Overview

Fastfetch is a free, open-source command-line utility for showing system details beside a logo in the terminal. It suits people who want a configurable system readout in their terminal workflow, rather than a separate graphical dashboard. Its breadth and platform range are compelling, but shell startup configuration needs care.

Written mainly in C and licensed under MIT, Fastfetch can serve as a terminal greeting, a hardware check, or a compact system summary for a desktop screenshot. Its more than 75 built-in modules cover CPU, GPU, memory, disks, battery, TPM, audio and Wi-Fi, as well as firmware and installed software. The terminal interface makes it a poor fit for anyone who wants system information presented primarily through a graphical app.

Compare more options in our System Information Software directory.

Key features

Broad system reporting

The module range lets users assemble a readout that spans core components and less routine details such as TPM status and battery information. That makes Fastfetch useful for quick auditing, though a terminal summary is not the same as a dedicated sensor-monitoring dashboard.

Configurable output

Fastfetch uses JSONC configuration, with an official JSON schema for editor autocomplete and validation. That support is useful for people tailoring output and reduces avoidable configuration errors; it still asks users to work with a configuration file rather than a visual setup interface.

Logos, media and integrations

It supports ASCII logos and image rendering through Kitty, Sixel, iTerm2 or Chafa protocols, so the visual result depends in part on the terminal setup. A sample configuration can query Spotify, MPD, MPRIS or Apple Music for media information. Shell startup integration covers Bash, Zsh, Fish, PowerShell and Nushell, and the project describes compatibility with Starship and Oh My Posh.

A Docker command can run Fastfetch to inspect host, container and runtime metrics. This provides a container-based option, but does not change the command-line nature of its output.

Pricing

Fastfetch is free: the plan costs 0.00 USD per free and includes the MIT-licensed command-line tool with 75+ system information modules. There is no free trial because no paid plan is needed to use the software. The free plan is the full stated offering, not a time-limited evaluation.

Platforms

Native support includes Windows, macOS, Linux, BSD and Android through Termux. Install options include winget, Scoop, Homebrew, MacPorts, APT, Pacman, DNF, FreeBSD pkg and Termux. This breadth gives users on varied systems a common style of terminal readout, though setup varies by platform and package manager.

Who it's for

Fastfetch is a strong fit for terminal users who want a customizable startup display, a compact hardware audit, or a system summary for screenshots. Its modules and configuration schema also suit users comfortable editing structured configuration. Readers who need an approachable graphical report or rely on non-interactive shell sessions should weigh the command-line format and startup caveat carefully.

Pros and cons

Pros: More than 75 modules, including firmware, installed software and TPM status, provide a broad system snapshot without a paid plan.
Pros: JSONC configuration and an official schema support tailored output with editor assistance.
Pros: Support across desktop systems and Android through Termux makes it useful beyond a single operating system family.
Cons: Output is terminal-based, so it is not the right choice for users seeking a graphical system-information interface.
Cons: Unconditionally printing Fastfetch from a shell startup file can disrupt SCP, SFTP and other non-interactive shell operations; startup integration needs conditional handling.
Cons: Image rendering depends on supported terminal graphics protocols, limiting the usefulness of visual logos in incompatible terminal setups.

Alternatives

HWiNFO is worth considering for Windows users looking for a freemium alternative on that platform.

Argus Monitor is a Windows alternative with a free plan and a 1-year license priced at 16.45 USD per year.

ASTRA32 offers a Windows freemium option with non-commercial use free.

Conky is another free option for Linux, macOS and self-hosted setups.

hw-probe is a free Linux and self-hosted alternative from the Linux Hardware Project, which anonymously collects hardware details from Linux and BSD computers to help people collaboratively debug hardware problems.

HWMonitor is a free alternative for Windows and Android, with a free trial also offered.

EtreCheckPro suits macOS users who want basic reports and diagnostics, including command-line use, at no cost for unlimited use; its Power User package is a one-time 19.99 USD purchase.

inxi is a free alternative for Linux users who want a GNU/Linux-focused tool written in Perl.

Verdict

Choose Fastfetch if you want a free, highly configurable terminal system summary with broad hardware coverage and support across several operating systems. Its range of modules and customization options make it particularly useful for terminal-based audits and startup displays. Look elsewhere if you want a graphical interface, or if you cannot safely manage shell startup behavior for non-interactive operations.

	Fastfetch	iStat Menus
Free plan	Yes	No
Free trial	No	No
Paid from	Free	—
Open source	No	No
Platforms	Android, Linux, macOS, Windows	macOS
Free plan	Yes	No
Operating systems	other	macos
Firmware details	Yes	—
Installed software	Yes	Yes
Command-line interface	Yes	—

Fastfetch vs iStat Menus

Fastfetch

iStat Menus