GKrellM is a free system-monitoring application that presents monitors in a single-process stack. Its built-in monitors cover CPU activity, processes, disks, network interfaces, memory, swap, filesystems, sensors, mailboxes, battery, uptime, and a clock and calendar. Charts can scale automatically or use fixed values, while sensor and battery monitors support configurable alarms and warnings. Themes can be chosen to match a window manager, GTK, or another theme. GKrellM and its gkrellmd server support plugins for specialized monitors; community examples include wireless monitoring, audio control, and SNMP variables. The Internet monitor shows current TCP port connections and charts port hits over more than two days. The mailbox monitor checks mbox, maildir, MH, POP3, and IMAP mailboxes. The maker lists builds for Linux, FreeBSD, Mac OS X, NetBSD, and OpenBSD, and links to a Windows version and installer. The application requires GTK 2.0, GDK 2.0, and GLib 2.0, while gkrellmd can run without GTK or X libraries. Some Linux sensor readings depend on hardware, kernel support, and additional software.
Who it is for
GKrellM suits users who want a stack of system monitors and charts on supported desktop systems. It may also fit users who want plugin-based monitoring or mailbox checks.
What is good
- Monitors CPU, memory, disks, networks, and other system areas.
- Charts offer automatic or fixed scaling.
- Sensor and battery monitors can show configurable alarms.
- Supports themes and plugins for specialized monitors.
- Available for several Unix-like systems, with a Windows version linked.
What to know first
- The application requires GTK 2.0, GDK 2.0, and GLib 2.0.
- Linux sensor readings may depend on hardware and additional software.
- No security certification or compliance standard is stated.
Verdict
GKrellM combines a wide set of system monitors with charts, alarms, themes, and plugin support. Check the application requirements and sensor dependencies for the platform and readings you need.
Get started with GKrellM
- Open the GKrellM website.
- Choose the build or installer for your operating system.
- Install the application, which requires GTK 2.0, GDK 2.0, and GLib 2.0.
- Use themes or plugins to customize the monitors.
What the free plan stops at
GKrellM is free software under the GNU General Public License. On Linux, temperature, fan, voltage, disk temperature, and NVIDIA GPU temperature readings can depend on hardware support and listed software or daemon dependencies.
Questions about GKrellM
How much does GKrellM cost?
The listed Free software plan is free under the GNU General Public License.
Which operating systems does GKrellM support?
The maker describes builds for Linux, FreeBSD, Mac OS X, NetBSD, and OpenBSD, and links to a Windows version and installer.
What does GKrellM monitor?
Its built-in monitors cover CPU, processes, disks, network interfaces, memory, swap, filesystems, sensors, mailboxes, battery, uptime, and clock and calendar.
Does GKrellM support plugins and themes?
Yes. GKrellM and gkrellmd support plugins, and GKrellM supports themes.
What are GKrellM's application requirements?
The application requires GTK 2.0, GDK 2.0, and GLib 2.0. The gkrellmd server requires GLib and can run without GTK or X libraries.
GKrellM plans and pricing
All plansCompared on hardware monitoring software
- Free plan
- Yes
- Supported platforms
- Linux, FreeBSD, Mac OS X, NetBSD, OpenBSD, Windows
- Remote monitoring
- Yes
- Custom sensor support
- Yes
