Uncovering the Best Glances Alternative for System Monitoring
Glances is a powerful, CLI curses-based monitoring tool built in Python, leveraging the PsUtil library to provide comprehensive system information on GNU/Linux and BSD operating systems. While Glances excels in its domain, specific needs, platform requirements, or feature desires might lead you to seek out a suitable glances alternative. This article delves into a range of excellent tools that can stand in for Glances, offering similar or expanded functionalities for various user scenarios.
Top Glances Alternatives
Whether you're a seasoned system administrator, a developer, or just someone looking to keep an eye on your machine's health, there's a monitoring tool out there for you. Here are some of the top contenders that offer compelling reasons to be your next go-to system monitor.
Process Explorer
Process Explorer is a robust and Free tool for Windows and PortableApps.com that goes beyond basic task management, showing you detailed information about processes, opened handles, and loaded DLLs. Its features like Affinity Mask, Network Monitoring, and Process Monitoring make it a strong contender for those needing an in-depth look at their Windows system, making it a powerful glances alternative for Windows users.
htop
htop is an interactive, Open Source process viewer for Linux, Mac, and BSD, often seen as an enhanced alternative to the traditional 'top' command. Running on the command line and requiring ncurses, htop is a lightweight tool focusing on Performance Monitoring, offering a more user-friendly interface for process management than Glances for terminal enthusiasts.
Process Monitor
Process Monitor is a Free and portable advanced monitoring tool for Windows that provides real-time file system, Registry, and process/thread activity. Its ability to show Activity history and focus on Process Monitoring makes it an excellent glances alternative for Windows users who need granular insights into system operations.
Process Lasso
Process Lasso is a Freemium utility for Windows focused on process priority optimization and system automation rather than just monitoring. Features like Process Lasso manages, Responsive design, and Stability aim to enhance system performance, offering a different approach to system health compared to Glances.
Windows Task Manager
The built-in Windows Task Manager is a Free and fundamental task management application for Microsoft Windows NT family of operating systems. It provides essential System Info and Task Management capabilities, serving as a readily available, albeit less detailed, alternative to Glances for Windows users.
SystemExplorer
System Explorer is a Free and portable enhanced Taskmanager for Windows and PortableApps.com. It offers detailed information about running processes, startup programs, IE add-ons, drivers, and services network. With features like Hardware Monitoring and System Info, it’s a comprehensive glances alternative for Windows users.
GNOME System Monitor
GNOME System Monitor is a Free and Open Source tool for Linux and BSD (specifically GNOME environments) designed to manage running processes and monitor system resources. Its focus on Application Monitoring and Task Management makes it a user-friendly graphical glances alternative for desktop Linux users.
WinSpy++
WinSpy++ (now superseded by WinSpy) is a Free and Open Source utility for Windows (.NET Framework) primarily aimed at developers. While not a direct system monitor like Glances, its Developer Tools features allow for inspecting window properties, which can be useful for debugging and understanding application behavior.
AnVir Task Manager
AnVir Task Manager is a Freemium tool for Windows that aims to replace the standard task manager, providing control over programs, disk, and CPU usage. It includes features like Hardware Monitoring and can help speed up Windows startup and combat spyware, offering a more comprehensive system management solution than just monitoring, making it a versatile glances alternative for Windows.
vtop
vtop is a Free and Open Source graphical command-line tool available for Mac, Linux, and BSD. It uses unicode braille to chart CPU and memory usage, offering a visually intuitive way to monitor system resources within the terminal. With features like Terminal-based, Command line interface, Hardware Monitoring, and Process Monitoring, vtop is a unique and effective glances alternative for those who prefer a graphical representation in the command line.
Choosing the ideal system monitoring tool depends entirely on your operating system, your comfort level with command-line versus GUI interfaces, and the specific metrics you need to track. We encourage you to explore these Glances alternatives to find the perfect fit for your system monitoring needs.