lm-sensors as a Linux alternative to HWiNFO
Updated
Our verdict
lm-sensors is a solid backend for data collection but not a full replacement for HWiNFO. It provides accurate, low-level sensor readings via the kernel, which is great for scripting and automation. However, it lacks a native GUI, detailed hardware identification, and built-in logging. If you are comfortable with the terminal and use tools like GKrellM or custom scripts for visualization, it works well. For users who want a single, polished app with historical graphs and deep component details out of the box, lm-sensors alone is insufficient and requires significant additional setup.
- License
- GPL-2.0
- Price
- Free
- Latest version
- 3.6.2
- Rating
- —
What works the same
- Real-time monitoring of CPU, GPU, and drive temperatures
- Reading of voltage and power consumption metrics
- Access to fan speed data
- Non-intrusive background operation via kernel drivers
What is different
- No graphical user interface; command-line only
- Lacks detailed hardware profiling and component identification features
- No built-in data logging or historical analysis capabilities
- Fan control is limited and chip-dependent, not universal
- Requires manual configuration and scripting for advanced usage
Opening your HWiNFO files
lm-sensors does not open or export files in the format used by HWiNFO. It outputs plain text to the terminal or can be redirected to files via shell commands. There is no direct import mechanism for HWiNFO logs or configuration files.
Switching from HWiNFO to lm-sensors, step by step
- Install lm-sensors from your distribution's package manager
- Run sensors-detect to identify and enable supported hardware sensors
- Verify output by running the sensors command in the terminal
- Configure a GUI tool like GKrellM or Konsole to display the data visually
- Set up a cron job or systemd timer to log sensor data to a file if historical analysis is needed
Key features of lm-sensors
- Accesses kernel hwmon data
- Displays temperatures, fans, voltages
- Supports most motherboards
- Command‑line interface
- Can be scripted
- Configurable via /etc/sensors.d
- Provides raw sensor values
- Supports fan control on some chips
How to install lm-sensors on Linux
sudo apt install lm-sensorssudo apt install lm-sensorssudo dnf install lm_sensorssudo pacman -S lm_sensorssudo zypper install sensorsFrequently asked questions
Can lm-sensors control fan speeds directly?
It can read fan speeds, but control is limited. It supports fan control on some specific chips via the kernel, but for robust control, you typically need additional tools like fancontrol or PWM utilities.
Does it work with all hardware?
It supports most modern motherboards and common hardware via the Linux kernel's hwmon subsystem. However, support varies by chipset, and some proprietary or very new hardware may not be fully supported.
Is it safe to run in the background?
Yes, it is designed to be lightweight and non-intrusive. It reads data from kernel drivers without imposing significant CPU load, making it suitable for continuous background monitoring.
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 HWiNFOGKrellMGKrellM is a lightweight, modular system monitor for Linux that displays CPU, memory, and disk metrics…Open sourceFreeGKrellM vs HWiNFO