Glances vs HWMonitor

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.

HWMonitor reads PC system-health sensors, including temperatures, voltages, power, current, fan speed, utilization, and clock speeds. It covers CPUs and GPUs, supported LPCIO chips, memory modules with thermal sensors, S.M.A.R.T. storage devices, and batteries. The listed Windows release is version 1.68 for x86/x64, available as an installer or ZIP download, and CPUID lists a separate Windows ARM64 download. Version 1.68 adds PCI Express error counters for AMD and Intel GPUs, NPU and platform metrics, HDD IOPS and average latency, and saved device and sensor tree state. CSV logging is listed as a feature. The free HWMonitor plan monitors PC hardware sensors on Windows x86/x64. HWMonitor PRO adds remote monitoring over TCP/IP, saved monitoring data, and bitmap logging graphs. Its Android app reports device temperatures and battery details, plus CPU clock and utilization and, on supported devices, GPU clock. Android remote connections require local Wi-Fi, and the app can monitor up to 10 Windows PCs or Android devices.