On the recordRead 8 Oct 20269 facts

GKrellM

What it is

GKrellM is a free system-monitoring application presented as a single process stack of monitors. Built-in views cover CPU, processes, disks, network interfaces, memory, swap, filesystems, uptime, and internet connections. Hardware readings include temperature, fan, and voltage, with configurable warnings and alarms when supported by the system. A mailbox monitor checks mbox, maildir, MH, POP3, and IMAP mailboxes and can launch a mail reader or checking program. GKrellM supports themes matching a window manager, GTK, or another theme. It can run as a client and collect information from a gkrellmd server on another machine, while plugins add specialized monitors to the application and server. Listed categories also include clock, calendar, hostname, and battery. Builds or compilation options are listed for Linux, FreeBSD, Mac OS X, NetBSD, OpenBSD, and Windows. GKrellM requires GTK, GDK, and GLib; the server requires GLib.

For and against

For

Free under the GNU General Public License
Broad CPU, memory, disk, and network monitors
Temperature, fan, and voltage alarms
Remote client and server monitoring
Plugin support for specialized monitors

Against

Requires GTK, GDK, and GLib
Hardware alarms depend on system support
Remote monitoring requires a gkrellmd server
Some listed systems require compilation

The verdict

GKrellM offers wide monitoring coverage, theme support, plugins, and remote collection without a listed price. Its library requirements and hardware-dependent readings should be checked before installation.

Who it suits

GKrellM suits desktop users who want many system, hardware, mailbox, and status readings in one themed monitor stack. It also fits people needing remote collection or plugin-based extensions.

Plans and prices

GKrellM

Free

Released under the GNU General Public License

Read 8 Oct 2026 · billw2.github.io

Every plan, in full

On the record

Mail: The mailbox monitor checks mbox, maildir, MH, POP3, and IMAP mailboxes and can launch a mail reader or mail checking program.billw2.github.io · read 8 Oct 2026
Platform support: The page lists Linux, FreeBSD, Mac OS X, NetBSD, OpenBSD, and Windows builds or compilation options.billw2.github.io · read 8 Oct 2026
Plugins: Both GKrellM and the gkrellmd server support plugins for adding specialized monitors.billw2.github.io · read 8 Oct 2026
Purpose: GKrellM is a single process stack of system monitors that supports themes matching a window manager, GTK, or another theme.billw2.github.io · read 8 Oct 2026
Remote monitoring: GKrellM can run in client mode and collect data from a gkrellmd server on a remote machine.billw2.github.io · read 8 Oct 2026
Requirements: GKrellM requires GTK, GDK, and GLib; the gkrellmd server requires GLib and can be installed without GTK or X libraries.billw2.github.io · read 8 Oct 2026
Sensors: Temperature, fan, and voltage monitors can show configurable warnings and alarms when supported by the system hardware and software.billw2.github.io · read 8 Oct 2026
Support: The page invites users to email Bill Wilson with questions or suggestions.billw2.github.io · read 8 Oct 2026
System monitoring: Built-in monitors include CPU, processes, disks, network interfaces, memory, swap, filesystems, uptime, and internet connections.billw2.github.io · read 8 Oct 2026

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