GadgetPack (formerly 8GadgetPack) vs GKrellM

GadgetPack (formerly 8GadgetPack)9.0Visit GKrellM8.6Visit

Higher score GadgetPack (formerly 8GadgetPack) #3 in Desktop Widget Software 9.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 5 of 5 features Visit GadgetPack

vs

GKrellM #6 in Desktop Widget Software 8.6/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 5 features Visit GKrellM

• GadgetPack (formerly 8GadgetPack) fits best

  Windows users wanting a ready-made free gadget collection

• GKrellM fits best

  Cross-platform hardware and system monitoring

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Side by side

Feature	GadgetPack (formerly 8GadgetPack) 9.0/10 Visit ↗	GKrellM 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.0	8.6
Ranking	#3 in Desktop Widget Software	#6 in Desktop Widget Software
Best for	Windows users wanting a ready-made free gadget collection	Cross-platform hardware and system monitoring
Pricing model	Free	Free
Starting price	Free	Free plan
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	Windows	Windows, macOS, Linux
Support	Docs	Community, Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business	Solo, Small business
Features GadgetPack (formerly 8GadgetPack) 5/5 · GKrellM 2/5
System monitoring	✓	✓
Custom layouts	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Weather widgets	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Calendar widgets	✓	✓
Feed widgets	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Specs
Supported platforms	Windows	Cross_platform
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	CPU, process, disk, network, internet, memory, swap, filesystem, mailbox, clock, calendar, hostname, battery, temperature, fan, voltage, uptime, plugins
Our review
Pros	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	Monitors CPU, processes, disks, memory, network, temperatures, and battery Supports Windows, macOS, and Linux Themes, alarms, charts, plugins, and remote data collection
Cons	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	Its primary focus is system monitoring rather than general-purpose widgets The stacked monitor layout may feel specialized for desktop customization Platform support relies on platform-specific builds and packages
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 →	GKrellM is a lightweight desktop system-monitoring application for users who want multiple system indicators displayed together in one window. It supports Windows, macOS, and Linux, making it suitable for cross-platform monitoring across… 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

• GKrellM — where it wins

  • Monitors CPU, processes, disks, memory, network, temperatures, and battery
  • Supports Windows, macOS, and Linux
  • Themes, alarms, charts, plugins, and remote data collection

  Where it doesn't

  • Its primary focus is system monitoring rather than general-purpose widgets
  • The stacked monitor layout may feel specialized for desktop customization
  • Platform support relies on platform-specific builds and packages

• GadgetPack (formerly 8GadgetPack)9.0/10 · Free plan

  A free Windows gadget collection with monitoring, utilities, and desktop organization.

  Visit GadgetPackFull verdict →
• GKrellM8.6/10 · Free plan

  A free, open-source monitor for users who want broad system visibility in one window.

  Visit GKrellMFull verdict →