BusyBox VS Termux

Compare BusyBox VS Termux and see what are their differences

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BusyBox

BusyBox is a single binary that provides several stripped-down Unix tools in a single executable.

Termux

Terminal emulator and Linux environment for Android

Landing page //
2019-04-14

Landing page //
2023-10-03

BusyBox

Website: busybox.net
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Termux

Website: termux.com
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BusyBox features and specs

Lightweight
BusyBox is designed to be a minimalistic utility that combines tiny versions of many common UNIX utilities into a single small executable, making it ideal for systems with limited resources.
All-in-One
It provides a comprehensive suite of tools and utilities in one package, eliminating the need to install and manage multiple separate utilities.
Customizable
BusyBox can be customized to include only the needed utilities, which allows for a tailored solution that fits the specific requirements of a project or system.
Open Source
It is open source, meaning it is freely available for anyone to use, modify, and distribute, which encourages collaboration and community-driven improvements.
Widely Used in Embedded Systems
BusyBox is popular in embedded systems and other environments where storage and processing power are limited, making it a proven choice for resource-constrained applications.

Possible disadvantages of BusyBox

Limited Functionality
Being a smaller version of each utility, BusyBox may lack some of the advanced features found in full versions of UNIX utilities, which can be a limitation for complex tasks.
Compatibility Issues
Certain scripts or applications that expect specific behaviors from standard Linux utilities might not work correctly with BusyBox due to subtle differences in functionality.
Less Frequent Updates
Compared to mainstream distributions and their utilities, BusyBox might not be updated as frequently, which can be a concern for security or feature updates.
Steeper Learning Curve for Customization
Customizing BusyBox to include or exclude specific utilities can require a more in-depth understanding of both the system’s needs and the configuration options available.

Termux features and specs

Portability
Termux is available on mobile devices, making it convenient for users to perform terminal-based tasks on the go.
Open Source
Being open source, Termux allows users and developers to modify and contribute to the software, fostering a collaborative community.
Package Management
Termux offers a powerful package management system that allows users to install a wide range of software packages easily.
No Root Required
Termux does not require root access to the device, which makes it more secure and easier to install.
Wide Range of Utilities
Termux supports numerous command-line utilities and tools, including programming environments, text editors, and network tools.

Possible disadvantages of Termux

Limited Hardware Access
Termux has limited access to hardware features compared to using a full Linux distribution on a desktop or laptop.
Mobile Interface Constraints
Using a terminal on a mobile device can be less efficient due to the smaller screen size and lack of physical keyboard.
Performance Limitations
The performance of Termux is constrained by the hardware capabilities of the mobile device, which may not match the performance of desktop terminals.
Learning Curve
New users may face a steep learning curve if they are not already familiar with Linux-based terminal environments.
Battery Consumption
Running intensive terminal tasks can drain the battery of the mobile device more quickly compared to normal usage.

BusyBox videos

+ Add

What is BusyBox | Busybox demo

Termux videos

+ Add

#1 beginner termux hacking (Noob Hackers) |hacking from android (no root)

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to BusyBox and Termux)

Termux

Terminal Tools

16 16%

Terminal Tools

84% 84

SSH

24 24%

SSH

76% 76

Server Management

23 23%

Server Management

77% 77

Emulators

15 15%

Emulators

85% 85

User comments

Share your experience with using BusyBox and Termux. For example, how are they different and which one is better?

Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare BusyBox and Termux

BusyBox Reviews

Top 10 Best Apps To Use Linux Terminal on Your Android Device

BusyBox is an excellent option for Android users who want to have control in the internal Linux command-line shell. This terminal emulator for Android requires a rooted device to function properly. It is one of the most popular among its competitors. There is a pro version, but the vanilla edition is more than enough for casual users. It will provide you with numerous Unix...

Source: www.ubuntupit.com

Best Terminal Emulator for Android in 2021

BusyBox is a famous terminal emulator for quick and reliable performance. It needs the device to be rooted for executing the app. The emulator can work well with Linux kernel with GNU Core applications. It offers plenty of standard Unix tools with backup features to retrieve all data. The app provides the user to choose the desired applets for quick installation. It also...

Source: www.techowns.com

Termux Reviews

10 Termux Alternatives

Termux is an app with a Linux environment that works without any setup and installation directly without any rooting system. Termux is an emulator with an android terminal and offers premium packages using APT manager. This app has a minimal-based system that supports all types of IOS devices and works smoothly online and offline.

Source: www.justalternativeto.com

Top 10 Best Apps To Use Linux Terminal on Your Android Device

If you are looking for a powerful app to use a Linux terminal that comes with the cleanest interface, this one is for you. Termux by Fredrik Fornwall initially comes with a huge collection of Linux packages. The entire app contains nothing but the Terminal. So, there is no way you can be confused while using it. Also, it lets you have access to the remote servers just using...

Source: www.ubuntupit.com

Best Terminal Emulator for Android in 2021

Termux offers Bash and Zsh Shells to get multiple plugins, themes. It works on the C language, and it provides the SSH servers. The Terminal emulator can monitor the files and has a Linux Package collection for advanced tools. It uses Python for basic operation, and the Apt Packet manager can install any file. The Termux has a built-in help feature to provide tutorials and...

Source: www.techowns.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Termux should be more popular than BusyBox. It has been mentiond 56 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

BusyBox mentions (16)

Making memcpy(NULL, NULL, 0) well-defined
Https://busybox.net/~landley/c99-draft.html#7.20.6.1 "The abs, labs, and llabs functions compute the absolute value of an integer j. If the result cannot be represented, the behavior is undefined. (242)" 242 The absolute value of the most negative number cannot be represented in two's complement. - Source: Hacker News / 28 days ago
Docker, Linux, Security. Kinda.
On to our second point, which is the cli utilities' implementation. Debian and Ubuntu use gnu's Coreutils while Alpine uses Busybox(remember, we are talking about the most used application container bases. You can install a desktop version of Alpine with GNU coreutils). Here we have the same situation as before, The GNU coreutils are bigger, do more and have a larger attack surface. Busybox is smaller, does not... - Source: dev.to / 8 months ago
The Awk Programming Language, Second Edition
AWK runs everywhere. Perl and Python do not. Busybox has their own independent AWK implementation. https://busybox.net/ https://frippery.org/busybox/ Also see the first edition of the AWK manual online here: https://archive.org/details/pdfy-MgN0H1joIoDVoIC7. - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
This would have made my life so much easier in the beginning....
A majority of routers are already based on the Linux kernel. Many are just BusyBox. The most common Linux firewalls are iptables and nftables. With the latter being the most popular one due to being around longer. They are really fine grained and powerful. Source: over 1 year ago
So Im working on making my own OS from scratch. Im using a linux based os for reverse engineering but I need help in understanding how to use the tools that are in rar/zip files. If anyone can direct me to some tutorials or resources to read that would be a big help.
Https://www.kernel.org/doc/Documentation/arm64/booting.rst This was my guiding light for a project a while back. It describes what Linux expects "time zero" looks like for the system; whatever operating system is going to boot needs that kind of contract between the boot environment and its own entry point. You can develop a lightweight linux-based OS with that document and a package like https://busybox.net/. Source: almost 2 years ago

Termux mentions (56)

⟳ 0 apps added, 32 updated at f-droid.org
Termux:Styling (version 0.30): Customize your Termux terminal. Source: almost 2 years ago
Show HN: An ultra-light-weight tool to quickly test your ping
On Android, I run servers under Termux, e.g., DNS and HTTPS proxy. Another use is checking email without using a browser or an app. I use a tiny shell script to check for new mail with openssl. It prints out the messages to the terminal as plain text. Termux has good scrolling so its easy enough to read. This allows me to keep email out of the browser and email messages off the phone, generally.... - Source: Hacker News / over 2 years ago
The Digital Typewriter and the Unnecessarily Costly Pursuit of Focus
Also: Whilst it's not the same as native Linux directly available, and the many, many limitations and frustrations of Android still apply, Termux can be installed on the BOOX (via F-Droid), and provides excellent capabilities. Over 2,200 packages now. https://termux.com/. - Source: Hacker News / over 2 years ago
Analyze IP address from outside
You could simply use your mobile phone's internet connection for external analysis. Hotspot, tether, or, if you have an Android device, just install Termux, which will give you access to many of the common network. Source: over 2 years ago
Install/run HB on NVIDIA Shield?
Use termux app, it’s a terminal emulator where you can install node and stuff. I’ve done it before. https://termux.com. Source: over 2 years ago