smartmontools

smartmontools is a free package containing smartctl and smartd, utilities for controlling and monitoring storage devices through SMART. It supports ATA/SATA, SCSI/SAS, and NVMe disks, as well as SCSI/SAS tape devices. smartctl can report a device's SMART health status, show its capabilities and vendor-specific attributes, start short or long self-tests, and display their logs. A failing health status can indicate that a device has failed or may fail within 24 hours. smartd periodically checks health information, error and self-test logs, and attribute changes. It can schedule tests and issue warnings by email or executable commands. The project says the software runs on modern Linux, BSD variants, macOS, Solaris, Windows, Cygwin, OS/2, eComStation, and QNX systems; it can also run from various Live CDs and DVDs. The package uses the GNU GPL Version 2 license and was originally derived from Linux smartsuite. Its functions focus on SMART health reporting, tests, and monitoring, including warnings about possible disk degradation or failure.

smartmontools provides device health reporting and ongoing SMART monitoring through two utilities. Its listed scope centers on SMART data, so users should confirm that this matches the storage checks they need.

smartmontools suits users who want command-line tools and background monitoring for SMART-compatible storage devices. It may be useful for people managing supported desktop systems who want health reports, tests, and warnings.

smartmontools is a free package of utilities for checking and monitoring storage devices through SMART. It is best suited to users comfortable with system tools who want detailed drive readings and scheduled warnings. Its broad device and operating-system support is a strength; readers seeking a guided desktop experience should look elsewhere.

Overview

The package combines smartctl, which queries devices and runs tests, with smartd, which monitors them periodically. Together they can flag signs of disk degradation and failure, but SMART warnings cannot guarantee advance notice of every failure.

A failing SMART health status can mean a device has failed or predicts failure within 24 hours. Treat that result as urgent, and keep backups: monitoring is not a substitute for them.

Key features

Inspection and self-tests

smartctl reports device health and capabilities, including error logging, offline surface scanning, and estimated self-test duration. It can show vendor-specific attributes in raw and normalized form, which gives technically confident users more to examine than a single status indicator, while placing more burden on them to interpret the readings.

It can start short, long, and other device self-tests and read the resulting log. This is useful for investigating a drive or running checks as part of a maintenance routine.

Ongoing monitoring

smartd periodically checks SMART status and can monitor error and self-test logs, attribute changes, sectors, and temperature. Configuration supports scheduled tests, email warnings, and executable warning commands; errors and attribute changes can also be reported to syslog. That flexibility suits administrators who want warnings integrated into their own systems, but configuring a daemon and its alerts is less direct than using a guided monitoring interface.

Device coverage

Support spans ATA/SATA, SCSI/SAS, and NVMe disks, as well as SCSI/SAS tape devices. This breadth makes the package relevant beyond a single drive interface or device class.

Pricing

Smartmontools is free: the Smartmontools plan costs nothing and includes smartctl and smartd under the GNU GPL Version 2 license. There are no paid tiers to weigh against a reduced free edition. Its value is strongest for users who can make use of SMART inspection and monitoring; the tradeoff is that the package’s utility-based approach will not suit everyone.

Platforms

Smartmontools supports Linux, FreeBSD, NetBSD, OpenBSD, macOS, Solaris, Windows, Cygwin, OS/2, eComStation, and QNX, and can run from various Live CDs and DVDs. That reach is useful in mixed environments and for checks from live media. The breadth of platform support does not change the basic requirement: the target device must expose SMART data for these utilities to inspect.

Who it's for

Choose smartmontools if you want detailed SMART readings, self-tests, and configurable ongoing monitoring across varied storage devices and operating systems, and are comfortable working with utilities and configuration. Look elsewhere if you want a guided desktop interface or prefer a product organized around a particular storage maker’s devices.

Pros and cons

• Pro: Covers ATA/SATA, SCSI/SAS, NVMe, and SCSI/SAS tape devices, so it is not confined to one disk interface.
• Pro: Combines detailed inspection and self-tests with scheduled monitoring and several warning routes, giving system-conscious users control over routine checks.
• Pro: Free software under the GNU GPL Version 2, with support across a wide range of operating systems.
• Con: Its utility-and-configuration approach is a poor match for readers who want a guided desktop workflow.
• Con: SMART warnings can indicate danger but cannot promise advance notice of failure, so they should not be treated as a backup strategy.

Alternatives

GSmartControl is another free option for desktop drive health inspection across Linux, macOS, and Windows; consider it if that desktop inspection framing better matches your needs. Choose Apacer SSDWidget 2.0 if you want a free option listed for Windows and Android or iOS, particularly in the context of Apacer PCIe or SATA3 products. DA Drive Analyzer offers a freemium route with a free one-drive-per-NAS QNAP plan and a one-week trial for all drives on ASUST systems, making it worth considering if those NAS arrangements fit your setup.

Hard Disk Sentinel is an alternative if you want to compare its Linux and Windows offering, including a limited trial version. Active@ Hard Disk Monitor may suit Windows users seeking freeware for personal use or a professional option that can monitor up to three PCs remotely. ADATA SSD Toolbox is a free Windows option for purchasers of ADATA SSD products. CrystalDiskMark is a free Windows desktop option, with a separate Microsoft Store edition priced at $9.99, paid once. DiskMaster is another free option for Linux, macOS, and Windows.

Browse more options in Disk Health Monitoring Software, Disk Diagnostic Software, Hardware Diagnostic Software, and Hardware Monitoring Software.

Verdict

Smartmontools is a strong choice for technically confident users who need free, broad-coverage SMART inspection and configurable monitoring. Its detailed readings and scheduling are the main reasons to choose it; its utility-centered workflow is the main reason to look elsewhere.