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Best Process Monitoring Software in 2026
When you need visibility into running processes, compare what each tool can monitor and what actions it lets you take. Process alerting, process controls, remote monitoring, and service monitoring show the scope of oversight; activity logs and history retention help you assess what records are available. Supported platforms matter for fit, while free-plan availability and paid-from pricing add cost context. Glances, PM2, and bottom (btm) are among the named options, alongside tools such as Process Lasso and runit. Consider whether you need local or remote visibility, service-level monitoring, or controls for responding to issues, then weigh those needs against the listed platform and plan details.
- 26 apps
- Research read 23 Sept 2026
- How the order is worked out
- 1
Glances
Free plan Open source AndroidAPILinux+4Glances covers a broad set of system metrics and offers several ways to monitor remotely or export statistics. Check its Python requirement and optional dependency setup against the features you need.
- 2
PM2
Free plan Open source APILinuxMac+3 - 3
runit
Free plan Open source LinuxMacSelf-hostedrunit provides init and service-supervision tools across several Unix systems, with an option to use its supervision without replacing the current init scheme.
- 4
bottom (btm)
Free plan LinuxMacWindowsbottom combines system graphs and process controls in a customizable terminal interface. Check the platform and architecture support for your system, especially if considering an unofficial platform.
- 5
Ambih Monitor
Free plan WindowsAmbih Monitor focuses on per-project resource tracking across runs, with CLI support for comparisons and CI checks.
- 6
Owlette
Free plan APISelf-hostedWeb+1Owlette combines Windows fleet monitoring, remote process management, deployment, and offline agent operation.
- 7
AppControl
Free plan WindowsAppControl provides historical activity records, alerts, and controls for Windows app behavior. It requires administrator privileges, and its maker says it does not replace dedicated security tools.
- 8
atop
Free plan Linuxatop provides detailed Linux resource monitoring and log-based reports, including records for finished processes.
- 9
Autoruns
Free plan WindowsChoose Autoruns if you need a free Windows tool to inspect startup items across many system locations and manage their configurations.
- 10
btop
Free plan LinuxMacbtop combines resource monitoring with process controls, graphs, themes and presets in a terminal interface.
- 11
htop
Free plan LinuxMachtop provides a terminal-based way to view processes, with controls for I/O priority and CPU affinity. Keep in mind that it does not report SWAP use per process.
- 12
Monit
Free plan LinuxMacSelf-hostedMonit combines system checks, alerts, and process actions in a free self-hosted utility for Linux and macOS.
- 13
iotop
Free plan Linuxiotop offers configurable process-level I/O monitoring for Linux, including batch output and filters. Its root requirement and lack of remote monitoring or process alerting may matter for some users.
- 14
ManageEngine Free Process Manager
Free plan WindowsFree Process Manager covers local process checks and remote process monitoring and control on Windows. Its remote setup requirements and license restrictions are worth reviewing before use.
- 15
nmon
Free plan LinuxSelf-hostedChoose nmon if you need free Linux performance monitoring with both live terminal data and CSV capture.
- 16
NVTOP
Free plan LinuxSelf-hostedNVTOP provides a command-line view of GPU and accelerator activity across a broad listed set of vendors. Feature support varies by system, and some process reporting has stated kernel requirements.
- 17
OpenProcMon
Free plan WindowsOpenProcMon offers real-time monitoring, .PML compatibility, and developer-facing tools at no cost.
- 18
Process Lasso
by Process LassoFree plan WindowsProcess Lasso combines process controls, resource-related rules, and power management in a Windows utility. The free plan has limits, while listed paid plans start at $4.95 a month.
- 19
Remote Process Explorer
Free plan WindowsRemote Process Explorer provides process controls and detailed process information for local and remote Windows computers.
- 20
s6
Free plan LinuxSelf-hosteds6 offers process supervision, service controls, readiness notifications, and logging utilities as free software. Review its system and build requirements before choosing it.
- 21
Supervisor
Free plan APILinuxMac+2Supervisor provides process control, restart handling, and several management interfaces for UNIX-like systems. Protect its configuration files and follow its runtime security guidance.
- 22
TaskExplorer
Free plan LinuxWindowsTaskExplorer provides detailed local process inspection and system monitoring, with remote monitoring available through a supporter certificate.
- 23
System Informer
Free plan WindowsSystem Informer combines system monitoring, process controls and debugging tools in a free Windows utility.
- 24
rproc
Free plan Linuxrproc provides broad Linux monitoring in a free, open-source package, including process controls and service views. Its systemctl dependency and Linux-only scope matter when choosing it.
- 25
winproc-tui
Free plan Windowswinproc-tui combines keyboard-first monitoring, process inspection, graphs, and recordings in one Windows utility.
#1Places #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 on this list can be bought by the makers of the software on it. See the price
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