Bottom vs htop: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Bottom and htop comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated February 28, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Bottom
A customizable cross-platform graphical process and system monitor for the terminal.
Best for you if:
- • You need debugging features specifically
- • Cross-platform graphical system and process monitor for the terminal.
- • Provides real-time visualization of CPU, RAM, network, disk, and processes.
htop
An interactive, cross-platform process viewer for console and X terminals.
Best for you if:
- • You need real-time analytics features specifically
- • Interactive process viewer for system monitoring.
- • Cross-platform support for various Unix-like systems.
| At a Glance |  Bottom |  htop |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free | Free |
Best For | Debugging | Real-Time Analytics |
Rating | —/100 | —/100 |
| Feature | Bottom | htop |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Free |
| Editorial Score | — | — |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | DebuggingTerminal Tools | Real-Time AnalyticsTerminal Tools |
How Bottom and htop Compare
Bottom
A customizable cross-platform graphical process and system monitor for the terminal.
Free
htop
An interactive, cross-platform process viewer for console and X terminals.
Free
Bottom is a debugging tool. htop is in real-time analytics.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are free. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Bottom
Want the highest-rated option?
Neither has been rated yet.
Go with: Bottom
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Bottom
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are free. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Bottom is a debugging tool. htop is in real-time analytics. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Not all tools have been rated yet.
Key Takeaways
Bottom
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
htop
- Better fit for real-time analytics
The Bottom Line
Bottom is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bottom or htop better?
Bottom scores high/100 in our evaluation. Both are free.
What are Bottom and htop used for?
Bottom: A customizable cross-platform graphical process and system monitor for the terminal.. htop: An interactive, cross-platform process viewer for console and X terminals..
What does Bottom cost vs htop?
Bottom is completely free. htop is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.