hw-probe vs SIW
hw-probe
github.comSIW
gtopala.comSide by side
| Figure | hw-probe | SIW |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | $3.33/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | — | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| Self-hosted | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 1 | 6 |
| Spec score · System Information Software | 8.2 (#7) | 7.7 (#15) |
| Audience | The project is intended for Linux/BSD developers debugging computer problems and organizations simplifying hardware inventory. | The maker identifies IT tech support as the audience for the Technician's Version and describes SIW as useful for administrators, technicians, and people wanting computer information. |
| Integrations | The project provides AppImage, Docker, Snap, Flatpak, Live CD/USB, and native Linux package installation options. | The command line supports saving reports to a database using ODBC and sending reports by email through SMTP or uploading them by FTP, FTPS, or HTTP POST. |
Plans
SIW
- SIW Trial VersionFree
- SIW ViewerFree
- SIW Technician's Version — No Updates / No Support$23.99, paid once
- SIW Home Edition — Lifetime Free Updates$39.99, paid once
- SIW Technician's Version — 1 Year Free Updates$39.99 a year
- SIW Technician's Version — Lifetime Free Updates$103.99, paid once
In their own words
hw-probe
hw-probe is a free hardware probing tool for Linux and BSD systems, aimed at debugging computer problems and managing hardware inventory. It captures a snapshot of hardware state and logs, then provides a permanent URL to view the probe. If a device lacks a driver, it can suggest a Linux kernel version or third-party driver using LKDDb data. Users can create an inventory ID and mark probes to locate their computers on Linux-Hardware.org. Its monitoring command schedules a daily cron probe and emails alerts about operating-system failures, configuration changes, and hardware degradation. Optional tests check graphics, drive read speed, CPU performance, and RAM. Installation options include AppImage, Docker, Snap, Flatpak, Live CD/USB, and native packages. Uploads use HTTPS; selected logs can be disabled, and private details are decorated before upload, though edge-case failures are acknowledged. MAC addresses and serial numbers are represented by prefixes of salted SHA-512 hashes. The tool is dual-licensed under LGPL-2.1-or-later and BSD-4-Clause. The Snap package runs in a sandbox with limited functionality.
SIW
SIW is a Windows system information tool for examining computer hardware, software, network and system details. It covers software licenses, devices, processes, services, network connections and open ports. Reports can be generated in HTML, JSON, CSV, TXT, XML or ODBC formats, then saved or printed. Command-line options can choose report modules, create, compress or append reports, and run report creation silently. Reports can also be sent through SMTP, uploaded using FTP, FTPS or HTTP POST, or saved to a database through ODBC. The Technician’s Version runs without installation from a USB flash drive, network drive or domain login script. Customizations include logos, tailored reports and builds limited to command-line use or without selected modules; these cost $50 extra. SIW lists a free viewer and a 14-day trial, which works only on specified 64-bit Windows versions and replaces some values with ***TRIAL***. Paid options range from a 23.99 USD one-time Technician’s Version without updates or support to paid update subscriptions and lifetime-update licenses. The maker identifies administrators, technicians and IT tech support as users.