Skip to content
ToolGPA

Alternatives · Utilities

HWiNFO alternatives

As of Nov 13, 2026, the highest-graded HWiNFO alternative is CPU-Z (2.8 GPA). It's also the best free one.

HWiNFO compared with 6 alternatives: CPU-Z, Core Temp, SpeedFan, iStat Menus, Stats and 1 more.

HWiNFO's current pricing could not be confirmed from its own site. 5 of the 6 alternatives are free or have a free plan. One more offers a free trial.

Listings checked up to Nov 13, 2026 · Where the facts come from

At a glance

ToolPriceFree planRuns on
HWiNFOThis toolFreeFreeWindows
CPU-ZFreeFreeWindows
Core TempFree plan · from $25YesWindows
SpeedFanFreeFreeWindows
iStat MenusFree trial · from $11.99 one-timeTrial onlymacOS
StatsFreeFreemacOS
Fan ControlFreeFreeWindows

Price against what you get

HWiNFO has no paid plan and scores 2.3 out of 4 on features, ease of use and platforms. None of the 4 alternatives on this chart both scores higher and starts lower.

Features, ease of use and platforms, averaged

D1.0C2.0B3.0A4.0Free$0.5$1$2$5$10$20$50$100More for lessCosts more, scores moreCosts less, scores lessCosts more, scores lessHWiNFOCPU-ZSpeedFanStats

What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →

  • The best score at each price
  • Has a free plan
  • No free plan
The full chart of desktop utilities, and the best at every price

How each one differs from HWiNFO

  1. CPU-Z

    Free Windows tool that lists CPU, mainboard and memory details

    • CPU-Z is free.

    Suits: Identifying exactly which CPU, board and RAM a PC has

    CPU-Z vs HWiNFOCPU-Z pricing and details

  2. Core Temp

    Per-core CPU temperature monitor for Windows PCs

    • Core Temp starts at $25 per machine (commercial license).

    Suits: Checking CPU core temperatures on a Windows PC

    Core Temp vs HWiNFOCore Temp pricing and details

  3. SpeedFan

    Free Windows monitor for temperatures, fan speeds and voltages

    • SpeedFan is free.
    • SpeedFan also covers workflow automation.
    • SpeedFan does not cover reports, which HWiNFO does.

    Suits: Older Windows PCs with supported monitor chips

    SpeedFan vs HWiNFOSpeedFan pricing and details

  4. iStat Menus

    System monitor that lives in the Mac menu bar

    • iStat Menus starts at $11.99 one-time purchase (Single License), plus local taxes.
    • iStat Menus has no free plan, only a free trial, unlike HWiNFO.
    • iStat Menus also lists a macOS app.
    • iStat Menus lists no Windows app, which HWiNFO has.
    • iStat Menus can be bought with a one-time purchase.

    Suits: Mac users who want CPU, memory, network and temperature readings always visible

    iStat Menus vs HWiNFOiStat Menus pricing and details

  5. Stats

    Free, open-source system monitor for the Mac menu bar

    • Stats is free.
    • Stats also lists a macOS app.
    • Stats lists no Windows app, which HWiNFO has.
    • Stats is open source, according to its own site.
    • Stats also covers menu bar app.

    Suits: Mac users who want system readings in the menu bar without buying a license

    Stats vs HWiNFOStats pricing and details

  6. Fan Control

    Free fan curve controller for Windows PCs

    • Fan Control is free.
    • Fan Control also covers workflow automation.
    • Fan Control does not cover reports, which HWiNFO does.

    Suits: Windows builders who want to tune fan noise against temperature

    Fan Control vs HWiNFOFan Control pricing and details

Limits worth knowing in HWiNFO

  • Its vendor site returned a bot check when read, so these details come from its SourceForge project page.
  • The project page says freeware use is for non-commercial purposes only; commercial terms were not readable.
  • Windows is the only current desktop platform covered here; the other listed targets are DOS and WinPE.
  • No Mac, Linux or mobile version is listed.
HWiNFO pricing and details

Common questions

What are the alternatives to HWiNFO?

The alternatives to HWiNFO in this directory are CPU-Z, Core Temp, SpeedFan, iStat Menus, Stats and Fan Control. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with HWiNFO.

Is there a free alternative to HWiNFO?

Yes. CPU-Z, SpeedFan, Stats and Fan Control are free to use. Core Temp has a free plan alongside paid ones.

Which HWiNFO alternatives work on macOS?

The HWiNFO listing does not include a macOS app. iStat Menus and Stats list one.

Is there an open-source alternative to HWiNFO?

Stats is described as open source on its own site.

When were these prices checked?

Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 5, 2026 to Nov 13, 2026. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.

Keep reading

  • +2
    Best of

    The best Mac utilities in 2026

    Six utilities that make a Mac quicker to work on: two launchers, a window manager, a clipboard manager, a text expander and a subscription that bundles hundreds of apps. Each pick says what it does, what it costs and where else it runs.

    6 tools · Updated October 2026