BetterTouchTool vs mtm

BetterTouchTool7.5Visit Mmtm5.5Visit

Higher score BetterTouchTool #3 in Touch Bar Apps 7.5/10 45-day trial Free trial✓ 0 of 6 features Try BetterTouchTool

vs

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

• BetterTouchTool fits best

  Mac users seeking broad input and workflow customization

• mtm fits best

  Terminal users seeking split virtual terminals

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Side by side

Feature	BetterTouchTool 7.5/10 Visit ↗	Mmtm 5.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	7.5	5.5
Ranking	#3 in Touch Bar Apps	#8 in Touch Bar Apps
Best for	Mac users seeking broad input and workflow customization	Terminal users seeking split virtual terminals
Pricing model	Paid	Free
Starting price	$15 one-time	Free plan
Free plan	—	✓ (best)
Free trial	45 days	—
Deployment	Desktop	Self-hosted
Platforms	macOS	Linux, macOS
Features BetterTouchTool 0/6 · mtm 0/6
Custom layouts	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
App launching	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Media controls	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
System controls	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Custom shortcuts	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Profiles	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Customize Trackpad and Magic Mouse gestures, shortcuts, and mouse buttons Chain actions and create global or per-app triggers Connect Stream Deck and use multiple scripting interfaces	Splits one terminal into multiple virtual terminals Directional navigation and quick switching between terminals Open-source, self-hosted tool for Linux and macOS
Cons	Its feature set extends well beyond Touch Bar customization The Standard License includes updates for only 2 years Available for macOS only	No native Touch Bar controls are described Requires local compilation with ncurses or compatible curses Terminal-focused scope omits broader workspace features
Our verdict	BetterTouchTool is macOS software for customizing input devices and automating actions. It is aimed at Mac users who want to remap Trackpad and Magic Mouse gestures, keyboard shortcuts, or mouse buttons, and connect those triggers to… 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

• BetterTouchTool — where it wins

  • Customize Trackpad and Magic Mouse gestures, shortcuts, and mouse buttons
  • Chain actions and create global or per-app triggers
  • Connect Stream Deck and use multiple scripting interfaces

  Where it doesn't

  • Its feature set extends well beyond Touch Bar customization
  • The Standard License includes updates for only 2 years
  • Available for macOS only

• 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

• BetterTouchTool7.5/10 · 45-day trial

  A broad macOS customization and automation tool, though not centered on Touch Bar features.

  Try BetterTouchToolFull verdict →
• Mmtm5.5/10 · Free plan

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

  Visit mtmFull verdict →