Head-to-head · Process Monitoring Software
Glances vs Supervisor
Glances leads on 0 checks, Supervisor 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 featuresSupervisor · 4 of 5
Glances scores higher on our rubric for process monitoring software: 9.4 against 9.0 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #4.
Glances is the better fit for cross-platform and remote infrastructure monitoring. Supervisor is the better fit for self-hosted process supervision with APIs.
- Glances fits best
Cross-platform and remote infrastructure monitoring
- Supervisor fits best
Self-hosted process supervision with APIs
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Side by side
| Feature | Glances 9.4/10 Visit ↗ | Supervisor 9.0/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 9.4 | 9.0 |
| Ranking | #1 in Process Monitoring Software | #4 in Process Monitoring Software |
| Best for | Cross-platform and remote infrastructure monitoring | Self-hosted process supervision with APIs |
| Pricing model | Free | Free |
| Starting price | Free plan | Free plan |
| Free plan | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Deployment | Cloud, Self-hosted, Desktop, Browser extension | Cloud, Self-hosted |
| Platforms | Web, Windows, macOS, Linux | Web, Linux, macOS |
| Support | Community, Docs | Community, Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise | Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise |
| Features Glances 0/5 · Supervisor 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, self-hosted Unix-like systems, web interface, XML-RPC API |
| History retention | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Our review | ||
| Pros |
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| Cons |
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| 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 → |
Supervisor is an open-source client/server process-control system for developers and administrators managing application processes on servers. It starts and manages child processes, restarts crashed or exited processes, and provides… 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
Supervisor — where it wins
- Automatically restarts crashed or exited processes
- Groups processes for coordinated control and management
- Combines CLI, web, XML-RPC, notifications, and logging
Where it doesn't
- Designed for Unix-like systems rather than broad cross-platform deployment
- Requires self-hosted installation and ongoing administration
- Emphasizes supervision more than resource metrics
- Glances9.4/10 · Free plan
A broad, free monitoring toolkit for cross-platform and self-hosted infrastructure.
Visit GlancesFull verdict → - Supervisor9.0/10 · Free plan
A focused open-source supervisor for restarting, grouping, logging, and controlling processes.
Visit SupervisorFull verdict →
More comparisons
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- PM2 vs Supervisor
- Monit vs Supervisor
All process monitoring software comparisons → · Full ranking →
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update





