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SPECIFICTION
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Filebench

github.com

Free plan Linux
Visit github.com
Spec score 7.5 #50 of 73 in PC Benchmark Software

What it is

Filebench is a Linux file system and storage benchmark for generating workloads and measuring I/O behavior. It supports micro- and macro-benchmarking, with random and sequential tests, IOPS measurement, and latency measurement. Its Workload Model Language (WML) lets users describe application I/O by defining filesets, processes, threads, and flow operations. Built-in workload personalities cover mail, web, file, and database servers, and predefined examples include webserver, fileserver, and mailserver workloads. Shipped workloads may not match a particular system's scale, so the documentation recommends copying and adjusting them. Filebench is free: its listed plan is free, with no usage limits stated. It runs on Linux and provides a command-line interface. The README describes building and installing it with configure, make, and sudo make install; yacc and lex are required. Questions, bug reports, and feature requests go to GitHub Issues. The project uses the Common Development and Distribution License (CDDL), Version 1.0.

Spec sheet

Purpose
Filebench is a file system and storage benchmark that generates a variety of workloads.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
Free plan
YesRead 20 Sep 2026 · github.com
Support
The project directs questions, bug reports, and feature requests to GitHub Issues.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
License
The repository’s LICENSE file identifies the Common Development and Distribution License (CDDL), Version 1.0.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
Benchmark types
The README says Filebench supports both micro- and macro-benchmarking.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
Built-in workloads
The project includes workload personalities such as mail, web, file, and database server workloads.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
Custom workloads
Users can describe application I/O behavior with Filebench’s Workload Model Language (WML).Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
Installation
The README describes compiling and installing Filebench with configure, make, and sudo make install, with yacc and lex required.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
Predefined examples
The documentation names webserver, fileserver, and mailserver as predefined workloads.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
Workload sizing
The documentation cautions that shipped workloads may not be sized for a particular system and recommends copying and adjusting them.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
Workload structure
Filebench workloads can define filesets, processes, threads, and flow operations.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com

Plans and prices

Filebench Free No price or usage limits stated Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com

Every Filebench plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Supports micro- and macro-benchmarking.
  • Measures random and sequential I/O, IOPS, and latency.
  • WML defines filesets, processes, threads, and flow operations.
  • Free plan lists no usage limits.

Limits

  • Runs on Linux only.
  • Building requires yacc and lex.
  • Shipped workloads may need resizing for a particular system.

Who it suits

Filebench suits Linux users who need to model storage workloads or measure file system I/O. It is also relevant to people who want to define custom workloads in WML.

Verdict

Filebench offers configurable workloads and several I/O measurements at no listed usage limit. Account for its Linux platform and build requirements, and adjust supplied workloads where needed.

Where Specifiction places it

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