btop
github.com
What it is
btop is a free resource monitor for Linux and macOS that displays processor, memory, disk, network, and process activity. Its game-inspired menus, mouse support, and responsive interface provide ways to navigate system views and process controls. Users can inspect process details, filter or sort the list, view it as a tree, send signals, or pause the process list. Network graphs scale automatically; other displays cover disk activity and speeds, plus a battery meter. Users can choose graph symbols, create presets, and use theme files shared with bpytop and bashtop or a custom themes directory. GPU monitoring is supported on Linux and on macOS with Apple Silicon GPUs when built with GPU support. NVIDIA monitoring needs the nvidia-ml library, AMD needs rocm_smi_lib, and Intel needs SYSFS read permission. The project documents Linux and macOS installation, package installation for FreeBSD and NetBSD, and Homebrew for macOS and Linux. It recommends a terminal with 24-bit truecolor and wide-character support, a UTF8 locale, and a font covering specified Unicode blocks. The repository lists the Apache-2.0 license.
Spec sheet
- Purpose
- btop monitors processor, memory, disk, network, and process usage and stats.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Support
- The maintainer invites bug reports through GitHub Issues and lists GitHub Sponsors, PayPal, and Ko-fi as support options.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
- License
- The repository lists the Apache-2.0 license.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
- GPU monitoring
- GPU monitoring is supported on Linux and macOS with Apple Silicon GPUs, and requires a binary built with GPU support.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
- GPU requirements
- NVIDIA monitoring requires the nvidia-ml library, AMD monitoring requires rocm_smi_lib, and Intel monitoring requires SYSFS read permission.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Installation
- The project documents Linux and macOS installation, plus FreeBSD and NetBSD package installation; it also lists Homebrew for macOS and Linux.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Interface
- It has a game inspired menu system, mouse support, and a fast, responsive interface.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Notable limit
- The README says Windows support was not in the project plans at the time of that entry.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Other features
- It includes auto scaling network graphs, disk IO activity and speeds, a battery meter, selectable graph symbols, and custom presets.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Process tools
- Users can inspect detailed process stats, filter and sort processes, view them as a tree, send signals, and pause the process list.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Terminal requirements
- The project recommends a terminal with 24-bit truecolor and wide character support, a UTF8 locale, and a font with specified Unicode blocks.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Themes
- btop uses theme files shared with bpytop and bashtop and supports a custom themes directory.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Plans and prices
btop Free Resource monitor; Apache-2.0 license Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Strong points and limits
Strong points
- Monitors processor, memory, disk, network, and processes
- Process list supports filtering, sorting, and tree view
- Custom presets and themes are supported
- Free under the Apache-2.0 license
Limits
- Windows support was not in project plans
- GPU monitoring requires support and system-specific prerequisites
- Terminal display has documented requirements
Who it suits
btop suits Linux and macOS users who want to inspect system and process activity in a terminal. GPU monitoring is an option for supported systems when the required build support, libraries, or permissions are present.
Verdict
btop provides system monitoring alongside process controls, graphs, and theming. GPU visibility depends on platform support and the relevant build, library, or permission requirements.
Where Specifiction places it
- Cli Tools#15 of 327.8
- Process Monitoring Software#13 of 267.7
- Command Line Tools#16 of 277.8
