Glances
Glances is an open-source system monitor that displays real-time information about CPU, memory, disks, network activity, processes, users, and sensors.
What Glances is
Glances is an open-source system monitor that displays real-time information about CPU, memory, disks, network activity, processes, users, and sensors. It offers terminal and web interfaces, and adjusts its terminal display to the available size. Client/server mode supports remote monitoring through a terminal, web interface, XML-RPC, or RESTful APIs. It can also monitor Docker and LXC containers. Statistics can be exported to CSV or JSON, databases including InfluxDB, Elasticsearch, PostgreSQL/Timescale, Cassandra, and Prometheus, and brokers such as RabbitMQ, NATS, ZeroMQ, and Kafka. Developers can add plugins and export modules. A built-in MCP server lets AI assistants such as Claude and Cursor query Glances, starting with version 4.5.1. Glances costs nothing and is distributed under the GNU Lesser General Public License version 3. Version 4 requires Python 3.10 or later. The standard pip installation leaves out web-interface dependencies, which can be added with the web extra. Documentation warns that XML-RPC accepts any HTTP Host header by default; when listening beyond loopback, it advises setting xmlrpc_allowed_hosts.
Good
- Displays live CPU, memory, disk, network, process, and sensor data.
- Supports remote monitoring through several interfaces and APIs.
- Monitors Docker and LXC containers.
- Exports statistics to files, databases, and brokers.
- Open-source and free.
Watch out
- Version 4 requires Python 3.10 or later.
- Web dependencies are optional in a standard pip install.
- XML-RPC host settings need attention beyond loopback.
Who it suits
Glances suits users who want live system metrics locally or from remote machines, including container monitoring. Developers who need to export statistics or extend monitoring with plugins may also find it suitable.
Verdict
Glances combines local and remote system monitoring with container support and several export paths. Check the Python requirement, optional web dependencies, and XML-RPC guidance for your setup.
Plans and prices
From Glances's own pricing page, checked 4 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Glances | Free | Python 3.10+ required · Web interface dependencies are optional · Free open-source software |
The facts
Each one read from Glances's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- AI integration
- The built-in MCP server lets AI assistants such as Claude and Cursor query Glances; the feature is available from Glances 4.5.1.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Containers
- Glances supports container monitoring, including Docker and LXC.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Exports and integrations
- Stats can be exported to CSV and JSON files, databases including InfluxDB, Elasticsearch, PostgreSQL/Timescale, Cassandra and Prometheus, and brokers including RabbitMQ, NATS, ZeroMQ and Kafka.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Extensibility
- The project describes an open architecture that lets developers add plugins and export modules.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Installation options
- The project documents installation using pip, uvx, pipx, Docker, Docker Compose, Linux package managers, FreeBSD packages, Homebrew, MacPorts, and source builds.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Interfaces
- It presents system information through a terminal interface or a web interface and adapts displayed information to terminal size.checked 4 Oct 2026
- License
- Glances is distributed under the GNU Lesser General Public License version 3.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Network security guidance
- The documentation warns that XML-RPC accepts any HTTP Host header by default and advises setting xmlrpc_allowed_hosts when listening on a non-loopback interface.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Optional components
- A standard pip installation excludes Web interface dependencies, which can be added with the web extra; the all extra installs dependencies for all features.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Remote monitoring
- Client/server mode supports remote monitoring through a terminal, web interface, or XML-RPC and RESTful APIs.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Security policy
- The project marks version 4.x as eligible for security updates and versions below 4.0 as unsupported for security updates.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Support
- The project points users to its FAQ, official Reddit forum, and GitHub Discussions for questions.checked 4 Oct 2026
- System monitoring
- Glances is an open-source, cross-platform system monitoring tool for real-time CPU, memory, disk, network, process, user, and sensor information.checked 4 Oct 2026
Where it runs
- Platform requirement
- Glances 4 requires Python 3.10 or later; Python 2 and Python 3 versions below 3.10 are unsupported.checked 4 Oct 2026
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