GNOME System Monitor
GNOME System Monitor: A focused Linux desktop monitor for processes, resource usage, and routine troubleshooting. Ranked #11 of 33 in System Information Software by our editors (7.8/10); pricing: Open source; best for linux desktop process and resource monitoring.
At a glance
- Editor score7.8 / 10
- PricingOpen source
- Best forLinux desktop process and resource monitoring
- Paid fromFree
- Operating systemsLinux
- Facts checked21 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Covers CPU, memory, swap, disks, filesystems, and network activity
- Provides process control, including force-stop and priority changes
- Open-source Linux utility with process, file, and memory-map views
Where it doesn't
- Focused on runtime monitoring rather than full system information
- Available on Linux rather than across multiple operating systems
- Comparable command-line information is separate from the desktop utility
Our verdict on GNOME System Monitor
GNOME System Monitor is an open-source Linux desktop utility for viewing running programs and monitoring system resources. It is suited to Linux desktop users who need a visual view of processor, memory, swap, disk, filesystem, and network activity, along with basic process management. Its graphs show recent usage information, while process and filesystem views support routine monitoring and troubleshooting.
The utility’s main strength is the breadth of its runtime views in one desktop interface. Users can inspect running programs and processes, review CPU and memory usage, examine disk and filesystem use, and view network activity and speed. Process controls include force-stopping unresponsive programs and changing process priority. For deeper investigation, it can show open files and the processes using them, as well as process memory maps. Command-line tools can provide comparable information, giving Linux users another path to the same general monitoring scope.
GNOME System Monitor is a focused choice rather than a complete system-information suite. Its documented scope centers on active processes and resource usage, so it fits users troubleshooting performance or checking current desktop activity more closely than users seeking broad hardware, firmware, BIOS, or installed-software inventories. The published product model is open source, and its operating-system scope is Linux. Pick it for accessible desktop monitoring and process control on Linux; choose an alternative when you need wider system inventory coverage or a multi-platform tool.
Your product? Our editors can test GNOME System Monitor in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →
GNOME System Monitor pricing
GNOME System Monitor fact sheet
| Free plan | Not verified |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| Operating systems | Linux |
| Firmware details | Not verified |
| Installed software | Not verified |
| Portable version | Not verified |
| Report export | Not verified |
| Command-line interface | Not verified |
| Deployment | Desktop |
| Platforms | Linux |
| Support | Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business (editorial estimate) |
| Pricing | Open source |
| Website | apps.gnome.org |
| Facts checked | 21 Sep 2026 |
Alternatives to GNOME System Monitor
- AIDA64A deep monitoring and diagnostics suite for users who need benchmarks, alerts, and stress tests.9.2
- CPU-ZA focused, free utility for detailed CPU, memory, motherboard, and Android device information.8.9
- SpeccyA low-cost Windows utility for specifications, temperatures, drive health, and exports.8.7
See all GNOME System Monitor alternatives →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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