Core Temp vs HWiNFO (2026): which should you pick?
As of Nov 13, 2026, HWiNFO grades higher than Core Temp: 3.0 against 2.8 out of 4.0.
Checked Nov 13, 2026 · graded Nov 13, 2026 by ToolGPA
HWiNFO grades higher on features. They get the same grade on value for money, the free plan, ease of use and platforms.
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 HWiNFO if
- Fits if you want to see exactly which parts are in a Windows PC
- Works for people who watch temperatures and loads while gaming or stress testing
Look elsewhere if
- Not for you if you want it for work, as the project page says non-commercial use only
- Skip it if you use a Mac or Linux machine, as there is no version for either
- Watch out: the vendor site returned a bot check, so these details come from SourceForge
- Watch out: commercial terms were not readable
How we grade them
| 2.8GPACore TempGood | 3.0GPAHWiNFOVery good | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 with no price on record. The listing's price source is unverified. |
| 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 or trial clock, but its project page says for non-commercial use only. |
| 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. | BHardware inventory, real-time sensors, tables, graphs, tray icons, an on-screen display, and exports to XML, CSV and HTML. The listing names no gap in the core job. |
| 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 is the only current desktop platform; DOS and WinPE are the other listed targets. No Mac, Linux or phone version. |
| Best for | per-core CPU temperatures on Windows | reading every sensor and part inside a Windows PC |
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 HWiNFO. How we grade
Where they differ
In commonFree planWindowsReportsSystem monitor
At a glance
| Core Temp | HWiNFO | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Described on its SourceForge project page as freeware for non-commercial use only. |
| Free trial | None listed | None listed |
| Windows | ||
| Made by | Alcpu | HWiNFO |
| Price read from | alcpu.com | Not confirmed |
| 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.
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.
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.
HWiNFO
- Hardware inventory
- Shows components in a hierarchy that unfolds into deep detail, or as a quick summary overview, for a full hardware report or spot checks.
- Real-time monitoring
- Tracks parameters across CPUs, GPUs, mainboards, drives and peripherals to help spot overheating, overload or performance loss.
- Customizable display
- Shows sensor data in customizable tables, graphs, tray icons and an on-screen display.
- Reports and logging
- Exports reports to XML, CSV and HTML, logs status over time and can interface with other tools or add-ons.
- Broad OS and hardware coverage
- The project page lists DOS, Windows 95 through Windows 11 and WinPE, on platforms from the i8086 to Xeon Platinum.
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.
HWiNFO
Pricing could not be confirmed. See hwinfo.com.
Common questions
Which is cheaper, Core Temp or HWiNFO?
As of Nov 13, 2026, Core Temp starts at $25 per machine (commercial license), and HWiNFO has no price we could confirm.
Which has a free plan, Core Temp or HWiNFO?
As of Nov 13, 2026, both Core Temp and HWiNFO 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.