WMUX
WMUX: A focused open-source choice for keeping local terminal work organized and alive. Ranked #20 of 29 in Terminal Multiplexers by our editors (7.3/10); pricing: Free plan; best for straightforward desktop multiplexing.
At a glance
- Editor score7.3 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forStraightforward desktop multiplexing
- Free planYes
- Paid fromFree
- Persistence scopeLocal
- Facts checked20 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Persistent server keeps terminal work alive after client disconnects
- Sessions, windows, panes, targeting, copy mode, and mouse support
- Native Windows, Linux, and macOS release targets
Where it doesn't
- Persistence is local rather than cross-device
- Focused on individual terminal workspaces, not collaboration
- No documented plugin system for extending the multiplexer
Our verdict on WMUX
WMUX is an open-source terminal multiplexer for keeping shells, servers, logs, builds, agents, and project workspaces running after a terminal client disconnects. Its persistent server owns terminal state while clients remain disposable, with sessions, windows, and panes providing the core structure. The project targets Windows, Linux, and macOS, including Intel and Apple Silicon macOS builds, making it suited to desktop users who want a consistent multiplexing model across those operating systems.
The feature set covers the main mechanics expected from a focused terminal multiplexer. Users can split, navigate, resize, and zoom panes; name and target sessions, windows, and panes; and configure key bindings and command parsing. Copy mode, paste buffers, mouse support, configurable themes, and animations add control over terminal interaction and presentation. Custom layouts are supported, while local installers are available through shell or PowerShell. Together, these features make WMUX a practical fit for managing several related terminal tasks in one workspace without depending on a persistent client connection.
WMUX is free and open source, so its pricing model is straightforward: there is no paid tier to evaluate. The main boundary is scope. Persistence is local rather than cross-device, and the product is centered on individual terminal workspaces rather than shared collaboration or plugin-based expansion. Choose WMUX if you want persistent sessions, pane organization, and native desktop support across Windows, Linux, and macOS. Consider another tool if your workflow depends on synchronized sessions between devices, collaborative access, or an extensible plugin ecosystem.
Your product? Our editors can test WMUX in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →
WMUX pricing
WMUX fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| Persistence scope | Local |
| Session synchronization | Not verified |
| Collaboration features | Not verified |
| Custom pane layouts | Yes |
| Plugins or extensions | Not verified |
| Access platforms | Windows, Linux, macOS |
| Maximum sessions | Not verified |
| Deployment | Desktop |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Support | Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business (editorial estimate) |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | github.com |
| Facts checked | 20 Sep 2026 |
Alternatives to WMUX
- ZellijA free, open-source multiplexer with layouts, plugins, persistence, and collaboration.9.4
- tmuxA free, scriptable way to manage persistent local terminal sessions across Unix platforms.9.2
- muxelA free, open-source workspace for managing multiple local and remote coding sessions.9.0
Used WMUX? Be the first to review it
The editor score above is our own research. What this page doesn't have yet is a reader's view — what you used WMUX for, what worked and what didn't. No stars are seeded and no review is paid for; an editor reads every one before it appears.
Write a reviewTwo minutes · verified accounts only · read by an editor before it appears
Featured on iTechGuides
WMUX is listed in our Terminal Multiplexers directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.
<a href="https://www.itechguides.com/products/wmux/"><img src="https://www.itechguides.com/best/badge/wmux.svg" alt="Featured on iTechGuides" width="230" height="46"></a>
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
Last updated · How we research and update