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Head-to-head · Terminal Multiplexers

muxel vs Okena

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score muxel #3 in Terminal Multiplexers 9.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 4 features Visit muxel
Okena #5 in Terminal Multiplexers 8.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 4 features Visit Okena

muxel leads on 0 checks, Okena on 0, and 4 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 4 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoremuxel · 9.0/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresmuxel · 2 of 4

muxel scores higher on our rubric for terminal multiplexers: 9.0 against 8.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #5.

On persistence scope, muxel gives you Both where Okena offers Local.

muxel is the better fit for cross-platform developers and coding agents. Okena is the better fit for multi-device terminal workspaces.

  • muxel fits best

    Cross-platform developers and coding agents

  • Okena fits best

    Multi-device terminal workspaces

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Side by side

Feature muxel 9.0/10 Visit ↗ Okena 8.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.0 8.8
Ranking #3 in Terminal Multiplexers #5 in Terminal Multiplexers
Best for Cross-platform developers and coding agents Multi-device terminal workspaces
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop Desktop, Mobile
Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market Solo, Small business, Mid-market
Features muxel 2/4 · Okena 1/4
Session synchronization ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Collaboration features — Not checked yet
Custom pane layouts ✓ ✓
Plugins or extensions Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Persistence scope Both Local
Access platforms Linux, macOS, Windows desktop app; remote SSH hosts macOS, Linux, Windows; web, Android, and iOS companion access
Maximum sessions Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Free and open source under GPL-3.0
  • Rich panes, tabs, saved layouts, and persistent sessions
  • Built-in Git worktrees, editor, file browser, and agent tracking
  • Free and open source across desktop, web, and mobile access
  • Local workspace persistence with tabs, panes, columns, and detached windows
  • Git worktrees, Docker Compose, coding agents, APIs, and terminal search
Cons
  • No collaboration features
  • GPL-3.0 terms may not suit every commercial use
  • Focused on developers managing multiple coding sessions
  • Persistence is local rather than shared across devices
  • Remote control requires working with HTTP or WebSocket APIs
  • Its focus is terminal workflows rather than broader team collaboration
Our verdict

muxel is a native desktop terminal multiplexer for developers running multiple coding agents and shells at once. It creates tiled and tabbed workspaces on Linux, macOS, and Windows, with resizable horizontal and vertical panes,…

Read the review →

Okena is an open-source terminal multiplexer for developers managing multiple projects, command-line sessions, and coding agents. It runs as a native application on macOS, Linux, and Windows, while web access and mobile companion…

Read the review →
  1. muxelTerminal Multiplexers 9.0Free plan
  2. OkenaTerminal Multiplexers 8.8Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • muxel — where it wins

    • Free and open source under GPL-3.0
    • Rich panes, tabs, saved layouts, and persistent sessions
    • Built-in Git worktrees, editor, file browser, and agent tracking

    Where it doesn't

    • No collaboration features
    • GPL-3.0 terms may not suit every commercial use
    • Focused on developers managing multiple coding sessions

  • Okena — where it wins

    • Free and open source across desktop, web, and mobile access
    • Local workspace persistence with tabs, panes, columns, and detached windows
    • Git worktrees, Docker Compose, coding agents, APIs, and terminal search

    Where it doesn't

    • Persistence is local rather than shared across devices
    • Remote control requires working with HTTP or WebSocket APIs
    • Its focus is terminal workflows rather than broader team collaboration
  • muxel9.0/10 · Free plan

    A free, open-source workspace for managing multiple local and remote coding sessions.

    Visit muxelFull verdict →
  • Okena8.8/10 · Free plan

    A free, open-source workspace for managing persistent terminal projects across devices.

    Visit OkenaFull verdict →

More comparisons

All terminal multiplexers comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update