bottom (btm)

bottom (btm) is a customizable terminal-based system monitor for people who want resource graphs and process controls in one interface. It suits command-line users monitoring a supported desktop system; its free price is appealing, but platform and architecture support deserve a check before installation.

Overview

Many process monitors stop at a sortable list. bottom also graphs CPU, memory, network, and disk activity over time, making it useful for seeing both what is running and how system use changes. The terminal interface is a clear fit for keyboard-oriented workflows, but not for readers who want a conventional graphical monitor.

Command-line options and a configuration file let users adjust themes, layout, widget behavior, and filtering. An htop-inspired basic mode offers a simpler presentation, while focus mode expands one widget to fill the terminal. This range is useful for different monitoring priorities, though users who want a fixed, preconfigured interface may not need the flexibility.

Key features

Resource graphs and process controls

CPU use is graphed per core and as an average; RAM and swap use, network traffic, and disk I/O are graphed over time as well. Zooming the network and disk time interval helps inspect activity at different scales. The process widget can display, sort, and search process information, switch to tree mode, and send kill signals. That combination suits users diagnosing resource changes and managing processes from the terminal.

Additional widgets and safeguards

Widgets cover disk capacity and use, temperature sensors, and battery use. A read-only option prevents system-affecting actions such as stopping processes, which is useful when monitoring without wanting process controls available.

Pricing

bottom is free: the bottom plan costs nothing. There is no free trial, but no trial is needed to access the free plan. The plan has no stated usage limits, making it a straightforward option for individual monitoring without a paid tier to weigh against it.

Platforms

Official support covers Linux, macOS, and Windows, with architecture support varying by system. Installation is documented through package managers, Cargo, and pre-built release binaries. Android and some other systems may work unofficially, but support and testing are limited, so bottom is a less dependable choice there. For issues on officially supported platforms, the project directs users to troubleshooting resources and GitHub issues or discussions, and says it will fix issues when possible.

Who it's for

bottom is a strong fit for terminal users who want a configurable view of system activity alongside process search and controls, especially those who value graphs over a process list alone. Its basic mode can suit readers who want a simpler layout, while customization rewards users willing to tune a command-line application. Readers seeking an officially supported Android option or a conventional graphical interface should consider other tools.

Pros and cons

• Pros: CPU, memory, network, and disk graphs put several resource trends in one terminal interface.
• Pros: Process sorting, search, tree mode, and kill signals support both inspection and management.
• Pros: The free plan has no stated usage limits, and installation options include package managers and pre-built binaries.
• Cons: Android support is unofficial and limited, so it is not the reliable choice for that platform.
• Cons: Customization through options or a configuration file may be unnecessary overhead for users who prefer a fixed graphical monitor.

Alternatives

Process Monitoring Software is a useful category starting point for comparing more tools.

Choose Glances if Android, web, API, or self-hosted platform support matters more than bottom's terminal-focused setup; it is free, though optional features require extra dependencies. PM2 is worth considering for process management with a real-time web interface: its free Runtime plan is open source, while Plus costs $79 a month. For a free resource monitor limited to Linux and macOS, btop is another option. Monit is a free alternative for Linux, macOS, and self-hosted use. Process Lasso is a Windows-only freemium option with a single-PC monthly plan at $4.95 a month. runit is a free alternative for Linux, macOS, and self-hosted systems. Ambih Monitor is a Windows option whose free plan includes five-session history per project and live monitoring. AppControl is a free Windows option that requires no email or registration.

Verdict

Choose bottom if you want a free, configurable terminal monitor that pairs resource graphs with practical process controls. Its strongest case is the breadth of monitoring in one interface; look elsewhere if you need official Android support or prefer a graphical desktop monitor.