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Parkdale

the-sz.com

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Spec score 8.3 #17 of 73 in PC Benchmark Software

What it is

Parkdale measures read and write speeds for hard disks, CD-ROM devices and network servers. Its three access modes offer different ways to run a drive test. QuickAccess checks sequential and random access with 4KB blocks and 32 concurrent threads. FileAccess reads and writes test data in a regular file through the filesystem; BlockAccess works directly with disk sectors and displays transfer rates over time. Users can compare and submit drive results on the Benchmark page. The Windows version has command-line options for the drive, file size, block size and log-file creation, and installation is available through winget and Chocolatey. Parkdale runs on Windows, macOS and Android, with the maker listing operating systems from Windows 11 through Windows 98, macOS 27 through 10.7, and Android 12 through 4.4. The free software is supported by donations. The maker says crash reporting and automatic update checks can be disabled; those functions send a unique non-personal ID and operating-system version, and IP addresses are recorded to distinguish usage countries.

Spec sheet

What it does
Parkdale measures read and write speed for hard disks, optical drives and network servers, with results shown in KB/s, MB/s or GB/s.Read 15 Oct 2026 · the-sz.com
Purpose
Measures read and write speed from hard disks, CD-ROM devices and network servers.Read 1 Oct 2026 · the-sz.com
Free plan
YesRead 20 Sep 2026 · the-sz.com
Privacy
The maker states its software has no hidden data collection, while crash reporting and automatic updates send a unique non-personal ID and operating-system version; IP addresses are recorded to distinguish usage countries.Read 1 Oct 2026 · the-sz.com
Support
Support is offered through the maker's contact email, and feature requests or translation help are invited by email.Read 15 Oct 2026 · the-sz.com
Access modes
Provides QuickAccess, FileAccess and BlockAccess drive access modes.Read 1 Oct 2026 · the-sz.com
Android telemetry
The privacy policy says Android applications use Firebase Crashlytics for crash reporting and usage statistics.Read 15 Oct 2026 · the-sz.com
Benchmark sharing
The product site provides a Benchmark page where users can compare and submit test results.Read 15 Oct 2026 · the-sz.com
Benchmarking
Users can compare and submit drive test results on the Benchmark page.Read 1 Oct 2026 · the-sz.com
BlockAccess
BlockAccess reads and writes disk sectors directly without the filesystem and plots transfer rate over time.Read 15 Oct 2026 · the-sz.com
Changelog
The history records additions including 4 KB QuickAccess testing, random FileAccess, clipboard copying, portable support and command-line log creation.Read 15 Oct 2026 · the-sz.com
Command line
The Windows version includes command-line options for drive, file size, block size and log-file creation.Read 1 Oct 2026 · the-sz.com
Command-line support
ParkdaleCmd accepts drive, file-size, block-size and log-file switches for automated Windows tests.Read 15 Oct 2026 · the-sz.com
Current Android release
The Android APK is version 1.10, 3.1 MB, with a listed crash-prevention change.Read 15 Oct 2026 · the-sz.com
Current macOS release
The macOS download is version 1.21, about 1 MB, and its listed change is improved macOS 11 UI.Read 15 Oct 2026 · the-sz.com
Current Windows release
The Windows download is version 3.08, 849 KB, with Greek translation updates.Read 15 Oct 2026 · the-sz.com
Documentation
The FAQ explains that macOS Gatekeeper may require opening the app through Finder or Privacy & Security, and suggests Rosetta when needed.Read 15 Oct 2026 · the-sz.com
Donation model
All software on the maker's website is free and development is supported through donations.Read 1 Oct 2026 · the-sz.com
FileAccess
FileAccess benchmarks reading from and writing to a normal file through the filesystem.Read 15 Oct 2026 · the-sz.com
Languages
The listed interface translations are English, French, German, Greek, Italian and Russian.Read 15 Oct 2026 · the-sz.com
Licence terms
The licence permits free use without limitations, including commercial use, but forbids removing the author's copyright, name or link and provides no open-source licence.Read 15 Oct 2026 · the-sz.com
Limit: documentation depth
Softpedia's detailed review says the lack of thorough documentation makes advanced options and result interpretation difficult for some users.Read 15 Oct 2026 · softpedia.com
Limit: network results
Xataka explains that tests against remote disks are constrained by the network link, so results may measure connection throughput more than the remote drive's capability.Read 15 Oct 2026 · xatakamovil.com
Limit: network-drive detection
Xataka notes that the initial disk list may fail to detect network disks correctly, although they can be selected through FileAccess.Read 15 Oct 2026 · xatakamovil.com
Limit: raw block-test risk
The maker's direct-sector BlockAccess mode bypasses the filesystem, so it is an advanced operation rather than a normal file benchmark.Read 15 Oct 2026 · the-sz.com
Maker background
The site identifies a solo developer with a master of science in computer engineering who has been writing software since 1988.Read 15 Oct 2026 · the-sz.com
Notable release news
The latest listed Windows change is Greek translation updating in version 3.08.Read 15 Oct 2026 · the-sz.com
Operating systems
The maker lists Windows 11 through Windows 98, Windows Server, macOS 27 through 10.7 and Android 12 through 4.4 as supported systems.Read 1 Oct 2026 · the-sz.com
Package managers
The maker documents installation through winget and Chocolatey package commands.Read 15 Oct 2026 · the-sz.com
Praise: broad storage coverage
Softpedia reports that the tool can test internal drives, external USB storage and network drives, then save results for later comparison.Read 15 Oct 2026 · softpedia.com
Praise: portability
Softpedia's review praises Parkdale as portable, requiring no installation, and suitable for beginners because the main tests are easy to operate.Read 15 Oct 2026 · softpedia.com
Praise: simple testing
Xataka describes Parkdale as a free portable Windows utility that presents connected disks and lets users select a test with little setup.Read 15 Oct 2026 · xatakamovil.com
Privacy controls
Users can disable crash reports and the automatic update check.Read 1 Oct 2026 · the-sz.com
Privacy statement
The maker says its software has no hidden private-data collection and no malware or bundled junkware.Read 15 Oct 2026 · the-sz.com
QuickAccess
QuickAccess runs a one-click filesystem benchmark measuring sequential read/write speed plus 4 KB random access with 32 concurrent threads.Read 15 Oct 2026 · the-sz.com
Rating on Softpedia Mac editorial review
4.5 out of 5 from 1 editor reviewRead 15 Oct 2026 · mac.softpedia.com
Rating on Softpedia Windows editorial review
4.0 out of 5 from 1 editor reviewRead 15 Oct 2026 · softpedia.com
Rating on Softpedia Windows listing
4.5 out of 5 from 67 votesRead 15 Oct 2026 · softpedia.com
Supported systems
The maker lists Windows versions from Windows 98 through Windows 11, macOS 10.7 through macOS 27, and Android 4.4 through Android 12.Read 15 Oct 2026 · the-sz.com
Telemetry
Crash reporting and update checks send a pseudonymous identifier, operating-system version and IP address used to distinguish users and infer country.Read 15 Oct 2026 · the-sz.com
Telemetry controls
Users can disable crash reports and automatic update checks.Read 15 Oct 2026 · the-sz.com

Plans and prices

Free Free Free to download and use Read 1 Oct 2026 · the-sz.com
Free Free All software is free to use · commercial use allowed · donations optional Read 15 Oct 2026 · the-sz.com

Every Parkdale plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Tests both sequential and random access.
  • Offers file-level and direct-sector access modes.
  • Benchmark page supports result comparison and submission.
  • Available for Windows, macOS and Android.
  • Free to download and use.

Limits

  • Does not measure IOPS or latency.
  • Crash reports and update checks send a non-personal ID and OS version.
  • IP addresses are recorded to distinguish usage countries.

Who it suits

Parkdale suits people who want to measure drive transfer speeds using file-level or direct-sector tests. Windows users can also use its command-line options and package-manager installation.

Parkdale in depth

Read the full write-up

Parkdale is a free benchmark for checking read and write speeds on disks, CD-ROM devices and network servers. It suits people who want to compare storage behavior through different access methods on Windows, macOS or Android. Its range of tests is useful for throughput comparisons, but it cannot answer questions about IOPS or latency.

Overview

Parkdale offers QuickAccess, FileAccess and BlockAccess, so users can choose between access-speed tests, filesystem-based file transfers and direct-sector transfers. Results can be compared or submitted on the Benchmark page, making it easier to put a measurement in context. These modes examine different aspects of storage behavior; their results are not interchangeable.

QuickAccess tests sequential and random access with 4KB blocks and 32 concurrent threads. FileAccess reads and writes test data in a normal file through the filesystem, which is the relevant choice when that path is what you want to measure. BlockAccess accesses disk sectors directly and displays transfer rate over time. That detail is useful for watching throughput, but does not replace IOPS or latency measurements, which Parkdale does not provide.

Key features

Windows command-line options

The Windows version accepts command-line options for the drive, file size, block size and log-file creation. That makes it a better fit for users who want to specify test parameters or create logs from a command-line workflow. The option set is focused on configuring and recording tests, rather than supplying the missing IOPS or latency metrics.

Installation and support

Windows installation is also available through winget and Chocolatey commands supplied by the maker, a practical option for people who manage software through package managers. The maker provides a Parkdale FAQ and accepts questions and feature or translation requests by email. The interface supports English, French, German, Greek, Italian and Russian.

Privacy

The maker says the software does not collect hidden data. Crash reporting and automatic updates send a unique non-personal ID and operating-system version, while IP addresses are recorded to distinguish usage countries. Users can turn off both crash reports and the automatic update check; those controls are useful for readers who prefer not to send that diagnostic or update information.

Pricing

Free — free. The software is free to download and use, and the maker says donations support development. There is no paid plan to unlock additional features, so readers get Parkdale's available test modes and Windows command-line options without a subscription or stated usage cap. Its meaningful trade-off is capability rather than price: users who need IOPS or latency must look elsewhere.

Platforms

Parkdale supports Windows, macOS and Android. The maker lists Windows 11 through Windows 98, Windows Server, macOS 27 through 10.7, and Android 12 through 4.4 as supported systems, a notably broad range for readers using older machines. The Windows version is the one with command-line options and package-manager installation.

Who it's for

Parkdale is a good fit for people who want to compare sequential and random drive speeds, test file transfers through the filesystem, or inspect direct-sector throughput. Network-server and CD-ROM speed checks are also within its purpose. It is less suitable for performance work that depends on IOPS or latency, or for users who need a benchmark centered on those metrics rather than transfer speed.

Pros and cons

Three distinct access modes: QuickAccess, FileAccess and BlockAccess let users choose between access-speed testing, filesystem-mediated transfers and direct-sector measurements.

Windows command-line control: Drive, file size, block size and log-file options support repeatable, configurable test runs.

Free across three platforms: Windows, macOS and Android users can use it without a paid plan.

No IOPS or latency: The speed-focused results leave out two metrics that matter when evaluating responsiveness or operation rates.

Privacy controls are available: Crash reports and update checks can be disabled, though those features otherwise send an ID and OS version and the maker records IP addresses to distinguish countries.

Alternatives

For a broader set of disk benchmark options, browse Disk Benchmark Software. If the goal is overall PC benchmarking rather than drive read and write speeds, PC Benchmark Software is the more relevant category. Readers comparing wireless networks instead can start with Wi-Fi Analyzer Software.

IObit Uninstaller is a Windows uninstaller rather than a drive benchmark, so choose it for batch app removal and leftover cleanup. Launchy is a free, pay-what-you-want alternative for launching apps across several platforms, not for measuring storage. LaunchMenu is a free open-source option for readers seeking a macOS or Windows application, while PExplorer is a free Windows and WinPE program.

SpaceMonger is a paid Windows alternative with a free trial; its stated pricing model makes more sense for readers willing to evaluate a paid option. Fluent Search is a free Windows 10 or 11 utility for readers on those systems. Listary offers a free, personal-use Windows plan for basic file search and app launch, with a paid Pro plan for readers who want to consider an upgrade. Open-Shell Menu is a free Windows utility for bringing back classic Windows features.

Verdict

Choose Parkdale if you want a free, cross-platform way to compare drive, CD-ROM or network-server read and write speeds using different access methods. The direct-sector mode, filesystem test and Windows command-line options give it a useful range for throughput-focused work. Look elsewhere if your decision depends on IOPS or latency; Parkdale does not measure either.

Verdict

Parkdale provides several ways to measure drive read and write speeds, including direct-sector testing and Windows command-line options. Its listed metrics exclude IOPS and latency.

Where Specifiction places it

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