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The best Activity Monitor alternatives for Mac (2026)

Updated November 5, 2026 · We make Taskglass, which is on this list. Every app here is good at something, and we say who should pick what.

1. 1. Taskglass

   Best for: Understanding what's slowing, heating or draining your Mac · From $5 one-time (launch), then $14; up to 3 Macs

   Taskglass is a native macOS app that shows what's slowing, heating or draining your Mac, and explains it in plain English.

   Strengths

   • Explains 214 macOS processes in plain English, with an "Is this safe?" badge from the code signature.
   • Groups helper processes under their app.
   • 30-day timeline with automatic event markers, like "2:12 PM Your Mac is running hot".
   • Memory pressure first, plus a RAM Advisor; per-app battery drain in watts on Apple Silicon.
   • One license covers up to 3 Macs; supports macOS 14 Sonoma.

   Limitations

   • New in 2026, so it has a shorter track record than the classics.
   • No free trial (there's a 30-day money-back guarantee instead).
   • No widgets or iPhone app yet, and it isn't open source.

   See how Taskglass worksPricing

2. 2. iStat Menus 7

   Best for: The most configurable menu bar stats · $11.99 one-time

   Strengths

   • Over a decade of polish from a respected indie developer.
   • Highly configurable menu bar items for CPU, GPU, memory, disks, network, sensors and battery.
   • Detailed dropdown graphs and notifications.
   • Fair one-time pricing and available on the Mac App Store and Setapp.
   • Offers a free trial.

   Limitations

   • Menu-bar-first: great for numbers at a glance, less suited to answering "what is this process?"
   • No built-in library explaining macOS processes.
   • Some long-time users were unhappy with parts of the version 7 redesign.

   Taskglass vs iStat Menus

3. 3. Stats

   Best for: Free, open-source menu bar stats · Free

   Strengths

   • Completely free and open source, with a large community.
   • Many menu bar modules: CPU, GPU, memory, disk, network, battery, sensors and fans.
   • Easy to install with Homebrew.

   Limitations

   • Menu bar only, with no process explanations.
   • Short history.
   • Some users have reported noticeable CPU use or disk writes from the app itself in certain versions (see its GitHub issues).

   Taskglass vs Stats

4. 4. Vitals

   Best for: Developers who want ports, Docker and AI-agent tools · From $15 per Mac

   Strengths

   • Groups processes by app, with a detailed inspector.
   • Long per-app history and alerts.
   • Developer tools such as ports, Docker and AI-agent limits.
   • Ships updates very frequently.

   Limitations

   • Licensed per Mac, so several Macs cost more.
   • Requires macOS 15 or later.
   • The developer-focused feature set may be more than non-developers need.

   Taskglass vs Vitals

5. 5. Usage

   Best for: Monitoring across Mac, iPhone and iPad with widgets · Free download, paid Pro

   Strengths

   • Runs on Mac, iPhone and iPad, with widgets and iCloud sync.
   • Dozens of menu bar modules.
   • Easy to get from the Mac App Store or Setapp.
   • Highly rated on the App Store.

   Limitations

   • Mac App Store sandboxing limits access to some system data; a separate helper is needed for parts of it.
   • Pro features are a separate purchase.

   Taskglass vs Usage

6. 6. Sensei

   Best for: An all-in-one Mac maintenance suite · $59 one-time or $29 per year

   Strengths

   • Broad suite: hardware monitoring plus maintenance tools such as storage, battery health and startup items.
   • Polished design and lots of helpful articles from its maker.

   Limitations

   • Much higher price if you mostly need monitoring.
   • A broad feature set means more to learn.

   Taskglass vs Sensei