Compare software

fish vs Oils: catalog facts
fishOils

Best for: An interactive shell that is pleasant immediately, with nothing to configure

Best for: Shell script authors who want a stricter bash or a more modern shell language

Free

Free and open source under the GPL.

Free

Free and open source.

macOS, Linux, Command line macOS, Linux, Command line
  • Autosuggestions from history appear as you type with no plugins
  • Syntax highlighting shows an invalid command before you run it
All 4 strengths for fish
  • Autosuggestions from history appear as you type with no plugins
  • Syntax highlighting shows an invalid command before you run it
  • Tab completions generated from man pages, so they cover real options
  • Works well with no configuration file at all
  • OSH runs existing bash scripts with stricter error checking
  • YSH adds structured data and JSON support
All 4 strengths for Oils
  • OSH runs existing bash scripts with stricter error checking
  • YSH adds structured data and JSON support
  • Both shells in one small binary
  • Detailed reference documentation
  • Not POSIX-compatible, so bash snippets and scripts often need changing
  • No official Windows build
All 4 limitations for fish
  • Not POSIX-compatible, so bash snippets and scripts often need changing
  • No official Windows build
  • A smaller plugin ecosystem than zsh
  • Minimum supported macOS version is 10.12
  • Still before a 1.0 release
  • YSH is a new language to learn
Downloadable app Downloadable app
Open source Open source
License: GPL-2.0 License not stated
No account needed No account needed
Offline features available Offline features available
Sources for fish

Catalog checked September 21, 2026

Sources for Oils

Catalog checked September 24, 2026

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