Compare software

fast-syntax-highlighting vs zsh-patina: catalog facts
fast-syntax-highlighting	zsh-patina

Best for: Zsh users who want a colored, easier to read command line	Best for: Zsh users who want fast syntax highlighting at the prompt
Free Free and open source, maintained by the zdharma-continuum community.	Free Free and open source under the MIT licence.
macOS, Linux, Command line	Command line
Highlights commands, paths and strings as you type Multiple themes with a command to switch between them Per-command chroma highlighting, for example for Git	Highlights the command line live while typing Built with a focus on speed Theme files for changing colours Actively maintained, with recent commits
Works only in Zsh Overlaps with zsh-syntax-highlighting, so use one or the other	Only works with the Zsh shell No packaged GitHub releases; installation follows the README
Downloadable app	Downloadable app
Open source	Open source
License not stated	License: MIT
No account needed	No account needed
Offline features available	Offline features available
Official website Full listing and sources Sources for fast-syntax-highlighting github.com/zdharma-continuum/fast-syntax-highlighting Catalog checked October 1, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Sources for zsh-patina github.com/michel-kraemer/zsh-patina Catalog checked October 2, 2026

“Not stated” means we have not confirmed it. Features can vary by device and plan.