Why Choose Htop Over Top in 2025?

Htop is a powerful, interactive process monitor for Linux and Unix-like systems. It’s a superior alternative to the default top command.

Here’s why users still prefer htop in 2025:

  • Real-time monitoring with a color-coded interface
  • Vertical and horizontal scrolling
  • Full mouse support for process control
  • Tree view for process hierarchy
  • Fast search and filtering features
  • Batch process termination without entering PIDs

New in 2025: Htop Improvements You Should Know

  • Battery usage stats on laptops
  • Enhanced support for cgroups v2
  • Optimized CPU threading for multi-core systems
  • JSON output support for automation
  • New accessibility and dark mode UI themes

How to Install Htop on Major Linux Distributions

RHEL/CentOS (Incl. Rocky Linux & AlmaLinux)

# yum install epel-release
# yum install htop

On RHEL 8+ systems, use:

# dnf install epel-release
# dnf install htop

Fedora

# dnf install htop

Ubuntu/Debian

# sudo apt update
# sudo apt install htop

Arch Linux / Manjaro

# sudo pacman -Syu htop

openSUSE

# sudo zypper install htop

FreeBSD

# sudo pkg install htop

Or build from ports:

# cd /usr/ports/sysutils/htop && make install clean

How to Launch and Use Htop

htop

Useful keyboard shortcuts:

  • F2 – Setup menu
  • F3 – Search
  • F4 – Filter
  • F5 – Tree view
  • F6 – Sort columns
  • F9 – Kill process
  • F10 – Quit htop

Expert Tips for Using Htop

  • Press e to view environment variables
  • Press u to filter processes by user
  • Customize layout and save preferences in the F2 setup menu
  • Use mouse clicks to kill or renice processes without typing

Final Thoughts

In 2025, htop remains a must-have tool for Linux system administrators and developers. Its visual interface, advanced filtering, and live updates make it far superior to top. Install htop today and take control of your Linux processes with ease.