Tool profile
Tilix: cost, fit and limits
Tilix is a free tiling terminal emulator for Linux, built on the VTE GTK+ 3 widget under the MPL-2.0 license, with splits, drag and drop, synchronized input and terminal groupings that can be saved and loaded from disk.
What to know first
Tilix has one plan: the free download. The web page and repository describe splitting terminals horizontally or vertically, dragging terminals between windows, synchronized input and groupings saved to disk. The repository also says it seeks maintainers and receives very minimal maintenance, with no new features planned. No AI feature is named on the pages read. The tool is aimed at desktop use.
Tilix at a glance
| Maker | gnunn1 (repository owner on GitHub; legal name not stated), Not stated on the vendor pages |
|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes |
| Entry price | Free |
| API access | No |
| Category | Best AI Terminal Emulators in 2026, rank 12 of 12 |
| Website | gnunn1.github.io/tilix-web |
Who Tilix is best for
Linux desktop users
The tiling layout suits people who keep several shells open on one screen and want to arrange them quickly without a separate window manager setup.
Admins who repeat commands
Synchronized input sends the same keystrokes to several terminals at once, which helps when running one command across a handful of similar sessions.
People with fixed layouts
Groupings can be saved and loaded from disk, so a recurring arrangement of terminals for a project can be restored in a single step.
Tilix plans and pricing
| Plan | Price | What it includes |
|---|---|---|
| Free download | Free | Source code and binaries under the MPL-2.0 license; the pages read publish no paid tier and describe no account. |
Checked November 2026.
What Tilix does
- Tiling splits
- Terminals split horizontally or vertically inside one window, so a layout of several shells can be arranged without relying on a separate multiplexer program. Layouts can be rearranged as work changes.
- Drag and drop
- Terminals can be moved between windows by dragging, which lets you reorganize a workspace as a task changes without closing running sessions. Running sessions keep going while you drag.
- Synchronized input
- Input typed in one terminal can be sent to others, which is useful for repeating the same setup commands on several machines or sessions at once.
- Saved groupings
- Terminal groupings are saved to and loaded from disk, so a recurring layout can be restored later, which saves time for people who use fixed arrangements.
- VTE widget
- It builds on the VTE GTK+ 3 widget, per the repository, which ties its look and behavior to that Linux desktop toolkit and its release cycle.
How Tilix handles your data
Tilix is a local Linux program. The pages read describe no account or hosted service and state nothing on retention, model training or certifications. It names no assistant, so AI tools you run inside it keep their own terms. With upkeep described as very minimal, security fixes may also arrive slowly, which is worth weighing for sensitive work. Nothing on the pages read changes that.
Where Tilix falls short in practice
- Minimal maintenance. The repository lists Maintainers Wanted, says upkeep is very minimal and that no new features are planned, so buyers should not expect AI features or fast fixes.
- Linux only. It is built on GTK+ 3 and runs only on Linux, which excludes Mac and Windows users and any team that wants one terminal across every operating system.
Works with
Alternatives to Tilix
Tilix: common questions
Is Tilix free?
Yes. Tilix is free under MPL-2.0 according to the repository, and the pages read show no paid tier. The source is hosted on GitHub, where the maintainer also asks for help with upkeep and development. Check the repository for the current release.
Does Tilix have AI features?
No AI feature is named on the Tilix pages we read. It focuses on tiling layouts, so AI work comes from tools you run inside it, each with its own data terms. The repository says no new features are planned.
Is Tilix still maintained?
The repository says Maintainers Wanted and only very minimal maintenance, with no new features planned. Treat it as stable but not growing, and weigh that if you need quick fixes or support for newer desktop components. Check the repository for recent activity.
Does Tilix run on Mac?
No. The repository describes a Linux program built on GTK+ 3, so Mac and Windows users need another terminal. Cross-platform options in this ranking include Alacritty, kitty, WezTerm and Rio, each with its own trade-offs. Check which options suit your desktop.
What is synchronized input in Tilix?
It sends what you type in one terminal to others in the window, which helps when running the same command in several sessions. The pages read do not describe limits or safeguards, so be careful with destructive commands. Use it with care on production systems.