psutil

What it is

psutil is a cross-platform library for retrieving information on running processes and system utilization (CPU, memory, disks, network) in Python. It is widely used by developers to monitor and manage system resources effectively.

psutil stands out as a lightweight, cross-platform library for system monitoring and process management in Python, offering extensive functionality without the need for complex setup or dependencies.

When it fits — and when it doesn’t

Known weaknesses

Each one links to the public issue, changelog or docs page it came from, where we have one.

1. 01

   Limited to Python only

   psutil is tightly integrated with Python and does not offer official support for other programming languages, limiting its use in polyglot environments.

2. 02

   Performance overhead on system monitoring

   Frequent calls to psutil's monitoring functions can introduce noticeable performance overhead, especially under high load conditions or when used in real-time applications.

3. 03

   Documentation lacks depth for advanced use cases

   While basic usage is well-documented, more complex scenarios such as handling edge cases on different operating systems are not thoroughly covered, leading to a steep learning curve for advanced users.

4. 04

   Security concerns with process manipulation

   Using psutil to manipulate processes (like killing or suspending) can pose security risks if not handled carefully, especially in multi-user environments where permissions and isolation are critical.

What it does well

• Cross-platform support for Windows, macOS, Linux, BSD, Sun Solaris.

• Retrieve information on running processes and system utilization.

• Monitor CPU usage, memory usage, disk usage, network activity.

Pricing

Free tier

YesOpen source — free to use

Paid from

$0

Model

Flat rate

Enterprise plan

No

Pricing not independently confirmed — check the vendor’s page.