App Pier vs mtm

App Pier7.8Visit Mmtm5.5Visit

Higher score App Pier #2 in Touch Bar Apps 7.8/10 Paid ✓ 1 of 6 features Visit App Pier

vs

M mtm #8 in Touch Bar Apps 5.5/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 6 features Visit mtm

• App Pier fits best

  Mac users focused on launching and switching apps

• mtm fits best

  Terminal users seeking split virtual terminals

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Side by side

Feature	App Pier 7.8/10 Visit ↗	Mmtm 5.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	7.8	5.5
Ranking	#2 in Touch Bar Apps	#8 in Touch Bar Apps
Best for	Mac users focused on launching and switching apps	Terminal users seeking split virtual terminals
Pricing model	Paid	Free
Starting price	$2.99 one-time	Free plan
Free plan	—	✓ (best)
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop	Self-hosted
Platforms	macOS	Linux, macOS
Support	Email	Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business	Solo, Small business
Features App Pier 1/6 · mtm 0/6
Custom layouts	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
App launching	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Media controls	—	Not checked yet
System controls	—	Not checked yet
Custom shortcuts	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Profiles	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Search the Applications folder to launch apps. Pin favorites and switch to running apps from the Touch Bar. Use shortcuts, favorite folders, and window-hiding controls.	Splits one terminal into multiple virtual terminals Directional navigation and quick switching between terminals Open-source, self-hosted tool for Linux and macOS
Cons	Touch Bar controls require a MacBook Pro with a Touch Bar. The listing specifies macOS 11.0 or later. Its focus is app launching and switching, not media or system controls.	No native Touch Bar controls are described Requires local compilation with ncurses or compatible curses Terminal-focused scope omits broader workspace features
Our verdict	App Pier is a Mac application launcher and switcher for people who want to reach apps quickly, especially through the Touch Bar or keyboard shortcuts. It can search the Applications folder, pin favorite apps, switch to running apps, and… Read the review →	mtm, the Micro Terminal Multiplexer, is a small open-source utility for Unix-like command-line environments. It is designed for solo users and small teams who want to divide one terminal into multiple virtual terminals without adopting a… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• App Pier — where it wins

  • Search the Applications folder to launch apps.
  • Pin favorites and switch to running apps from the Touch Bar.
  • Use shortcuts, favorite folders, and window-hiding controls.

  Where it doesn't

  • Touch Bar controls require a MacBook Pro with a Touch Bar.
  • The listing specifies macOS 11.0 or later.
  • Its focus is app launching and switching, not media or system controls.

• mtm — where it wins

  • Splits one terminal into multiple virtual terminals
  • Directional navigation and quick switching between terminals
  • Open-source, self-hosted tool for Linux and macOS

  Where it doesn't

  • No native Touch Bar controls are described
  • Requires local compilation with ncurses or compatible curses
  • Terminal-focused scope omits broader workspace features

• App Pier7.8/10 · Paid

  A focused launcher for finding, pinning, and switching Mac apps, with a one-time $2.99 price.

  Visit App PierFull verdict →
• Mmtm5.5/10 · Free plan

  A focused, free terminal multiplexer—not a Touch Bar utility.

  Visit mtmFull verdict →