Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

iftop VS PCNetMonitor

Compare iftop VS PCNetMonitor and see what are their differences

iftop logo iftop

iftop does for network usage what top(1) does for CPU usage.

PCNetMonitor logo PCNetMonitor

PCNetMonitor is a program for monitoring and recording performance data from local or remote computers.
  • iftop Landing page
    Landing page //
    2019-08-25
  • PCNetMonitor Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-07-29

iftop features and specs

  • Real-time Monitoring
    iftop provides real-time bandwidth monitoring, enabling users to quickly identify network usage and any potential issues.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The tool features a simple, text-based user interface that is easy to navigate, making it accessible for users with varying levels of experience.
  • Detailed Traffic Insight
    iftop offers detailed information about network traffic, including source and destination IP addresses, service ports, and data flow rates.
  • Lightweight
    Being a command-line tool, iftop is lightweight in nature and does not consume significant system resources.
  • Open Source
    iftop is open source, allowing users to access, modify, and distribute the software freely, which can lead to community-driven improvements.

Possible disadvantages of iftop

  • Lacks Historical Data
    iftop does not have the capability to store historical data, making it unsuitable for long-term network monitoring and analysis.
  • Limited Features
    Compared to other network monitoring tools, iftop has a limited feature set and may not meet the requirements of advanced network analysis needs.
  • Requires Root Permissions
    The tool requires root or elevated permissions to run, which might be a security concern in certain environments.
  • Text-based Output
    As a text-based tool, iftop may not provide the most visually appealing outputs, which can be a drawback for users who prefer graphical interfaces.
  • Not Cross-Platform
    iftop is primarily designed for Unix-like systems and may not be available or easily operable on non-Unix platforms like Windows.

PCNetMonitor features and specs

  • Freeware
    PCNetMonitor is available as freeware, meaning it can be used without any cost, making it accessible for users and businesses with limited budgets.
  • Network Monitoring
    The application provides fundamental network monitoring features, allowing users to keep track of their network connectivity and performance.
  • System Information Display
    PCNetMonitor displays essential system information which can be helpful for quickly diagnosing system health and status.
  • Lightweight
    The application has a small footprint, meaning it uses minimal system resources and can run efficiently on older or less powerful hardware.

Possible disadvantages of PCNetMonitor

  • Limited Features
    Compared to more advanced network monitoring tools, PCNetMonitor offers limited features, which may not be sufficient for comprehensive network analysis.
  • User Interface
    The user interface of PCNetMonitor is basic and may lack intuitive design elements that could enhance user experience.
  • No Advanced Analytics
    There is an absence of advanced analytics or detailed reporting features, which might be a disadvantage for users needing deeper insights.
  • Windows Only
    PCNetMonitor is designed for the Windows operating system, limiting its usability across other popular platforms like macOS or Linux.

iftop videos

How to monitor network bandwidth using Iftop

More videos:

  • Tutorial - How to install iftop and use it on Linux Mint 18.3
  • Review - Untangle Traffic monitoring with Iftop

PCNetMonitor videos

No PCNetMonitor videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

Add video

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to iftop and PCNetMonitor)
Monitoring Tools
68 68%
32% 32
OS & Utilities
0 0%
100% 100
Command Line Tools
78 78%
22% 22
System & Hardware
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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