Facter
7.4#2 in system information softwareFree planFree planAPILinuxmacOSSelf-hosted
VisitFacter vs Fastfetch
What both publish
| Fact | Facter | Fastfetch |
|---|---|---|
| Configuration | Facter can be configured to block fact groups or cache facts with time-to-live settings; this can help when fact collection is slow. | Configuration uses JSONC files and an official JSON schema that supports editor completion and validation. |
| Latest release | Facter 4.22.0 was released in September 2026 and constrains its JSON dependency to versions from 2.0 up to but excluding 4. | Release 2.69.0 was published September 25, 2026. |
| License | Facter is open source and the repository identifies the Apache-2.0 license. | The project is distributed under the MIT License. |
| Purpose | Facter is a command-line tool that gathers facts about systems, including hardware details, network settings, and operating system type and version. | Fastfetch displays operating system, hardware, and software information in a terminal alongside customizable logos. |
Facter plans
- Puppet Core DeveloperFree
- Puppet Core CommercialPriced on request
- Puppet EnterprisePriced on request
- Puppet Enterprise AdvancedPriced on request
Fastfetch plans
- FastfetchFree
- FreeFree
Pick Facter if…
Facter suits system administrators and Puppet users who need system details available to manifests or infrastructure tools. Creating custom facts requires some familiarity with Ruby.
Pick Fastfetch if…
Fastfetch suits command-line users who want system details and customizable terminal displays. It may also help with hardware auditing, diagnostics, or terminal screenshots.