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An interactive, cross-platform process viewer for console and X terminals.

Free, no paid tier
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Tracked since 2026

The Bottom Line

Price
Free, no paid tier. Compare plans

Key facts

  • Interactive process viewer for system monitoring.
  • Cross-platform support for various Unix-like systems.
  • Provides real-time CPU, memory, and process management.

Pros

  • More user-friendly and interactive than 'top'
  • Provides a clear visual overview of system resources
  • Supports a wide range of operating systems
  • Allows direct process manipulation
  • Open-source and free to use

Cons

  • Requires ncurses library
  • Primarily a command-line tool, may not appeal to GUI-only users

What is htop?

htop is a powerful and interactive text-mode application designed for monitoring system processes. It provides a dynamic and visually enhanced alternative to traditional process management tools like 'top', allowing users to view and manage running processes, CPU usage, memory consumption, and other system statistics in real-time. Its interactive nature enables users to scroll, filter, and kill processes directly from the interface, making system administration tasks more efficient. This tool is ideal for system administrators, developers, and anyone who needs a quick and detailed overview of their system's performance and running applications. Its cross-platform compatibility ensures that users across various Unix-like operating systems, including Linux, macOS, and BSD variants, can leverage its capabilities. The key benefit of htop lies in its user-friendly interface and enhanced functionality compared to older tools, offering better visibility and control over system resources.

Available on: Linux, macOS

Data compiled by Toolradar How we evaluate
Source htop.dev

Key Features

  • Interactive process management
  • Real-time system monitoring (CPU, memory)
  • Text-mode application for console/X terminals
  • Cross-platform compatibility (Linux, macOS, BSD, Solaris)
  • Process filtering and searching
  • Ability to kill processes directly

Pricing

Free

htop is completely free to use with no hidden costs.

View pricing

htop by the numbers

htop compared with 161 Terminal Tools tools on Toolradar, as of Oct 2026
Metric htop Peer median Position (1 is best)
Free plan Yes 88% have one n/a
Listed as an alternative to 3 tools 1 #47 of 161 (joint)
Compare-page visits, last 30 days 26 visits 45 #36 of 45 (joint) tools with 20+ compare-page visits

Each position is counted among the tools that have data for that row, as noted under it. All Terminal Tools data · How we compute this. Advertising and placement fees are not inputs to any position. Visit counts include visits from every source.

Cite this: Toolradar, “htop by the numbers”, Oct 2026.

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Best htop Alternatives

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Still deciding?

Most buyers shortlist 2 or 3 tools before committing. Pull a side-by-side comparison or browse the full alternatives shortlist below.

htop vs Procs Head-to-head: features, pricing, who wins htop vs Bottom Head-to-head: features, pricing, who wins htop vs Btop Head-to-head: features, pricing, who wins

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htop FAQ

How does htop enhance process monitoring compared to older tools?

htop provides a more user-friendly and interactive interface than traditional tools like 'top', offering a clear visual overview of system resources. It allows users to scroll, filter, and kill processes directly from its dynamic interface, making system administration more efficient.

Which teams would benefit most from using htop?

htop is ideal for system administrators, developers, and anyone requiring a quick and detailed overview of their system's performance and running applications. Its capabilities are particularly useful for those managing Unix-like operating systems.

Does htop offer cross-platform compatibility?

Yes, htop is a cross-platform tool, ensuring users across various Unix-like operating systems can leverage its capabilities. It supports Linux, macOS, and BSD variants.

How is htop priced?

htop is free to use and does not require any paid plans. It is an open-source tool, making its functionalities accessible without cost.

What kind of limitations should users consider when choosing htop?

htop primarily functions as a command-line tool, which might not appeal to users who prefer graphical user interfaces. It also requires the ncurses library to operate.

How does htop compare to competitors like Btop?

htop offers a powerful and interactive text-mode application for monitoring system processes, similar to Btop. Its key benefit lies in its user-friendly interface and enhanced functionality for better visibility and control over system resources.

Source: htop.dev

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