Side by side
Glances vs smartmontools
Both stand on hardware monitoring software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan Open source AndroidAPILinux+4
Glances 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.
Visit Glances Free plan LinuxMacWindows
smartmontools provides command-line health checks and daemon-based monitoring across a wide range of listed systems. Its scope is focused on SMART reporting, tests, and warnings.
Visit smartmontoolsThe facts
| Glances | smartmontools | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Yes | Not published |
| Runs on | Android, API, Linux, Mac, Self-hosted, Web, Windows | Linux, Mac, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | Free or on request |
| Plans published | 2 | 1 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | nicolargo.github.io | smartmontools.org |
| On hardware monitoring software | #3 of 59 | #45 of 59 |
Glances: what it does well
- Monitors CPU, memory, network, disks, sensors and uptime.
- Remote checks available through terminal, Web UI or API.
- Exports statistics to files, databases, brokers or REST.
- Documents Docker and Podman monitoring support.
- Free and open source under LGPL version 3.
What to know first
- Glances 4 requires Python 3.10 or later.
- Web interface dependencies are not included by default.
- Features such as exports and MCP need optional dependencies.
smartmontools: what it does well
- Reports SMART health status and device attributes.
- Starts self-tests and reads their logs.
- smartd can schedule tests and send warning emails.
- Supports several disk and tape interfaces.
What to know first
- Functions focus on SMART monitoring and testing.
- A failing health status can predict failure within 24 hours.
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