Software Alternatives & Startups

tmux VS Shells

Compare tmux VS Shells and see what are their differences

tmux

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

Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Open source
Shells

Shells is your personal workspace in the cloud. Join Shells now to access your own, private virtual desktop environment powered by a cloud computer.

Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Paid $4.95 / Monthly (Shells Lite)
Note: These products don't have any matching categories. If you think this is a mistake, please edit the details of one of the products and suggest appropriate categories.

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, tmux seems to be more popular. It has been mentioned 37 times since March 2021.

social mentions
37 vs 0
Terminal Tools popularity
100% vs 0%
alternatives listed
158 vs 45

Base details

Website, pricing, platforms and company facts side by side.

tmux
Shells
Website github.com shells.com
Pricing
Open source
Paid $4.95 / Monthly (Shells Lite)
Platforms —
Browser Android Windows iOS Mac OSX Linux Web +4
Listed in

About tmux and Shells

In their own words, as submitted to SaaSHub.

tmux
Shells

No description of tmux yet.

Shells.com offers a virtual cloud computer that can be accessed from any web-enabled device. As we offer multiple Linux distributions or Windows preloaded on the virtual desktop, it gives the user the opportunity to use the operating system that they want on the device that they want. This is...

Read more about Shells

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

tmux 8 features
Shells 5 features
  • Session Management
    tmux allows users to manage multiple terminal sessions from a single window, making it easier to multitask and organize workflows.
  • Persistent Sessions
    Sessions in tmux can persist even after disconnecting from the host. You can detach from a session and reattach later without losing your work.
  • Window and Pane Splitting
    tmux supports splitting windows into multiple panes, allowing users to have different programs or terminal instances side-by-side within the same window.
  • Customization
    Highly customizable with support for configuring key bindings, status lines, color schemes, and more through a configuration file.
  • Scripting and Automation
    Provides extensive scripting capabilities which can be used to automate routine tasks and workflows.
  • Remote Use
    Particularly useful for remote work, as it can be used to manage sessions on remote servers efficiently over SSH.
  • Performance
    Relatively lightweight and performant, consuming minimal system resources.
  • Community and Documentation
    A large and active community providing extensive documentation, tutorials, and plugins to extend functionality.

Possible disadvantages

  • Learning Curve
    Can be difficult to learn and memorize all the commands and key bindings, especially for new users.
  • Configuration Complexity
    The configuration can be complex and might require significant effort to customize according to individual needs.
  • Compatibility
    Might have compatibility issues with certain terminal emulators or applications, requiring workarounds or special configurations.
  • Resource Limits
    While lightweight, extensive use with many windows and panes can still consume significant system resources, potentially impacting system performance.
  • Copy-Pasting
    Copy-pasting within tmux can be less straightforward compared to using a regular terminal, requiring specific key bindings and knowledge of tmux buffers.
  • Clipboard Integration
    Integration with the system clipboard can require additional configuration and might not work seamlessly out-of-the-box.
  • Frequent Updates
    Frequent updates and changes can sometimes introduce bugs or break existing configurations, requiring users to adapt and troubleshoot.
  • Cross-device compatibility
    Shells allows users to access their virtual desktop environment from any device with an internet connection, whether it's a laptop, tablet, or smartphone. This flexibility enables seamless work and play across different devices.
  • Ease of setup
    Shells offers a straightforward and user-friendly setup process, making it accessible even for those with limited technical knowledge. Users can quickly get their virtual desktop up and running without the need for complex configurations.
  • Versatility
    Shells provides users with the ability to run multiple operating systems, including Linux and Windows, which adds flexibility for a variety of tasks and software requirements.
  • Cloud storage integration
    Shells offers cloud storage options, allowing users to easily store, access, and manage their files within their virtual desktop environment. This ensures data safety and convenience.
  • Scalability
    Users can easily scale their resources based on their needs, such as upgrading RAM or storage capacity. This ensures that Shells can grow alongside the user's demands.

Possible disadvantages

  • Dependent on internet connection
    Shells requires a stable and fast internet connection for optimal performance. Users with inconsistent or slow internet may experience lag or connectivity issues.
  • Recurring costs
    Using Shells involves a subscription-based payment model, meaning users must pay recurring fees to maintain access. This could be a con for users seeking a one-time purchase model.
  • Limited offline access
    Because Shells is cloud-based, users have limited functionality when they are offline, which could be disadvantageous for those needing constant access to their virtual desktops.
  • Potential security concerns
    Although Shells implements security measures, storing data in the cloud may still pose security risks, such as data breaches or unauthorized access, which may concern privacy-focused users.
  • Performance constraints
    Depending on the chosen plan and resource allocation, there may be performance limitations, particularly for users running resource-intensive applications compared to high-performance local machines.

Analysis

An editorial look at what each product does well and who it suits.

tmux
Shells

Overall verdict

  • Yes, tmux is considered a valuable tool by many in the tech community. Its features make it particularly useful for developers, system administrators, and power users who work extensively within the command-line environment.

Why this product is good

  • Tmux is a highly regarded terminal multiplexer that allows users to manage multiple terminal sessions from a single window. It facilitates productive workflows by enabling users to switch between different programs easily, run multiple applications, and keep programs running in the background. Tmux also supports session persistence, which allows users to disconnect from a session and reconnect later without losing their work state. Additionally, it is highly customizable and can be tailored to meet specific user needs, enhancing efficiency and usability.

Recommended for

  • Developers
  • System Administrators
  • Power Users
  • Linux Enthusiasts
  • Anyone who works extensively in the terminal

No analysis of Shells yet.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

tmux 3 videos + Add
Shells 4 videos + Add

How I Work: Tmux

More videos

  • - You need to know how to use TMUX
  • - Getting Started with tmux Part 1 - Overview and Features

Shells Explainer Video

More videos

  • - Shells.com - Complete Review of Best Virtual Machine [ 2021 ]
  • - Linux Desktops in the Cloud with Shells.com
  • - Home Defense: Aguila 12ga. mini shells.

Category popularity

How often each product is chosen within a category, 0–100% relative to the other.

Score bands 0–20 21–40 41–50 51–60 61–100
tmux
Shells
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%
100% 100%
SSH
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%

User comments

Share your experience with using tmux and Shells. For example, how are they different and which one is better?

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Reviews and articles

External articles and on-site reviews we used to compare the two products.

tmux no reviews yet
Shells no reviews yet

We have no reviews of Shells yet. Be the first one to post

Social recommendations and mentions

Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.

tmux 37 mentions
Shells 0 mentions
  • Multi-agent work in three spoonfuls (part IV): from a terminal trident to an autopoietic loop
    With that foundation in place, I organized this fourth part into three progressive spoonfuls: in the first, I show how I moved from launching standalone agents by hand to governing them with quota budgets, auditable bridges, and a live... - Source: dev.to / 7 days ago
  • Terminator layouts from the command line: from two to five terminals
    Terminator splits a window on your desktop. If you also need splits on a remote server, or sessions that survive a disconnection, the tool is a terminal multiplexer like tmux or Zellij, which work inside any terminal, including over SSH.... - Source: dev.to / 13 days ago
  • Show HN: Tmux source code – Explore the deep C internals
    I made a tmux source reference, doxygen-inspired. It links C symbols to CLI commands, options, hooks, formats and libtmux APIs (including alpha ports). Disclaimer: I used LLMs extensively to build this. I have intersection with building... - Source: Hacker News / 13 days ago

View more

Tracking Shells since May 2021.

Alternatives to tmux and Shells

When comparing tmux and Shells, you can also consider the following products.