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Head-to-head · Terminal Multiplexers

muxel vs TUIOS

  • 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
TUIOS #4 in Terminal Multiplexers 8.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 4 features Visit TUIOS

muxel leads on 0 checks, TUIOS 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 8.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #4.

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

muxel is the better fit for cross-platform developers and coding agents. TUIOS is the better fit for persistent tiled terminal workflows.

  • muxel fits best

    Cross-platform developers and coding agents

  • TUIOS fits best

    Persistent tiled terminal workflows

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Side by side

Feature muxel 9.0/10 Visit ↗ TUIOS 8.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.0 8.9
Ranking #3 in Terminal Multiplexers #4 in Terminal Multiplexers
Best for Cross-platform developers and coding agents Persistent tiled terminal workflows
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop Self-hosted, Desktop
Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux Web, macOS, Linux
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market Solo, Small business, Mid-market
Features muxel 2/4 · TUIOS 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, terminal environments, and browser-based web terminal
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
  • Nine workspaces and multiple resizable, draggable terminal panes
  • Daemon-backed sessions with resurrection after restart or reboot
  • Layouts, Tape scripting, SSH mode, and browser-based terminal access
Cons
  • No collaboration features
  • GPL-3.0 terms may not suit every commercial use
  • Focused on developers managing multiple coding sessions
  • Local persistence limits sessions to the environment where they run
  • Desktop distribution targets macOS and Linux
  • Browser access uses a separate web binary
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 →

TUIOS is an open-source terminal multiplexer and window manager for developers who organize work across several terminal sessions. It runs inside an existing terminal and combines multiple panes, independent workspaces, modal Vim-like…

Read the review →
  1. muxelTerminal Multiplexers 9.0Free plan
  2. TUIOSTerminal Multiplexers 8.9Free 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

  • TUIOS — where it wins

    • Nine workspaces and multiple resizable, draggable terminal panes
    • Daemon-backed sessions with resurrection after restart or reboot
    • Layouts, Tape scripting, SSH mode, and browser-based terminal access

    Where it doesn't

    • Local persistence limits sessions to the environment where they run
    • Desktop distribution targets macOS and Linux
    • Browser access uses a separate web binary
  • muxel9.0/10 · Free plan

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

    Visit muxelFull verdict →
  • TUIOS8.9/10 · Free plan

    An open-source multiplexer with workspaces, persistence, layouts, scripting, and web terminal access.

    Visit TUIOSFull 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