Open Hardware Monitor is free, open-source software for viewing computer temperatures, fan speeds, voltages, load, and clock speeds. Readings can appear in its main window, a customizable desktop gadget, or the system tray. Documented coverage includes Intel and AMD processor core sensors, mainboard sensors, Nvidia and AMD graphics sensors, SMART drive temperatures, and T-Balancer bigNG and Alphacool Heatmaster fan controllers. SSD monitoring includes wear level and host reads and writes. The application publishes sensor data through Windows Management Instrumentation so other programs can read it. It runs on Windows and x86-based Linux. Windows requires .NET Framework 4.5 or later; Linux requires Mono with WinForms. Installation uses a ZIP archive, and the maker advises running OpenHardwareMonitor.exe with Administrator rights to access most sensors. The project remains in Beta and is provided at the user’s own risk. Binaries use Mozilla Public License 2.0. The homepage lists version 0.9.6, posted December 27, 2020.
Who it is for
It suits users who need free sensor monitoring on Windows or x86-based Linux, including hardware readings that other applications can access through WMI.
What is good
- Monitors temperatures, fans, voltages, load, and clocks
- Supports Intel, AMD, Nvidia, and SMART sensors
- Displays readings in window, gadget, or tray
- Publishes data through Windows Management Instrumentation
- Free and open source
What to know first
- Still in Beta
- Windows requires .NET Framework 4.5 or later
- Linux requires Mono with WinForms
- Administrator rights needed for most sensors
Verdict
Open Hardware Monitor offers broad sensor coverage and several display options at no cost. Its Beta status, older listed release, and platform prerequisites should be considered before installation.
Get started with Open Hardware Monitor
- Open the Open Hardware Monitor website
- Download the ZIP archive
- Unpack the archive
- On Windows, install .NET Framework 4.5 or later
- On Linux, install Mono with WinForms
- Run OpenHardwareMonitor.exe with Administrator rights for access to most sensors
What the free plan stops at
The maker describes the application as still in Beta and advises using it at your own risk. Access to most hardware sensors requires running the executable with Administrator rights.
Questions about Open Hardware Monitor
Is Open Hardware Monitor free?
Yes. The listed plan is free, and the software is free and open source.
Which platforms are supported?
It supports Windows and Linux, including x86-based Linux in the listed plan.
What hardware can it monitor?
Coverage includes Intel and AMD CPU cores, mainboards, Nvidia and AMD GPUs, SMART drives, SSD metrics, and listed fan controllers.
Can other applications use its readings?
Yes. Sensor data is published through Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI).
How is it licensed?
Binaries use Mozilla Public License 2.0. The source code includes MPL 2.0 and other listed licenses.
Open Hardware Monitor plans and pricing
All plansCompared on hardware monitoring software
- Free plan
- Yes
- Supported platforms
- Windows, Linux
- Remote monitoring
- Yes
