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stress-ng

github.com

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Spec score 7.4 #16 of 26 in Hardware Diagnostic Software

What it is

stress-ng is a free utility for loading computer subsystems and operating system kernel interfaces with stress tests. Its project lists more than 390 tests, including suites for CPU, virtual memory, filesystems, and memory or CPU caches. CPU tests exercise floating-point, integer, bit-manipulation, and control-flow operations. Listed architecture coverage includes ARM, x86-64, RISC-V, MIPS, Power, SPARC, and s390x. The project originally aimed to reveal hardware problems such as thermal overruns and operating system bugs under heavy load. stress-ng can report test throughput to help observe performance changes between operating system releases or hardware types, but the project says it is not a precise benchmark suite. Some tests may heat poorly designed hardware or create excessive system thrashing that is hard to stop. On Linux, running as root adjusts out-of-memory settings so stressors can become unkillable in low-memory conditions; the README advises careful use. The project documents Docker snapshots and installation on recent Ubuntu releases through its PPA. It is licensed under GPL-2.0 and costs nothing.

Spec sheet

Purpose
stress-ng stress tests computer systems by exercising physical subsystems and operating system kernel interfaces.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
Platforms
The README lists Linux, Solaris, BSD variants, Minix, Android, MacOS X, Serenity OS, GNU/Hurd, Haiku, WSL, Cygwin, and SunOS/Dilos among supported or tested systems.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
License
The repository identifies its license as GPL-2.0.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
Architectures
The README lists test coverage across architectures including ARM, x86-64, RISC-V, MIPS, Power, SPARC, and s390x.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
Build dependencies
The build detects optional library dependencies and can disable functionality when support libraries are missing.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
CPU coverage
CPU stress tests exercise floating point, integer, bit manipulation, and control flow operations.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
Packaging
The README documents running the latest snapshot in a Docker container and installing recent Ubuntu versions from the project’s PPA.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
Privileges
When run as root on Linux, stress-ng adjusts out-of-memory settings so stressors are unkillable in low-memory situations; the README advises judicious use.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
Stress tests
The project lists 390+ stress tests, including 100+ CPU, 60+ virtual memory, 80+ filesystem, and 50+ memory or CPU cache tests.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
Support and contributions
The README invites patches by email or merge requests through the stress-ng GitHub repository.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
Throughput metrics
stress-ng can measure test throughput to observe performance changes across operating system releases or hardware types, but the project says it is not a precise benchmark suite.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
Usage caution
Some tests can make poorly designed hardware run hot and cause excessive system thrashing that may be difficult to stop.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
Use cases
The project says it was originally intended to expose hardware issues such as thermal overruns and operating system bugs that occur under heavy load.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com

Plans and prices

Free Free stress-ng is free and will always be free Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com

Every stress-ng plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Lists more than 390 stress tests
  • Covers CPU, memory, filesystems, and caches
  • Includes ARM, x86-64, RISC-V, and other architectures
  • Free at free

Limits

  • Not intended as a precise benchmark suite
  • Some tests can cause heat or severe thrashing
  • Root use on Linux can make stressors unkillable

Who it suits

stress-ng suits people investigating system behavior under load, including hardware issues or operating system bugs. It can also help observe throughput changes across hardware types or operating system releases, with care around its usage cautions.

Verdict

stress-ng offers broad subsystem and architecture coverage for stress testing at no cost. Its throughput figures are observational rather than precise benchmarks, and its load and root-use cautions matter.

Where Specifiction places it

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