18.1
PM2 is a daemon process manager for controlling application processes and helping keep applications online.
Free planOpen sourceWebAPILinux
Best Process Monitoring Software in 2026
PM2 leads this chart of 26 (8.1/10, free plan). Glances is next (8.0/10, free plan), and Process Lasso is the next highest-placed with a free plan (7.4/10). Process monitoring software helps you inspect running processes and, depending on the tool, monitor services, set alerts or control processes. Choose by the platforms you need and the monitoring features that matter to you. Compare remote monitoring, alerting, history retention, controls and activity logs, along with free-plan and paid pricing.
28.0
Glances is a free, open-source tool for viewing real-time system statistics and running processes across platforms.
Free planOpen sourceAndroidWebAPI
37.4
Process Lasso is Windows software for automating process controls and helping maintain system responsiveness.
Free planWindows
- 4
Ambih Monitor
Ambih Monitor records each app, development server, or script launch as a session and tracks CPU, memory, disk, network, and GPU resources by project.
Free planWindows7.2From $55 a year - 5
runit
runit is a free Unix init scheme that supervises services and can replace sysvinit or other init schemes.
Free planOpen sourceLinuxmacOSSelf-hosted7.0Free plan - 6
Remote Process Explorer
Remote Process Explorer manages processes on local and remote Windows computers and shows their activity in real time.
Free planWindows6.4$149.95 one-time - 7
Autoruns
Autoruns is a free Windows utility for examining programs and drivers set to run during startup, login, or when certain built-in Windows applications open.
Free planWindows6.3Free plan - 8
TaskExplorer
TaskExplorer is a free, open-source process and system monitoring tool for Windows and Linux.
LinuxWindows6.3From €60 a year - 9
Monit
Monit is a free, open-source utility for managing and monitoring Unix systems, with automatic responses to certain errors.
Free planLinuxmacOSSelf-hosted6.2Free plan - 10
btop
btop is a free resource monitor for Linux and macOS that displays processor, memory, disk, network, and process activity.
Free planLinuxmacOS6.1Free plan - 11
htop
htop is a free, interactive process viewer for managing and inspecting processes in text-mode terminals.
Free planLinuxmacOS6.1Free plan - 12
NVTOP
NVTOP is a command-line task monitor for inspecting GPU and accelerator activity across supported devices.
Free planLinuxSelf-hosted6.1Free plan - 136.1Free plan
- 14
Owlette
No Android app; Owlette monitors and controls unattended Windows fleets with alerts and software deployment.
WebAPISelf-hostedWindows6.1From $20 a month - 15
AppControl
AppControl is a free historical Task Manager for Windows that records system activity and app behavior over time.
Free planWindows6.0Free plan - 16
bottom (btm)
bottom is a free, customizable process and system monitor that runs in the terminal on Linux, macOS, and Windows.
Free planLinuxmacOSWindows6.0Free plan - 17
Supervisor
No Android app; Supervisor monitors and controls UNIX-like processes via CLI, web, or XML-RPC.
WebAPILinuxmacOS5.9 - 18
System Informer
System Informer is a Windows utility for monitoring system resources, debugging software, and detecting malware.
Free planWindows5.9Free plan - 19
ManageEngine Free Process Manager
ManageEngine Free Process Manager is a Windows utility for identifying applications and processes using system resources and closing unwanted ones.
Free planWindows5.8Free plan - 20
atop
atop is a free, GPL-licensed performance monitor for Linux, displayed in a full-screen, character-based interface.
Free planLinux5.7Free plan - 21
iotop
iotop is a Linux program that shows which processes are using high amounts of input/output requests and lists them by I/O usage.
Free planLinux5.7Free plan - 22
nmon
nmon is a free Linux tool for systems administration, tuning, and benchmarking that collects performance information.
Free planLinuxSelf-hosted5.7Free plan - 23
s6
s6 is a free suite of UNIX programs for process supervision and low-level service administration on POSIX-compliant systems.
Free planLinuxSelf-hosted5.7Free plan - 24
winproc-tui
winproc-tui is a free, MIT-licensed terminal process monitor for Windows 11 x64, built for keyboard use.
Windows5.6 - 25
rproc
rproc is a free, open-source resource and process monitor for Linux, inspired by Windows 11 Task Manager.
Linux5.4
Choosing well
Which platforms does it need to run on?
Start with the operating systems and access methods you need, then check the tool’s supported-platform details. The chart covers Linux, Windows, macOS, self-hosted, API and web support.
Verify it directly before choosing a tool for phone use, and do not assume a desktop or web option includes an Android app.
Which process monitoring features do I need?
Match the tool’s monitoring features to your task: the chart compares remote monitoring, service monitoring and process alerting.
If you need to act on a process or review what happened, check for process controls, history retention and activity logs.
Can I use it for free, and what does paid use cost?
Check whether the free plan covers your needs before comparing paid starting prices. A free plan and a free trial are different, so confirm the terms for the tool you are considering.
The chart compares free plans and paid-from prices; check the maker’s current pricing details for the plan’s limits and terms.
Should I look for open-source software?
If you need to inspect or change the code, check whether the tool is open source and review its licence. Open-source status alone does not describe the licence terms.
Questions people ask
What should I compare when choosing process monitoring software?
Compare supported platforms, remote and service monitoring, process alerting, history retention, process controls and activity logs. Also check free-plan terms and paid pricing.
Can I get process monitoring software for free?
The chart compares free plans and paid-from prices. Check the specific tool’s plan details to see whether it covers your needs.
Does a free trial mean the software has a free plan?
No. A trial and a free plan are separate pricing details. Check the tool’s terms to see which it offers and what is included.
Can I monitor processes remotely?
Remote monitoring is one of the features compared in the chart. Check the individual tool’s details to confirm how it works and which platforms it supports.