Open Source Alternatives to tmux

A terminal multiplexer that manages multiple terminal sessions from a single window. It allows users to create multiple windows and panes within a single terminal instance, providing a way to organize various command line tasks side by side. The software enables users to detach from sessions to leave processes running in the background and later reattach to those sessions from different locations or devices. This functionality is particularly useful for maintaining persistent connections to remote servers. The software is designed for developers and system administrators who operate extensively in command line environments. It is deployed as a local installation on Unix-like operating systems and is managed through a set of keyboard shortcuts and commands. The tool operates as a client server model to maintain session state independently of the terminal emulator.

Whether you want to cut software costs or escape vendor lock-in, these open source alternatives to tmux give you an option you fully own. They run locally on your own device, so your data never leaves your machine. This page lists 1 open source alternative to tmux. The most popular is Zellij. It uses the MIT license.