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Head-to-head · Hardware Diagnostic Software

HP PC Hardware Diagnostics vs MemTest86

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score HP PC Hardware Diagnostics #1 in Hardware Diagnostic Software 9.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 6 features Visit HP
MemTest86 #8 in Hardware Diagnostic Software 7.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 6 features Visit MemTest86

HP PC Hardware Diagnostics leads on 0 checks, MemTest86 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 scoreHP PC Hardware Diagnostics · 9.3/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresHP PC Hardware Diagnostics · 4 of 6

HP PC Hardware Diagnostics scores higher on our rubric for hardware diagnostic software: 9.3 against 7.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #8.

On platform support, MemTest86 gives you Multi-platform where HP PC Hardware Diagnostics offers Windows.

HP PC Hardware Diagnostics is the better fit for free Windows and UEFI system testing. MemTest86 is the better fit for advanced RAM testing and deployment.

  • HP PC Hardware Diagnostics fits best

    Free Windows and UEFI system testing

  • MemTest86 fits best

    Advanced RAM testing and deployment

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Side by side

Feature HP PC Hardware Diagnostics 9.3/10 Visit ↗ MemTest86 7.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.3 7.9
Ranking #1 in Hardware Diagnostic Software #8 in Hardware Diagnostic Software
Best for Free Windows and UEFI system testing Advanced RAM testing and deployment
Pricing model Free Free plan + paid
Starting price Free plan $76/yr
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop Desktop
Platforms Windows Windows, macOS, Linux
Support Docs Email, Phone, Community, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features HP PC Hardware Diagnostics 4/6 · MemTest86 3/6
Stress testing Not checked yet Not checked yet
Memory testing ✓ ✓
Disk health checks ✓ (best) Not checked yet
GPU testing Not checked yet Not checked yet
Bootable diagnostic media ✓ ✓
Diagnostic reports ✓ ✓
Specs
Platform support Windows Multi-platform
Our review
Pros
  • Covers processor, memory, storage SMART, video memory, battery, and power tests
  • UEFI diagnostics can run when Windows does not start
  • Bootable USB media, saved logs, and 24-digit failure IDs support troubleshooting
  • Boots from USB or network media without an operating system
  • Supports 14 RAM algorithms, Row Hammer detection, and ECC features
  • Adds HTML reports, automation, and PXE deployment in Pro editions
Cons
  • Designed for HP desktop and notebook computers
  • Windows application support is limited to Windows
  • Available component tests can vary by computer model
  • Advanced capabilities require a paid Pro or Site edition
  • Testing runs as standalone bootable software, not inside an operating system
  • Updates, downloads, and support beyond 12 months require an extension
Our verdict

HP PC Hardware Diagnostics is a free hardware-testing utility for HP desktop and notebook computers. It provides a Windows application for testing hardware while the operating system is active, alongside UEFI diagnostics that can run…

Read the review →

MemTest86 is standalone memory diagnostic software for testing computer RAM for faults. It boots from USB or network media and supports x86, x86-64, and ARM64 systems, making it suitable for system builders, PC repair stores, overclockers,…

Read the review →
  1. HP PC Hardware DiagnosticsHardware Diagnostic Software 9.3Free plan
  2. MemTest86Hardware Diagnostic Software 7.9Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • HP PC Hardware Diagnostics — where it wins

    • Covers processor, memory, storage SMART, video memory, battery, and power tests
    • UEFI diagnostics can run when Windows does not start
    • Bootable USB media, saved logs, and 24-digit failure IDs support troubleshooting

    Where it doesn't

    • Designed for HP desktop and notebook computers
    • Windows application support is limited to Windows
    • Available component tests can vary by computer model

  • MemTest86 — where it wins

    • Boots from USB or network media without an operating system
    • Supports 14 RAM algorithms, Row Hammer detection, and ECC features
    • Adds HTML reports, automation, and PXE deployment in Pro editions

    Where it doesn't

    • Advanced capabilities require a paid Pro or Site edition
    • Testing runs as standalone bootable software, not inside an operating system
    • Updates, downloads, and support beyond 12 months require an extension
  • HP PC Hardware Diagnostics9.3/10 · Free plan

    Free Windows and UEFI diagnostics with stress tests, logs, and failure IDs.

    Visit HPFull verdict →
  • MemTest867.9/10 · Free plan

    A capable RAM diagnostic suite, with advanced deployment features reserved for paid editions.

    Visit MemTest86Full verdict →

More comparisons

All hardware diagnostic software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update