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If you have ever found various applications on your Linux-based PC crashing, think about a task manager.
Unfortunately, when some applications crash, they continue running in the background.
In this article, I will review some of the best Linux task managers.
Best Linux Task Managers
Glances
Glances is a cross-platform task manager written in Python.
you’re able to also use Glances through client software through its RESTful JSON API and XML-RPC server.
you might use this system monitor through its built-in web interface if you are uncomfortable with its terminal interface.
Stacer
Stacer is an open-source task manager and system optimizer.
it’s possible for you to manage different aspects of your Linux system using this tool.
The Startup Apps tab shows all the applications that your system launches at boot time.
you’re able to also change the apps that should launch when you switch on your system.
The services tab is a perfect solution when you want to stop or start applications on your Linux system.
MATE Desktop Environment
MATE Desktop Environment is an attractive and intuitive system monitor for Linux distributions.
This system monitor is a continuation of GNOME 2 and comes in different languages.
The tool is still under active development and comprises of different applications to avoid conflicting with GNOME components.
Pluma in MATE Desktop Environment is a text editor that allows users to edit multiple files for system optimization.
you’ve got the option to also manage all the files on this tool using Caja.
If you like monitoring your system on the terminal, then the MATE terminal is your answer.
XFCE
XFCE is a system monitor for Linux, OpenSolaris, NetBSD, FreeBSD, and OpenBSD.
you’ve got the option to monitor memory and CPU usage on this tool for easy optimization.
XFCE provides a tree view of all the processes.
you’re free to also customize this tool with some configs.
It is easy to filter different processes on XFCE using their names.
you’re free to opt to display processes using icons or names.
XFCE has various dependencies such as Gtk3, Cairo 1.5, Libwnck 3.0 (optional) and Xmu 1.1.2.
Conky
Conky is a lightweight task manager for X.
This tool can display system logs on its own window or your root desktop.
Conky also comes with built-in objects but can also display information using external programs or scripts.
Conky supports various music players like MPD, XMMS2, and Audacious.
This tool is bundled with various package managers to ease usage.
LXTask
LXTask is a desktop-independent, lightweight task manager.
This tool is derived from xfce4-taskmanager but lacks all the dependencies of the former.
you’re free to view all the processes on your system as a tree for easy management.
you could customize the view of your processes through icons or names while using Mirror of LXTask.
This tool has a streamlined user interface to ease navigation.
Top
Top is a command-line task manager that comes preinstalled with all Linux distributions.
This tool allows users to have a dynamic view of all the running applications in their system.
you might see a list of tasks and system summary information from the Top.
To operate Top, it’s possible for you to always use h or ?
as your help keys.
The q also comes in handy when you want to quit the program.
The startup comes with default configurations.
However, you could customize the dashboard to suit your needs.
htop
htop is a cross-platform process viewer.
This tool was designed to be an alternative to top task managers.
htop displays a list of processes running on a system, and they are ordered based on memory usage.
This tool offers a list of all the running processes and not only the resource-intensive ones.
htop uses different colors to help users visualize resource utilization on their systems.
GNOME
GNOME is a system manager that comes preinstalled on all Linux distributions.
GNOME displays the status of a process as either running, sleeping, stopped, or zombie.
you could view all the running processes and tap the kill command to freeze a running tool.
you might also change the priority of a process by changing how much resources it should consume.
it’s possible for you to also determine which system uses which file using the search bar.
What are Task Managers, and Why are They Important?
A task manager is an app that reports all the running applications on your PC.
This utility will also give the status of CPU and RAM usage.
A task manager allows you to freeze the applications that consume too many resources on your rig.
Linux has various distributions.
For instance, I use Ubuntu.
These distributions come with preinstalled task managers.
However, these preinstalled versions may not be as effective as third-party programs.
A task manager can be a CLI (Command Line) or a GUI-based program.
However, not all will fit your needs.
Get one with a user-friendly interface:The ideal Linux task manager should be easy to navigate.
Customization options:The ideal tool should allow users to tailor it to suit their needs.
For instance, you might set it to get an alert when usage reaches a certain threshold.
Compatibility: Linux has various distributions.
Some, like Top and GNOME, come preinstalled with your Linux system.
However, you could opt for third-party system managers if you are looking for advanced features and easy navigation.
The ultimate choice of a task manager will depend on your needs and preferences.
