Glances

Overview

Glances is an open-source system monitor for live statistics and running processes across Linux, macOS, Windows and other environments. It suits administrators and technically minded users who want to inspect machines remotely or feed metrics into other tools. Its breadth is appealing, though optional capabilities mean installation can take more work than the headline feature set suggests.

Key features

Machine and process monitoring

Glances brings CPU, memory, load, processes, network, disk I/O, sensors, filesystems, containers, alerts and uptime into one monitor. That range makes it useful for a quick view of whole-system health as well as process activity. It can discover servers automatically and use script or command actions for alerts, which suits users who want monitoring to trigger local responses. It is an agent-based monitor, rather than a hosted service.

Remote access and integrations

Client/server mode lets users inspect a remote machine from a terminal, browser or API. The built-in Web interface is useful when a browser is more convenient than a terminal, while XML-RPC and RESTful JSON APIs support programmatic access. Statistics can be exported to CSV or JSON, databases such as InfluxDB and Prometheus, brokers such as RabbitMQ and Kafka, or a REST endpoint. Docker and Podman monitoring are documented, with Docker and LXC also described in the project README. Version 4.5.1 and later can provide an MCP server for AI assistants.

Setup and maintenance

Installation options include pip, pipx, Homebrew, Linux and FreeBSD packages, and Docker images. Glances 4 requires Python 3.10 or later; older Python versions are not supported by version 4 and later. The Web interface and other optional features are not included in the default installation and require separate dependencies, so users should expect to install only the extras they need. Version 4.x is supported for security updates; versions below 4.0 are unsupported. Help is available through the manual, official Reddit forum and GitHub Discussions.

Pricing

Glances is free and open source under the LGPL version 3 license. Its free plan includes the system-monitoring tool, with no trial period to manage. There are no paid tiers or plan-based seat and quota limits in the stated pricing. The trade-off is practical rather than financial: optional features require their own dependencies, and the Python 3.10 requirement can rule out older environments.

Platforms

Glances supports GNU/Linux, FreeBSD, macOS (OS X) and Windows, with Android, Web, API and self-hosted availability also listed. This breadth is useful for mixed environments, though the Python requirement and optional dependencies still shape deployment. Users can monitor remotely through client/server mode, and the project documents Docker and Podman container monitoring.

Who it's for

Glances is a strong fit for administrators and power users who want a free, cross-platform view of machine and process health, especially when remote access, container visibility or exporting metrics matters. Its APIs and multiple output targets also suit teams integrating monitoring data into existing workflows. It is a less natural choice for someone seeking a turnkey browser dashboard without dependency setup, or for machines that cannot meet the Python version requirement.

Pros and cons

• Pro: Broad system coverage combines process, hardware, network, filesystem and container monitoring, reducing the need to switch between separate views.
• Pro: Terminal, Web and API access make remote monitoring adaptable to different workflows.
• Pro: CSV, JSON, database, broker and REST exports give users several ways to reuse statistics.
• Con: Python 3.10 or later is required for version 4, excluding older Python environments.
• Con: The default install omits Web and other optional feature dependencies, so enabling the capabilities you want takes extra setup.
• Con: Versions below 4.0 no longer receive security updates, making version choice important for maintained deployments.

Alternatives

For process-focused comparisons, see Process Monitoring Software; for machine-component monitoring, browse Hardware Monitoring Software. Users prioritizing container options can also consult Container Monitoring.

PM2 is worth considering when process management is the priority: its free Runtime plan is an open-source process manager with a real-time Web interface, while Glances covers wider system metrics and offers multiple export paths. Supervisor is another free option for readers comparing software in the process-monitoring space.

Process Lasso suits Windows users comparing a Windows-only freemium option; its single-PC monthly plan is $4.95 a month, while Glances supports more operating systems and is free. Owlette is a paid alternative with a free plan, for readers comparing another web-oriented monitoring option; Glances has a broader stated platform range and no paid plan.

runit is a free alternative for readers seeking software in the Linux and macOS self-hosted category. AppControl is a free Windows-only alternative for readers comparing Windows software. System Informer is another free Windows option. Ambih Monitor is a Windows freemium alternative for readers comparing that platform.

Verdict

Choose Glances if you want a free, open-source monitor that spans system health, processes and remote access, with flexible ways to export its data. Its breadth is the main reason to choose it; dependency setup and the Python 3.10 floor are the main reasons to look elsewhere, particularly when a simpler install or older runtime matters more than cross-platform reach.