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bat vs Glow: catalog facts
batGlow
Free

Free and open source, dual licensed under the Apache 2.0 and MIT licences.

Free

Free and open source under the MIT licence.

Windows, macOS, Linux, Command line Windows, macOS, Linux, Command line
  • Syntax highlighting for a very large number of languages
  • Git integration showing added and modified lines in the margin
  • Finds Markdown files in the current directory tree or the whole git repository on its own
  • Pager keybindings match less, so there is nothing new to learn
  • Command line only
  • Slower than cat on very large files because of the highlighting
  • Reading only; it does not edit
  • Terminal rendering cannot show images
Downloadable app Downloadable app
Open source Open source
License: Apache-2.0 License: MIT
No account needed No account needed
Works offline Works offline

Checked September 21, 2026

Checked September 21, 2026

Catalog facts only. Anything “not stated” is unconfirmed. Check full listings for details.