Fan Control vs Macs Fan Control (2026): which should you pick?
As of Nov 13, 2026, Fan Control grades higher than Macs Fan Control: 2.8 against 2.6 out of 4.0.
Checked Nov 12, 2026 and Nov 13, 2026 · graded Nov 12, 2026 and Nov 13, 2026 by ToolGPA
Fan Control grades higher on the free plan and features. Macs Fan Control grades higher on platforms. They get the same grade on value for money and ease of use.
Price, platforms and features side by side. The table says where each price was read and when.
Macs Fan Control
Free Mac fan monitor with custom speeds and presets in Pro
Free plan · from $14.95 one-time
Which one is for you
Pick Fan Control if
- Fits if you want to tune fan noise against temperature on a Windows PC
- Works for people who want one curve fed by several sensors
Look elsewhere if
- Not for you if you use a Mac or Linux machine, since it is Windows only
- Skip it if you want hands-off setup, as each fan needs a curve
- Watch out: versions 237 and earlier shipped a driver Windows Defender flagged as a trojan; V238 and later use PawnIO
- Watch out: hardware support requests are not handled on the release repository
Pick Macs Fan Control if
- Fits if an older MacBook or iMac runs hot or loud
- Works for Mac owners who need basic fan control at no cost
Look elsewhere if
- Skip it if you only want a readout, as the control side can do harm if misused
- Watch out: the vendor disclaims liability for damage caused by misuse
- Pricey if you own several Macs, as Pro is priced per computer
- Watch out: the Windows version works only through Boot Camp, and its download is a 14-day trial
How we grade them
| 2.8GPAFan ControlGood | 2.6GPAMacs Fan ControlGood | |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | AFree to use, with the full program and optional donations by PayPal and Stripe. | APro is $14.95 once per Mac, under 60% of a year of what this category's middle subscription costs. |
| Free plan and trial | AThe full program is free with no cap or trial clock. | BThe free download monitors, sets custom RPM and sensor-based control and shows the menu bar. One person could live on it; presets are Pro. |
| Features | BSeven curve types, mixed curves, fine-grained parameters, plug-ins and wide hardware support. The listing names no gap in the core job. | CMonitors fans and sensors and controls them. It is a narrow job done fully, and presets and priority support are Pro. |
| Ease of use | CNo store rating is on record. Fan curves have to be set up per fan and tested, so there is some learning curve. | CNo rating on record. The vendor calls it a tool for advanced users, and setting fan speeds wrongly can cause trouble. |
| Platforms and integrations | DWindows only, Windows 10 and 11 per the release page. No Mac, Linux or phone version. | CMac, plus Windows through Boot Camp on Intel Macs, where the Windows build is a 14-day trial. Computers only. |
| Best for | setting fan curves on a Windows PC | watching and setting fan speeds on a Mac |
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: Fan Control and Macs Fan Control. How we grade
Where they differ
- Macs Fan Control can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Fan Control also covers workflow automation.
- Macs Fan Control also covers menu bar app.
In commonFree planWindowsSystem monitor
At a glance
| Fan Control | Macs Fan Control | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free | Free plan |
| Starts at | Free | $14.95 one-time, per Mac |
| Free plan | Free to use; the maker accepts optional donations through PayPal and Stripe. | Free download that monitors fan speeds and temperatures, sets custom RPM values or sensor-based fan control, and shows readings in the menu bar. Custom fan presets are Pro. |
| Free trial | None listed | None listed |
| macOS | ||
| Windows | ||
| Made by | Rémi Mercier | CrystalIDEA |
| Price read from | getfancontrol.com | crystalidea.com |
| Checked | Nov 13, 2026 | Nov 12, 2026 |
Worth knowing
Fan Control
- Windows only; the maker's release page lists Windows 10 and Windows 11.
- Versions 237 and earlier shipped a driver that Windows Defender flagged as a trojan; V238 and later ship a PawnIO build instead.
- Hardware support requests are not handled on the release repository; new hardware needs a working .NET code sample.
Macs Fan Control
- The Windows version works only on Windows installed through Boot Camp, and the Windows download is a 14-day trial, not a free app.
- Pro is priced per computer, so each additional Mac needs its own license.
- The vendor says the program is for advanced users and disclaims liability for damage caused by misuse.
- The buy page loads its prices through Paddle; the figures here are Paddle's US prices for the two listed licenses.
Key features
Fan Control
- Fan curves
- Seven curve types and multiple saved configurations, with temperature tray icons and assisted setup for new users.
- Mixed curves
- Combine any number of fan curves bound to different temperature sensors and apply a function such as maximum or average to drive a fan.
- Fine-grained parameters
- Set fan calibration, RPM avoid zones, response time, hysteresis, step up and step down, and control start and stop logic for 0 RPM operation where supported.
- Wide hardware support
- Covers CPU, GPU and case fans across a range of motherboards, GPUs and AIOs, built on the LibreHardwareMonitor backend.
- Plug-ins
- A .NET plug-in system lets third parties add temperature, speed or control sensors by dropping a DLL in the plugin folder.
Macs Fan Control
- Fan speed and temperature monitoring
- Lists every fan and temperature sensor in two tables, including third-party HDDs and SSDs read through S.M.A.R.T.
- Custom RPM or sensor-based control
- Set a fixed RPM value, or tie a fan to a chosen sensor such as a drive or the CPU.
- Fan presets
- Save named fan configurations and switch between them by activity. Custom presets are a Pro feature.
- Menu bar display
- Choose which fan speeds and sensor temperatures appear in the menu bar, or in the tray on Windows.
- Windows via Boot Camp
- A separate Windows build controls fans on Macs running Windows through Boot Camp, including T2 models.
- Automatic restore on quit
- When the app quits it puts every fan back under the system's automatic control.
Plans
Fan Control
Free$0
The full program; donations are optional and fund continued development.
Macs Fan Control
Free$0
Fan and sensor monitoring with manual or sensor-based fan control on macOS.
Pro License for macOS$14.95
one-time, per Mac
Adds custom fan presets and priority support. Priced per computer, with volume discounts for 2 or more.
Pro License for macOS & Windows$24.95
one-time, per Mac
Pro for macOS plus fan control on Windows installed through Boot Camp on Intel Macs.
Common questions
Which is cheaper, Fan Control or Macs Fan Control?
As of Nov 13, 2026, Fan Control is free, and Macs Fan Control starts at $14.95 one-time, per Mac.
Which has a free plan, Fan Control or Macs Fan Control?
As of Nov 13, 2026, both Fan Control and Macs Fan Control have a free plan.
Which platforms do Fan Control and Macs Fan Control run on?
As of Nov 13, 2026, only Macs Fan Control lists a macOS app. Both list a Windows app. A platform missing from a listing is one its maker's pages did not mention.
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.