NVTOP
What it is
NVTOP is a free command-line monitor for GPU and accelerator activity on supported systems. Its task-monitor interface can display multiple devices, with configurable charts for GPU and memory use, temperature, power, clocks, and PCIe receive and transmit load. The project lists devices from AMD, Apple, Huawei Ascend, Intel, NVIDIA, Qualcomm Adreno, Broadcom VideoCore, Rockchip, MetaX, Enflame, Tenstorrent, and Iluvatar CoreX. NVTOP is available for Linux; Apple Metal support is an initial option limited to builds for Apple systems and is subject to bugs and limitations. Some GPU process reporting depends on Linux kernel support, with minimum versions specified for AMD, Intel, and Adreno. Users can save interface preferences with F12 for the next run. The project includes a manpage and command-line help, and release notes describe JSON snapshots and looped snapshots. Installation options include distribution packages, AppImage, Snap, Conda-forge, Docker, and source builds. The NVIDIA backend uses NVML from the GPU driver and can optionally use NvAPI for additional clock-domain information. NVTOP is licensed under GPLv3 or later.
For and against
For
- Charts show utilization, temperature, power, and clocks.
- Can display information about multiple devices.
- Preferences can be saved with F12.
- Installation options include packages, Docker, and source builds.
Against
- Apple support is initial and subject to limitations.
- Process reporting depends on kernel support for some devices.
- Remote monitoring is not supported.
- Custom sensor support is not available.
The verdict
NVTOP offers a command-line view of activity across supported GPUs and accelerators. Check device and kernel support before relying on process reporting or Apple builds.
Who it suits
NVTOP suits people who need to inspect GPU or accelerator activity from the command line on supported systems. It is for Linux users, with limited, build-specific Apple support.
Plans and prices
NVTOP
GPLv3 or later · GPU and accelerator monitoring · Requires supported hardware, drivers, and libraries for some features
Read 5 Oct 2026 · github.com
On the record
- Apple support
- Apple Metal support is described as initial, available only when building for Apple, and still subject to bugs and limitations.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Audience
- The project describes NVTOP as a command-line monitor for people who need to inspect GPU or accelerator activity on supported systems.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Custom sensor support
- Nogithub.com · read 24 Sep 2026
- Hardware requirements
- Some GPU process reporting depends on kernel support; the README specifies Linux kernel 5.14 or newer for AMD fdinfo process reporting, 5.19 or newer for Intel, and 6.0 or newer for Adreno.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Installation
- The project documents installation through Linux distribution packages, AppImage, Snap, Conda-forge, Docker, and source builds.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The NVIDIA backend uses NVML from the GPU driver and can optionally use NvAPI for additional clock-domain information.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- License
- NVTOP is licensed under GPLv3 or any later version.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Metrics
- Its configurable charts can show GPU and memory utilization, temperature, power, clocks, and PCIe receive and transmit load.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Output modes
- NVTOP includes a manpage and command-line help, and its latest release notes describe JSON snapshot output and looped snapshots.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Preferences
- Users can save interface preferences with F12 and load them the next time they run NVTOP.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- NVTOP is a htop-like task monitor for GPUs and accelerators that can display information about multiple devices.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Remote monitoring
- Nogithub.com · read 24 Sep 2026
- Security
- GitHub reports that the repository has no SECURITY.md policy and no published security advisories.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Support
- The project README provides troubleshooting guidance and directs users to its issue tracker for project questions.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Supported platforms
- Linux; Apple systems (limited,build-specific support)github.com · read 24 Sep 2026
- Supported vendors
- The README lists support for AMD, Apple, Huawei Ascend, Intel, NVIDIA, Qualcomm Adreno, Broadcom VideoCore, Rockchip, MetaX, Enflame, Tenstorrent, and Iluvatar CoreX devices.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
