CoreFreq vs Handheld Companion
CoreFreq
cyring.frHandheld Companion
handheldcompanion.netSide by side
| Figure | CoreFreq | Handheld Companion |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | — | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| Self-hosted | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Spec score · PC Overclocking Software | 7.8 (#11) | 7.5 (#19) |
| Installation | The README documents building from source and distribution options including ArchLinux AUR, Gentoo, Debian, Ubuntu, TUXEDO, Fedora, AlmaLinux, and Rocky Linux. | The documentation says to run the installer as administrator so it can deploy services and drivers needed for controller handling. |
| Purpose | CoreFreq is CPU monitoring software with BIOS-like functionalities for 64-bit processors. | Handheld Companion is an open-source, touch-optimized Windows app for handheld gaming PCs. |
Plans
In their own words
CoreFreq
CoreFreq is free Linux CPU-monitoring software with BIOS-like controls for 64-bit processors. It reads frequencies, ratios, performance counters, instructions per cycle, C-states, temperature, and documented core-voltage readings. The interface shows processor features, brand and architecture strings, plus a topology map including caches. Its driver exposes controls for Turbo Boost, power management, thermal limits, prefetchers, and hardware-controlled performance states. A daemon and command-line client provide monitoring views and JSON-encoded system information. Listed architectures include Intel and AMD families, Arm A64, RISC-V RV64, and PowerPC64 LE. Requirements include Linux kernel 3.3 or newer and GNU C Library. Installation can use source builds or packages for several distributions. The project is GPL-2.0 licensed and uses shared memory between its kernel module and user-space component. Some virtual machines may hide required registers. Driver signing is required when kernel signature verification is enabled. The interface renders best in ASCII or VT100 terminals.
Handheld Companion
Handheld Companion is a free, open-source Windows app for handheld gaming PCs, with touch-optimized controls and device settings. It maps controller inputs to keyboard, mouse, joystick, trigger, or virtual controller actions, including Xbox 360 and DualShock 4 output. Universal Motion Control translates supported motion sensor data for aiming, camera control, racing, and emulators. QuickTools adjusts TDP, frame limits, refresh rate, resolution, brightness, volume, and power mode. The app can detect the active game and apply saved controller, motion, graphics, and power preferences automatically. Listed device families include ROG Ally, Steam Deck, Legion Go, MSI Claw, AYANEO, and GPD Win. Steam Deck support applies to Windows 10 or 11 installations; this is not a SteamOS application. The free public release costs nothing for Windows 10/11 on x86 and x64. Installation requires administrator rights to deploy services and drivers.