Head-to-head · Touch Bar Apps
Touch Bar Demo App vs mtm
Touch Bar Demo App leads on 0 checks, mtm on 0, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 1 yes/no, price and count check where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.
Our verdict
- Highest scoreTouch Bar Demo App · 6.0/10
- Free planboth
Touch Bar Demo App scores higher on our rubric for touch bar apps: 6.0 against 5.5 out of 10; our editors rank them #7 and #8.
Touch Bar Demo App is the better fit for developers exploring a minimal Touch Bar demo. mtm is the better fit for terminal users seeking split virtual terminals.
- Touch Bar Demo App fits best
Developers exploring a minimal Touch Bar demo
- mtm fits best
Terminal users seeking split virtual terminals
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Side by side
| Feature | Touch Bar Demo App 6.0/10 Visit ↗ | mtm 5.5/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 6.0 | 5.5 |
| Ranking | #7 in Touch Bar Apps | #8 in Touch Bar Apps |
| Best for | Developers exploring a minimal Touch Bar demo | Terminal users seeking split virtual terminals |
| Pricing model | Free | Free |
| Starting price | Free plan | Free plan |
| Free plan | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Deployment | Desktop | Self-hosted |
| Platforms | macOS | Linux, macOS |
| Support | Community | Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business | Solo, Small business |
| Features Touch Bar Demo App 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 | ||
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| Our verdict | Touch Bar Demo App is a free, open-source macOS application that demonstrates Apple’s Touch Bar interface in a standalone app. It is aimed at developers exploring a minimal Touch Bar demo, rather than people seeking a general-purpose… 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
Touch Bar Demo App — where it wins
- Free and open source
- Focused on demonstrating Apple’s Touch Bar interface
- Runs as a standalone macOS desktop app
Where it doesn't
- Demonstration focus may not suit day-to-day workflows
- Limited to macOS
- Support is community-based
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
- Touch Bar Demo App6.0/10 · Free plan
A free, open-source Touch Bar demo for developers exploring a minimal example.
View on GitHubFull verdict → - mtm5.5/10 · Free plan
A focused, free terminal multiplexer—not a Touch Bar utility.
Visit mtmFull verdict →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update