Glances

Glances is a free, open-source tool for viewing real-time system statistics and running processes. Its monitoring features cover CPU, memory, load, processes, network, disk I/O, sensors, filesystems, containers, alerts and uptime. Client/server mode enables remote monitoring through a terminal, web interface or API, and the built-in web UI lets users view a system in a browser. Glances provides XML-RPC and RESTful JSON APIs; its Web server mode exposes a REST API. Statistics can be exported to CSV or JSON files, databases such as InfluxDB and Prometheus, brokers such as RabbitMQ and Kafka, or a REST endpoint. The project documents Docker and Podman monitoring, as well as Docker and LXC container monitoring in its README. Installation options include pip, pipx, Homebrew, Linux and FreeBSD packages, and Docker images. Glances 4 requires Python 3.10 or higher. The default installation omits Web interface dependencies, with separate extras for features including Web, GPU, containers, exports and MCP. Versions 4.5.1 and higher can provide an MCP server for AI assistants.

Glances offers broad system monitoring with remote access and multiple export routes at no cost. Check the Python requirement and add-on dependencies when selecting installation options.

Glances suits people who want to monitor system health locally or remotely and can manage its installation requirements. Its export and API options also suit users sending statistics to other systems.

Overview

Glances is a free, open-source system monitor for people who want a live view of machine health and running processes across their own systems. It is best suited to administrators and technically confident users who value remote access and ways to export statistics. Its breadth is a real advantage, but the Python requirement and optional dependencies make installation choices part of the decision.

Key features

System and process monitoring

Glances brings CPU, memory, load, processes, network activity, disk I/O, sensors, filesystems, containers, alerts and uptime into one monitor. That makes it useful for surveying a machine as well as checking process activity, rather than focusing on one resource alone. It supports server auto-discovery and can trigger script or command actions for alerts, a practical fit for users who want local actions tied to monitoring events.

Remote access and integrations

Client/server mode allows monitoring from a terminal, browser or API. The built-in Web interface is useful when a browser is more convenient than a terminal, while XML-RPC and RESTful JSON APIs provide routes for programmatic access. Statistics can be exported to CSV or JSON, databases such as InfluxDB and Prometheus, brokers such as RabbitMQ and Kafka, or a REST endpoint. That flexibility suits users who want to retain or route metrics beyond Glances itself, though it also means choosing and configuring the relevant integrations.

Docker and Podman monitoring are documented, and the README also describes Docker and LXC container monitoring. Glances 4.5.1 and later can provide an MCP server for AI assistants. These are useful extensions for users who already work with containers or AI tooling, not reasons to choose Glances if a simpler monitor is all that is needed.

Installation and maintenance

Installation options include pip, pipx, Homebrew, Linux and FreeBSD packages, and Docker images. Glances 4 requires Python 3.10 or later; version 4 and newer do not support Python 2 or earlier Python 3 releases. The default installation omits Web interface dependencies, and separate extras are used for capabilities such as Web, GPU, containers, exports and MCP. That modularity lets users avoid unnecessary components, but the intended feature set may require extra setup. The project distributes Glances under the LGPL version 3 license and supports version 4.x for security updates; releases below 4.0 are unsupported.

Pricing

Glances — free. The free plan is the open-source system monitoring tool, with optional features requiring extra dependencies. There is no paid plan or free trial. It is a strong fit for individuals and teams able to install and maintain their own monitoring tools; those looking for a managed service or bundled setup should look elsewhere. No seat or usage caps are stated for this plan.

Platforms

Glances supports GNU/Linux, FreeBSD, macOS, Windows and Android, with Web, API and self-hosted availability. Its agent-based monitoring and remote modes make it suitable for monitoring systems across these environments, although the Python 3.10 requirement applies to Glances 4 installations.

Who it's for

Choose Glances if you need broad system and process visibility, remote monitoring, or multiple ways to export metrics, and are comfortable managing dependencies. It is less suitable for users who want a ready-made hosted monitor or a narrowly focused tool without optional components to configure. For help, the project points users to its manual, official Reddit forum and GitHub Discussions.

Pros and cons

• Pro: Broad monitoring across system resources, processes, containers and uptime avoids relying on separate monitors for each category.
• Pro: Terminal, browser and API access, plus several export routes, suit remote oversight and integration with existing tools.
• Pro: Free and open source, with no paid tier to weigh against the monitoring features.
• Con: Glances 4 requires Python 3.10 or later, excluding older Python environments.
• Con: Web and other optional capabilities require separate dependencies, so the default installation does not deliver every feature.
• Con: Releases below 4.0 are unsupported for security updates, making version selection important for maintained deployments.

Alternatives

For process-focused options, Process Monitoring Software is a broader category to compare. If hardware monitoring is the priority, see Hardware Monitoring Software; for a container-centered shortlist, see Container Monitoring.

• Process Lasso is a Windows alternative with a free plan and paid single-PC monthly and annual plans; choose it when Windows-only process management better matches your needs.
• PM2 offers a free open-source process manager with a real-time Web interface, alongside a paid Plus plan; choose it when process management is the priority over Glances' broader system monitoring.
• AppControl is a free Windows option with optional premium features; choose it if you want a Windows-specific tool that requires no email or registration.
• bottom (btm) is a free option for Linux, macOS and Windows; consider it as an alternative system monitor for those platforms.
• iotop is a free Linux option that requires root access; choose it when that requirement fits your environment.
• ManageEngine Free Process Manager is a free Windows process manager distributed as a 32-bit EXE; consider it for that platform and format.
• NVTOP is a free Linux and self-hosted choice for GPU and accelerator monitoring, with some features requiring supported hardware, drivers and libraries; choose it when accelerator monitoring is the central need.
• runit is a free option for Linux, macOS and self-hosted environments; consider it if those platforms suit your deployment.

Verdict

Glances is a compelling free choice for technically capable users who need broad system monitoring, remote access and export flexibility in one tool. Choose it when you can meet its Python requirement and manage optional dependencies; look elsewhere if you need a hosted, preconfigured service or a focused monitor that requires less setup.