Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Tera Term VS GNU Screen

Compare Tera Term VS GNU Screen and see what are their differences

Tera Term logo Tera Term

Tera Term (Pro) is a free software terminal emulator (communication program) for MS-Windows.

GNU Screen logo GNU Screen

Screen is a full-screen window manager that multiplexes a physical terminal between several...
  • Tera Term Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-10-03
  • GNU Screen Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-07-31

Tera Term features and specs

  • Open Source
    Tera Term is open-source software, allowing users to freely use, modify, and distribute the software. This can lead to a more secure and customizable experience compared to proprietary alternatives.
  • Compatibility
    Tera Term supports a wide range of communication protocols, including SSH, Telnet, and serial connections, providing flexibility for various network environments.
  • Script Support
    Tera Term comes with robust scripting capabilities through the Tera Term Language (TTL), which allows users to automate tasks and create custom scripts for repetitive actions.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The software has a straightforward and intuitive interface, making it easy for both beginners and advanced users to operate.
  • Unicode Support
    Tera Term includes Unicode support, which is essential for working with international text and ensuring accurate data representation across different languages.

Possible disadvantages of Tera Term

  • Limited Support
    As an open-source project, Tera Term does not offer official customer support. Users may have to rely on community forums and documentation for troubleshooting.
  • Outdated Documentation
    Some of the documentation and help files can be outdated, which might make it challenging for new users to find up-to-date information and guidance.
  • No Native MacOS Support
    Tera Term is primarily designed for Windows, which means MacOS users need to use compatibility layers or virtual machines to run the software, potentially leading to performance issues.
  • Basic Graphical User Interface
    The graphical user interface (GUI) of Tera Term is quite basic and may seem outdated compared to more modern terminal emulators.
  • Steeper Learning Curve for Advanced Features
    While the basic features are easy to use, mastering advanced functions such as scripting with TTL may require a steeper learning curve.

GNU Screen features and specs

  • Session Management
    GNU Screen allows you to detach and reattach sessions, making it possible to keep applications running in the background even if you disconnect from a terminal session.
  • Multiple Windows
    It provides the ability to open multiple windows within a single terminal session, allowing you to manage different tasks concurrently without opening additional shell instances.
  • Terminal Sharing
    Screen supports terminal sharing, enabling multiple users to view and interact with the same terminal session, which is useful for collaborative work and troubleshooting.
  • Scrollback History
    You have access to scrollback history, allowing you to review command output and logs even after they've disappeared from view in the normal terminal.
  • Customizability
    GNU Screen provides extensive options for customization through its configuration file, enabling users to tailor keybindings, appearances, and functionalities to their preferences.
  • Resource Efficiency
    Being a text-based application, GNU Screen is extremely light on system resources, making it suitable for use on systems with limited computational power or memory.

Possible disadvantages of GNU Screen

  • Steep Learning Curve
    New users may find GNU Screen's interface and command syntax difficult to learn and use efficiently, especially without dedicated tutorials or documentation.
  • Outdated User Interface
    Compared to more modern terminal multiplexers like tmux, GNU Screen may feel outdated in terms of user interfaces and ease of use.
  • Limited Functionality
    While robust for basic session management, GNU Screen lacks some of the advanced functionalities and features found in newer tools, such as better scripting integrations and extended multi-pane support.
  • Configuration Complexity
    The process of configuring the .screenrc file to achieve certain custom setups can be cumbersome and unintuitive for some users.
  • Competition from Alternatives
    Alternatives like tmux offer similar functionalities with more modern features, resulting in a decline in the usage of GNU Screen among new users.

Tera Term videos

A quick overview of how to use a Tera Term software and change a laser power

GNU Screen videos

GNU Screen

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Tera Term and GNU Screen)
SSH
82 82%
18% 18
Server Management
92 92%
8% 8
Terminal Tools
39 39%
61% 61
Server Configuration And Automation

User comments

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What are some alternatives?

When comparing Tera Term and GNU Screen, you can also consider the following products

PuTTY - Popular free terminal application. Mostly used as an SSH client.

tmux - tmux is a terminal multiplexer: it enables a number of terminals (or windows), each running a...

MobaXterm - Enhanced terminal for Windows with X11 server, tabbed SSH client, network tools and much more

Zellij - A terminal workspace with batteries included

RealTerm - RealTerm is a terminal program specially designed for capturing, controlling and debugging binary...

byobu - Byobu is a GPLv3 open source text-based window manager and terminal multiplexer.