Compare software

OilsPowerShell

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

Best for: Automating Windows administration, or anything where the data is objects rather than text

Free

Free and open source.

 Free

Free and open source under the MIT licence.

macOS, Linux, Command line Windows, macOS, Linux, Command line
  • OSH runs existing bash scripts with stricter error checking
  • YSH adds structured data and JSON support
All 4 strengths
  • 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
  • Pipes structured objects rather than text, so filtering and sorting need no parsing
  • Optimised for JSON, CSV, XML, REST APIs and object models
All 4 strengths
  • Pipes structured objects rather than text, so filtering and sorting need no parsing
  • Optimised for JSON, CSV, XML, REST APIs and object models
  • Runs on Windows, macOS and Linux from one codebase
  • A very large module ecosystem for managing Microsoft and cloud services
  • Still before a 1.0 release
  • YSH is a new language to learn
  • PowerShell 7 and the built-in Windows PowerShell 5.1 are separate; some modules only work in 5.1
  • Verbose command names make one-liners long compared with bash
All 4 limitations
  • PowerShell 7 and the built-in Windows PowerShell 5.1 are separate; some modules only work in 5.1
  • Verbose command names make one-liners long compared with bash
  • Startup is slower than a traditional shell
  • Execution policy settings trip people up on Windows the first time
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
Sources

Catalog checked September 24, 2026
Sources

Catalog checked September 21, 2026

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