hw-probe

hw-probe is a free hardware diagnostic and inventory tool for Linux and BSD systems. It captures a snapshot of hardware state and logs, then provides a permanent URL for viewing the probe. When a device lacks a driver, it can suggest a Linux kernel version or third-party driver using LKDDb data. Optional checks cover graphics, drive read speed, CPU performance, and RAM. Users can create an inventory ID and mark probes to locate computers on Linux-Hardware.org. Its monitoring command schedules a daily probe through cron and sends email alerts about operating-system failures, configuration changes, or hardware degradation. Installation options include AppImage, Docker, Snap, Flatpak, Live CD/USB, and native packages. Uploads use HTTPS, and selected logs can be disabled. The tool masks private details before upload, though edge-case failures are acknowledged; MAC addresses and serial numbers are represented by prefixes of salted hashes. Snap runs in a sandbox with limited functionality, and drive SMART checks require disk block device access. The project is intended for Linux/BSD developers debugging computer problems and organizations simplifying hardware inventory. It is dual-licensed under LGPL-2.1-or-later and BSD-4-Clause.

hw-probe combines hardware snapshots, driver suggestions, inventory features, and scheduled monitoring for Linux and BSD systems. Users should consider its upload privacy caveat and the restricted Snap package behavior.

hw-probe suits Linux and BSD developers investigating hardware problems, as well as organizations that need hardware inventory. Its optional monitoring and tests add checks beyond a one-time probe.

hw-probe is a free hardware diagnostic and inventory utility for Linux and BSD systems. It fits developers resolving device problems and organizations cataloging machines, particularly when driver advice and recurring checks matter. Its combination of shareable snapshots, inventory IDs and monitoring is compelling, but uploaded probe data and Snap’s restricted sandbox make it a poor fit for strictly local workflows.

Overview

Each probe records a computer’s hardware condition and relevant logs, then returns a permanent URL for reviewing that snapshot. When hardware is missing a driver, the tool consults LKDDb data and proposes a Linux kernel version or third-party driver. That turns raw detection into a useful troubleshooting path, although the product does not provide report export for teams that need downloadable documents.

An inventory ID lets users mark probes and identify their computers through Linux-Hardware.org. LHWM extends the tool beyond one-time diagnosis: its monitoring command installs a daily cron job, probes the server and emails alerts about operating-system failures, configuration changes and hardware degradation. This is a practical lightweight watch for administrators, not a replacement for a full observability platform.

Key features

• Hardware snapshots: Permanent web addresses make a machine’s state easy to revisit or share during support and debugging.
• Driver guidance: Suggested kernel releases and third-party drivers give Linux users a concrete next step when a device is not functioning because support is absent.
• Inventory tracking: IDs and marked probes help organizations distinguish and locate machines across their Linux and BSD estate.
• Scheduled monitoring: Daily cron execution and email notifications surface failures, configuration changes and signs of hardware wear without repeated manual commands.
• Optional sanity tests: glxgears checks graphics, hdparm measures drive read speed, dd and md5sum exercise CPU performance, and memtester checks RAM. These are useful targeted signals rather than a complete benchmarking suite.
• Privacy controls: Uploads use HTTPS, and usernames, hostnames, IP addresses, UUIDs, MAC addresses and serial numbers are decorated before transmission. MAC and serial identifiers are represented by 32-byte prefixes of salted SHA-512 hashes, and selected logs can be excluded with -disable. The project acknowledges that edge cases can still defeat anonymization, so sensitive environments should assess that risk.

Pricing

The hw-probe plan costs nothing. It is an open-source tool under LGPL-2.1-or-later and BSD-4-Clause, with no paid tier, seat charge or usage renewal described. That makes it suitable for individual troubleshooters and organizations wanting to deploy probing without a software budget; the trade-off is that there is no commercial plan offering additional reporting or support entitlements.

Platforms

hw-probe runs on Linux and supports BSD systems including FreeBSD, OpenBSD, NetBSD, DragonFly, MidnightBSD, GhostBSD, NomadBSD, FreeNAS and pfSense. AppImage, Docker, Snap, Flatpak, Live CD/USB and native distribution packages cover portable, containerized and conventional installations. BSD users are directed to separate installation guidance and bsd-hardware.info. Snap users should be cautious: its sandbox limits functionality, and checking drive SMART attributes requires disk block-device access.

Who it's for

This is a strong choice for Linux and BSD developers diagnosing hardware compatibility, especially when kernel or third-party driver direction is valuable. IT teams can use inventory IDs and daily email monitoring to keep track of servers and detect changes. It is less suitable for users who require entirely local collection, polished exported reports, broad cross-platform desktop support or unrestricted Snap behavior.

Pros and cons

Pros

• Combines hardware state, logs and driver recommendations in one workflow.
• Permanent URLs simplify collaboration on troubleshooting cases.
• Inventory identifiers and cron-based email alerts support ongoing fleet oversight.
• Many deployment formats cover Linux installations, containers and removable media.
• Free licensing removes per-machine software cost.

Cons

• Probe information is uploaded, and anonymization can have edge-case failures.
• No report-export feature limits offline documentation and handoff.
• Snap’s sandbox restricts capabilities, including SMART checks without block-device access.
• Optional tests target specific components and should not be mistaken for comprehensive performance testing.

Alternatives

For a broader shortlist of system-information tools, see System Information Software.

• HWMonitor is the better pick for Android or Windows sensor monitoring; it offers a free plan and a $19.95 one-time PRO Standard option.
• Fastfetch suits users wanting a free, MIT-licensed command-line summary across Android, Linux, macOS and Windows, with 75-plus information modules.
• AIDA64 is preferable for paid Windows, Android or iOS diagnostics with trial access and licensed editions for home PCs or network nodes.
• SIW is a Windows-only alternative with a free viewer and a 14-day trial version.
• ASTRA32 provides a free non-commercial Windows option.
• EtreCheckPro targets macOS users, with a free basic-report download and a paid power-user upgrade.
• Facter is a cross-platform inventory choice, free below 25 nodes with commercial tiers beyond that.
• Network Activity Indicator is a Windows freeware utility rather than a hardware-probing platform.

Verdict

Choose hw-probe if you need free Linux/BSD hardware snapshots, actionable driver suggestions and lightweight inventory monitoring in one command-line-oriented tool. Look elsewhere when probe data must stay local, when you need exported reports, or when Snap’s limitations conflict with drive-health checks.