GKrellM as a Linux alternative to HWiNFO
Updated
Our verdict
GKrellM is a solid, lightweight alternative for basic monitoring, but it is not a direct replacement for HWiNFO’s depth. It handles CPU, memory, and basic sensor data well via plugins. However, it lacks the comprehensive hardware profiling, detailed power metrics, and advanced logging features that power users expect from HWiNFO. If you need simple, real-time graphs on your desktop without heavy configuration, GKrellM works. For detailed diagnostics, voltage tracking, or historical data analysis, you will likely need to supplement it with command-line tools like lm-sensors or switch to a more specialized monitoring suite.
- License
- GPL-2.0
- Price
- Free
- Latest version
- 2.5.1
- Rating
- —
What works the same
- Real-time monitoring of CPU and memory usage
- Display of temperature and fan speed data from sensors
- Lightweight design suitable for background operation
- Customizable interface with multiple display options
What is different
- Lacks detailed hardware profiling and component identification
- No built-in data logging for historical analysis
- Limited voltage and power consumption readings compared to HWiNFO
- Requires manual plugin configuration for sensor support
- Does not provide a unified, detailed system health report
Opening your HWiNFO files
GKrellM does not natively open or import configuration or log files from HWiNFO. Since the two applications use different data structures and plugin systems, there is no direct file compatibility. You will need to manually configure GKrellM plugins to match the sensors you previously monitored in HWiNFO, and any historical data from HWiNFO logs must be analyzed separately using other tools.
Switching from HWiNFO to GKrellM, step by step
- Install GKrellM and the lm-sensors package via your package manager
- Run sensors-detect to identify available hardware sensors
- Configure GKrellM plugins to enable temperature and fan monitoring
- Adjust the layout to display the specific metrics you need
- Test sensor accuracy against known values or other tools
Key features of GKrellM
- Modular plugin architecture for adding new monitors
- Real-time CPU, memory, and disk usage graphs
- Network bandwidth and connection status tracking
- Temperature and fan speed monitoring via sensors
- Customizable themes and layout options
- Support for multiple instances and desktops
- Low memory footprint and high performance
- Scriptable plugins for custom data sources
How to install GKrellM on Linux
sudo apt install gkrellmsudo apt install gkrellmsudo dnf install gkrellmsudo zypper install gkrellmFrequently asked questions
Does GKrellM support GPU temperature monitoring?
Yes, but it depends on the driver and plugin. For NVIDIA, you may need to use nvidia-smi via a script plugin. For AMD, it often works with standard sensor plugins if the kernel drivers expose the data.
Can I control fan speeds with GKrellM?
GKrellM is primarily a monitor, not a controller. While some plugins might offer basic interaction, detailed fan control is typically handled by separate tools like fancontrol or the kernel’s hwmon interface.
Is GKrellM resource-intensive?
No, GKrellM is designed to be lightweight. It has a low memory footprint and is generally efficient, making it suitable for running in the background on most Linux systems.
2 other alternatives to HWiNFO
GNOME System MonitorGNOME System Monitor is the standard Linux utility for viewing running processes, CPU, memory, and system…Open sourceFreeGNOME System Monitor vs HWiNFO