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GNU Screen vs Byobu: catalog facts
GNU Screen	Byobu
Free Free and open source GNU software.	Free Free and open source under the GPL.
macOS, Linux, Command line	macOS, Linux, Command line
Detach and reattach sessions so remote processes keep running Several shell sessions inside one terminal window	Usable multiplexer with a status bar from the first launch, no config needed Function-key bindings that are easier to learn than raw tmux prefixes
Keyboard-driven interface takes time to learn No Windows version listed	Adds an abstraction layer that gets in the way once you know tmux well
Downloadable app	Downloadable app
Open source	Open source
License not stated	License: GPL-3.0
No account needed	Not stated if an account is needed
Works offline	Not stated if it works offline
Official website Full listing and sources Checked September 23, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Checked September 22, 2026

Catalog facts only. Anything “not stated” is unconfirmed. Check full listings for details.