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htop

htop is an interactive process viewer for Linux. It is a text-mode application (for console or X terminals) and requires ncurses. htop is an interactive top replacement that runs in the terminal.

Comparison between htop and top

  • In 'htop' you can scroll the list vertically and horizontally to see all processes and complete command lines.
  • In 'top' you are subject to a delay for each unassigned key you press (especially annoying when multi-key escape sequences are triggered by accident).
  • 'htop' starts faster ('top' seems to collect data for a while before displaying anything).
  • In 'htop' you don't need to type the process number to kill a process, in 'top' you do.
  • In 'htop' you don't need to type the process number or the priority value to renice a process, in 'top' you do.
  • 'htop' supports mouse operation, 'top' doesn't
  • 'top' is older, hence, more used and tested.