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Glances

nicolargo.github.io

Free plan Open source WebWindowsmacOSLinuxAndroidAPI
Visit nicolargo.github.io
Spec score 8.9 #6 of 59 in Hardware Monitoring Software

What it is

Glances is a free, open-source, cross-platform tool for monitoring real-time system statistics and running processes. Its listed coverage includes CPU, memory, load, processes, network, disk I/O, sensors, filesystems, containers, alerts, and uptime. Client/server mode enables remote monitoring through a terminal, web interface, or API, while its built-in web UI lets users view a system from a browser-equipped device. Statistics can be exported to CSV or JSON files, databases such as InfluxDB and Prometheus, brokers such as RabbitMQ and Kafka, or a REST endpoint. The project documents Docker and Podman support and describes Docker and LXC container monitoring in its README. Installation options include pip, pipx, Homebrew, Linux and FreeBSD packages, and Docker images. Glances 4 requires Python 3.10 or higher. Its default installation does not include web interface dependencies; separate extras cover features such as web, GPU, containers, exports, and MCP. Version 4.5.1 and higher can provide an MCP server for AI assistants. The project uses the LGPL version 3 license.

Spec sheet

What it does
Glances is a Python-based, cross-platform system monitoring tool with terminal and web interfaces.Read 15 Oct 2026 · nicolargo.github.io
Platforms
The project documents GNU/Linux, FreeBSD, macOS and Windows support; it also gives installation instructions for rooted Android devices using Termux.Read 29 Sep 2026 · github.com
Deployment
Glances can be installed with pip, pipx, Homebrew or Linux and FreeBSD packages, and Docker images are available.Read 29 Sep 2026 · github.com
Support
The project directs users to its manual, official Reddit forum and GitHub Discussions for help.Read 29 Sep 2026 · github.com
License
Glances is distributed under the GNU LGPL version 3, expressed on PyPI as LGPL-3.0-only.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
AI integration
Glances 4.5.1 and higher can provide an MCP server for AI assistants.Read 29 Sep 2026 · github.com
Alerts
Glances includes monitoring alerts and configurable thresholds.Read 15 Oct 2026 · nicolargo.github.io
APIs
Glances provides XML-RPC and RESTful JSON APIs, and its Web server mode exposes a REST API.Read 29 Sep 2026 · nicolargo.github.io
Container support
The official feature list names Docker and Podman container monitoring.Read 15 Oct 2026 · nicolargo.github.io
Containers
The project documents monitoring support for Docker and Podman, and describes Docker and LXC container monitoring in its README.Read 29 Sep 2026 · nicolargo.github.io
CPU monitoring
The product displays CPU utilization information.Read 15 Oct 2026 · nicolargo.github.io
Creator
The project identifies Nicolas Hennion as its creator and maintainer, with development by a contributor community.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Disk monitoring
Glances measures disk I/O.Read 15 Oct 2026 · nicolargo.github.io
Documentation depth
Official documentation covers installation, quickstart, configuration, command reference, plugins, exports, APIs, and MCP usage.Read 15 Oct 2026 · glances.readthedocs.io
Exports
Statistics can be exported to CSV and JSON files, databases including InfluxDB and Prometheus, brokers including RabbitMQ and Kafka, or a REST endpoint.Read 29 Sep 2026 · github.com
Exports and integrations
Supported export destinations include CSV, JSON, InfluxDB, ElasticSearch, PostgreSQL/TimeScale, Cassandra, ClickHouse, CouchDB, OpenTSDB, Prometheus, StatsD, Riemann, Graphite, RabbitMQ/ActiveMQ, NATS, ZeroMQ, Kafka, and REST.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Extensibility
The project uses an open plugin and export-module architecture intended for developer extensions.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Filesystem and RAID
Filesystem and RAID information are included among the monitored data.Read 15 Oct 2026 · nicolargo.github.io
Hardware sensors
Sensor readings such as temperatures and fan speeds are supported.Read 15 Oct 2026 · opensource.com
Installation
The documented installation paths include pip, pipx, uvx, operating-system packages, and optional extras such as web or all.Read 15 Oct 2026 · glances.readthedocs.io
Latest release
PyPI lists Glances 4.5.8 as released on October 11, 2026.Read 15 Oct 2026 · pypi.org
Limit: process control
Glances does not let users renice or kill processes, so process management requires another tool.Read 15 Oct 2026 · opensource.com
Limit: process-list navigation
The process view shows only the top processes that fit on screen and lacks scrolling or reverse-sort controls.Read 15 Oct 2026 · opensource.com
Limit: Python weight
A Linux comparison guide says Python makes Glances heavier than htop and that some plugins need additional Python packages.Read 15 Oct 2026 · linuxstans.com
Limit: resource overhead
An Opensource.com test reported typical CPU use of about 10% to 20%, with up to 40% of one CPU on a large active system.Read 15 Oct 2026 · opensource.com
Limit: web security default
The Linux comparison guide warns that the web interface has no password unless the operator configures one.Read 15 Oct 2026 · linuxstans.com
Load monitoring
The interface includes system load metrics.Read 15 Oct 2026 · nicolargo.github.io
MCP integration
An optional MCP server lets AI assistants query Glances data through an SSE endpoint.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Memory monitoring
The product monitors system memory usage.Read 15 Oct 2026 · nicolargo.github.io
Monitoring
Its listed monitoring features include CPU, memory, load, processes, network, disk I/O, sensors, filesystems, containers, alerts and uptime.Read 29 Sep 2026 · nicolargo.github.io
Network monitoring
The tool reports network-interface activity.Read 15 Oct 2026 · nicolargo.github.io
Optional dependencies
The README says Glances is installed without Web interface dependencies by default and lists separate extras for features such as Web, GPU, containers, exports and MCP.Read 29 Sep 2026 · github.com
Praise: data export
The Linux monitor guide highlights Glances' REST API and exports to InfluxDB, Prometheus, CSV, and other targets.Read 15 Oct 2026 · linuxstans.com
Praise: information density
An Opensource.com reviewer liked that Glances combines CPU, memory, filesystem I/O, network I/O, sensors, temperatures, fan speeds, and disk usage in one monitor.Read 15 Oct 2026 · opensource.com
Praise: remote access
A current Linux monitor guide recommends Glances for headless machines because of its web mode and client/server operation.Read 15 Oct 2026 · linuxstans.com
Process monitoring
Glances provides a process list for viewing running workloads.Read 15 Oct 2026 · nicolargo.github.io
Public API
The software exposes XML-RPC and RESTful JSON APIs for other client applications.Read 15 Oct 2026 · nicolargo.github.io
Python API
Glances 4.4 and later provide a Python API whose GlancesAPI object exposes plugin data.Read 15 Oct 2026 · glances.readthedocs.io
Remote access
Client/server mode supports remote monitoring through a terminal, Web interface or API.Read 29 Sep 2026 · github.com
Remote monitoring
Client/server mode supports monitoring a remote host through the terminal, web UI, or APIs.Read 15 Oct 2026 · glances.readthedocs.io
Requirements
Glances 4 requires Python 3.10 or higher; version 4 and higher do not support Python 2 or Python earlier than 3.10.Read 29 Sep 2026 · github.com
Security advisory
A GitHub advisory reports a high-severity unauthenticated cross-origin information-disclosure issue in REST API versions below 4.5.4.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Security advisory date
The repository security page lists a moderate SSRF advisory published October 11, 2026.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Security policy
The security policy currently supports security updates for version 4.x and not versions below 4.0.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Security updates
The security policy lists version 4.x as supported for security updates and versions below 4.0 as unsupported.Read 29 Sep 2026 · github.com
Support channels
The project directs users to Read the Docs, its GitHub wiki, GitHub Discussions, Reddit, Gitter, and a mailing list.Read 15 Oct 2026 · nicolargo.github.io
System requirements
Glances 4 requires Python 3.10 or newer and depends on psutil, defusedxml, packaging, and platform-specific packages.Read 15 Oct 2026 · pypi.org
Web interface
A built-in web UI lets users view monitoring data from another device.Read 15 Oct 2026 · nicolargo.github.io

Plans and prices

Glances Free Open source system monitoring tool; optional features require extra dependencies Read 29 Sep 2026 · github.com
Open-source Glances Free self-hosted monitoring; optional features require extra dependencies Read 15 Oct 2026 · nicolargo.github.io

Every Glances plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Remote monitoring is available through terminal, web, or API.
  • Statistics can be exported to files and services.
  • Docker and Podman monitoring are documented.
  • The tool is free and open source.

Limits

  • Glances 4 requires Python 3.10 or higher.
  • Web interface dependencies are omitted by default.
  • Versions below 4.0 are unsupported for security updates.

Who it suits

Glances suits people who want system statistics and process monitoring across supported systems, including remote views or exports. It also fits users who can install optional dependencies for features omitted from the default setup.

Glances in depth

Read the full write-up

Glances is a free, open-source monitor for live system statistics and running processes. It is best suited to administrators who want to inspect machines locally or remotely and route metrics into other tools. Its range is unusually broad for a no-cost tool, but Python 3.10 or later and optional feature dependencies make installation planning part of the decision.

Overview

One agent-based tool covers CPU, memory, load, processes, network, disk I/O, sensors, filesystems, containers, alerts and uptime. Server auto-discovery and script or command alert actions extend it beyond a passive dashboard, making Glances a practical fit for operators who want a consolidated view of machine health and a way to respond to conditions.

Remote client/server access works through a terminal, Web interface or API. The built-in Web UI is useful when a browser is preferable to a terminal, while XML-RPC and RESTful JSON APIs support programmatic access. The project documents Docker and Podman monitoring and also describes Docker and LXC container monitoring in its README.

Key features

Metrics, access and exports

Glances can export statistics to CSV or JSON files, databases such as InfluxDB and Prometheus, brokers such as RabbitMQ and Kafka, or a REST endpoint. That flexibility suits teams that want to move monitoring data into existing systems rather than keep it in a standalone view. The Web server mode exposes a REST API, and version 4.5.1 and later can provide an MCP server for AI assistants.

Installation and upkeep

Installation routes include pip, pipx, Homebrew, Linux and FreeBSD packages, and Docker images. Glances 4 requires Python 3.10 or later; Python 2 and earlier Python 3 releases are unsupported. The default installation omits Web interface dependencies, and features such as Web, GPU, containers, exports and MCP have separate optional dependencies. This modularity can keep a basic installation lean, but users should account for extra setup when they need the broader feature set.

Glances is distributed under the LGPL version 3 license. 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 costs nothing. The free plan is the open-source system monitoring tool, with no separate trial required. There are no paid tiers to compare; the main trade-off is that optional features require extra dependencies, not a change in plan or price.

Platforms

Supported environments include GNU/Linux, FreeBSD, macOS (OS X), Windows and Android, as well as Web, API and self-hosted use. Package, Python and Docker installation options give administrators several deployment routes, though the Python 3.10 minimum for Glances 4 is a concrete constraint for older environments.

Who it's for

Glances is a strong choice for administrators and technically capable users who need process and system monitoring across varied platforms, remote access, container visibility or multiple export paths without a software fee. It is less suitable for someone seeking a turnkey installation with every interface and integration enabled by default, or for an environment that cannot meet the Python requirement.

Pros and cons

Broad monitoring in one tool: CPU, memory, processes, network, disk I/O, sensors, filesystems, containers, alerts and uptime serve both machine-health and process-monitoring needs.

Flexible remote access and outputs: terminal, browser and API access plus file, database, broker and REST exports support different operating workflows.

Free and open source: the free plan has no paid-tier limitation, and the LGPL version 3 license is stated by the project.

Extra setup for optional capabilities: Web, GPU, container, export and MCP features can require dependencies beyond the default installation.

Version constraint: Glances 4 requires Python 3.10 or later, ruling out older Python environments.

Alternatives

For a wider comparison, see Process Monitoring Software, Hardware Monitoring Software and Container Monitoring.

PM2 is worth considering when process management and a real-time web interface are the priority; its Runtime plan is free, while Plus costs $79 a month. Choose Process Lasso if Windows-only process management is a better fit; its free plan sits alongside paid single-PC subscriptions. bottom (btm) is another free option for Linux, macOS and Windows. Monit is a free alternative for Linux, macOS and self-hosted environments. Supervisor is another free option for Linux, macOS, API and web environments.

Ambih Monitor may suit Windows users seeking a free tier with live monitoring and five-session history per project; its Pro plan costs $10 a month billed annually and adds unlimited session history. Remote Process Explorer offers a free personal license for non-commercial use on one computer, with a paid business license. runit is a free alternative for Linux, macOS and self-hosted use.

Verdict

Choose Glances if you want broad, cross-platform system and process monitoring, remote access and several ways to export metrics without paying for the software. Its main advantage is the combination of monitoring breadth and integration options; look elsewhere if your setup cannot meet the Python requirement or you need optional interfaces and integrations without extra dependency work.

Verdict

Glances offers broad system monitoring, remote access, and multiple export routes at no listed price. Account for its Python requirement and optional dependencies when planning an installation.

Where Specifiction places it

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