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Bonnie++

github.com

Free plan LinuxSelf-hosted
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Spec score 8.4 #3 of 29 in Disk Benchmark Software

What it is

Bonnie++ is a free, command-line benchmark suite for measuring filesystem and disk I/O performance on Linux. It exercises sequential input and output, rewrites, random seeks, and file operations including creation, stat, and deletion of many small files. The project describes these workloads as useful for investigating I/O bottlenecks in I/O-intensive applications, including database work, and for simulating file activity associated with Squid or INN. Bonnie++ can test more than 2 GB of storage on a 32-bit machine. Its -D option enables direct I/O for bulk tests, while -b calls fsync after each write and syncs the directory after file creation or deletion. Semaphore support can synchronize multiple instances. Results can be emitted as plain text or CSV, with companion tools to convert CSV into HTML or formatted plain text. The project is licensed under GPL version 2.0, and the repository includes source code and Debian, RPM, and Sun-related packaging files. Its documentation warns against running the benchmark on live production machines because it can affect services and consume disk space or inodes.

Spec sheet

Purpose
Bonnie++ benchmarks hard drives and file systems by measuring work per second and CPU usage.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Intended users
The documentation describes tests that simulate I/O patterns in database applications and file activity similar to Squid or INN.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Free plan
YesRead 20 Sep 2026 · github.com
License
The project documentation states that Bonnie++ is licensed under GPL version 2.0.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Author
The manual credits Russell Coker as the writer of the program and manual page, with parts based on Tim Bray's work.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Availability
The repository contains source code, Debian and RPM packaging files, and Sun-related files.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Direct I/O
The -D option enables direct I/O for bulk I/O tests.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Distribution files
The repository includes Debian, RPM, and Sun packaging directories.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
File operations
It tests file creation, stat, and unlink operations as well as sequential and random I/O.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
File tests
It tests creation, stat, and deletion of many small files.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
I/O tests
It tests sequential input and output, rewrites, and random seeks.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Intended use
The documentation describes its tests as useful for examining I/O bottlenecks in I/O-intensive applications, including database work.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Large storage
It adds support for testing more than 2 GB of storage on a 32-bit machine.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Maintainer attribution
The copyright notice credits Russell Coker with updating the program and adding large-storage and file-creation tests.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Operational caution
The documentation warns that running Bonnie++ on live servers can consume disk space or inodes and advises against running it on production machines.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Output formats
Bonnie++ provides plain-text and CSV output, with included tools to convert CSV to HTML or formatted text.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Production warning
The documentation warns against running Bonnie++ on live production machines because it can severely affect services and consume disk space or inodes.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Results
It can output results in CSV format, and companion tools convert CSV data to HTML or formatted plain text.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Synchronized runs
Multiple Bonnie++ processes can synchronize their tests using semaphores.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Write behavior
The -b option disables write buffering by calling fsync after each write.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Write syncing
The -b option calls fsync after each write and syncs the directory after file creation or deletion.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com

Plans and prices

Bonnie++ Free GPL version 2.0 · no paid plans stated Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com

Every Bonnie++ plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free under GPL version 2.0.
  • Tests sequential and random I/O.
  • Includes file creation, stat, and deletion tests.
  • Can output plain text or CSV.
  • Synchronizes multiple instances with semaphore support.

Limits

  • Linux platform only.
  • Documentation warns against running it on production machines.
  • Benchmark runs can consume disk space or inodes.

Who it suits

Bonnie++ suits Linux users examining storage performance or I/O bottlenecks, including in database-related workloads. Its production warning makes it a poor fit for testing on live machines.

Verdict

Bonnie++ offers a range of filesystem and disk I/O workloads with several output options. Run it away from live production systems, where its workload can affect services and storage.

Where Specifiction places it

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