CrystalDiskMark vs AJA System Test

CrystalDiskMark9.0Visit AJA System Test8.4Visit

Higher score CrystalDiskMark #1 in Disk Benchmark Software 9.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 5 features Get CrystalDiskMark

vs

AJA System Test #4 in Disk Benchmark Software 8.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 5 features Visit AJA

• CrystalDiskMark fits best

  Easy Windows SSD and disk testing

• AJA System Test fits best

  Video-production storage throughput testing

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature	CrystalDiskMark 9.0/10 Visit ↗	AJA System Test 8.4/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.0	8.4
Ranking	#1 in Disk Benchmark Software	#4 in Disk Benchmark Software
Best for	Easy Windows SSD and disk testing	Video-production storage throughput testing
Pricing model	Free	Free
Starting price	Free plan	Free plan
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	Windows	Windows, macOS
Built for	Solo, Small business	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features CrystalDiskMark 0/5 · AJA System Test 0/5
Random I/O tests	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Sequential tests	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
IOPS measurement	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Latency measurement	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Command-line interface	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Specs
Supported platforms	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Tests sequential, random, read, write, and mixed performance. Shows MB/s, GB/s, IOPS, and average latency results. Exports results as text or PNG, JPEG, and BMP images.	Tests local and network-mapped drives with video-oriented settings Shows throughput as MB/sec or FPS with graphical results Supports AJA KONA, AJA Io, and AJA T-TAP workflows
Cons	Windows-only software. The Microsoft Store edition costs $9.99 one-time. Its many settings may be more than casual users need.	System Test Lite is available for macOS only PCIe bandwidth testing requires the full version Its focus is video workflow testing rather than broad benchmarking
Our verdict	CrystalDiskMark is an open-source Windows storage benchmark for measuring sequential, random, read, write, and mixed disk performance. It suits users comparing SSDs, checking drive behavior, or documenting storage results. You choose the… Read the review →	AJA System Test evaluates storage-drive performance for recording and playback workflows, with tests for read/write speed and overall throughput. It is designed for video production and post-production environments that need to assess… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• CrystalDiskMark — where it wins

  • Tests sequential, random, read, write, and mixed performance.
  • Shows MB/s, GB/s, IOPS, and average latency results.
  • Exports results as text or PNG, JPEG, and BMP images.

  Where it doesn't

  • Windows-only software.
  • The Microsoft Store edition costs $9.99 one-time.
  • Its many settings may be more than casual users need.

• AJA System Test — where it wins

  • Tests local and network-mapped drives with video-oriented settings
  • Shows throughput as MB/sec or FPS with graphical results
  • Supports AJA KONA, AJA Io, and AJA T-TAP workflows

  Where it doesn't

  • System Test Lite is available for macOS only
  • PCIe bandwidth testing requires the full version
  • Its focus is video workflow testing rather than broad benchmarking

• CrystalDiskMark9.0/10 · Free plan

  A configurable Windows disk benchmark with detailed speed, IOPS, and latency results.

  Get CrystalDiskMarkFull verdict →
• AJA System Test8.4/10 · Free plan

  A free, video-focused benchmark for local, network, and AJA-connected storage workflows.

  Visit AJAFull verdict →