GKrellM vs SAWAS Dashboard

GKrellM is a free system-monitoring program that stacks multiple readings in one interface and supports themes matching a window manager, GTK or another theme. Its built-in monitors cover CPU, processes, disks, network interfaces, memory, swap, filesystems, uptime and internet connections. When supported by the system’s hardware and software, temperature, fan and voltage monitors can show configurable warnings and alarms. A mailbox monitor checks mbox, maildir, MH, POP3 and IMAP mailboxes, and can launch a mail reader or mail-checking program. GKrellM can also run as a client and collect data from a gkrellmd server on a remote machine. Both the program and server support plugins for specialized monitors. Builds or compilation options are listed for Linux, FreeBSD, Mac OS X, NetBSD, OpenBSD and Windows. GKrellM requires GTK, GDK and GLib; the server requires GLib and can be installed without GTK or X libraries. It is released under the GNU General Public License at no cost.

SAWAS Dashboard is a modular desktop widget that keeps clock, system, network, notes, browser favorites, and support-link modules visible behind ordinary windows. Its system module shows live CPU and RAM use, while the network module reports current download and upload rates. It records CPU, RAM, and network history locally in SQLite every 15 seconds and displays day, week, or month charts. Favorites can read bookmarks from Chrome and Microsoft Edge profiles, with search and pinning. The local-network scanner uses ping, ARP, and reverse DNS, and can scan every 30 minutes while the PC is idle. A speed test reports ping, download, and upload, and can run on the same idle schedule using speedtest-cli. Users can add Python modules in the dashboard’s modules folder. The maker says there is no telemetry, cloud service, or sign-in, and that dashboard data stays on the PC. Its plan is free, for private and commercial use, with no ads or subscription.