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QuickTUI vs Omnara
QuickTUI and Omnara both help you run AI coding agents from your phone. The main difference is the path your session takes: Omnara is a mobile client that routes through a hosted cloud service, while QuickTUI connects directly to your own server by default.
A hosted-cloud model can make setup simpler, since there is a service in the middle doing the wiring. QuickTUI takes the opposite trade: it is self-hosted and direct, so your code and keys stay between your phone and your machine, and you drive real tmux with any CLI agent inside it.
| Dimension | QuickTUI | Omnara |
|---|---|---|
| Native tmux (windows, panes, scrollback) | Yes | — |
| Native iPhone & iPad app | Yes | Mobile app |
| Browser client | Yes | — |
| Self-hosted / direct connection | Yes | Hosted cloud |
| Runs any CLI agent | Yes | AI agents (hosted) |
| Session keeper across disconnects | Yes | — |
| Pricing model | Free for one server; Pro one-time; optional Relay sub | Varies |
| Also available in China App Store | Yes | — |
Direct vs routed through a cloud
Omnara's hosted service sits between your phone and your agents. QuickTUI's default is a direct connection to your own server over LAN, VPN, or a tunnel you control, so nothing has to pass through a third party. QuickTUI does offer an optional Relay subscription, but only for the case where you cannot connect directly; it is a fallback, not the default path.
A real terminal, not just an agent view
Because QuickTUI drives real tmux, you get windows, panes, and scrollback, and you can run Claude Code, Codex, or any other CLI tool in the same session. The agent is just one thing running in a full terminal you control.
Pricing shape
QuickTUI is free for one server, with a one-time Pro purchase for unlimited servers; the only subscription is the optional Relay, and only when you need it. That is a different shape from a service billed around hosted infrastructure.
Which should you pick?
If you value the convenience of a managed, hosted experience and are comfortable with your agent traffic routing through a provider's cloud, Omnara may suit you. If you would rather keep a direct, self-hosted connection, own a full tmux terminal, and avoid an ongoing subscription for the common case, QuickTUI is the better fit.
FAQ
Does QuickTUI route my session through a cloud like Omnara?
No. QuickTUI connects directly to your own server by default. An optional Relay exists only for when a direct connection is not possible.
Can QuickTUI run more than one kind of agent?
Yes. It runs Claude Code, Codex, or any CLI agent, because it is a real terminal attached to tmux rather than a wrapper around a single service.