Best Terminal Multiplexers in 2026
Updated
In short: Zellij is ranked #1 of 28 as of 4 October 2026, ahead of Okena and TermStation. The best-ranked option with a free plan is Okena.
Terminal multiplexers help you organize terminal sessions and panes while working across tasks. Compared on access platforms, maximum sessions, custom pane layouts, and persistence scope, these entries can be assessed against how you set up and resume terminal work. Session synchronization, collaboration features, and plugins or extensions offer more dimensions to compare; free plans and paid starting prices address cost. Zellij, Okena, and muxel lead the names shown, with tmux and TermStation also among the early entries. Think about whether persistent sessions, coordinated work, or a customized pane layout matters most, then compare the capabilities listed for those needs.
28 terminal multiplexers ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
Recognised 40% · Phone app 26% · Documented 20% · Free plan 14% of the score
- 1 Zellij iPhone only RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.8Free Persistence scope: localSession synchronization: YesCollaboration features: Yes
- 2 Okena iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.7Free Persistence scope: local
- 3 TermStation Android only RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.7 Persistence scope: localCollaboration features: Yes
- 4 muxel No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.4Free Persistence scope: bothSession synchronization: YesCollaboration features: No
- 5 p2pmux No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.4Free Persistence scope: localSession synchronization: YesCollaboration features: Yes
- 6 Byobu No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.3Free Persistence scope: local
- 7 Quil No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.3Free Persistence scope: localSession synchronization: YesCollaboration features: No
- 8 tmux No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.3Free Persistence scope: localCollaboration features: Yes
- 9 Ferrix No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.8 Persistence scope: localSession synchronization: NoCollaboration features: No
- 10 Plux No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.4 Persistence scope: localSession synchronization: NoCollaboration features: No
- 11 qmux No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.4 Persistence scope: localSession synchronization: NoCollaboration features: No
- 12 amux No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.3 Persistence scope: localSession synchronization: YesCollaboration features: Yes
- 13 Conmux No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.3 Persistence scope: localSession synchronization: No
- 14 dvtm No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.3 Session synchronization: No
- 15 Herdr No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.3 Persistence scope: localSession synchronization: YesCollaboration features: Yes
- 16 psmux No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.3 Persistence scope: local
- 17 RMUX No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.3 Persistence scope: localCollaboration features: Yes
- 18 Séance No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.3 Persistence scope: localSession synchronization: NoCollaboration features: No
- 19 Shpool No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.3 Persistence scope: localSession synchronization: NoCollaboration features: No
- 20 TermDock No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.3 Persistence scope: localSession synchronization: NoCollaboration features: Yes
- 21 muxterm No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.2Free Persistence scope: local
- 22 openmux No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.2 Persistence scope: local
- 23 Terminalz iPhone only RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.2 Persistence scope: localCollaboration features: Yes
- 24 TUIOS No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.2 Persistence scope: local
- 25 WMUX No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.2 Persistence scope: local
Is your app on this list?
Numbered spots on this list can be sponsored. They are labelled, and the editorial order and scores never change for payment.
Questions about this list
Which terminal multiplexer is ranked first on Samsung Mobile US Press?
Zellij is ranked #1 of 28 with a score of 7.8. Okena is second and TermStation third.
How many of these have a free plan?
8 of the 25 on this page publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
How is this list ranked?
Ranked mobile-first: a phone app alongside the web or desktop product, a free tier and the depth of its documentation. Paid placements never change a rank.