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Head-to-head · Terminal Multiplexers

Zellij vs Okena

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score Zellij #1 in Terminal Multiplexers 9.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit Zellij
Okena #5 in Terminal Multiplexers 8.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 4 features Visit Okena

Zellij leads on 0 checks, Okena on 0, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreZellij · 9.4/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresZellij · 4 of 4

Zellij scores higher on our rubric for terminal multiplexers: 9.4 against 8.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #5.

Zellij is the better fit for feature-rich cross-platform terminal multiplexing. Okena is the better fit for multi-device terminal workspaces.

  • Zellij fits best

    Feature-rich cross-platform terminal multiplexing

  • Okena fits best

    Multi-device terminal workspaces

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Side by side

Feature Zellij 9.4/10 Visit ↗ Okena 8.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.4 8.8
Ranking #1 in Terminal Multiplexers #5 in Terminal Multiplexers
Best for Feature-rich cross-platform terminal multiplexing Multi-device terminal workspaces
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Self-hosted Desktop, Mobile
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, Linux Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Support Docs Docs
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market
Features Zellij 4/4 · Okena 1/4
Session synchronization ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Collaboration features ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Custom pane layouts ✓ ✓
Plugins or extensions ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Specs
Persistence scope Local Local
Access platforms Linux, macOS, Windows terminals; browser web client macOS, Linux, Windows; web, Android, and iOS companion access
Maximum sessions Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Runs across Linux, macOS, Windows, and the web
  • Combines panes, tabs, layouts, floating, and stacked panes
  • Adds plugins, session resurrection, and collaborative sharing
  • 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
  • Session resurrection is local rather than a hosted persistence layer
  • Browser access requires an optional self-hosted web client
  • Does not include AI features
  • 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

Zellij is a free, open-source terminal workspace for developers, operations-focused users, and people who work primarily in terminals. Its core multiplexing features include panes, tabs, floating and stacked panes, configurable keybindings…

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. ZellijTerminal Multiplexers 9.4Free plan
  2. OkenaTerminal Multiplexers 8.8Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Zellij — where it wins

    • Runs across Linux, macOS, Windows, and the web
    • Combines panes, tabs, layouts, floating, and stacked panes
    • Adds plugins, session resurrection, and collaborative sharing

    Where it doesn't

    • Session resurrection is local rather than a hosted persistence layer
    • Browser access requires an optional self-hosted web client
    • Does not include AI features

  • 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
  • Zellij9.4/10 · Free plan

    A free, open-source multiplexer with layouts, plugins, persistence, and collaboration.

    Visit ZellijFull 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