NVTOP review
A free, open-source terminal monitor for detailed local multi-GPU visibility.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
NVTOP is a free, open-source, htop-like terminal monitor for GPUs and other accelerators. It is intended for users who need local, command-line visibility into multi-GPU activity, including device status and the processes using available hardware. The interface covers utilization, memory usage, temperature, power, clock metrics, and PCIe receive and transmit load. NVTOP supports Linux, macOS, and Windows, with hardware support spanning AMD, Apple, Huawei, Intel, NVIDIA, Qualcomm, Broadcom, Rockchip, MetaX, Enflame, Tenstorrent, and other vendors through platform-specific drivers.
Its main strength is depth within an interactive terminal view. Users can monitor multiple GPUs and accelerators, inspect process information, and chart GPU and memory utilization rather than relying on a single summary metric. An interactive setup window supports configuration, while saved interface preferences carry into subsequent runs. Command-line options and a manpage also suit users who prefer repeatable terminal workflows. Installation options include AppImage, Snap, package managers, Docker, and WSL2, giving technical teams several ways to fit NVTOP into an existing environment.
NVTOP is a focused local monitor rather than a remote operations or alerting system. The published capabilities do not include remote monitoring, alert channels, sensor-history retention, device limits, or custom sensor definitions. That makes it a strong choice for engineers, developers, and system administrators who want immediate terminal visibility into GPU and accelerator behavior at no software cost. Teams that need centralized dashboards, persistent historical data, automated alerts, or remote fleet coverage should choose a product designed around those functions instead.
NVTOP pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Monitors multiple GPUs, accelerators, processes, and device metrics
- Charts utilization and memory while showing thermals, power, and clocks
- Offers AppImage, Snap, package-manager, Docker, and WSL2 installation
- Where it doesn't
- Local terminal application without remote monitoring
- No verified alerting or alert channels
- No verified sensor-history retention or custom sensor definitions
NVTOP fact sheet, pricing and score →
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
Last updated · How we research and update