Comparing the Top, Htop, Atop, and Glances system monitors
Trackers
© Lead Image © Barna Tanko, 123RF.com
The Top system monitor is a useful aid for identifying system bottlenecks, and Htop, Atop, and Glances extend its possibilities.
The Top utility has served as a general-purpose system monitor on Linux systems for many years. Top originally appeared as part of the procps package [1]. Debian, Fedora, and openSUSE forked the original package and released procps-ng version 3.3.0 [2] at the end of 2011. The new Top impresses with many new fields, simpler operation, and better performance. Resourceful developers have also devised alternatives to the Top utility, including Htop [3], Atop [4], and most recently the Python program Glances [5] (see Table 1 for a comparison of features).
Htop delights users with a rollable process list, simple operation via function keys, and ASCII bar graphs for CPU utilization. Atop records the CPU, memory, disk, and network utilization, and colors highlight resources that are working at full capacity. Atop also records performance data and supports analysis with reporting functions or even interactive post-processing.
The newcomer Glances displays as much information as possible on a terminal with 80 characters and 24 rows. Glances also offers the ability to monitor remote systems by running in server mode over the network. Color highlights illuminate resource bottlenecks.
[...]
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
US / Canada
UK / Australia
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
System76 Releases COSMIC Alpha 7
With scores of bug fixes and a really cool workspaces feature, COSMIC is looking to soon migrate from alpha to beta.
-
OpenMandriva Lx 6.0 Available for Installation
The latest release of OpenMandriva has arrived with a new kernel, an updated Plasma desktop, and a server edition.
-
TrueNAS 25.04 Arrives with Thousands of Changes
One of the most popular Linux-based NAS solutions has rolled out the latest edition, based on Ubuntu 25.04.
-
Fedora 42 Available with Two New Spins
The latest release from the Fedora Project includes the usual updates, a new kernel, an official KDE Plasma spin, and a new System76 spin.
-
So Long, ArcoLinux
The ArcoLinux distribution is the latest Linux distribution to shut down.
-
What Open Source Pros Look for in a Job Role
Learn what professionals in technical and non-technical roles say is most important when seeking a new position.
-
Asahi Linux Runs into Issues with M4 Support
Due to Apple Silicon changes, the Asahi Linux project is at odds with adding support for the M4 chips.
-
Plasma 6.3.4 Now Available
Although not a major release, Plasma 6.3.4 does fix some bugs and offer a subtle change for the Plasma sidebar.
-
Linux Kernel 6.15 First Release Candidate Now Available
Linux Torvalds has announced that the release candidate for the final release of the Linux 6.15 series is now available.
-
Akamai Will Host kernel.org
The organization dedicated to cloud-based solutions has agreed to host kernel.org to deliver long-term stability for the development team.