Side by side
HWiNFO vs Macs Fan Control
Both stand on hardware monitoring tools. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
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 HWiNFOChoose Macs Fan Control for Mac fan and sensor monitoring, with fan adjustment options on macOS and an automatic return to Auto when the app quits. Look elsewhere if you need Windows fan control outside the stated Boot Camp setup or want Pro without a one-time purchase.
Visit Macs Fan ControlThe facts
| HWiNFO | Macs Fan Control | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | Windows | Mac, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Subscription Pro: $29 a year | Free or on request |
| Plans published | 8 | 3 |
| Maker | HWiNFO | Macs Fan Control |
| Website | hwinfo.com | crystalidea.com |
| On hardware monitoring tools | #17 of 59 | #13 of 59 |
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
Macs Fan Control: what it does well
- Monitors fan speeds and temperature sensors, including third-party drives through S.M.A.R.T.
- Works on Macs with Apple Silicon.
- Supports fixed-speed or temperature-sensor-based fan control on macOS.
- Restores fans to Auto when the app quits.
- Menu bar can show fan speed and sensor temperature.
What to know first
- Windows fan control is for Windows installed through Boot Camp on Intel-based Macs.
- Custom fan presets are included with Pro, not the listed Free plan.
Alternatives to HWiNFO Alternatives to Macs Fan Control The whole list