MemTest86 vs stress-ng
MemTest86
memtest86.comstress-ng
github.comSide by side
| Figure | MemTest86 | stress-ng |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $6.33/mo | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| Android | — | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 11 | 1 |
| Spec score · PC stress testing tools | 8.9 (#1) | 7.6 (#12) |
| Spec score · Hardware Diagnostic Software | 8.8 (#1) | 7.4 (#16) |
| Architectures | MemTest86 includes native 64-bit code and ARM64 support for UEFI systems. | The README lists test coverage across architectures including ARM, x86-64, RISC-V, MIPS, Power, SPARC, and s390x. |
| Purpose | MemTest86 boots from USB and tests computer RAM for faults using memory test algorithms and patterns. | stress-ng stress tests computer systems by exercising physical subsystems and operating system kernel interfaces. |
| Use cases | The maker says system builders, PC repair stores, overclockers, and PC manufacturers use it to diagnose faulty RAM or rule RAM out as a cause of system instability. | The project says it was originally intended to expose hardware issues such as thermal overruns and operating system bugs that occur under heavy load. |
Plans
MemTest86
- Pro Site Edition$5,557, paid once
- MemTest86 Pro Support Extension$76 a year
- Free EditionFree
- Free EditionFree
- Pro Support Extension$76 a year
- Pro Download$116, paid once
- Pro Download$116, paid once
- Pro USB Drive$144, paid once
- Pro USB Flash Drive$144, paid once
- Site Edition$5,557, paid once
In their own words
MemTest86
MemTest86 is a bootable utility that checks computer RAM for faults using memory test algorithms and patterns. It runs from a USB drive without an installed operating system, although Windows, Linux, or an Intel-based Mac can be used to create that drive. Version 11.7 requires UEFI firmware and x86 or ARM64 hardware, and does not support Apple Silicon M-series Macs. Its listed coverage includes 14 algorithms, such as SIMD, Row Hammer, and DMA tests, and support for DDR2, DDR3, LPDDR4, LPDDR5(x), ECC, CDIMM, and CAMM2 memory. It can create customizable HTML reports and, on supported configurations, decode an error address to identify a failed DIMM or chip. The Free Edition supports up to 16 CPU cores; Pro supports up to 512 and adds automation and custom tests. Site Edition adds PXE-based LAN deployment and Management Console integration. The Free Edition costs nothing; Pro Download costs $116, paid once.
stress-ng
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.