GNU Screen vs dtach

Struggling to choose between GNU Screen and dtach? Both products offer unique advantages, making it a tough decision.

GNU Screen is a Os & Utilities solution with tags like terminal, multiplexer, ssh, remote-access.

It boasts features such as Multiplexing, Session management, Copy and paste between sessions, Session logging, Customizable status line and pros including Allows using multiple shells/programs from one terminal, Sessions can be detached and reattached later, Sessions continue running when detached, Easy to manage many connections.

On the other hand, dtach is a Os & Utilities product tagged with detach, terminal, remote-access.

Its standout features include Allows processes to continue running after terminal is closed/disconnected, Can reattach to a detached process later, Lightweight and simple, Works over SSH, and it shines with pros like Enables remote sessions to persist without screen, Good for simple process detach/reattach needs, Small memory and resource footprint.

To help you make an informed decision, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison of these two products, delving into their features, pros, cons, pricing, and more. Get ready to explore the nuances that set them apart and determine which one is the perfect fit for your requirements.

GNU Screen

GNU Screen

GNU Screen is a terminal multiplexer that allows a user to access multiple separate terminal sessions inside a single terminal window or remote SSH session. It enables switching between multiple programs in one terminal, detach them and reattach them to a different terminal, and more.

Categories:
terminal multiplexer ssh remote-access

GNU Screen Features

  1. Multiplexing
  2. Session management
  3. Copy and paste between sessions
  4. Session logging
  5. Customizable status line

Pricing

  • Open Source

Pros

Allows using multiple shells/programs from one terminal

Sessions can be detached and reattached later

Sessions continue running when detached

Easy to manage many connections

Cons

Steep learning curve

Configuration can be complex

Not installed by default on most systems


dtach

dtach

dtach is a program that emulates the detach feature of screen, allowing you to run a program in an environment that is protected from the controlling terminal. Useful for remote sessions that you want to persist after disconnecting.

Categories:
detach terminal remote-access

Dtach Features

  1. Allows processes to continue running after terminal is closed/disconnected
  2. Can reattach to a detached process later
  3. Lightweight and simple
  4. Works over SSH

Pricing

  • Open Source

Pros

Enables remote sessions to persist without screen

Good for simple process detach/reattach needs

Small memory and resource footprint

Cons

Less full-featured than screen

No multiplexing of sessions like screen

Limited configuration options