Side by side
HWall vs michka
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 APILinux
HWall combines Linux sensor monitoring, hardware inventory, alerting, and export features in read-only interfaces. Its usefulness depends on the running kernel, installed drivers, hardware, and optional helper tools.
Visit HWall
Free plan LinuxSelf-hostedWeb+1
Michka offers local, offline monitoring with a multi-machine setup and customizable dashboard. Windows users should note the stated limitation on CPU temperature readings.
Visit michkaThe facts
| HWall | michka | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | API, Linux | Linux, Self-hosted, Web, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Not published | Free or on request |
| Plans published | None | 1 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | github.com | michka.org |
| On hardware monitoring software | #41 of 59 | #15 of 59 |
HWall: what it does well
- Free Linux application
- GTK 4 and terminal interfaces
- Per-sensor warning and critical alerts
- Broad hardware inventory coverage
- CSV and JSON Lines exports
What to know first
- Hardware support depends on kernel and drivers
- Optional helpers are needed for some readings
- Very short intervals can consume substantial resources
- Accuracy and compatibility are not guaranteed
michka: what it does well
- Displays live hardware metrics and service status.
- Collects metrics from multiple machines.
- Stores history in a local SQLite file.
- Works offline without a cloud account or telemetry.
- Templates and widgets allow dashboard customization.
What to know first
- Windows hardware often lacks reliable CPU temperature readings.
- The hub and agents run on Linux or Windows only.
- The dashboard requires a modern browser.