Side by side
hw-probe vs lshw
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 LinuxSelf-hosted
hw-probe combines hardware inventory, driver guidance, optional tests, and scheduled monitoring for Linux and BSD environments. Review its upload behavior and Snap limitations before choosing an installation method.
Visit hw-probe Free plan Linux
Choose lshw if you need a free Linux hardware inventory tool with detailed system information and multiple report formats. It may be less suitable if you need a listed platform beyond Linux or want a graphical interface without building the optional GTK+ component.
Visit lshwThe facts
| hw-probe | lshw | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | Linux, Self-hosted | Linux |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | Free or on request |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | github.com | ezix.org |
| On system information software | #12 of 34 | #16 of 34 |
hw-probe: what it does well
- Provides permanent URLs for hardware snapshots.
- Suggests kernel versions or third-party drivers for missing drivers.
- Daily monitoring can email alerts about failures and changes.
- Optional tests cover graphics, drives, CPU, and RAM.
- Available in several package and deployment formats.
What to know first
- Snap runs in a sandbox with limited functionality.
- Drive SMART checks require disk block-device access.
- Privacy masking may fail in edge cases.
- No report export is listed.
lshw: what it does well
- Reports memory, firmware, mainboard, CPU, cache and bus details.
- Exports information as plain text, XML or HTML.
- Covers multiple hardware interfaces and standards.
- Free to use under the GPL-2.0 license.
- An optional GTK+ interface can be built separately.
What to know first
- The listed platform is Linux.
- Support for some hardware areas depends on architecture or testing.
- Installation instructions call for compiling with make.
Alternatives to hw-probe Alternatives to lshw The whole list