Side by side
HardInfo2 vs HWiNFO
Both stand on system information software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan Linux
HardInfo2 combines Linux system information with benchmark and report tools, including CLI support for multiple machines. Its history notes development stopped in 2020 and describes a community edition released in May 2024 as version 2.1.11.
Visit HardInfo2 Free plan Windows
HWiNFO brings hardware details, real-time status monitoring, reporting, and logging together, with free personal and non-commercial use. Commercial users should account for the Pro license requirement and the shared-memory limit on non-Pro 64 and ARM64 versions.
Visit HWiNFOThe facts
| HardInfo2 | HWiNFO | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | Linux | Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Not published | Subscription Pro: $29 a year |
| Plans published | None | 8 |
| Maker | Not published | HWiNFO |
| Website | hardinfo2.org | hwinfo.com |
| On system information software | #17 of 34 | #13 of 34 |
HardInfo2: what it does well
- Provides both graphical and command-line interfaces.
- Generates text and HTML reports.
- Can run selected benchmarks or all benchmarks by default.
- Compares results by group, CPU model, or computer category.
- Supports remote machine reporting through the CLI.
What to know first
- Listed operating system support is Linux.
- Benchmark results are limited to 50 by default.
- The project history says development stopped in 2020.
HWiNFO: what it does well
- Free for personal and non-commercial use
- Reports hardware details and monitors status in real time
- Supports remote monitoring and custom sensors
- Offers reports, status logging, and tool integrations
- Says it does not transmit data over the network
What to know first
- Remote monitoring is limited to five devices
- Non-Pro 64 and ARM64 shared memory is limited to 12 hours
- Commercial use of HWiNFO 64 or ARM64 requires Pro
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