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MemTest86

memtest86.com

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Spec score 8.8 #1 of 26 in Hardware Diagnostic Software

What it is

MemTest86 is a bootable utility that checks computer RAM for faults using memory test algorithms and patterns. It runs from a USB drive without an installed operating system, although Windows, Linux, or an Intel-based Mac can be used to create that drive. Version 11.7 requires UEFI firmware and x86 or ARM64 hardware, and does not support Apple Silicon M-series Macs. Its listed coverage includes 14 algorithms, such as SIMD, Row Hammer, and DMA tests, and support for DDR2, DDR3, LPDDR4, LPDDR5(x), ECC, CDIMM, and CAMM2 memory. It can create customizable HTML reports and, on supported configurations, decode an error address to identify a failed DIMM or chip. The Free Edition supports up to 16 CPU cores; Pro supports up to 512 and adds automation and custom tests. Site Edition adds PXE-based LAN deployment and Management Console integration. The Free Edition costs nothing; Pro Download costs $116, paid once.

Spec sheet

What it does
MemTest86 boots from USB media and checks computer RAM with memory-test algorithms and patterns without relying on an installed operating system.Read 15 Oct 2026 · memtest86.com
Purpose
MemTest86 boots from USB and tests computer RAM for faults using memory test algorithms and patterns.Read 4 Oct 2026 · memtest86.com
Security
The maker says its Secure Boot binaries are signed and code integrity is verified by Microsoft.Read 15 Oct 2026 · memtest86.com
Support
Free users receive a public forum, while Pro and Site users receive phone, email and forum support plus 12 months of upgrades.Read 15 Oct 2026 · memtest86.com
Headquarters
Sydney, AustraliaRead 28 Sep 2026 · memtest86.com
Founded
1994Read 28 Sep 2026 · memtest86.com
Company
MemTest86 is a PassMark Software product; PassMark describes itself as a privately owned software development group headquartered in Sydney, Australia, with a California branch office.Read 4 Oct 2026 · passmark.com
Algorithms
The software provides 14 algorithms, including SIMD, Row Hammer and DMA tests.Read 15 Oct 2026 · memtest86.com
Architectures
MemTest86 includes native 64-bit code and ARM64 support for UEFI systems.Read 15 Oct 2026 · memtest86.com
Automation
Pro and Site editions can load configuration files to run predefined tests without manual interaction.Read 15 Oct 2026 · memtest86.com
Automation and deployment
Pro supports full test automation and custom tests through a configuration file, while Site Edition adds scalable LAN deployment through PXE boot.Read 4 Oct 2026 · memtest86.com
Boot methods
The editions support USB, UEFI and PXE network boot, while older BIOS, floppy and CD support is retained only through older releases.Read 15 Oct 2026 · memtest86.com
Company founded
PassMark Software lists 1998 as its founding year.Read 15 Oct 2026 · linkedin.com
Company headquarters
PassMark Software lists headquarters in Surry Hills, New South Wales, Australia, with a Redwood City, California office.Read 15 Oct 2026 · linkedin.com
Company legal name
LinkedIn identifies the maker as PassMark Software and describes it as privately held.Read 15 Oct 2026 · linkedin.com
Company size
LinkedIn places PassMark Software in the 11–50 employee range.Read 15 Oct 2026 · linkedin.com
Core limit
The Free Edition uses at most 16 CPU cores, while Pro supports up to 512 cores.Read 15 Oct 2026 · memtest86.com
Custom tests
Configuration files can select test lists, pass counts, address ranges, CPU modes, ECC settings and custom test definitions.Read 15 Oct 2026 · memtest86.com
Diagnostic reporting
It can generate customizable HTML reports and decode an error address to identify a failed DIMM or chip on supported configurations.Read 4 Oct 2026 · memtest86.com
Documentation depth
The official technical area covers PXE booting, serial consoles, configuration files, custom tests, reports, troubleshooting, ECC and DIMM/chip decoding.Read 15 Oct 2026 · memtest86.com
ECC
The comparison table lists ECC reporting and, in paid editions, ECC error injection for supported chipsets.Read 15 Oct 2026 · memtest86.com
Fault localization
Supported hardware can map an error address to a failed DIMM or DRAM chip.Read 15 Oct 2026 · memtest86.com
Free edition limit
The Free Edition supports up to 16 CPU cores; Pro supports up to 512 cores.Read 4 Oct 2026 · memtest86.com
Integration
Site Edition supports PassMark Management Console integration and reporting.Read 4 Oct 2026 · memtest86.com
Licence model
The Pro licence is perpetual, but downloads, upgrades and phone or email support are included for only 12 months unless support is extended.Read 15 Oct 2026 · memtest86.com
Limit: Apple Silicon
The official comparison table marks Apple Silicon M-series support as unavailable across Free, Pro and Site editions.Read 15 Oct 2026 · memtest86.com
Limit: paid localization
Tom’s Hardware reported that identifying faulty DIMMs in all populated slots requires payment and is limited to selected DDR5 platforms.Read 15 Oct 2026 · tomshardware.com
Limit: standalone workflow
Tom’s Hardware’s procedure requires writing the image to a USB drive, rebooting and selecting the USB as the boot device.Read 15 Oct 2026 · tomshardware.com
Management Console integration
The comparison page lists PassMark Management Console integration and reporting for Pro and Site editions.Read 15 Oct 2026 · memtest86.com
Memory coverage
The product page lists DDR2, DDR3, LPDDR4, LPDDR5(x), ECC, CDIMM and CAMM2 memory support.Read 15 Oct 2026 · memtest86.com
Memory support
The product page lists DDR2, DDR3, LPDDR4, LPDDR5(x), ECC, CDIMM, and CAMM2 memory support.Read 4 Oct 2026 · memtest86.com
Network interface
Technical documentation exposes TCP server, port, client IP, gateway, TFTP and cloud API-key request parameters for Management Console uploads.Read 15 Oct 2026 · memtest86.com
Notable news
PassMark’s changelog records MemTest86 version 11.7 build 1000 on 4 May 2026, adding LPCAMM2 decoding and several Intel chipset fixes.Read 15 Oct 2026 · mail.memtest86.com
Operating system independence
MemTest86 runs as a standalone program without an operating system, though Windows, Linux, or Intel-based Mac can be used to create its bootable USB drive.Read 4 Oct 2026 · memtest86.com
Platform requirements
Version 11.7 requires UEFI firmware and x86 or ARM64 hardware, and the maker says it does not support Apple Silicon M-series Macs.Read 4 Oct 2026 · memtest86.com
Praise: ease and reliability
Tom’s Hardware called PassMark MemTest86 dependable, easy to use and suitable for testing without an operating system.Read 15 Oct 2026 · tomshardware.com
Praise: thoroughness
PCWorld described the related Memtest86+ utility as fast, efficient, thorough and free, and said it was highly effective for memory testing.Read 15 Oct 2026 · pcworld.com
Rating on Clubic
6.9 out of 10 from 231 ratingsRead 15 Oct 2026 · clubic.com
Reports
MemTest86 can save HTML reports and logs, with customizable HTML reporting in paid editions.Read 15 Oct 2026 · memtest86.com
System requirement
The UEFI guide says MemTest86 targets Intel/AMD x86, x86-64 and ARM64 processors on UEFI systems and runs independently of any operating system.Read 15 Oct 2026 · memtest86.com
Target users
The maker lists system builders, PC repair stores, overclockers and PC manufacturers as common users.Read 15 Oct 2026 · memtest86.com
Test coverage
The product page lists 14 test algorithms, including SIMD, Row Hammer, and DMA tests.Read 4 Oct 2026 · memtest86.com
UEFI limitation
Version 11.7 download images support only UEFI boot, with older BIOS systems directed to the older V4 release.Read 15 Oct 2026 · mail.memtest86.com
Use cases
The maker says system builders, PC repair stores, overclockers, and PC manufacturers use it to diagnose faulty RAM or rule RAM out as a cause of system instability.Read 4 Oct 2026 · memtest86.com

Plans and prices

Pro Site Edition $5,557, paid once Site license Unlimited users within one organization in one country Read 20 Sep 2026 · memtest86.com
MemTest86 Pro Support Extension $76 a year Requires an existing Pro license Continued access to downloads · Software updates · Technical support Read 20 Sep 2026 · memtest86.com
Free Edition Free No usage restrictions Read 4 Oct 2026 · memtest86.com
Free Edition Free free download · no usage restrictions · USB boot · up to 16 CPU cores Read 15 Oct 2026 · memtest86.com
Pro Support Extension $76 a year 12-month extension requires existing Pro license · continued downloads, updates and technical support Read 15 Oct 2026 · memtest86.com
Pro Download $116, paid once includes 12 months of support and updates one license per simultaneously tested machine · downloadable files Read 15 Oct 2026 · memtest86.com
Pro Download $116, paid once $116.00; free upgrades for 12 months One license per machine running Pro at the same time Read 4 Oct 2026 · memtest86.com
Pro USB Drive $144, paid once plus shipping · includes 12 months of support and updates pre-installed bootable USB · one license per simultaneously tested machine Read 15 Oct 2026 · memtest86.com
Pro USB Flash Drive $144, paid once $144.00 plus shipping; free upgrades for 12 months One license per machine running Pro at the same time Read 4 Oct 2026 · memtest86.com
Site Edition $5,557, paid once includes 12 months of support and updates unlimited users · one organization · one country · PXE deployment Read 15 Oct 2026 · memtest86.com
Site Edition $5,557, paid once $5557.00; free upgrades for 12 months Unlimited users within one organization in one country Read 4 Oct 2026 · memtest86.com

Every MemTest86 plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Runs from USB without an installed operating system.
  • Lists 14 memory test algorithms.
  • Generates customizable HTML reports.
  • Pro supports up to 512 CPU cores.
  • Binaries support Secure Boot and are Microsoft-signed.

Limits

  • Requires UEFI firmware and x86 or ARM64 hardware.
  • Does not support Apple Silicon M-series Macs.
  • Free Edition support is through the public forum.

Who it suits

MemTest86 suits system builders, PC repair stores, overclockers, and PC manufacturers diagnosing RAM faults or checking whether RAM is causing instability. Its tier options also address individual testing and LAN deployment within an organization.

MemTest86 in depth

Read the full write-up

Overview

MemTest86 is a standalone RAM diagnostic that boots from USB and checks memory for faults. It suits system builders, repair shops, overclockers, and PC manufacturers who need to investigate instability or rule memory out.

Its focused testing, broad memory support, and component-oriented reporting make it a strong choice for memory diagnosis. The key qualification is hardware compatibility: version 11.7 requires UEFI and x86 or ARM64 hardware, and does not support Apple Silicon Macs.

Key features

Fourteen test algorithms, including SIMD, Row Hammer, and DMA tests, provide varied ways to probe memory. Support spans DDR2, DDR3, LPDDR4, LPDDR5(x), ECC, CDIMM, and CAMM2, which makes the tool relevant across older and newer systems and different memory configurations. Its scope remains deliberately narrow: it diagnoses RAM rather than serving as a general-purpose hardware troubleshooter.

Customizable HTML reports preserve diagnostic results, while error-address decoding can identify a failed DIMM or chip on supported configurations. That can help turn a detected fault into a repair lead, but component-level identification is configuration-dependent.

Pro supports full test automation and custom tests configured through a file; Site Edition adds scalable LAN deployment by PXE boot, plus PassMark Management Console integration and reporting. Those additions are most useful for repeatable work across machines, rather than occasional checks on a single PC. MemTest86 runs independently of an operating system, though Windows, Linux, or an Intel-based Mac can be used to create its bootable USB drive. Its binaries support Secure Boot and are signed by Microsoft to verify code integrity.

Pricing

The freemium range runs from a no-cost edition to paid licenses for individual machines or organizational deployment. There is no free trial; the Free Edition provides a way to use the core diagnostic without a purchase.

PlanPriceWhat it suitsFree EditionfreeOccasional or individual memory checks, with support through the public forum and a limit of 16 CPU cores.Pro Download$116, paid onceUsers needing up to 512 cores, full automation, or custom tests. Includes 12 months of free upgrades; one license covers one machine running Pro at a time.Pro USB Flash Drive$144, paid once, plus shippingBuyers who want the USB drive supplied rather than preparing their own. It has the same stated Pro licensing terms: 12 months of free upgrades and one machine running Pro at a time.Site Edition$5,557, paid onceOrganizations deploying tests across a LAN, with PXE boot, management-console integration, and unlimited users within one organization in one country. Includes 12 months of free upgrades.The free version’s 16-core ceiling may be enough for routine troubleshooting, but larger systems or automated workflows point to Pro. Site Edition’s substantially higher cost is justified chiefly for organization-wide deployment and coordination, not isolated testing.

Platforms

MemTest86 is categorized for Linux, macOS, self-hosted, and Windows, but it boots as a standalone program rather than running inside those operating systems. Version 11.7 needs UEFI firmware and x86 or ARM64 hardware; Apple Silicon M-series Macs are unsupported. An Intel-based Mac can create the USB drive, but that does not make MemTest86 compatible with Apple Silicon.

Who it's for

Choose MemTest86 when the job is to diagnose suspected RAM faults, document findings, or eliminate memory as a cause of instability. Builders and repair shops can use the reports to support component diagnosis; overclockers and manufacturers can use the tests to investigate system behavior. For recurring, multi-machine work, Pro’s automation or Site Edition’s LAN deployment is more relevant than the free edition. Look elsewhere if you need a broad suite for testing components beyond memory.

Pros and cons

Pros: Broad algorithm and memory-type coverage makes it applicable to varied RAM diagnostics.

Pros: HTML reports and supported error-address decoding can make results more actionable than a simple fault indication.

Pros: Standalone boot and Secure Boot support allow testing without relying on an installed OS while retaining signed binaries.

Cons: UEFI and architecture requirements exclude older firmware setups and Apple Silicon Macs.

Cons: Free Edition is capped at 16 CPU cores, while higher-core support and automation require Pro.

Cons: Site Edition’s $5,557, paid once price is a major outlay for anyone without a need for LAN deployment and organization-wide use.

Alternatives

For a broader category browse, see Hardware Diagnostic Software or PC Overclocking Software.

MemTest86+ is a free, GPLv2 standalone memory tester for private or commercial use; consider it when a free memory-testing option is the priority.

OCCT offers a free personal-use plan with core features and a €4.50 a month Supporter plan for personal use with unlimited testing. Choose it instead when its Linux or Windows availability and personal-use testing plans better fit the job.

HCI MemTest offers a free Windows version and a $5, paid once Pro option delivered by email; it is an alternative for Windows users seeking a memory-testing program with a one-time paid option.

RyzenAdj, Universal x86 Tuning Utility, y-cruncher, Intel VTune Profiler, and Prime95 are also alternatives.

Verdict

MemTest86 is the right pick for technicians and system builders who need standalone RAM diagnosis, broad memory coverage, and reports that can help identify a faulty component. Its strongest reason to choose it is the combination of deep memory testing and paid deployment options; its clearest reason to look elsewhere is compatibility, especially on Apple Silicon, or when the need extends beyond RAM diagnostics.

Verdict

MemTest86 provides standalone RAM diagnostics, with reporting and deployment options varying by edition. Check firmware, processor architecture, and the edition’s core limit before choosing it.

Where Specifiction places it

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