Docker-compatible CLI for containerd
ctop
Top-like interface for container metrics
About ctop
ctop provides a concise, real-time top-like interface for container metrics across multiple containers, with a single-container view for detailed inspection. It supports Docker and runC out of the box, and offers filtering, sorting, log viewing and shell exec from the terminal UI.
ctop website preview
Live preview of github.com via the WordPress mShots service — it can take a few seconds to generate on a first visit.
ctop: strengths & things to check
Strengths
- Completely free to use — this directory lists no paid plan for it.
- Covers containers, monitoring, cli, docker — see the focus areas listed in its key facts.
- Has 6 close alternatives in the same category on this page, so switching or comparing is easy.
Things to check
- Free tools can change their model or shut down — avoid locking critical work into it without an export path.
- Current plan prices are not listed here (they change too often to print reliably) — confirm the exact price on the official site.
- It is one of 1288 tools in the Developer Tools category here — compare it against the alternatives below before you commit.
Derived from this listing's own data (pricing model, focus areas and category) — not a hands-on review score.
ctop pricing
| Pricing model | Free — listed in this directory as a free tool, with no paid plan required to use it. |
|---|---|
| Free access | Yes — fully free |
| Current plan prices | Listed on the official site — prices change, so this directory links out instead of printing a number that may already be stale. |
| Official site | github.com |
ctop key facts
- Category: Developer Tools
- Pricing: Free — listed in this directory as a free tool, with no paid plan required to use it.
- Focus areas: containers, monitoring, cli, docker
- Official site: github.com
ctop FAQ
How much does ctop cost?
Free — listed in this directory as a free tool, with no paid plan required to use it. Current plans and prices are listed on the official site (github.com).
What is ctop used for?
Top-like interface for container metrics Its focus areas in the Developer Tools category: containers, monitoring, cli, docker.
Where can I try ctop?
On its official site, github.com — the Visit Official Site button above goes straight there.
ctop vs alternatives
| ctop | nerdctl | act | Beszel | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free — listed in this directory as a free tool, with no paid plan required to use it. | Free — listed in this directory as a free tool, with no paid plan required to use it. | Free — listed in this directory as a free tool, with no paid plan required to use it. | Free — listed in this directory as a free tool, with no paid plan required to use it. |
| Focus areas | containers, monitoring, cli, docker | containers, containerd, cli, docker | github actions, ci, cli, docker | monitoring, servers, docker, stats |
| Official site | github.com | github.com | nektosact.com | beszel.dev |
| Directory status | Listed | Listed | Listed | Listed |
Side-by-side from each listing's own directory data. Full alternative cards are below.
About the Developer Tools category
Editors, platforms, and services developers rely on to build and ship software. The Developer Tools category on Tools Hub currently lists 1288 tools. Alongside ctop, it includes hadolint, Syft, Grype, Okteto.
Alternatives to ctop
Tools in the same Developer Tools category that share focus areas with ctop — worth comparing before you commit:
Run your GitHub Actions workflows locally
Lightweight server monitoring with Docker stats
Container runtimes on macOS and Linux with minimal setup
Tool for exploring each layer of a container image
Self-hosted Docker management UI for homelabs and enterprise
More in Developer Tools
Comparing tools in the Developer Tools category? These related listings are worth a look: hadolint — Smarter Dockerfile linter with inline shell checking; Syft — CLI for generating SBOMs from images and filesystems; Grype — Vulnerability scanner for container images and filesystems.
Smarter Dockerfile linter with inline shell checking
CLI for generating SBOMs from images and filesystems
Vulnerability scanner for container images and filesystems
Develop applications directly inside your Kubernetes cluster
Secure container runtime with lightweight virtual machines
Run local processes as if they were pods in your Kubernetes cluster