Softset Pulse vs Activity Monitor
Last verified · Written by Softset, the makers of Softset Pulse
In short
Activity Monitor is free, built into every Mac, and shows detailed per-process CPU, memory, energy, disk, and network figures. Softset Pulse builds on the same counters but groups helpers under their app, keeps history, explains what it sees, and adds developer tools like open ports and idle dev servers.
Softset Pulse is in development; this page compares the planned first version.
Who each is for
Choose Softset Pulse if…
- You want to see apps rather than hundreds of helper processes.
- You want a sentence that says what's wrong and what to do.
- You run local dev servers and lose track of ports and forgotten processes.
Choose Activity Monitor if…
- You need per-process detail, process sampling, or to inspect a specific process's open files and ports.
- You want something built in and free, and you're comfortable reading raw numbers.
Side by side
| Feature | Softset Pulse | Activity Monitor |
|---|---|---|
| Price | One-time purchase; pricing announced at launch. | Free, included with macOS. source |
| Availability | In development, early access. | Included on every Mac. source |
| CPU, memory, energy, disk, network | Yes, grouped by app. | Yes, per process. source |
| Helper processes | Added to the app they belong to. | Listed separately; a hierarchical view shows parent–child processes. source |
| Memory pressure | Yes, with swap, explained. | Yes, as a graph in the Memory tab. source |
| History | Per app and system, over time. | Short graphs; no per-app history. source |
| Plain-language explanations | Yes. | No. source |
| Open ports and dev servers | Yes, with project folders. | Per process, under Inspect → Open Files and Ports. source |
| Menu bar | Compact indicators you choose. | Dock icon can show a CPU graph; no menu bar indicators. source |
Differences
Processes and apps
Activity Monitor shows every process, so a browser with forty tabs appears as dozens of helpers. Pulse adds them up under the app they belong to, which makes the biggest users easier to spot.
Explanations
Pulse turns what it measures into short sentences, such as "memory pressure is high and 6 GB is in swap" or "three dev servers have been idle for hours". It doesn't guess at anything it can't measure.
Price
Activity Monitor costs nothing and is always there. If you only check it occasionally, it may be all you need.
Looking for a Activity Monitor alternative?
If you’re searching for “activity monitor alternative for mac”, the table above covers what changes when you switch. Softset Pulse’s own page has the full details, including its privacy and permissions trust card.
Softset Pulse
A system monitor that groups every helper process under the app it belongs to, explains what's slowing your Mac down, and finds forgotten development servers.
In development. Early access builds go to people on the list first.