Compare software

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

Best for: Zsh users who want a colored, easier to read command line	Best for: Zsh users who want live highlighting of what they type
Free Free and open source, maintained by the zdharma-continuum community.	Free Free and open source.
macOS, Linux, Command line	macOS, Linux, 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	Catches typos and unknown commands before running them Fish-like feedback while staying on Zsh Configurable highlighters
Works only in Zsh Overlaps with zsh-syntax-highlighting, so use one or the other	Works only with Zsh Can slow down input on very long command lines
Downloadable app	Downloadable app
Open source	Open source
License not stated	License: BSD-3-Clause
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-syntax-highlighting github.com/zsh-users/zsh-syntax-highlighting Catalog checked September 24, 2026

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