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Head-to-head · Desktop Widget Software

Monitor Flows vs Dashboard

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score Monitor Flows #1 in Desktop Widget Software 9.4/10 Free plan · 14-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 4 of 5 features Visit Monitor Flows
Dashboard #16 in Desktop Widget Software 7.5/10 Open source ✓ 4 of 5 features Visit Dashboard

Monitor Flows leads on 0 checks, Dashboard on 0, and 6 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 scoreMonitor Flows · 9.4/10
  • Free planonly Monitor Flows
  • Free trialonly Monitor Flows

Monitor Flows scores higher on our rubric for desktop widget software: 9.4 against 7.5 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #16.

On supported platforms, Dashboard gives you Linux where Monitor Flows offers Windows.

Monitor Flows is the better fit for windows users needing integrations and multi-monitor layouts. Dashboard is the better fit for linux users wanting an all-purpose dashboard.

  • Monitor Flows fits best

    Windows users needing integrations and multi-monitor layouts

  • Dashboard fits best

    Linux users wanting an all-purpose dashboard

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Side by side

Feature Monitor Flows 9.4/10 Visit ↗ Dashboard 7.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.4 7.5
Ranking #1 in Desktop Widget Software #16 in Desktop Widget Software
Best for Windows users needing integrations and multi-monitor layouts Linux users wanting an all-purpose dashboard
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free
Starting price $3/mo Open source
Free plan ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Free trial 14 days —
Deployment Desktop Desktop
Platforms Windows Linux
Support Community Docs
Integrations 13 integrations 2 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business
Features Monitor Flows 4/5 · Dashboard 4/5
System monitoring ✓ ✓
Custom layouts ✓ ✓
Weather widgets ✓ ✓
Calendar widgets ✓ ✓
Feed widgets Not checked yet —
Specs
Supported platforms Windows Linux
Widget categories system monitoring; media controls; calendar; weather; smart home Clock, Calendar, Todo, Notes, Pomodoro, Countdown, Links, Weather, System Status, Htop, AI Chat, Log Tail
Our review
Pros
  • 50+ customizable widgets across system, media, weather and calendar needs
  • Independent layouts for multiple monitors with persistent widget pages
  • Integrations include Spotify, Discord, GitHub, Slack, Gmail and OpenWeather
  • Free-form canvas with persistent layouts and widget state
  • Built-in productivity, weather, monitoring, and log widgets
  • Open source with AppImage and Flatpak distribution
Cons
  • Available only for Windows 10 and 11
  • Free plan limits users to 15 core widgets and 3 pages
  • Custom widgets, API access and custom CSS require the Max plan
  • Limited to Linux desktop environments
  • AI chat uses the OpenAI API
  • No feed widget category is included
Our verdict

Monitor Flows is a Windows desktop widget application for people who want persistent, customizable dashboards on the desktop. Its widget coverage spans system monitoring, media controls, calendars, weather, smart-home controls and other…

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 →
  1. Monitor FlowsDesktop Widget Software 9.4Free plan · 14-day trial
  2. DashboardDesktop Widget Software 7.5Open source

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Monitor Flows — where it wins

    • 50+ customizable widgets across system, media, weather and calendar needs
    • Independent layouts for multiple monitors with persistent widget pages
    • Integrations include Spotify, Discord, GitHub, Slack, Gmail and OpenWeather

    Where it doesn't

    • Available only for Windows 10 and 11
    • Free plan limits users to 15 core widgets and 3 pages
    • Custom widgets, API access and custom CSS require the Max plan

  • 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

More comparisons

All desktop widget software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update