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Head-to-head · Terminal Multiplexers

muxel vs TermStation

  • 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
TermStation #8 in Terminal Multiplexers 8.5/10 Open source ✓ 1 of 4 features Visit TermStation

muxel leads on 0 checks, TermStation on 1, and 3 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 planonly muxel
  • Most featuresmuxel · 2 of 4

muxel scores higher on our rubric for terminal multiplexers: 9.0 against 8.5 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #8.

On persistence scope, muxel gives you Both where TermStation offers Local. TermStation offers collaboration features; muxel doesn't.

muxel is the better fit for cross-platform developers and coding agents. TermStation is the better fit for self-hosted web terminal operations.

  • muxel fits best

    Cross-platform developers and coding agents

  • TermStation fits best

    Self-hosted web terminal operations

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Side by side

Feature muxel 9.0/10 Visit ↗ TermStation 8.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.0 8.5
Ranking #3 in Terminal Multiplexers #8 in Terminal Multiplexers
Best for Cross-platform developers and coding agents Self-hosted web terminal operations
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Open source
Free plan ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop Self-hosted, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, Android
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market Solo, Small business, Mid-market
Features muxel 2/4 · TermStation 1/4
Session synchronization ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Collaboration features — ✓ (best)
Custom pane layouts ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Plugins or extensions Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Persistence scope Both Local
Access platforms Linux, macOS, Windows desktop app; remote SSH hosts Web browser; Windows, macOS, and Linux desktop; Android mobile
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
  • Persistent sessions continue running without an attached client
  • Web, desktop, and Android access across major device types
  • Containers, APIs, RBAC, and session sharing support advanced workflows
Cons
  • No collaboration features
  • GPL-3.0 terms may not suit every commercial use
  • Focused on developers managing multiple coding sessions
  • Pre-alpha status suits users comfortable with self-hosting and configuration
  • Local persistence does not provide a broader hosted session layer
  • GitHub is the listed integration, limiting documented ecosystem breadth
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 →

TermStation is an open-source, web-based terminal session manager for organizing and accessing persistent shell sessions across devices. It is aimed at individuals and teams that want self-hosted terminal operations through a browser,…

Read the review →
  1. muxelTerminal Multiplexers 9.0Free plan
  2. TermStationTerminal Multiplexers 8.5Open source

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

  • TermStation — where it wins

    • Persistent sessions continue running without an attached client
    • Web, desktop, and Android access across major device types
    • Containers, APIs, RBAC, and session sharing support advanced workflows

    Where it doesn't

    • Pre-alpha status suits users comfortable with self-hosting and configuration
    • Local persistence does not provide a broader hosted session layer
    • GitHub is the listed integration, limiting documented ecosystem breadth

More comparisons

All terminal multiplexers comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update