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Head-to-head · Process Monitoring Software

Glances vs AppControl

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score Glances #1 in Process Monitoring Software 9.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 5 features Visit Glances
AppControl #6 in Process Monitoring Software 8.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 5 features Visit AppControl

Glances leads on 0 checks, AppControl on 0, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreGlances · 9.4/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresAppControl · 4 of 5

Glances scores higher on our rubric for process monitoring software: 9.4 against 8.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #6.

Glances is the better fit for cross-platform and remote infrastructure monitoring. AppControl is the better fit for free Windows monitoring with controls and alerts.

  • Glances fits best

    Cross-platform and remote infrastructure monitoring

  • AppControl fits best

    Free Windows monitoring with controls and alerts

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Glances 9.4/10 Visit ↗ AppControl 8.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.4 8.8
Ranking #1 in Process Monitoring Software #6 in Process Monitoring Software
Best for Cross-platform and remote infrastructure monitoring Free Windows monitoring with controls and alerts
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Self-hosted, Desktop, Browser extension Desktop
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, Linux Windows
Support Community, Docs Email, Community, Docs
Integrations 10 integrations 5 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business
Features Glances 0/5 · AppControl 4/5
Remote monitoring Not checked yet Not checked yet
Service monitoring Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Process alerting Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Process controls Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Activity logs Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Specs
Supported platforms Not checked yet Windows
History retention Not checked yet 72 days
Our review
Pros
  • Monitors systems, processes, Docker, Podman, and containers
  • Combines terminal, web, remote, API, export, and discovery features
  • Runs across GNU/Linux, FreeBSD, OS X, and Windows
  • Three-day, second-level history for CPU, GPU, memory, disk, and temperature
  • Real-time alerts for unusual, unsigned, or privacy-sensitive app activity
  • Terminate, disable, block, and create custom rules for applications
Cons
  • Self-hosted deployment places setup and maintenance with the user
  • Terminal-first monitoring may not suit teams seeking a visual-only workflow
  • Broad coverage may be more than needed for simple process checks
  • Windows-only coverage excludes macOS and other platforms
  • Three-day history limits longer-term trend analysis
  • AI-assisted queries require the optional MCP integration
Our verdict

Glances is an open-source, cross-platform system monitoring tool for users who need visibility into operating-system and server resources. It monitors CPU, memory, load, disk, network, filesystem, sensors, uptime, and running processes…

Read the review →

AppControl is a free Windows desktop utility that extends Task Manager with historical monitoring and process controls. It is aimed at gamers, IT professionals, privacy-conscious users, and general PC users who want more visibility into…

Read the review →
  1. GlancesProcess Monitoring Software 9.4Free plan
  2. AppControlProcess Monitoring Software 8.8Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Glances — where it wins

    • Monitors systems, processes, Docker, Podman, and containers
    • Combines terminal, web, remote, API, export, and discovery features
    • Runs across GNU/Linux, FreeBSD, OS X, and Windows

    Where it doesn't

    • Self-hosted deployment places setup and maintenance with the user
    • Terminal-first monitoring may not suit teams seeking a visual-only workflow
    • Broad coverage may be more than needed for simple process checks

  • AppControl — where it wins

    • Three-day, second-level history for CPU, GPU, memory, disk, and temperature
    • Real-time alerts for unusual, unsigned, or privacy-sensitive app activity
    • Terminate, disable, block, and create custom rules for applications

    Where it doesn't

    • Windows-only coverage excludes macOS and other platforms
    • Three-day history limits longer-term trend analysis
    • AI-assisted queries require the optional MCP integration

More comparisons

All process monitoring software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update