tmux vs zellij
tmux vs zellij: C-based multiplexer with detach/reattach versus a Rust multiplexer with floating panes, WASM plugins and a web client.
Updated
short verdict
Pick tmux (C, ISC) if you work over SSH on BSD, Solaris or Linux hosts and want a multiplexer built on detach/reattach and config files. Pick zellij (Rust, MIT) if you want floating and stacked panes, layouts, WebAssembly plugins, multiplayer sessions or a browser client without extra setup.
Both tools split one terminal into multiple panes and manage several terminal sessions from one screen. tmux is a C program that runs on OpenBSD, FreeBSD, NetBSD, Linux, macOS and Solaris and is driven by keyboard shortcuts, commands and configuration files. Zellij is a Rust program that adds floating and stacked panes, layouts, a WebAssembly plugin system and a built-in web client.
this page is for
- Developers choosing a multiplexer for remote SSH work
- tmux users weighing a move to floating panes and layouts
- Teams that want shared terminal sessions
Better when you need a multiplexer that runs on BSD and Solaris as well as Linux and macOS, with session detach and reattach over SSH.
best for
- Persistent sessions over SSH
- Long-running processes on servers
- Scripted setups via configuration files
strengths
- Detach and reattach sessions from the same or a different terminal
- Runs on OpenBSD, FreeBSD, NetBSD, Linux, macOS and Solaris
- Session sharing between multiple users
- Verbose logging modes for debugging, plus bash completion
weaknesses
- Depends on libevent 2.x and ncurses, which a source build needs
- No floating panes, plugin system or web client documented
- Documented install is a source build with ./configure && make
Better when you want floating panes, layouts, WASM plugins or browser access, with defaults that work immediately.
best for
- Developers who want floating and stacked panes
- Teams pairing in one shared session
- Plugin authors working in languages that compile to WASM
strengths
- Tiled, floating and stacked panes in one interface
- Layouts automate workspace setup
- WebAssembly plugins in any language that compiles to WASM
- Built-in web client opens sessions in a browser without a local terminal emulator
weaknesses
- Platform support is not documented, unlike tmux's explicit list
- Documented install is cargo install --locked zellij, which needs a Rust toolchain
Key differences
- Language: tmux is written in C; zellij is written in Rust.
- License: tmux is ISC; zellij is MIT.
- Pane model: tmux uses windows and panes; zellij adds floating and stacked panes.
- Extensibility: tmux is scripted through configuration files; zellij supports WebAssembly plugins.
- Access: zellij has a built-in web client; tmux documents no browser access.
- Collaboration: zellij offers multiplayer sessions; tmux documents session sharing between users.
Choose tmux when
- You need to run on OpenBSD, FreeBSD, NetBSD or Solaris, which tmux lists explicitly.
- You keep long-running processes alive across SSH connections with detach and reattach.
- You want a C program with libevent and ncurses as its only listed dependencies.
- You prefer configuring through configuration files and keyboard commands.
Choose zellij when
- You want floating or stacked panes alongside tiled ones.
- You want layouts to automate workspace setup.
- You want to write plugins in any language that compiles to WebAssembly.
- You want to reach sessions from a browser through the built-in web client.
When not to use these
- You only need one shell at a time and your terminal emulator already provides tabs and splits.
FAQ
- Which is faster, tmux or zellij?
- Neither project documents performance figures, so there is no sourced basis for calling one faster. tmux is written in C and zellij in Rust; benchmark both on your own workload.
- Can I use tmux and zellij together?
- Neither project documents running one inside the other. Both are terminal multiplexers covering the same job, so most people pick one.
- Which is easier to configure?
- Zellij states that its default configuration works immediately and offers layouts for workspace setup. tmux is scriptable through configuration files; it does not describe out-of-the-box defaults.
- Does zellij or tmux support session sharing?
- Both do. tmux supports session sharing between multiple users, and zellij offers multiplayer collaboration in the same terminal session.