Core Temp review (2026): is the free plan enough?
Per-core CPU temperature monitor for Windows PCs
Black Friday: is there a Core Temp sale?
Core Temp report card
Good · out of 4.0 · graded Nov 13, 2026
Best for per-core CPU temperatures on Windows
Core Temp reads the temperature sensor on each core of Intel, AMD and VIA x86 processors and shows temperature and load. It does only that, on Windows only, and businesses must buy a $25 per-machine license.
Who Core Temp is for
- 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
Who Core Temp is not for
- 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
Why Core Temp gets a 2.8
Five grades, each with its reason. The GPA is their average: an A is 4 points, an F is none.
- AValue for moneyThe download has no price. Businesses buy a commercial license at $25 per machine, falling to $6 each at 500 to 999 machines.
- AFree plan and trialThe program is offered for download with no price and no trial clock. Only businesses are asked to buy.
- CFeaturesPer-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.
- BEase of useNo store rating is on record, but it is a small program you install and start using with nothing to set up.
- DPlatforms and integrationsWindows only, on x86 Intel, AMD or VIA processors. No Mac, Linux or phone version.
What these grades rest on. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from Alcpu's own pages on 13 November 2026. Not based on using the product, and shorter than our full reviews. How we review and grade.
Make Core Temp? Put this grade on your site
Paste this where you want the badge. It links here and follows the grade if it changes. About badges
<a href="https://toolgpa.com/tools/core-temp#review"><img src="https://toolgpa.com/badge/core-temp.svg" alt="Core Temp: 2.8 GPA on ToolGPA" width="196" height="56"></a>Where Core Temp stands among desktop utilities
Core Temp's GPA of 2.8 is higher than 116 of the 186 other desktop utilities we grade, and level with 37.
It stands best on free plan and trial (A, above 107 of 186) and worst on platforms and integrations (D, above 0).
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 187 desktop utilities we grade, cut by the letter each got. Core Temp’s own letter is outlined.
- AValue for moneyAbove 55 of 186, level with 131
- AFree plan and trialAbove 107 of 186, level with 79
- CFeaturesAbove 2 of 186, level with 110
- BEase of useAbove 78 of 186, level with 108
- DPlatforms and integrationsAbove 0 of 186, level with 110
Keep Core Temp, or make your own?
Your call
It depends on the utility: a converter or a calculator is an afternoon.
You could make the core of Core Temp for yourself: reports. What you would give up is listed below. Whether that is worth the price is your call.
What you could make
- Reports: an app builder makes this well.
What you could not
- Readings from inside the operating system.
- A real app for Windows. Something home-made would be a web page.
What this rests on. Core Temp’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.
What is Core Temp?
Core Temp is a small Windows program that reads the digital thermal sensor on each core of Intel, AMD and VIA x86 processors and shows temperature, load and other processor details. It supports plug-ins, and businesses buy a per-machine commercial license.
Worth knowing
- 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.
Key features
- 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.
Core Temp pricing
As of Nov 13, 2026, Core Temp has a free plan, and paid plans start at $25 per machine (commercial license).
- Starts at
- $25 per machine (commercial license)
- Free plan
- The program is offered for download without a price; the vendor sells a separate commercial license for businesses.
- Free trial
- None listed
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Standard download | $0 | Download and install or use the standalone zip; the vendor states no price for it. |
| Commercial license | $25per 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. |
Read from alcpu.com on Nov 13, 2026. Prices change, so confirm with Core Temp before you buy.
Core Temp alternatives
- Core Temp vs iStat Menus
Free trial · from $11.99 one-time
Common questions
Does Core Temp have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. Core Temp is listed for Windows.
Does Core Temp have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. Core Temp is listed for Windows.
Is Core Temp open source?
Core Temp is not described as open source on its own site, as read on Nov 13, 2026.
Sources for this page
The prices, plans, platforms and features above were read from these pages on Nov 13, 2026.