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Head-to-head · System Information Software

CPU-Z vs Autoruns

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score CPU-Z #2 in System Information Software 8.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 4 features Visit CPU-Z
Autoruns #8 in System Information Software 8.1/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 4 features Visit Autoruns

CPU-Z leads on 0 checks, Autoruns on 0, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreCPU-Z · 8.9/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresCPU-Z · 3 of 4

CPU-Z scores higher on our rubric for system information software: 8.9 against 8.1 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #8.

CPU-Z is the better fit for free cross-device CPU and component details. Autoruns is the better fit for windows startup and driver investigation.

  • CPU-Z fits best

    Free cross-device CPU and component details

  • Autoruns fits best

    Windows startup and driver investigation

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Side by side

Feature CPU-Z 8.9/10 Visit ↗ Autoruns 8.1/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.9 8.1
Ranking #2 in System Information Software #8 in System Information Software
Best for Free cross-device CPU and component details Windows startup and driver investigation
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop, Mobile Desktop
Platforms Windows, Android Windows
Support Email, Docs Community, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features CPU-Z 3/4 · Autoruns 0/4
Firmware details ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Installed software — Not checked yet
Portable version ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Command-line interface ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Specs
Operating systems Other Not checked yet
Report export Html Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Detailed processor, motherboard, memory, SPD, and frequency reporting
  • Free coverage across Windows and Android
  • Portable ZIP edition, reports, validation, and command-line support
  • Extensive inspection across startup, drivers, services, tasks, and extensions
  • Digital signature verification and optional VirusTotal checks
  • Autorunsc exports results in CSV, tab-delimited, or XML formats
Cons
  • Does not report installed software
  • Narrower scope than full inventory suites
  • Android version includes advertisements unless removed by purchase
  • Windows desktop only
  • Focused on autostart configuration rather than general system inventory
  • Disabling or deleting entries requires careful judgment
Our verdict

CPU-Z is a focused system information utility from CPUID for people who need detailed hardware and device specifications rather than broad asset inventory. On Windows, it covers the processor, motherboard, chipset, memory, SPD modules, and…

Read the review →

Autoruns is a free Windows desktop utility for inspecting programs, drivers, services, registry entries, and file-system locations configured to run automatically. It is intended for people investigating boot and login behavior, reviewing…

Read the review →
  1. CPU-ZSystem Information Software 8.9Free plan
  2. AutorunsSystem Information Software 8.1Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • CPU-Z — where it wins

    • Detailed processor, motherboard, memory, SPD, and frequency reporting
    • Free coverage across Windows and Android
    • Portable ZIP edition, reports, validation, and command-line support

    Where it doesn't

    • Does not report installed software
    • Narrower scope than full inventory suites
    • Android version includes advertisements unless removed by purchase
  • Autoruns — where it wins

    • Extensive inspection across startup, drivers, services, tasks, and extensions
    • Digital signature verification and optional VirusTotal checks
    • Autorunsc exports results in CSV, tab-delimited, or XML formats

    Where it doesn't

    • Windows desktop only
    • Focused on autostart configuration rather than general system inventory
    • Disabling or deleting entries requires careful judgment
  • CPU-Z8.9/10 · Free plan

    A focused, free utility for detailed CPU, memory, motherboard, and Android device information.

    Visit CPU-ZFull verdict →
  • Autoruns8.1/10 · Free plan

    A free Windows utility for detailed startup, driver, service, and autostart investigation.

    Visit AutorunsFull verdict →

More comparisons

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update