btop

Overview

btop is a free, Apache-2.0-licensed resource monitor for Linux and macOS. It is best for people who want to inspect system activity and manage processes from a terminal rather than use a graphical dashboard. Its breadth of monitoring and process controls is compelling, but terminal compatibility and GPU setup can determine how much of it is useful on a particular machine.

Key features

btop brings processor, memory, disk, network, and process statistics into one terminal interface. Its game-inspired menu, mouse support, and responsive design make the interface more approachable than a keyboard-only monitor, while the graphs, selectable symbols, and custom presets let users shape what they see. Network graphs scale automatically, and disk activity includes both IO activity and speeds; a battery meter adds a useful view for portable systems.

Process controls go beyond a simple list: users can inspect detailed stats, filter and sort entries, switch to a tree view, send signals, or pause the process list. That makes btop useful both for keeping an eye on resource use and for investigating or acting on individual processes. It remains a terminal monitor, however, not a web dashboard or a service manager.

Theme files are shared with bpytop and bashtop, and users can set up a custom themes directory. GPU monitoring works on Linux and macOS with Apple Silicon GPUs, but only with a binary built with GPU support. NVIDIA monitoring requires nvidia-ml, AMD monitoring requires rocm_smi_lib, and Intel monitoring requires SYSFS read permission. These dependencies make GPU visibility less straightforward than the core system views.

Pricing

btop: free. The free plan includes the resource monitor under the Apache-2.0 license, and there is no paid tier or trial to weigh against it. It is a strong fit for individual users who want the listed monitoring and process tools without a subscription. The trade-off is not a feature cap but the terminal and GPU requirements: the project recommends a terminal with 24-bit truecolor and wide-character support, a UTF8 locale, and a font containing specified Unicode blocks.

Platforms

btop supports Linux and macOS, including Apple Silicon GPU monitoring when the binary has GPU support. The project also documents package installation for FreeBSD and NetBSD, and lists Homebrew for macOS and Linux. Windows support was not in the project plans at the time of the README entry. That makes btop a poor fit for Windows-only users, even though some alternatives cover that platform.

Who it's for

Choose btop if you work in a compatible terminal and want a single place to watch system resources, examine processes, and take basic process actions. It is particularly well suited to users who value visual graphs, themes, and presets alongside sorting, filtering, and tree views. If you need GPU data, check the required build and vendor-specific dependencies first. If you need Windows support or a browser-based interface, another tool is a better starting point.

Pros and cons

• Broad monitoring in a terminal: processor, memory, disk, network, process statistics, disk IO, and battery views reduce the need to switch between separate monitors.
• Useful process controls: detailed stats, filters, sorting, tree view, signals, and a pause option make the process list more than a passive display.
• Flexible presentation: auto-scaling network graphs, selectable symbols, presets, and compatible theme files offer ways to tailor the interface.
• Terminal prerequisites matter: recommended color, character, locale, and font support may require setup for the intended display.
• GPU support has conditions: a GPU-enabled build and the appropriate library or permission are required, so GPU monitoring is not simply guaranteed by installing btop.
• No planned Windows support at the time of the README entry: Windows users should choose a platform-compatible alternative.

Alternatives

For a broader platform mix, Glances is a free option spanning Android, API, Linux, macOS, self-hosted, web, and Windows use; some of its optional features require extra dependencies. Choose it when that reach matters more than btop's terminal-focused interface.

PM2 is an open-source process manager with a real-time web interface and supports API, Linux, macOS, self-hosted, web, and Windows environments. Its free Runtime plan may suit readers who want that interface; the Plus plan is $79 a month for essential monitoring.

bottom (btm) is another free Linux and macOS option, with Windows support as well. Consider it when Windows coverage is important; its opened pages state no price or usage limits.

htop is a free Linux and macOS alternative, freely available as source code and distribution binaries. Pick it if that availability is the priority; btop is the stronger fit when its graphs, themes, presets, or listed process controls are what you want.

Monit is free open-source software under the GNU Affero General Public License and supports Linux, macOS, and self-hosted use. It is an alternative for readers who want a self-hosted option rather than btop's terminal monitor.

OpenProcMon is a free, MIT-licensed option for 64-bit Windows; live capture requires Administrator privileges. Choose it if Windows is the deciding platform.

Process Lasso is a Windows freemium alternative with free and trial access, plus single-PC subscriptions at $4.95 a month or $24.95 a year. Consider it if you need a Windows option and are willing to weigh those subscription plans.

runit is a free option for Linux, macOS, and self-hosted use, with no commercial limits stated. It is another choice for those platforms if that scope better matches your needs.

Browse more options in Process Monitoring Software.

Verdict

btop is an easy recommendation for Linux and macOS users who want detailed resource views and practical process controls in a configurable terminal interface. Its free, open-source license removes pricing friction, and its mix of graphs and process actions gives it substance beyond a basic monitor. Look elsewhere if Windows support or a web interface is essential, and verify terminal and GPU prerequisites before relying on those parts of the experience.