Powerlevel10k vs Pure
Which should you use? A side-by-side look at what each one does, who it suits, what it costs, how hard it is to set up, and where each falls short.
Open source · MIT
A fast, customizable prompt theme for the Zsh shell, with a setup wizard.
Open source · MIT
A minimal, fast zsh prompt that shows git status and command timing.
The short answer
Choose Powerlevel10k if you need…
- Zsh users who want a informative prompt that does not slow down typing
- People who want to move from Powerlevel9k without rewriting their settings
- Users who prefer a guided setup wizard over writing configuration from scratch
- People who want a Pure-style prompt with extra features like transient prompt
Choose Pure if you need…
- Developers who use zsh and want a simple, readable prompt
- People who work with git branches and want to see status at a glance
- Users who want a prompt they can extend with their own segments
- Anyone who prefers a minimal look over a heavily decorated prompt
Side-by-side
| Powerlevel10k | Pure | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Dev tool | Dev tool |
| Price | Free and open source | Free and open source |
| Licence | MIT | MIT |
| GitHub stars | 55.3k | 14.5k |
| Setup difficulty | Beginner | Beginner |
| How you get it | Clone and build from source | Install with a package manager |
| Main language | Shell | Shell |
| Last code update | 53 days ago | 30 days ago |
What each one is
Powerlevel10k
Powerlevel10k is a theme that changes how the command prompt looks in Zsh, the shell used in many terminals. It shows information such as the current directory and Git status, and it is designed to keep the prompt responsive even when showing a lot of information. A built-in wizard, started with p10k configure, lets you pick a style without editing config files by hand.
Pure
Pure is a prompt for the zsh shell, the command line used on many Macs and Linux systems. It shows your current folder, your git branch with a marker when there are uncommitted changes, and arrows when local commits are not yet pushed or pulled. It is designed to look clean and stay out of your way.
Best for
Powerlevel10k
- Zsh users who want a informative prompt that does not slow down typing
- People who want to move from Powerlevel9k without rewriting their settings
- Users who prefer a guided setup wizard over writing configuration from scratch
- People who want a Pure-style prompt with extra features like transient prompt
Pure
- Developers who use zsh and want a simple, readable prompt
- People who work with git branches and want to see status at a glance
- Users who want a prompt they can extend with their own segments
- Anyone who prefers a minimal look over a heavily decorated prompt
Strengths
Powerlevel10k
- The README claims the prompt stays fast, and it describes an instant prompt feature that shows the prompt while plugins load
- Includes a configuration wizard (p10k configure) that creates a settings file with comments
- Understands existing Powerlevel9k configuration parameters, which eases migration
Pure
- Installs and enables with a few lines and has a documented npm and Homebrew route
- Git status checks run asynchronously and many options are configurable via environment variables and zstyle
- The README offers a documented hook (prompt_pure_precustom) for adding custom content
Not ideal for
Powerlevel10k
- Users of bash, fish or other shells, since it only works with Zsh
- Users who need active maintenance or new features, because the README says the project has very limited support, no new features are planned, and help requests will be ignored
- Users who cannot install a patched font, since some prompt styles need special symbols to display
Pure
- People who do not use zsh (the README describes a zsh-only prompt), since it will not work in bash or fish
- Users who want many built-in segments by default, because several extras such as Node.js version display are off unless enabled
- Users on very old zsh versions, since the README recommends zsh 5.2+ and says older versions are not recommended
Trade-offs
Powerlevel10k
- The README states the project has very limited support, no new features in the works, and most bugs will go unfixed
- Some prompt styles need a recommended patched font to display correctly
- Prompt appearance may differ slightly from Powerlevel9k with the same configuration, according to the README's FAQ
Pure
- Configuration is done through zstyle and environment variables, which takes some reading of the README to learn
- Some useful features such as detailed dirty indicators and stash display are opt-in rather than on by default
- The README does not describe compatibility beyond the listed minimum versions of Git and zsh
Getting started
Powerlevel10k
Clone the repository
git clone --depth=1 https://github.com/romkatv/powerlevel10k.git ${ZDOTDIR:-$HOME}/powerlevel10kPure
Install with npm
npm install --global pure-promptInstall with Homebrew
brew install pureFrequently asked questions
What is the difference between Powerlevel10k and Pure?
Powerlevel10k: A fast, customizable prompt theme for the Zsh shell, with a setup wizard. Pure: A minimal, fast zsh prompt that shows git status and command timing. Powerlevel10k suits zsh users who want a informative prompt that does not slow down typing, while Pure suits developers who use zsh and want a simple, readable prompt.
Are Powerlevel10k and Pure free?
Powerlevel10k: Free and open source. Pure: Free and open source.
Is Powerlevel10k or Pure more popular?
Powerlevel10k has more GitHub stars (55.3k) than Pure (14.5k). Popularity isn't the same as fit — check which one matches your use case above.
What are other alternatives to Powerlevel10k and Pure?
Other options people compare them with include Oh My Zsh, Spaceship Prompt, Oh My Posh.
Keep comparing
Built from our catalogue entries for both products: open-source details come from each project's README (AI-assisted, refreshed weekly) and GitHub data; AI-tool details are editorial. Spotted something wrong? Let us know from either product's page.