psutil

Cross-platform process and system utilities module for Python.

EstablishedOpen SourceLow lock-in

Pricing

Free tier

Flat rate

Adoption

Stable

License

Open Source

Data freshness

Aging · Jun 8, 2026

Overview

What is psutil?

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.

Key differentiator

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.

Capability profile

Capability Radar

Ease of StartEcosystemValueMaturityFlexibilityScale Ready

Honest assessment

Strengths & Weaknesses

↑ Strengths

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

Retrieve information on running processes and system utilization.medium

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

↓ Weaknesses

Limited to Python onlyhigh

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

Performance overhead on system monitoringmedium

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

Documentation lacks depth for advanced use caseshigh

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.

Security concerns with process manipulationmedium

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.

Fit analysis

Who is it for?

✓ Best for

Developers building Python-based system monitoring and automation scripts.

Teams needing cross-platform support for process and resource management in their applications.

✕ Not a fit for

Projects requiring real-time data streaming capabilities beyond basic metrics.

Applications that require integration with non-Python environments without additional wrappers or bindings.

Cost structure

Pricing

Free Tier

Available

Open source — free to use

Starts at

$0

Model

Flat rate

Enterprise

None

Performance benchmarks

How Fast Is It?

Ecosystem

Relationships

Next step

Get Started with psutil

Step-by-step setup guide with code examples and common gotchas.

View Setup Guide →