HWMonitor

HWMonitor reads health sensors in PCs, reporting values such as temperatures, voltages, power, fan speed, utilization, and clock speeds. It covers CPUs and GPUs, supported LPCIO chips, thermally monitored memory, S.M.A.R.T. storage devices, and batteries. The listed Windows release is version 1.68 for x86/x64, available as an installer or ZIP, with a separate Windows ARM64 download. Version 1.68 adds PCI Express error counters for AMD and Intel GPUs, NPU and platform metrics, HDD IOPS and average latency, and the option to preserve the device and sensor tree state. CSV logging is also listed. The basic HWMonitor plan is free for Windows x86/x64. HWMonitor PRO adds remote monitoring over TCP/IP, saved readings, bitmap graphs, sensor tray icons, and editable labels. Its Android app reports temperatures, battery readings, CPU clock and utilization, and GPU clock on supported devices. Android remote monitoring is limited to local Wi-Fi and up to 10 devices. PRO Standard costs $19.95, paid once; PRO Extended costs $34.95, paid once.

HWMonitor provides a broad set of PC sensor readings, with a free Windows version and a separate PRO option for remote monitoring. Check the platform and device limits if Android access is important.

It suits people who want to view PC hardware sensor readings, with a free Windows option. PRO may suit users who need remote monitoring or an Android device view, subject to its local Wi-Fi requirement for Android connections.

HWMonitor is for people who want a close read on component temperatures and other hardware sensors, rather than a broad system inventory. Its main appeal is the range of readings in the free Windows edition; remote monitoring and saved graphs require a PRO license.

Overview

HWMonitor gathers voltage, temperature, power, current, fan-speed, utilization, and clock-speed readings. It covers CPUs and GPUs, supported LPCIO chips, memory modules with thermal sensors, S.M.A.R.T. storage devices, and batteries. That makes it a useful focused monitor for checking hardware status, but not a tool for cataloguing installed software.

The current Windows release is version 1.68, offered for x86/x64 as an installer or ZIP download, with a separate ARM64 download. Version 1.68 adds PCI Express error counters for AMD and Intel GPUs, NPU and platform metrics, HDD IOPS and average latency, and the ability to retain the device and sensor tree state. CSV logging also gives users a way to keep readings for later review. The range is useful for troubleshooting and observation, although readings depend on the hardware and sensors being supported.

Key features

• Broad sensor coverage: Readings across processors, graphics, storage, memory, and batteries make HWMonitor more useful for component checks than a tool limited to a single sensor category.
• Newer diagnostic metrics: PCI Express error counters, NPU and platform metrics, and storage IOPS and latency add detail for compatible systems; they do not remove the dependency on supported hardware.
• Logging and saved layout: CSV logging and saved sensor-tree state help users preserve readings and return to a preferred view. PRO adds saved monitoring data and bitmap logging graphs for those who need a visual record.
• Remote monitoring: HWMonitor PRO can monitor distant PCs and Android devices over TCP/IP. Its Android app reports temperatures, battery voltage, temperature and charge level, CPU clock and utilization, and GPU clock on supported devices.
• Interface options: PRO supports sensor tray icons and editable labels, which can make frequently watched readings easier to identify and access.

Pricing

The free HWMonitor plan costs nothing and covers Windows x86/x64 PC hardware sensor monitoring. It is the sensible starting point for local monitoring; readers who need remote connections, Android monitoring, or PRO graph features must pay for an upgrade.

HWMonitor PRO Standard costs $19.95, paid once, with unlimited usage, one year of unlimited updates, and up to 10 remote connections. It suits an individual managing a small set of devices. PRO Extended costs $34.95, paid once, with unlimited usage, two years of unlimited updates, and up to 20 remote connections, making it the better fit when the larger connection allowance or longer update period matters. Both are one-time purchases rather than recurring subscriptions, and the main trade-off with Standard is its lower connection limit and shorter update term.

The PRO trial lasts 30 days, though the delay may vary, and includes all registered features. Android remote connections require a local Wi-Fi network, which limits its usefulness when devices are not on that network.

Platforms

HWMonitor supports Windows and Android. Windows users can choose x86/x64 installer or ZIP packages, or a separate ARM64 download. The Android app is HWMonitor PRO; its remote monitoring can cover up to 10 Windows PCs or Android devices and requires a local Wi-Fi network for Android connections. A portable ZIP option is useful for users who prefer not to install the Windows edition.

Who it's for

HWMonitor fits PC owners who want to inspect temperatures, fan speeds, power, and related readings across supported components. Its free Windows version is a strong fit when local sensor monitoring is enough. PRO is more appropriate for users managing multiple machines remotely or wanting saved monitoring graphs; it is not the right choice for anyone whose priority is installed-software inventory.

Pros and cons

• Pro: Covers a wide range of component and sensor types, giving PC users one place to check many hardware readings.
• Pro: Offers Windows x86/x64 and ARM64 options, plus a ZIP download for portable use.
• Pro: PRO adds remote connections, Android readings, tray icons, editable labels, and bitmap graphs for users who need monitoring beyond a local screen.
• Con: The free plan is limited to Windows x86/x64 local sensor monitoring, so Android access and remote monitoring require PRO.
• Con: Android remote connections depend on local Wi-Fi, reducing flexibility for devices outside that network.
• Con: Sensor readings depend on hardware support, so the breadth of the feature set does not guarantee every metric on every device.

Alternatives

System Information Software and Hardware Monitoring Software are useful starting points for comparing tools by category.

• Fastfetch is a free, open-source command-line system-information tool with more than 75 modules and broad platform support; choose it when system information across Android, Linux, macOS, or Windows matters more than sensor monitoring.
• AIDA64 is a paid alternative for Windows, Android, and iOS users.
• hw-probe is a free Linux and self-hosted option for anonymously collecting hardware details and collaboratively debugging Linux or BSD hardware problems.
• SIW is a paid Windows alternative with a free viewer and a 14-day trial option.
• ASTRA32 is a Windows freemium alternative with a free non-commercial-use plan.
• EtreCheckPro is a macOS freemium alternative, with a free download for basic reports and diagnostics.
• Facter is a free option across Linux, macOS, Windows, and self-hosted environments, with separate plans for larger node counts.
• Speccy is a Windows freemium alternative with a free home-use plan and a paid Professional option.

Verdict

Choose HWMonitor if you want a focused, free Windows tool for checking a broad range of hardware sensors. Its strongest reason to choose it is the combination of wide component coverage and detailed readings; look elsewhere if you need software inventory, broader system information, or remote monitoring without PRO’s cost and Android network limit.