ctop
ctop is free software for monitoring containers through a concise, real-time metrics view.
What ctop is
ctop is free software for monitoring containers through a concise, real-time metrics view. Its main display covers multiple containers, while a separate view focuses on one container. Keybindings can show container logs or execute a shell inside a container. Users can filter the list, select or reverse the sort order, and configure displayed columns. Filters, the sort field, and other settings can be saved in a configuration file for the next launch. ctop includes built-in connectors for Docker and runC. Docker uses Docker command-line environment variables and defaults to the socket at unix://var/run/docker.sock. The runC connector requires full privileges to the local state directory, which defaults to /run/runc. Installation instructions cover Linux, OS X, Windows through Scoop, and Docker. Listed capabilities include container metrics, image monitoring, runtime events, and log collection. The project uses the MIT License, permitting use, copying, modification, and distribution under its conditions; that license provides the software without warranty.
Good
- Provides real-time multi-container metrics
- Can open logs and container shells
- Supports filtering and configurable columns
- Includes Docker and runC connectors
- Free under the MIT License
Watch out
- Only Docker and runC connectors are built in
- runC requires full state-directory privileges
- MIT license provides no warranty
- Other connectors were planned for future releases
Who it suits
ctop suits users who need a terminal-oriented overview of Docker or runC containers. It is available for Linux, macOS, Windows, and Docker installations.
Verdict
ctop offers focused container visibility with filtering, logs, shells, and saved display settings. Check its connector coverage and runC privilege requirement against your environment.
Plans and prices
From ctop's own pricing page, checked 4 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| ctop | Free | MIT-licensed software · Docker and runC connectors |
The facts
Each one read from ctop's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Configuration
- Users can save filters, the sort field, and other options to a config file for the next launch.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Container actions
- Its keybindings include viewing container logs and executing a shell in a container.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Display controls
- Users can filter containers, choose and reverse the sort order, and configure columns.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Docker configuration
- The Docker connector uses Docker command-line environment variables and defaults to the socket at unix://var/run/docker.sock.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Installation
- The README provides installation instructions for Linux, OS X, Windows through Scoop, and Docker.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- ctop has built-in connectors for Docker and runC; the README says connectors for other container and cluster systems were planned for future releases.checked 4 Oct 2026
- License
- The project is distributed under the MIT License, which grants permission to use, copy, modify, and distribute the software subject to its conditions.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- ctop provides a concise, real-time overview of metrics for multiple containers, with a separate view for inspecting one container.checked 4 Oct 2026
- runC requirement
- The runC connector requires full privileges to the local runC container-state directory, which defaults to /run/runc.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Warranty
- The MIT license states that the software is provided without warranty.checked 4 Oct 2026
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