Core Temp vs CPU-Z (2026): which should you pick?
As of Nov 13, 2026, Core Temp and CPU-Z share a 2.8 GPA, both have a free plan and their prices can't be set side by side, so the choice depends on which features you need.
Checked Nov 13, 2026 · graded Nov 13, 2026 by ToolGPA
They get the same grade on all five counts.
Price, platforms and features side by side. The table says where each price was read and when.
Which one is for you
Pick Core Temp if
- Fits if you want a small readout of CPU temperature on a Windows PC
- Works for people who add plug-ins to show readings elsewhere
Look elsewhere if
- Not for you if you want to set fan speeds, since it only reports
- Skip it if your PC is Arm based or runs Mac or Linux, as it covers x86 Windows only
- Too light for whole-system monitoring, which covers drives and graphics too
- Pricey if you run a company: one commercial license per physical machine, ordered by email
Pick CPU-Z if
- Fits if you want to check which CPU, board and RAM a Windows PC has
- Works for people who compare memory timings and clock speeds
Look elsewhere if
- Not for you if you want temperatures or fan speeds, which sit in the separate HWMonitor
- Skip it if you use a Mac or Linux machine, as the page lists no version for either
- Too light for ongoing monitoring, since it mostly shows static hardware data
- Watch out: the site runs ads and asks ad-blocker users to consider donating
How we grade them
| 2.8GPACore TempGood | 2.8GPACPU-ZGood | |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | AThe download has no price. Businesses buy a commercial license at $25 per machine, falling to $6 each at 500 to 999 machines. | AFreeware. The vendor's page lists no paid plans, only an ask for PayPal donations. |
| Free plan and trial | AThe program is offered for download with no price and no trial clock. Only businesses are asked to buy. | AFreeware with no cap and no trial clock. |
| Features | CPer-core temperatures, live readings, plug-ins and a standalone zip. It does that one job fully, but it is a smaller job: it reports processor data only and does not control fans. | CProcessor, mainboard, memory and live frequencies. It does that job fully, but the pages mostly report static data, and temperature and fan monitoring belong to the vendor's separate HWMonitor. |
| Ease of use | BNo store rating is on record, but it is a small program you install and start using with nothing to set up. | BNo store rating is on record, but it is a program you install and start using with nothing to set up. |
| Platforms and integrations | DWindows only, on x86 Intel, AMD or VIA processors. No Mac, Linux or phone version. | DWindows only. The page covers the x86/x64 edition and no Mac or Linux version. |
| Best for | per-core CPU temperatures on Windows | reading what CPU, board and memory a Windows PC has |
The GPA is the average of the five grades: an A is 4 points, an F is none. The full reasons are on each tool's page: Core Temp and CPU-Z. How we grade
Where they differ
In commonFree planWindowsReportsSystem monitor
At a glance
| Core Temp | CPU-Z | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free plan | Free |
| Starts at | $25 per machine (commercial license) | Free |
| Free plan | The program is offered for download without a price; the vendor sells a separate commercial license for businesses. | Freeware; the vendor's page lists no paid plans for CPU-Z. |
| Free trial | None listed | None listed |
| Windows | ||
| Made by | Alcpu | CPUID |
| Price read from | alcpu.com | cpuid.com |
| Checked | Nov 13, 2026 | Nov 13, 2026 |
Worth knowing
Core Temp
- Windows only, on x86 Intel, AMD or VIA processors.
- It reports processor data only; it does not control fans.
- Companies need a commercial license, one per physical machine, ordered by email.
CPU-Z
- Windows only; this page covers the x86/x64 edition and no Mac or Linux version.
- Its detail pages mostly report static hardware data; temperature and fan monitoring are handled by the vendor's separate HWMonitor.
- The site is supported by ads and asks users with ad blockers to consider donating.
Key features
Core Temp
- Per-core temperatures
- Shows the temperature of each individual core of every processor, read from the CPU's digital thermal sensor instead of a motherboard sensor.
- Real-time readings
- Displays temperature changes live as the workload varies, with processor load and other vital information alongside.
- Broad CPU support
- Supports Intel, AMD and VIA x86 processors; the vendor publishes a list of supported processors.
- Plug-in platform
- Developers can add features through plug-ins, and the vendor hosts add-ons such as a gadget for Windows 7 and Vista.
- Installer or standalone
- Ships as an installer and as standalone 32-bit and 64-bit zip files, with language packs for over 30 languages.
CPU-Z
- Processor details
- Reports the processor name and number, codename, process, package and cache levels.
- Mainboard and chipset
- Identifies the mainboard and chipset, with BIOS and motherboard information drawn from DMI data.
- Memory specifications
- Shows memory type, size, timings and module specifications read from SPD.
- Live frequencies
- Measures each core's internal frequency and the memory frequency in real time.
- Validation and custom builds
- Results can be submitted to an online validation list, and the vendor offers custom versions for ASUS, MSI, Gigabyte, Cooler Master and ASRock.
Plans
Core Temp
Standard download$0
Download and install or use the standalone zip; the vendor states no price for it.
Commercial license$25
per physical machine, one license each
For businesses; falls to $20 each for 2 to 9, $12 for 50 to 99, $6 for 500 to 999; ordered by email.
CPU-Z
Freeware$0
Installer and zip versions for Windows x86/x64; the page asks for ad-blocker exceptions or PayPal donations.
Common questions
Which is cheaper, Core Temp or CPU-Z?
As of Nov 13, 2026, Core Temp starts at $25 per machine (commercial license), and CPU-Z is free.
Which has a free plan, Core Temp or CPU-Z?
As of Nov 13, 2026, both Core Temp and CPU-Z have a free plan.
More comparisons
How this page was made
- The verdict at the top follows a fixed rule. When both tools are in the same category and either is in our top three for it, the verdict follows that ranking: the higher-placed tool is our pick. The top three weigh who each tool suits as well as its grades, so a pick can go against the GPA. Otherwise the page does not pick one and says which grades higher: the higher GPA first; on a tie, the one with a free plan, then the one that starts cheaper in dollars a month, counted the same way for both; if they are still level, what the choice depends on.
- The grades are our own, from each tool’s review or report card. The GPA is their average.
- Prices, plans and platforms come from each tool’s listing. The table above says where each price was read and when.
- The differences and the answers to the questions are worked out from those listings.