SiSoftware Sandra

SiSoftware Sandra is a remote analysis, benchmarking, and diagnostic utility for PCs, servers, mobile devices, and networks. It covers CPU, memory, cache, graphics and GPGPU, storage, networking, cryptography, and software virtual machines, with a comparison database for system information. Hardware information modules include TPM cryptoprocessors, biometric devices, virtual machines, storage spaces, and SQL Server databases. Benchmarks include TPM cryptography, DNS, internet connections, and Java and .NET virtual machines; GPU and APU workloads list OpenCL, CUDA, DirectX Compute Shader, OpenGL Compute, and Vulkan support. Sandra runs on Windows and Android, with architecture support spanning x86, x64, and ARM64 on Windows and ARM, ARM64, x86, and x64 on Android. A single installer offers nine language versions. Sandra Lite is free for personal and educational use and evaluation software for other uses. Paid editions are Personal Edition at $74.99, paid once, Business Edition at $199.99, paid once, Tech Support Edition at $299.99, paid once, and Enterprise Edition at $2,295, paid once. The maker is based in London and was founded in 1995.

Sandra combines system information, diagnostics, and benchmark coverage across a wide range of hardware areas. Review the Lite use terms and the Windows security compatibility notes before choosing an edition.

Sandra suits power users who want broad hardware and system analysis across Windows or Android. Its Lite terms limit free use to personal or educational purposes, while other users can consider a paid edition.

SiSoftware Sandra is a system analysis, diagnostic, and benchmarking utility for PCs, servers, mobile devices, and networks. It is best suited to power users and technical teams who need broad hardware and workload coverage. Its scope is a strength, but Lite’s restrictions and a Windows security incompatibility make edition and system configuration important choices.

Overview

Sandra combines system information, remote analysis, diagnostics, and benchmarks across CPU, memory, cache, graphics and GPGPU, storage, networking, cryptography, and software virtual machines. A comparison database helps put results in context, while information modules for TPM cryptoprocessors, biometric devices, virtual machines, storage spaces, and SQL Server databases reach beyond routine component checks.

This breadth is valuable when one utility needs to cover varied hardware and workloads. It comes with complexity: Sandra is characterized as a power-user tool, so it is less compelling for someone who wants only a quick CPU or storage score.

Key features

Broad diagnostics and benchmarks

Alongside familiar CPU, memory, graphics, storage, and network areas, Sandra includes benchmarks for TPM cryptography, DNS, internet connections, and Java and .NET virtual machines. That range suits users comparing or diagnosing several parts of a system, rather than those seeking a single-purpose test.

GPU compute and system detail

GPU and APU workloads can use OpenCL, CUDA, DirectX Compute Shader, OpenGL Compute, and Vulkan. The combination of compute APIs and less-common device information makes Sandra a strong fit for technical work across varied configurations; users with a narrowly defined benchmark need may not benefit from that coverage.

Architecture and language coverage

Windows support covers x86, x64, and ARM64; Android supports ARM, ARM64, x86, and x64. One installer includes nine languages: English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Japanese, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, and Russian.

Pricing

Sandra uses a freemium model with a free trial. Sandra Lite costs free and is free for personal and educational use; for other uses, it is evaluation software. Some modules are unavailable in Lite, it cannot be used on Windows Server editions, and its private or educational use restriction rules it out for ordinary business use.

The paid full versions are listed at these prices:

• Personal Edition: $74.99, paid once.
• Business Edition: $199.99, paid once.
• Tech Support Edition: $299.99, paid once.
• Enterprise Edition: $2,295, paid once.

Those editions make paid use possible where Lite’s terms do not, but the edition descriptions do not establish which modules, seats, or support entitlements distinguish them. Confirm the fit before choosing. The maker also offers pricing on request; no renewal terms are given.

Platforms

Sandra runs on Windows and Android, with architecture support spanning x86, x64, ARM64, and ARM as appropriate to each platform. Windows users should note the driver caveat: Memory Integrity, Memory Access Protection, and the Vulnerable Driver Blocklist are compatible, but Kernel-mode Hardware-enforced Stack Protection is not. With that protection enabled, Sandra’s kernel driver loses functionality; without the driver, hardware detection is greatly reduced, including CPU, chipset, and memory data, although benchmarks can still run.

Who it's for

Sandra is most appropriate for power PC users, technicians, and teams that need system detail and benchmarks across several hardware and workload categories. Its remote analysis purpose and coverage of PCs, servers, mobile devices, and networks make breadth its central advantage. It is a weaker choice for casual users who want a simple, focused score, and Lite is not the right option for Windows Server or general business use.

Pros and cons

• Pro: Extensive coverage spans core components, networking, cryptography, virtual machines, and specialized device information, reducing the need for separate tools across those areas.
• Pro: Multiple GPU compute APIs and a comparison database support broader workload checks and result context.
• Pro: Windows and Android support, including several processor architectures, suits mixed device environments.
• Con: Lite omits some modules and is restricted to private or educational use; it also cannot run on Windows Server editions.
• Con: Kernel-mode Hardware-enforced Stack Protection conflicts with the kernel driver, and disabling the driver sharply reduces hardware detection.
• Con: Its power-user complexity is a poor match for people who only need a quick, focused benchmark.

Alternatives

PC Benchmark Software is a useful place to compare more options if Sandra’s broad scope is not what you need.

• CrossMark is worth considering for users who want a free benchmark dashboard with automatic online result submission across a wide range of platforms.
• Geekbench is a more focused alternative for CPU and GPU compute benchmarking with online results management; its Pro edition is $99, paid once.
• Basemark GPU is the more targeted choice for GPU benchmarking. Its free edition is for home or private use, requires internet, submits data to Powerboard, and provides a single score without breakdown analysis.
• clpeak is a free, GPL-3.0-licensed option for readers looking specifically for an OpenCL benchmark.
• OpenCL-Benchmark is another free option when the goal is OpenCL benchmarking.
• tinymembench is a free, simple memory benchmark for readers who need only a memory test.
• Nexus is a free alternative.
• Parkdale is a free alternative.

Verdict

Choose Sandra if you are a power user or technical team that needs one utility for detailed system information, diagnostics, and benchmarks across diverse hardware and workloads. Its exceptional range is the main reason to pick it. Look elsewhere if you want a simpler, single-purpose test, need Lite for business or Windows Server, or rely on Kernel-mode Hardware-enforced Stack Protection without accepting reduced hardware detection.