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Head-to-head · Process Monitoring Software

PM2 vs TaskExplorer

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score PM2 #2 in Process Monitoring Software 9.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 5 features Visit PM2
TaskExplorer #8 in Process Monitoring Software 8.6/10 Open source ✓ 2 of 5 features Visit TaskExplorer

PM2 leads on 0 checks, TaskExplorer on 0, and 6 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scorePM2 · 9.2/10
  • Free planonly PM2
  • Most featuresPM2 · 4 of 5

PM2 scores higher on our rubric for process monitoring software: 9.2 against 8.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #8.

PM2 is the better fit for node.js application process operations. TaskExplorer is the better fit for deep Windows and Linux process inspection.

  • PM2 fits best

    Node.js application process operations

  • TaskExplorer fits best

    Deep Windows and Linux process inspection

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Side by side

Feature PM2 9.2/10 Visit ↗ TaskExplorer 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.2 8.6
Ranking #2 in Process Monitoring Software #8 in Process Monitoring Software
Best for Node.js application process operations Deep Windows and Linux process inspection
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free
Starting price — Open source
Free plan ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Self-hosted Desktop
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, Linux Windows, Linux
Support Docs Tickets, Community
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business
Features PM2 4/5 · TaskExplorer 2/5
Remote monitoring ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Service monitoring Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Process alerting ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Process controls ✓ ✓
Activity logs ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Specs
Supported platforms Linux, macOS, Windows, web dashboard Windows, Linux
History retention Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • 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
  • Detailed stacks, memory, handles, sockets, DLLs, and process panels
  • Performance graphs cover CPU, memory, disk I/O, network, and GPU
  • Includes service, driver, systemd, security, and control-group controls
Cons
  • 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
  • No alerting for process or system conditions
  • No historical monitoring or trend views
  • No remote monitoring capabilities
Our verdict

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 →

TaskExplorer is an open-source desktop task-management and system-monitoring application for developers, IT professionals, and power users. It supports Windows and Linux, combining real-time process data with resource graphs and detailed…

Read the review →
  1. PM2Process Monitoring Software 9.2Free plan
  2. TaskExplorerProcess Monitoring Software 8.6Open source

Strengths and trade-offs

  • 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

  • TaskExplorer — where it wins

    • Detailed stacks, memory, handles, sockets, DLLs, and process panels
    • Performance graphs cover CPU, memory, disk I/O, network, and GPU
    • Includes service, driver, systemd, security, and control-group controls

    Where it doesn't

    • No alerting for process or system conditions
    • No historical monitoring or trend views
    • No remote monitoring capabilities

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