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Still Using top command to Monitor Linux Performance? Discover Better Tools!

howtouselinux
5 min readJan 30, 2025

If you’re a Linux user, chances are you’ve used top to check your system's performance.

It's been the go-to tool for decades—simple, reliable, and always there when you need it.

But let's be honest: top feels like using a flip phone in the age of smartphones. It gets the job done, but isn't there something better? Something faster, more intuitive, and packed with features?

If you’re nodding along, you’re in the right place.

In this article, we’ll explore why top might be holding you back and introduce you to modern, powerful alternatives that will revolutionize how you monitor your Linux system.

Whether you're a sysadmin, developer, or just a curious Linux enthusiast, these tools will save you time, effort, and maybe even a few headaches.

Why top Isn't Always Enough

Don’t get me wrong — top is a classic for a reason. It gives you a quick overview of CPU usage, memory consumption, and running processes.

But here's the problem: it's limited. Here are a few pain points you might have encountered:

  1. Basic Interface: The default top interface is text-based and not very user-friendly. Scrolling through…

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howtouselinux
howtouselinux

Written by howtouselinux

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Responses (5)

What are your thoughts?

I will set up Grafana, soon. I have used most of these tools, but it was helpful to hear some new ones. Nice article!

My favourite is 'btop' ...

Great article! I've been using top for years, and honestly, I didn't realize how much I was missing out on until now. I'm definitely going to try out htop and nethogs—the idea of having a more intuitive interface and the ability to track network usage per process sounds super helpful.