17.2
MSI Afterburner is a free Windows utility for tuning and monitoring graphics hardware.
Free planAndroidWindows
Best System Monitoring Tools in 2026
Use system monitoring tools to inspect a computer or device's system information and activity. Use this list to compare software for that job. When comparing tools, look for an Android app and support for Windows, macOS, Linux, APIs or self-hosting. Compare free plans, trials and paid pricing before choosing.
27.1
HWMonitor reads sensor data that helps track PC health, including temperatures, voltages, power, current, fan speed, utilization, and clock speeds.
Free planAndroidWindows
36.7
Speccy is a Windows tool that summarizes PC hardware and provides detailed system information.
Free planWindows
- 4
Core Temp
AndroidWindows6.6 - 5
HWiNFO
HWiNFO is hardware information and monitoring software for Windows and DOS-compatible systems.
Windows6.5 - 6
Argus Monitor
Argus Monitor is Windows software for controlling fans and monitoring system hardware.
Windows6.4 - 7
Macs Fan Control
Macs Fan Control monitors fan speeds and temperature sensors on Macs, including third-party HDD and SSD sensors through S.M.A.R.T.
Free planmacOSWindows6.4Free plan - 8
iStat Menus
macOS6.3From $9.99 a month - 9
NZXT CAM
NZXT CAM is free Windows software for monitoring PC components and controlling compatible NZXT hardware.
Free planWindows6.2Free plan - 10
Open Hardware Monitor
Free planLinuxWindows6.2Free plan - 11
Libre Hardware Monitor
Free planAPISelf-hostedWindows6.1Free plan - 12
Fan Control
Rem0o
4.4
Choosing well
Check platform support
Start with the device you want to monitor. The tools in this category may support Windows, Android, macOS, Linux, an API or self-hosting.
Confirm the platform on the tool's own listing, especially if you want to use it on a Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO phone.
Compare the price model
Pricing varies between free, freemium and paid tools. Core Temp offers a free plan, with paid options starting at $6; Speccy also has a free plan, with paid options from $19.95.
Free plans are listed for Fan Control, HWMonitor, Libre Hardware Monitor and Open Hardware Monitor. Check what the free plan includes before paying.
Use a trial when offered
A trial can let you check a paid tool before buying. iStat Menus offers a 14-day trial and does not list a free plan.
Check the trial length and the price that follows it in the tool's current listing.
Review the licence
When code access or modification matters, review the tool's licence and whether it is open source. Also confirm whether self-hosting or an API is available for your setup.
Questions people ask
Are these tools available on Android?
Some tools in this category support Android, while others do not. Check the individual listing before installing.
Can I find a free system monitoring tool?
Yes. Fan Control, HWMonitor, Libre Hardware Monitor and Open Hardware Monitor each list a free plan. Other tools use freemium or paid pricing.
Which tools offer a free plan?
A free plan is listed for Core Temp, Fan Control, HWMonitor, Libre Hardware Monitor, Open Hardware Monitor and Speccy.
Is there a trial for paid software?
iStat Menus offers a 14-day trial without a listed free plan. Check the current listing for trial terms before starting.
Can I self-host a monitoring tool?
Self-hosted software is represented in this category. Check an individual tool's platform details to confirm self-hosting support.