SAWAS Dashboard

SAWAS Dashboard is a free desktop widget that brings system readings, browser favorites, notes, and local network tools into one configurable view. It best suits Windows users who want those utilities together and are comfortable with a Python-based setup. Its useful mix of monitoring and LAN tools is offset by a Windows-only requirement and plain-text storage for network-device credentials.

Overview

The dashboard keeps clock, system, network, notes, favorites, and support-link modules behind ordinary windows. Custom layouts let users shape the panel around the information they check most. The combination is more useful than a clock or status display alone, particularly for people who want local network utilities close at hand. Its scope stays tied to the desktop: the maker says there is no cloud service, sign-in, or telemetry, and dashboard data stays on the PC.

SAWAS is free for private and commercial use, with no ads or subscription. In return, setup calls for Windows 11, Python 3.10 or newer, PyQt5, and psutil. The installation uses less than 100 MB of disk space, but this is not a plug-in-and-go choice for users seeking broad platform support.

Key features

Live readings and history

The system module shows live CPU and RAM use, while the network module reports current download and upload rates. SAWAS saves this history locally in SQLite every 15 seconds and offers day, week, and month charts. That makes it possible to review patterns over time while keeping the records on the PC; it does not provide a cloud monitoring view.

Favorites and desktop utilities

Favorites modules read bookmarks from Chrome and Microsoft Edge profiles, with search and pinning to make a large bookmark collection easier to reach. Notes and clock modules round out the everyday desktop tools. Users who rely on other browsers will not get the same bookmark integration from these modules.

LAN discovery and speed checks

The network scanner identifies devices on the local network using ping, ARP, and reverse DNS. It can scan every 30 minutes while the PC is idle, and the speed test can run on the same schedule, reporting ping, download, and upload through speedtest-cli. Automatic checks suit a PC that stays on and idle, but they offer less value on a machine that is usually shut down or busy.

Customization and recovery

Users can add Python modules by putting a module file in the modules folder and reloading modules in the dashboard. That is a meaningful extension point for people who can work with Python, though it is less approachable for users who expect customization through a visual editor alone. Backups can include settings, notes, counters, support links, and known network devices in a ZIP; restoring data creates a .bak file before overwriting it.

Pricing

Free: free. The plan covers private and commercial use, includes no ads, and has no subscription. There is no free trial because the software is free. There are no published seat or quota caps to weigh, so it suits both personal use and commercial users who want the desktop features without a recurring charge.

Platforms

SAWAS Dashboard is supported on Windows. The FAQ specifies Windows 11, Python 3.10 or newer, PyQt5, and psutil, with an installation size under 100 MB. Although the platform summary also names Android, iOS, and web, the stated system requirements and desktop-widget features make Windows the practical choice described for using the dashboard.

Who it's for

SAWAS is a good fit for Windows users who want local CPU, RAM, and network readings alongside browser bookmarks, notes, and LAN discovery. Its free commercial-use terms and source-code ZIP also suit technically capable users who want to modify the software or add modules. It is a poor match for people who need a cross-platform dashboard, cloud access, or encrypted storage for saved network credentials.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Live CPU, RAM, and network readings plus charts based on locally saved history give both current status and longer-term context.
• Pros: Chrome and Edge bookmarks, notes, network scanning, and speed checks bring several desktop tasks into one customizable widget.
• Pros: The free plan permits private and commercial use without ads or a subscription, and the maker provides a source-code ZIP for modification.
• Cons: Network-device usernames, passwords, and notes are stored in plain text in network_devices.json, making folder security an important concern.
• Cons: The stated requirements center on Windows 11 and a Python setup, which narrows its fit for people expecting straightforward support across operating systems.
• Cons: Adding custom modules requires placing Python files in a folder, a barrier for users who do not want to work with code.

Alternatives

Choose Mango Mirror if you need a widget option across Android, iOS, Linux, web, and Windows, or want its free plan's two screen licenses, custom layouts, and clock, news, weather, background image, and quote widgets. Its free plan is limited to two screen licenses, and a Pro plan is also offered at $5.99 per mon.

Nexus is another free option spanning Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, web, and Windows. It may suit readers looking for broader platform support; SAWAS has the more specifically described local monitoring and LAN utilities.

Duckboard fits macOS or Windows users who want a dashboard with a clear widget cap: its free plan allows one dashboard and up to three widgets, while a one-time 29.00 USD Extended upgrade provides unlimited widgets on one dashboard.

For a free desktop widget released under the GNU General Public License and supported on Linux, macOS, and Windows, consider GKrellM. ClocX is a Windows freeware analog clock. Delta Widgets is a free, open-source option for Windows 10 and 11 under GPL-3.0. Linux users looking for a standalone widget system under the MIT license can consider Eww. GadgetPack supports Windows 10 and 11, with a 23 MB download and an administrative-rights requirement.

Browse more options in Desktop Widget Software.

Verdict

Choose SAWAS Dashboard if you use Windows, want local monitoring and network utilities beside everyday desktop tools, and value a free plan with no subscription. Its mix of history charts, browser favorites, and LAN features gives it a clear purpose. Look elsewhere if Windows 11 and Python setup do not suit your environment, or if plain-text network credentials are unacceptable.