atop

At a glance

• Editor score
  8.7 / 10
• Pricing
  Free plan
• Best for
  Linux administrators needing historical process data
• Free plan
  Yes
• Paid from
  Free
• Facts checked
  21 Sep 2026

• Where it wins

  • Per-process and per-thread resource views
  • Compressed activity logs support long-term analysis
  • Finished-process accounting and atopsar reports

• Where it doesn't

  • Linux-only platform support
  • Alerting and automated actions are not included
  • Network and GPU statistics require optional components

Our verdict on atop

atop is an open-source, terminal-based performance monitor for Linux systems. It combines live views of CPU, memory, swap, disk, and network utilization with per-process and per-thread resource consumption. Linux administrators, developers, and technical teams can use it to examine current system behavior as well as processes that have already finished. Its historical focus distinguishes it from monitors designed only for real-time observation, with compressed raw activity logs and system activity reports generated through atopsar.

The monitoring depth is its main strength. Process accounting preserves information about completed processes, while logged activity supports later analysis rather than limiting investigations to what is visible during an incident. Cgroup v2 resource and pressure monitoring adds a layer for environments where resource controls matter. Optional components extend the scope with per-process TCP and UDP statistics through netatop and system and process GPU statistics through atopgpud. The default daily logfile retention is documented as 28 days, giving routine historical review a defined baseline.

atop is distributed under the GPL and is available for Linux, making it a practical fit for teams that want an open-source, terminal-oriented tool centered on system and process behavior. It is less suitable when the buying decision depends on integrated alerting, automated responses, or broad platform coverage. The documented feature set emphasizes observation, accounting, logging, and reporting rather than workflow automation or integrations. Choose atop when detailed process history and low-level Linux visibility are priorities; consider another category option when operational teams need built-in notifications, actions, or a wider ecosystem.

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atop pricing

atop fact sheet

Alternatives to atop

• GlancesA broad, free monitoring toolkit for cross-platform and self-hosted infrastructure.9.4
• PM2A capable Node.js process manager with deeper monitoring in paid tiers.9.2
• MonitA focused self-hosted monitor for service health, system checks, and automatic recovery.9.1

See all atop alternatives →

atop vs the competition

• Aatop vs Glances
• Aatop vs PM2
• Aatop vs Monit
• ASatop vs Supervisor
• Aatop vs Process Lasso
• Aatop vs AppControl

Compare atop with any tool side by side →

Featured on iTechGuides

atop is listed in our Process Monitoring Software directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.

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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

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Last updated 7 Oct 2026 · How we research and update