# Paneflow vs cmux

> Choose Paneflow if you need Linux or Windows, MCP pane context, or local multi-worktree review. Choose cmux if you are on macOS and need the built-in browser, SSH/remote workflows, cloud VMs, or the more mature macOS app.

URL: https://paneflow.dev/compare/cmux
Raw Markdown: https://paneflow.dev/compare/cmux.md
Last updated: 2026-07-02

## Highlights

### Work on Linux, macOS, and Windows

Paneflow ships native targets for Linux, macOS Apple Silicon, and Windows x64. cmux is a native macOS app.

### Review multiple branches in one place

Paneflow shows diffs across multiple worktrees side by side and launches agents to review them. cmux has diff tools, but its center of gravity is terminal, browser, and remote work.

### Give your agents the context of other panes

Paneflow exposes read-only pane context over MCP. cmux uses CLI hooks and a socket API instead, including workspace automation and screen reads.

## Paneflow is inspired by cmux, but is not a fork

cmux popularized the "workspace per project, pane per agent" model and Paneflow openly takes inspiration from it. The two projects share no code: Paneflow uses Rust, GPUI, and alacritty_terminal, while cmux uses Swift, AppKit, and libghostty.

## The important differences

The decision usually comes down to six capabilities:

| Topic | Paneflow | cmux |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Linux, macOS Apple Silicon, Windows x64 | macOS only |
| MCP pane context | Yes (list_panes, read_pane, search_pane) | No MCP pane server; CLI/socket automation |
| Multi-worktree review | Side-by-side worktree diffs + agent reviews | Diff tools, not the core workflow |
| Embedded browser | No | Yes (scriptable, profile import) |
| SSH / remote workflows | No first-class remote workspace | Yes (SSH, remote tmux beta) |
| Cloud and maturity | Local app, v0.7.6, young | Cloud/iOS early access, v0.64.17, YC S24 |

Versions checked July 2, 2026: Paneflow v0.7.6 (July 2026), GPL-3.0-or-later. cmux v0.64.17 (released June 23, 2026), YC S24, GPL-3.0-or-later with a commercial license. Both free to use.

## Which tool should you use?

Start with the capability you cannot drop.

### Choose Paneflow if

- You work on Linux, or want one workspace that runs identically on Linux, macOS, and Windows
- You want to compare multiple branches and launch agents to review their diffs
- You want to group agents, branches, diffs, and sessions for each task
- You want your agents to read other panes over MCP without copy-paste

### Choose cmux if

- You're on macOS and want the most mature option
- You need a scriptable embedded browser, which Paneflow lacks
- You need SSH remote workspaces or cloud VMs
- You prefer cmux's macOS maturity and do not need Linux, MCP pane reads, or Paneflow's worktree review flow

## Frequently asked questions

### Is Paneflow a fork of cmux?

No. Paneflow's agent-first design is inspired by cmux, but the two share no source code. Paneflow is pure Rust on GPUI (Zed's framework) with upstream alacritty_terminal; cmux is Swift + JavaScript on libghostty. Independent codebases, different stacks.

### Can Paneflow run on Linux or Windows?

Linux and Windows run today, which cmux cannot do - it is macOS-only by design. If you need Linux or Windows, Paneflow is the only one of the two that ships it.

### When is Paneflow the better choice?

When Linux matters, or when your workflow relies on multiple agents and worktrees. Paneflow brings multi-worktree diff, reviews launched inside real terminals, and a read-only MCP server to read panes. If your priority is the built-in browser, remote SSH, or cloud VMs, and you are on macOS, cmux is more mature.

### Does cmux have an MCP server like Paneflow?

No. cmux integrates agents through CLI hooks (cmux hooks setup) and a socket API that can automate workspaces, read screen contents, take screenshots, and drive the browser. That is not an MCP pane server. Paneflow ships a read-only MCP server with read_pane, list_panes, and search_pane, so an agent can read what is running in another pane without copy-paste.

### Does Paneflow have cmux's embedded browser, SSH workspaces, or cloud VMs?

No. cmux has a built-in browser, SSH remote workspaces, and early-access cloud VMs today. Paneflow stays focused on local agent work: panes, MCP read-only access, multi-worktree comparison, agent-launched reviews, and persisted sessions. If the built-in browser or remote SSH are essential to your workflow, cmux is the better choice.


## Try the tool that fits your environment

Want to work on Linux, share pane context over MCP, or review multiple branches? Download Paneflow or read the getting-started guide. On macOS and need a built-in browser or remote SSH? Discover cmux on GitHub.