Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

GNOME System Monitor VS Ctop

Compare GNOME System Monitor VS Ctop and see what are their differences

GNOME System Monitor logo GNOME System Monitor

System Monitor is a tool to manage running processes and monitor system resources.

Ctop logo Ctop

Commandline monitoring for containers
  • GNOME System Monitor Landing page
    Landing page //
    2018-10-07
  • Ctop Landing page
    Landing page //
    2019-08-24

GNOME System Monitor features and specs

  • User-friendly Interface
    GNOME System Monitor provides an intuitive and easy-to-use interface that allows both novice and advanced users to navigate and monitor system performance effortlessly.
  • Real-time Monitoring
    The application offers real-time updates on system resources such as CPU, memory, swap, and network usage, enabling users to stay informed about their system's performance.
  • Interactive Process Management
    Users can easily view, prioritize, or terminate processes directly from the interface, offering a convenient way to manage system tasks.
  • Resource Efficiency
    GNOME System Monitor itself utilizes minimal system resources, ensuring it does not burden the system while running in the background.
  • Integration with GNOME Desktop
    The tool is well-integrated with the GNOME desktop environment, providing a seamless and consistent user experience for those using GNOME.

Possible disadvantages of GNOME System Monitor

  • Limited Features
    Compared to more advanced monitoring tools, GNOME System Monitor may lack certain features, such as in-depth hardware diagnostics or advanced logging capabilities.
  • Minimal Customization
    The application offers limited customization options, which might not satisfy power users who prefer to tailor their monitoring tools extensively.
  • GNOME Dependency
    As it is designed for the GNOME desktop environment, users of other desktop environments may experience reduced integration or need additional dependencies.
  • Basic Graphical Representation
    The graphical representation of data, while adequate for basic monitoring, may not provide the level of detail and customization required by advanced users.
  • No Remote Monitoring
    GNOME System Monitor lacks built-in support for remote monitoring, which could be a drawback for system administrators managing multiple machines remotely.

Ctop features and specs

  • Real-time Monitoring
    Ctop provides real-time insights into Docker containers' performance metrics, making it easier to monitor resource utilization.
  • User-friendly Interface
    It offers a clean, intuitive terminal interface, which is straightforward for users familiar with command-line tools.
  • Lightweight
    Being a lightweight tool, Ctop does not consume extensive system resources, making it ideal for systems with limited resources.
  • Ease of Installation
    Ctop is simple to install and run, allowing users to quickly start monitoring their Docker containers.
  • Cross-platform Support
    Ctop is compatible with various operating systems, including Linux and macOS, ensuring flexibility across different environments.

Possible disadvantages of Ctop

  • Limited Feature Set
    Ctop focuses primarily on monitoring, lacking advanced management features found in more comprehensive Docker management tools.
  • No Historical Data
    Ctop does not provide options for storing historical performance data, hindering long-term trend analysis.
  • Relies on Terminal
    As a terminal-based tool, it might not be ideal for users who prefer graphical interfaces.
  • Less Suitable for Complex Setups
    In environments with complex Docker setups and extensive container networks, Ctop may not provide as much detail or functionality as enterprise-grade solutions.
  • Docker-exclusive
    Ctop is designed specifically for Docker, limiting its use with other container technologies like Kubernetes without additional tools.

Analysis of GNOME System Monitor

Overall verdict

  • Good

Why this product is good

  • GNOME System Monitor is a user-friendly process viewer and system monitor tool that integrates well with the GNOME desktop environment. It provides an intuitive interface for users to view and manage running processes, monitor system resource usage such as CPU and memory, and track system performance over time. The simplicity and elegance of its design make it accessible to both beginners and experienced users alike.

Recommended for

  • GNOME desktop users
  • Linux users seeking a graphical system monitoring tool
  • Users who prefer a simple and intuitive interface
  • Those who need basic process management capabilities

GNOME System Monitor videos

Fantastic GNOME System Monitor Tray - Vitals

More videos:

  • Tutorial - How to install Gnome System Monitor on Ubuntu

Ctop videos

I Betrayed Whacky with the Ctop Revolver in Zero Caliber VR

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to GNOME System Monitor and Ctop)
Monitoring Tools
79 79%
21% 21
Command Line Tools
77 77%
23% 23
Performance Monitoring
79 79%
21% 21
DevOps Tools
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Ctop seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 1 time since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

GNOME System Monitor mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of GNOME System Monitor yet. Tracking of GNOME System Monitor recommendations started around Mar 2021.

Ctop mentions (1)

What are some alternatives?

When comparing GNOME System Monitor and Ctop, you can also consider the following products

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psutil - psutil is a module providing an interface for retrieving information on all running processes and...