many, offering an open-source shell replacement...

Gregs DOS Shell (GS.EXE)

Shell

Gregs DOS Shell (GS.EXE) is a highly useful alternative DOS shell, celebrated for its improved...

Oh My Fish

Shell Utilities

If you're a devoted user of the Fish shell, chances are you're familiar with Oh...

SPB Mobile Shell

Mobile Shell

SPB Mobile Shell was once a highly regarded next-generation user interface for Windows Mobile devices,...

Antigen

Shell Utility

Antigen has long been a reliable tool for managing Zsh shell plugins, offering a familiar...

Fisherman

Shell

If you're a devoted user of the fish shell, chances are you've encountered or even...

MenuViewer

Shell Extension

MenuViewer has long been a go-to shell extension for Windows users, providing convenient thumbnail previews...

bash-completion

Shell

While bash-completion is an incredibly powerful and popular tool for enhancing the Bash shell with...

Icaros

Shell Extension

Icaros is a powerful and lightweight collection of Windows Shell Extensions, specifically designed to provide...