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Glances
What it is
Glances is a free, open-source system monitor that displays real-time CPU, memory, disk, network, process, user, and sensor information. It offers terminal and web interfaces, with the terminal display adapting to available space. Client/server mode enables remote monitoring through a terminal, web interface, XML-RPC, or RESTful APIs. It can also monitor Docker and LXC containers. Statistics can be exported to CSV or JSON files, databases such as InfluxDB, Elasticsearch, PostgreSQL/Timescale, Cassandra, and Prometheus, and brokers including RabbitMQ, NATS, ZeroMQ, and Kafka. Developers can extend the project with plugins and export modules. Its MCP server allows AI assistants such as Claude and Cursor to query Glances from version 4.5.1. Installation options include Python tools, Docker, package managers, and source builds. Version 4 requires Python 3.10 or later; standard pip installation omits web-interface dependencies, which can be added with the web extra. The project licenses Glances under the GNU Lesser General Public License version 3. Its documentation advises configuring xmlrpc_allowed_hosts when XML-RPC listens on a non-loopback interface, since it otherwise accepts any HTTP Host header by default.
For and against
For
- Free and open source under LGPL version 3
- Terminal and web interfaces
- Remote monitoring through APIs and client/server mode
- Monitors Docker and LXC containers
- Exports to files, databases, and message brokers
Against
- Version 4 requires Python 3.10 or later
- Standard pip installation excludes web dependencies
- XML-RPC needs host configuration beyond loopback
The verdict
Glances offers broad monitoring, remote access, and export options without a software charge. Users should account for the Python requirement and configure XML-RPC carefully if exposing it beyond loopback.
Who it suits
Glances suits users who want system monitoring from a terminal or web interface, including those managing remote systems or containers. Developers can also use its export options and add plugins or export modules.
Plans and prices
Glances
Python 3.10+ required · Web interface dependencies are optional
Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
On the record
- AI integration
- The built-in MCP server lets AI assistants such as Claude and Cursor query Glances; the feature is available from Glances 4.5.1.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Containers
- Glances supports container monitoring, including Docker and LXC.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Exports and integrations
- Stats can be exported to CSV and JSON files, databases including InfluxDB, Elasticsearch, PostgreSQL/Timescale, Cassandra and Prometheus, and brokers including RabbitMQ, NATS, ZeroMQ and Kafka.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Extensibility
- The project describes an open architecture that lets developers add plugins and export modules.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Installation options
- The project documents installation using pip, uvx, pipx, Docker, Docker Compose, Linux package managers, FreeBSD packages, Homebrew, MacPorts, and source builds.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Interfaces
- It presents system information through a terminal interface or a web interface and adapts displayed information to terminal size.glances.readthedocs.io · read 4 Oct 2026
- License
- Glances is distributed under the GNU Lesser General Public License version 3.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Network security guidance
- The documentation warns that XML-RPC accepts any HTTP Host header by default and advises setting xmlrpc_allowed_hosts when listening on a non-loopback interface.glances.readthedocs.io · read 4 Oct 2026
- Optional components
- A standard pip installation excludes Web interface dependencies, which can be added with the web extra; the all extra installs dependencies for all features.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Platform requirement
- Glances 4 requires Python 3.10 or later; Python 2 and Python 3 versions below 3.10 are unsupported.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Remote monitoring
- Client/server mode supports remote monitoring through a terminal, web interface, or XML-RPC and RESTful APIs.glances.readthedocs.io · read 4 Oct 2026
- Security policy
- The project marks version 4.x as eligible for security updates and versions below 4.0 as unsupported for security updates.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Support
- The project points users to its FAQ, official Reddit forum, and GitHub Discussions for questions.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- System monitoring
- Glances is an open-source, cross-platform system monitoring tool for real-time CPU, memory, disk, network, process, user, and sensor information.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
