HWMonitor

HWMonitor is a hardware-monitoring utility for people who want readings from a PC’s sensors rather than a catalogue of installed applications. Its free Windows edition handles the core job; PRO is worth considering when you need remote monitoring or saved graphs.

Overview

HWMonitor brings temperatures, voltages, power, current, fan speeds, utilization and clock speeds into a focused view of system health. It covers CPUs and GPUs, supported LPCIO chips, memory modules with thermal sensors, S.M.A.R.T. storage devices and batteries. That range is useful for checking component status, though what you can see depends on the hardware and sensors in the machine.

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 extends its usefulness beyond a live glance at readings. These are practical diagnostic additions, not a shift toward general-purpose asset management.

Key features

Component monitoring: The mix of CPU, GPU, storage, memory and battery readings suits users investigating system behavior or keeping an eye on hardware. Sensor coverage is the constraint: unsupported devices or missing sensors cannot provide useful readings.

Remote monitoring: PRO can monitor distant PCs and Android devices over TCP/IP. That is a meaningful upgrade for users supervising multiple machines, but the Android app’s remote connections require local Wi-Fi.

Saved data and interface options: PRO can save monitoring data, create logging graphs as bitmap files, show sensor tray icons and let users edit sensor labels. These features favor users who need persistent records or quick access to selected readings; casual checks may not justify paying for them.

Android readings: HWMonitor PRO for Android reports device temperatures, battery voltage, temperature and charge level, CPU clock and utilization, and GPU clock on supported devices. It can monitor up to 10 Windows PCs or Android devices, so larger remote groups exceed its stated device limit.

Pricing

The free HWMonitor plan costs free and monitors PC hardware sensors on Windows x86/x64. It is the sensible starting point for someone who needs local readings without PRO’s remote and saved-data features.

HWMonitor PRO Standard costs $19.95, paid once for unlimited usage, one year of unlimited updates and up to 10 remote connections. It fits an individual or small setup that needs remote access. PRO Extended costs $34.95, paid once for unlimited usage, two years of unlimited updates and up to 20 remote connections; the additional connection capacity and update year make it the better fit for a larger monitored group. Both PRO registrations include a 30-day trial, though the trial period can vary, and trial access includes all registered features.

Both PRO plans are one-time purchases rather than recurring subscriptions, but their included update periods differ. The Android app’s stated limit is 10 monitored devices, so do not assume that the Extended plan’s 20 remote connections remove that app-specific cap.

Platforms

HWMonitor supports Windows and Android. The current Windows release is version 1.68 for x86/x64, available as an installer or ZIP, and CPUID also provides a separate Windows ARM64 download. A portable version and command-line interface are available, with HTML report export. The Android app provides remote monitoring and device readings, subject to device support and its local-Wi-Fi requirement for remote connections.

Who it's for

Choose HWMonitor if you want a focused way to inspect PC sensor readings, especially across processors, graphics, storage and batteries. The free Windows edition is a strong fit for local checks; PRO better suits people who need remote visibility, saved records or graphs. Look elsewhere if you need an installed-software inventory or remote monitoring beyond the Android app’s device and network constraints.

Pros and cons

Pros: The free Windows plan covers core sensor monitoring, and the hardware range includes storage, memory and battery sensors as well as CPU and GPU readings.

Pros: PRO adds remote connections, saved data and bitmap graphs, with one-time pricing and a trial that includes registered features.

Cons: Useful readings depend on hardware and sensor support, so the breadth of categories does not guarantee coverage on every device.

Cons: Android remote monitoring is limited to 10 devices and requires local Wi-Fi, which narrows its suitability for larger or non-local setups.

Alternatives

For a broader system-information tool, browse System Information Software; for tools centered on component monitoring, see Hardware Monitoring Software.

BelManage is an alternative for readers seeking asset and configuration management across Windows, Linux, macOS, web and self-hosted platforms, with a paid yearly computer plan. SIW is another Windows option with a free viewer and a 14-day trial version.

Facter is a free choice for system information across Linux, macOS, Windows and self-hosted environments, with a free tier under 25 nodes. Fastfetch suits readers who want a free, open-source command-line system-information tool with 75+ modules and support for Android, Linux, macOS and Windows.

ASTRA32 offers a freemium Windows alternative, including free non-commercial use. hw-probe is a free Linux and self-hosted option focused on anonymously collecting hardware details to help debug hardware problems collaboratively.

EtreCheckPro is a macOS alternative with a free download for basic reports and diagnostics, plus a one-time Power User upgrade. inxi is a free Linux-focused system-information tool distributed under GPL 3 or later.

Verdict

HWMonitor is the right choice for readers who want focused PC sensor readings at no cost and can rely on local hardware support. Choose PRO when remote access and saved monitoring data are worth the one-time fee; look elsewhere for software inventory or network monitoring that exceeds the Android app’s local-Wi-Fi and device limits.