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iftop vs Screenlets

Professional comparison and analysis to help you choose the right software solution for your needs.

iftop icon
iftop
Screenlets icon
Screenlets

iftop vs Screenlets: The Verdict

⚡ Summary:

iftop: iftop is an open source command-line tool used to monitor network usage and bandwidth in real-time. It displays a table of current TCP/IP connections using bandwidth over a specified interface.

Screenlets: Screenlets is an open source desktop widget engine for Linux. It allows users to add miniature applications like clocks, RSS readers, system monitors, sticky notes, and more to their desktop.

Both tools serve their respective audiences. Compare the features, pricing, and user ratings above to determine which best fits your needs.

Last updated: May 2026 · Comparison by Sugggest Editorial Team

Feature iftop Screenlets
Sugggest Score — —
Category Network & Admin Os & Utilities
Pricing Open Source Open Source

Product Overview

iftop
iftop

Description: iftop is an open source command-line tool used to monitor network usage and bandwidth in real-time. It displays a table of current TCP/IP connections using bandwidth over a specified interface.

Type: software

Pricing: Open Source

Screenlets
Screenlets

Description: Screenlets is an open source desktop widget engine for Linux. It allows users to add miniature applications like clocks, RSS readers, system monitors, sticky notes, and more to their desktop.

Type: software

Pricing: Open Source

Key Features Comparison

iftop
iftop Features
  • Displays bandwidth usage on selected network interface
  • Shows both inbound and outbound traffic
  • Can filter by IP address or network port
  • Real-time monitoring and stats
  • Text-based interface for terminal/CLI use
Screenlets
Screenlets Features
  • Desktop widgets
  • Mini applications
  • Clocks
  • RSS readers
  • System monitors
  • Sticky notes

Pros & Cons Analysis

iftop
iftop

Pros

  • Free and open source
  • Lightweight and low resource usage
  • Easy to use with no configuration needed
  • Good for identifying bandwidth hogs and monitoring network usage
  • Works on Linux, Unix, and BSD systems

Cons

  • Terminal-only, no GUI
  • Can only monitor one interface at a time
  • Not as feature-rich as commercial bandwidth monitors
  • Requires some Linux/Unix command line knowledge to use
  • Does not work on Windows
Screenlets
Screenlets

Pros

  • Open source
  • Customizable
  • Lightweight
  • Easy to use

Cons

  • Limited widget selection
  • Development discontinued
  • May not work well on newer desktop environments

Pricing Comparison

iftop
iftop
  • Open Source
Screenlets
Screenlets
  • Open Source

Related Comparisons

Learn More About Each Product

iftop
iftop
Reviews, pricing & alternatives →
Screenlets
Screenlets
Reviews, pricing & alternatives →

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