GNU Screen is described as 'Enables full-screen terminal session multiplexing, independent windows for processes, VT100 emulation, scrollback, copy-paste, and detachable sessions' and is a popular app in the os & utilities category. There are more than 10 alternatives to GNU Screen for a variety of platforms, including Linux, Mac, Rust, Windows and Nix Package Manager apps. The best GNU Screen alternative is tmux, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like GNU Screen are Herdr, byobu, Zellij and RMUX.
tmux is a terminal multiplexer: it enables a number of terminals (or windows), each running a separate program, to be created, accessed, and controlled from a single screen. tmux may be detached from a screen and continue running in the background, then later reattached.
Much simpler, more logical and there is a great guide available which let me understand the program in minutes!
Handle multiple coding agents in real terminals with instant status tracking, persistent sessions that survive disconnects, SSH/mobile reattachment, keyboard and mouse controls, plugin support, and lightweight operation as a Rust binary for enhanced workflows.
Byobu is a GPLv3 open source text-based window manager and terminal multiplexer. It was originally designed to provide elegant enhancements to the otherwise functional, plain, practical GNU Screen , for the Ubuntu server distribution.
It's more modern than GNU Screen and still simple to use, on the other hand tmux is very complex.
Zellij is a workspace aimed at developers, ops-oriented people and anyone who loves the terminal. Similar programs are sometimes called "Terminal Multiplexers".
Universal Rust multiplexer for the agentic era: detachable, scriptable, and inspectable, with a tmux-compatible CLI, daemon-backed SDK, and native Ratatui integration.
abduco provides session management i.e. it allows programs to be run independently from their controlling terminal. That is programs can be detached - run in the background - and then later reattached. Together with dvtm it provides a simpler and cleaner alternative to tmux or...
dtach is a tiny program that emulates the detach feature of screen, allowing you to run a program in an environment that is protected from the controlling terminal and attach to it later. dtach does not keep track of the contents of the screen, and thus works best with programs...
Light, slim, not overhauled, resource efficient and just the most handy for its main purpose.
Get Console is the first ipad and iphone serial port terminal application providing serial terminal connectivity without jailbreaking. The app store description advises it works on network devices, but offers a standard VT100 emulation.
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Tmux is the hot new kid on the terminal multiplexing block. Better readability in config and code, vertical split, and actual updates!