Parkdale

Parkdale is a free benchmark for checking read and write speeds on drives and network servers. It suits people who want to compare file-based and direct-disk tests across Windows, macOS, or Android. Its range of test methods is useful, but it is not a fit when IOPS or latency measurements are essential.

Overview

Parkdale measures storage throughput, with three access modes that focus on different parts of the job: access speed, file-system transfers, and direct disk-sector transfers. Users can compare and submit results on its Benchmark page, which is useful for sharing drive measurements, though those results cannot answer questions about IOPS or latency.

QuickAccess tests sequential and random access using 4KB blocks and 32 concurrent threads. FileAccess reads and writes test data in a normal file through the filesystem, making it the relevant mode when file-mediated transfers matter. BlockAccess works directly with disk sectors and displays transfer rate over time. These modes offer useful perspectives on throughput, but they should not be mistaken for a broader performance profile.

Key features

Test methods and command-line control

QuickAccess combines sequential and random tests, while FileAccess and BlockAccess let users examine file-system and direct-sector behavior respectively. That flexibility makes Parkdale more useful than a benchmark limited to one access path.

Windows installation is available through winget and Chocolatey commands provided by the maker. Parkdale supports English, French, German, Greek, Italian, and Russian, broadening its usability for readers who prefer those languages.

Privacy and support

The maker says Parkdale has no hidden data collection. Crash reporting and automatic updates send a unique non-personal ID and operating-system version, and IP addresses are recorded to distinguish usage countries. Users can disable crash reports and the automatic update check. Questions, feature requests, and translation requests can be sent to [email protected], and the maker provides a Parkdale FAQ.

Pricing

Free — free. The free plan is free to download and use, and the maker says all software on its site is free, with development supported by donations. There is no paid Parkdale tier to weigh against the free version, so it is a straightforward choice for anyone whose needs fit the included benchmark. The trade-off is capability rather than price: Parkdale does not measure IOPS or latency.

Platforms

Parkdale runs on Windows, macOS, and Android. The maker lists support from Windows 11 through Windows 98, Windows Server, macOS 27 through 10.7, and Android 12 through 4.4, giving it unusually broad stated operating-system coverage. Windows users also get command-line controls; the listed platforms do not imply that those controls are present on the other versions.

Who it's for

Parkdale is a sensible choice for people who want to compare drive or network-server read and write speeds using more than one access method, especially Windows users who value command-line options and log-file creation. It is less suitable for readers who need IOPS or latency data, or who need those metrics alongside throughput in a single benchmark.

Pros and cons

• Three distinct access modes: QuickAccess, FileAccess, and BlockAccess let users examine sequential and random access, file-system transfers, and direct-sector transfers rather than relying on one test path.
• Windows command-line options: Drive, file-size, block-size, and log-file controls support more repeatable or scripted benchmark runs.
• Free to download and use: The donation-supported model makes the benchmark accessible without a purchase.
• No IOPS or latency measurements: Users who need those metrics will need another benchmark to complete their assessment.
• Command-line controls are specific to Windows: macOS and Android users do not get the same stated command-line options.

Alternatives

For a broader drive-testing comparison, see Disk Benchmark Software. Readers looking for whole-PC benchmarking rather than drive-focused read and write speeds can compare options in PC Benchmark Software.

IObit Uninstaller is a Windows freemium uninstaller with a free version that includes batch uninstall, Windows app removal, drag-and-drop uninstall, and automatic leftover cleanup; choose it for uninstall tasks rather than drive benchmarking.

Launchy is a free cross-platform launcher with a pay-what-you-want plan; choose it if launching apps is the task you need to solve.

Fluent Search is a free Windows app for Windows 10 or 11, with x64 and ARM64 builds; choose it if you want a Windows search tool instead of a drive benchmark.

Listary offers a free personal-use plan for basic file search and app launch, filters and commands, and a basic UI theme; choose it for those file-search and launch needs rather than throughput testing.

Seelen UI is a free desktop customization suite; choose it when desktop customization is the priority.

Start Everywhere is a free Windows start-menu option for 64-bit Windows 7, 8, 10, and 11, with limited support for its 32-bit beta; choose it for start-menu access rather than storage benchmarks.

Start Menu Reviver is a free option for Windows 7, 8, and 10; choose it if you need a start-menu replacement for one of those systems.

Start Menu X offers a free version with virtual groups limited to five and a one-time $14.99 USD Pro plan; choose it for a more configurable start menu, not disk testing.