Freedom251 › Hardware Monitoring Software
michka
What michka is
Michka is a free, self-hosted dashboard for monitoring homelabs and servers in a browser. It displays live CPU, memory, network, disk, temperature, and system-load metrics, and can monitor systemd units on Linux and services on Windows. For several machines, a hub gathers data while lightweight agents send metrics over the network. Live updates stream over SSE, and history is kept in a local SQLite file; the maker says data stays on the user's network. Michka works offline because its assets are embedded, and the maker says it uses no cloud account or telemetry. Drop-in templates can change the dashboard's appearance, while drop-in widgets can add cards without rebuilding. The hub and agents run on Linux, with Debian as the primary target, and Windows; the dashboard runs in a modern browser. On most Windows hardware, reliable CPU temperature readings are unavailable to user-mode software, so Michka shows disk activity, process counts, and uptime instead of a temperature gauge. The maker publishes SHA-256 checksums for downloads and directs users to GitHub for code, issues, and contributions.
Who it suits
Michka suits homelab and home-server users who want a self-hosted browser dashboard for machine metrics and service status. Its multi-machine hub and agent setup may also suit users monitoring several systems on a network.
What it does well
- Displays live hardware metrics and service status.
- Collects metrics from multiple machines.
- Stores history in a local SQLite file.
- Works offline without a cloud account or telemetry.
- Templates and widgets allow dashboard customization.
What to know first
- Windows hardware often lacks reliable CPU temperature readings.
- The hub and agents run on Linux or Windows only.
- The dashboard requires a modern browser.
Limits
Michka is free to use on your own machines. On most Windows hardware it cannot reliably show CPU temperatures, displaying disk activity, process counts and uptime instead.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free to use on your own machines | Free |
As michka.org lists them, read 11 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Visit michka.org.
- Choose Linux or Windows for the hub and agents; Debian is the primary Linux target.
- Run agents on machines whose metrics you want collected by the hub.
- Open the dashboard in a modern web browser.
- Use drop-in templates or widgets to customize the dashboard if desired.
- Check the published SHA-256 checksum for a download.
Verdict
Michka offers local, offline monitoring with a multi-machine setup and customizable dashboard. Windows users should note the stated limitation on CPU temperature readings.
Questions
How much does michka cost?
Its Free plan costs nothing, and it is free to use on your own machines.
Does michka offer a free trial?
No. The listed free option is a plan, not a trial.
Which platforms does michka support?
The hub and agents run on Linux, with Debian as the primary target, and Windows. The dashboard runs in a modern web browser.
Does michka monitor multiple machines?
Yes. A hub gathers metrics from multiple machines while lightweight agents send metrics over the network.
Where does michka store history?
History is kept in a local SQLite file, and the maker says data stays on the user's network.
What is the Windows temperature limitation?
On most Windows hardware, user-mode software cannot reliably read CPU temperatures. Michka shows disk activity, process counts and uptime instead of a temperature gauge.
Facts from michka's own pages
- Customization
- Drop-in templates can reskin the dashboard and drop-in widgets can add custom cards without rebuilding. · michka.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Download integrity
- The maker publishes SHA-256 checksums for downloads. · michka.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- The maker describes Michka as built for home servers and homelabs, including use on small rack touchscreens. · michka.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Live metrics
- The dashboard displays CPU, memory, network, disks, temperatures and system load, updated live. · michka.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Local history
- Live updates stream over SSE and history is stored in a local SQLite file; the maker says data stays on the user's network. · michka.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Multiple machines
- A hub gathers metrics from multiple machines while lightweight agents push metrics over the network. · michka.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Offline use
- Michka works offline because its assets are embedded, and the maker says it uses no cloud account or telemetry. · michka.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Service monitoring
- It can monitor systemd units on Linux and services on Windows. · michka.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Support and community
- The maker directs users to GitHub to browse the code, file issues or contribute. · michka.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Supported systems
- The hub and agents run on Linux, with Debian as the primary target, and Windows; the dashboard runs in any modern browser. · michka.org, 11 Oct 2026
- What it does
- Michka is a self-hosted dashboard for monitoring homelabs and servers, showing hardware metrics and operating system services in a browser. · michka.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Windows limitation
- On most Windows hardware, reliable CPU temperatures are unavailable to user-mode software, so Michka shows disk activity, process counts and uptime instead of a temperature gauge. · michka.org, 11 Oct 2026
Where michka stands on Freedom251
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