Uncovering the Best Glsof Alternatives for System Monitoring

Glsof, comprising two separate utilities—Queries and FileMonitor—serves as a robust extension to the command-line utility Lsof, allowing users to monitor file, process, and network activity in real-time. While highly effective, especially for Unix/Linux systems including macOS, some users may seek out a Glsof alternative that better fits specific requirements, offers a different user experience, or provides enhanced features. This guide explores top alternatives to Glsof, helping you find the perfect tool for your system monitoring needs.

Top Glsof Alternatives

Whether you're looking for a more visual interface, broader platform support, or specialized monitoring capabilities, these alternatives offer excellent solutions to manage and observe your system's activity.

htop

htop is an interactive process viewer for Linux, Mac, and BSD, making it a powerful open-source and free Glsof alternative for command-line enthusiasts. It's a text-mode application that requires ncurses, offering an interactive top replacement with features like Lightweight design and Performance Monitoring, perfect for detailed system oversight.

Sysdig

Sysdig is an open-source, system-level exploration tool that captures system state and activity from a running Linux instance, then allows for saving, filtering, and analysis. Available for Mac, Windows, and Linux, it's a comprehensive Glsof alternative that excels in Application Monitoring, Container monitoring, CPU monitoring, and Memory Monitoring, providing deep insights into your system's performance.

vtop

vtop is a graphical command-line tool that offers a unique visual approach to system monitoring. As a free and open-source Glsof alternative for Mac, Linux, and BSD, it uses unicode braille to chart CPU and memory usage, providing a more intuitive display than traditional command-line tools. Its features include Terminal-based interface, Hardware Monitoring, Process Monitoring, System Info, Task Management, and Vim key mapping.

Resource Monitor

Resource Monitor is a built-in system application in Microsoft Windows operating systems, offering a native Glsof alternative for Windows users. It's free and provides detailed information about the use of hardware (CPU, memory, disk, and network). Its key features include Hardware Monitoring, Performance Monitoring, and System Info, making it an essential tool for Windows-based system diagnostics.

lsof

lsof, the utility that Glsof extends, is a fundamental free and open-source command-line tool for Unix processes. Available for Mac, Linux, and BSD, lsof lists open files for running UNIX processes. While Glsof builds upon it, lsof itself is a powerful and direct Glsof alternative for those who prefer working purely at the command line for File management and understanding system activity at a granular level.

Ultimately, the best Glsof alternative depends on your operating system, specific monitoring needs, and preference for command-line versus graphical interfaces. We encourage you to explore these options to find the perfect fit for your system monitoring arsenal.