Head-to-head · Desktop Widget Software
GadgetPack (formerly 8GadgetPack) vs Dashboard
GadgetPack (formerly 8GadgetPack) leads on 1 check, Dashboard on 0, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.
Our verdict
- Highest scoreGadgetPack (formerly 8GadgetPack) · 9.0/10
- Free planonly GadgetPack (formerly 8GadgetPack)
- Most featuresGadgetPack (formerly 8GadgetPack) · 5 of 5
GadgetPack (formerly 8GadgetPack) scores higher on our rubric for desktop widget software: 9.0 against 7.5 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #16.
On supported platforms, Dashboard gives you Linux where GadgetPack (formerly 8GadgetPack) offers Windows. GadgetPack (formerly 8GadgetPack) offers feed widgets; Dashboard doesn't.
GadgetPack (formerly 8GadgetPack) is the better fit for windows users wanting a ready-made free gadget collection. Dashboard is the better fit for linux users wanting an all-purpose dashboard.
- GadgetPack (formerly 8GadgetPack) fits best
Windows users wanting a ready-made free gadget collection
- Dashboard fits best
Linux users wanting an all-purpose dashboard
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Side by side
| Feature | GadgetPack (formerly 8GadgetPack) 9.0/10 Visit ↗ | Dashboard 7.5/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 9.0 | 7.5 |
| Ranking | #3 in Desktop Widget Software | #16 in Desktop Widget Software |
| Best for | Windows users wanting a ready-made free gadget collection | Linux users wanting an all-purpose dashboard |
| Pricing model | Free | Free |
| Starting price | Free | Open source |
| Free plan | ✓ (best) | Not checked yet |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Deployment | Desktop | Desktop |
| Platforms | Windows | Linux |
| Support | Docs | Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business | Solo, Small business |
| Features GadgetPack (formerly 8GadgetPack) 5/5 · Dashboard 4/5 | ||
| System monitoring | ✓ | ✓ |
| Custom layouts | ✓ | ✓ |
| Weather widgets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Calendar widgets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Feed widgets | ✓ (best) | — |
| Specs | ||
| Supported platforms | Windows | Linux |
| Widget categories | sidebar, agenda, CPU and GPU monitoring, battery, calendar, clipboard, clocks, currency, drives, network monitoring, weather, reminders, slideshow, sticky notes, calculator, volume control, unit converter, radio | Clock, Calendar, Todo, Notes, Pomodoro, Countdown, Links, Weather, System Status, Htop, AI Chat, Log Tail |
| Our review | ||
| Pros |
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| Cons |
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| Our verdict | GadgetPack, formerly 8GadgetPack, restores a desktop gadget platform for Windows 10 and 11. It suits Windows users who want a ready-made set of clocks, calendars, weather tools, system monitors, and everyday utilities without a paid plan.… Read the review → |
Dashboard is an open-source Linux desktop application for arranging productivity and system widgets on a free-form canvas. It suits Linux users who want one persistent workspace for calendars, notes, tasks, timers, links, weather, system… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
GadgetPack (formerly 8GadgetPack) — where it wins
- Free access to a broad collection of desktop gadgets
- System monitoring covers CPU, GPU, drives, network, and power
- Supports movable gadgets, an optional sidebar, and compatible .gadget files
Where it doesn't
- Windows-only support limits cross-platform use
- Focused on ready-made gadgets rather than custom widget development
- Gadget quality and compatibility may vary across external .gadget files
Dashboard — where it wins
- Free-form canvas with persistent layouts and widget state
- Built-in productivity, weather, monitoring, and log widgets
- Open source with AppImage and Flatpak distribution
Where it doesn't
- Limited to Linux desktop environments
- AI chat uses the OpenAI API
- No feed widget category is included
- GadgetPack (formerly 8GadgetPack)9.0/10 · Free plan
A free Windows gadget collection with monitoring, utilities, and desktop organization.
Visit GadgetPackFull verdict → - Dashboard7.5/10 · Open source
A broad, open-source Linux dashboard for productivity, monitoring, weather, and logs.
Visit DashboardFull verdict →
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All desktop widget software comparisons → · Full ranking →
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update