Glances vs PM2

Glances9.4Visit PM29.2Visit

Higher score Glances #1 in Process Monitoring Software 9.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 5 features Visit Glances

vs

PM2 #2 in Process Monitoring Software 9.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 5 features Visit PM2

• Glances fits best

  Cross-platform and remote infrastructure monitoring

• PM2 fits best

  Node.js application process operations

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Side by side

Feature	Glances 9.4/10 Visit ↗	PM2 9.2/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.4	9.2
Ranking	#1 in Process Monitoring Software	#2 in Process Monitoring Software
Best for	Cross-platform and remote infrastructure monitoring	Node.js application process operations
Pricing model	Free	Free plan + paid
Starting price	Free plan	—
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Cloud, Self-hosted, Desktop, Browser extension	Cloud, Self-hosted
Platforms	Web, Windows, macOS, Linux	Web, Windows, macOS, Linux
Support	Community, Docs	Docs
Integrations	10 integrations	5 integrations
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Glances 0/5 · PM2 4/5
Remote monitoring	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Service monitoring	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Process alerting	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Process controls	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Activity logs	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Specs
Supported platforms	Not checked yet	Linux, macOS, Windows, web dashboard
History retention	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
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	Automatic restarts for crashes, exits, thresholds, file changes, and schedules Zero-downtime reloads and cluster-mode load balancing for Node.js Logs, reboot persistence, terminal monitoring, and web monitoring options
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	Advanced remote monitoring depends on PM2 Plus Enterprise capabilities are reserved for the highest tier The product is centered on process operations rather than broad observability
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 →	PM2 is an open-source daemon process manager for keeping Node.js and other applications online. It supports process actions such as starting, stopping, restarting, reloading, and deleting managed processes, while also providing automatic… Read the review →

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

• PM2 — where it wins

  • Automatic restarts for crashes, exits, thresholds, file changes, and schedules
  • Zero-downtime reloads and cluster-mode load balancing for Node.js
  • Logs, reboot persistence, terminal monitoring, and web monitoring options

  Where it doesn't

  • Advanced remote monitoring depends on PM2 Plus
  • Enterprise capabilities are reserved for the highest tier
  • The product is centered on process operations rather than broad observability

• Glances9.4/10 · Free plan

  A broad, free monitoring toolkit for cross-platform and self-hosted infrastructure.

  Visit GlancesFull verdict →
• PM29.2/10 · Free plan

  A capable Node.js process manager with deeper monitoring in paid tiers.

  Visit PM2Full verdict →