What is Termux used for?

Termux is an Android terminal emulator and Linux environment whose functionality can be extended through installable packages and optional plugin apps. It is a good fit for command-line work on Android devices, and scripting and automation on a phone.

Is Termux open source?

Yes. Termux is open source under a custom licence. Its source code is on GitHub at termux/termux-app and is written mainly in Java.

Yes. Termux is open source, so the software itself is free to use under the terms of its own licence.

What are some alternatives to Termux?

Similar open-source tools in the Developer Tools category include kitty, Alacritty and Windows Terminal. SaaS products in the same category include RevenueCat, Termius and Warp.

Is Termux actively maintained?

Yes. The most recent commit to Termux was on 26 September 2026, and the latest release is v0.118.3, published on 22 May 2025. The project has 62k stars on GitHub.

Termux: open-source developer tools

About Termux

Termux combines a terminal app and a Linux-style environment on Android. This repository contains the app itself, meaning the user interface and the terminal emulation, while the packages you can install inside the app live in the separate termux-packages repository. The app is written in Java, and GitHub lists the license as 'Other'.

Package management is handled with apt and pkg commands, and the project documents how to fix repository-under-maintenance errors. Optional add-on apps for the core app include Termux:Widget, Termux:Tasker, Termux:Styling, Termux:Float, Termux:Boot and Termux:API. The project points to its F-Droid listing as an installation source.

The README warns that Termux may be unstable on Android 12 and later, because the system can kill background processes beyond a limit and processes using excessive CPU, which shows up as a signal 9 message. The project also says it is looking for additional maintainers. It suits developers and hobbyists who want a command-line environment on their phone or tablet.

Key features

Terminal emulator and Linux environment for Android
Package installation through apt and pkg
Optional plugins like Termux:API and Termux:Boot
Tasker and widget plugins for automation
Separate repository of installable packages

Good fit for

→Command-line work on Android devices
→Scripting and automation on a phone

Built with: Java
Tags: android; terminal; terminal-emulator; linux; command-line; mobile; java; packages

Termux: questions and answers

What is Termux used for?: Termux is an Android terminal emulator and Linux environment whose functionality can be extended through installable packages and optional plugin apps. It is a good fit for command-line work on Android devices, and scripting and automation on a phone.
Is Termux open source?: Yes. Termux is open source under a custom licence. Its source code is on GitHub at termux/termux-app and is written mainly in Java.
Is Termux free?: Yes. Termux is open source, so the software itself is free to use under the terms of its own licence.
What are some alternatives to Termux?: Similar open-source tools in the Developer Tools category include kitty, Alacritty and Windows Terminal. SaaS products in the same category include RevenueCat, Termius and Warp.
Is Termux actively maintained?: Yes. The most recent commit to Termux was on 26 September 2026, and the latest release is v0.118.3, published on 22 May 2025. The project has 62k stars on GitHub.