Side by side
AMD SMI vs SpeedFan
Both stand on hardware monitoring software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan APILinuxSelf-hosted
AMD SMI provides programming interfaces and a CLI for AMD GPU, CPU, and NIC management on Linux. Check driver, privilege, and Python requirements before deployment.
Visit AMD SMI Free plan Windows
SpeedFan combines hardware monitoring, disk-health readings, and conditional fan control at no cost. Its power-user focus and hardware compatibility requirements make careful configuration important.
Visit SpeedFanThe facts
| AMD SMI | SpeedFan | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | API, Linux, Self-hosted | Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | Free or on request |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Maker | Not published | SpeedFan |
| Website | rocm.docs.amd.com | almico.com |
| On hardware monitoring software | #6 of 59 | #51 of 59 |
AMD SMI: what it does well
- Free and open source
- C++, Python, and Go interfaces
- CLI reports broad GPU telemetry
- Supports AMD GPUs and EPYC CPUs
- NIC discovery and query APIs
What to know first
- Linux deployment only
- Requires supported AMD hardware and drivers
- Partition changes need root or sudo
- Driver mismatch can hide telemetry
SpeedFan: what it does well
- Free Windows software
- Monitors voltages, fans, and temperatures
- Reads S.M.A.R.T. disk information
- Online analysis uses millions of reports
- Supports custom events
What to know first
- Fan control needs compatible motherboard circuitry
- Latest listed version is 4.52
- Maker cautions against unattended configurations
- Hardware access may not suit every system
Alternatives to AMD SMI Alternatives to SpeedFan The whole list