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Head-to-head · Desktop Widget Software

Monitor Flows vs GKrellM

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 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
GKrellM #6 in Desktop Widget Software 8.6/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 5 features Visit GKrellM

Monitor Flows leads on 0 checks, GKrellM 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 scoreMonitor Flows · 9.4/10
  • Free planboth
  • Free trialonly Monitor Flows
  • Most featuresMonitor Flows · 4 of 5

Monitor Flows scores higher on our rubric for desktop widget software: 9.4 against 8.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #6.

On supported platforms, GKrellM gives you Cross_platform where Monitor Flows offers Windows.

Monitor Flows is the better fit for windows users needing integrations and multi-monitor layouts. GKrellM is the better fit for cross-platform hardware and system monitoring.

  • Monitor Flows fits best

    Windows users needing integrations and multi-monitor layouts

  • GKrellM fits best

    Cross-platform hardware and system monitoring

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Side by side

Feature Monitor Flows 9.4/10 Visit ↗ GKrellM 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.4 8.6
Ranking #1 in Desktop Widget Software #6 in Desktop Widget Software
Best for Windows users needing integrations and multi-monitor layouts Cross-platform hardware and system monitoring
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free
Starting price $3/mo Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial 14 days —
Deployment Desktop Desktop
Platforms Windows Windows, macOS, Linux
Support Community Community, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business
Features Monitor Flows 4/5 · GKrellM 2/5
System monitoring ✓ ✓
Custom layouts ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Weather widgets ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Calendar widgets ✓ ✓
Feed widgets Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Supported platforms Windows Cross_platform
Widget categories system monitoring; media controls; calendar; weather; smart home CPU, process, disk, network, internet, memory, swap, filesystem, mailbox, clock, calendar, hostname, battery, temperature, fan, voltage, uptime, plugins
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
  • Monitors CPU, processes, disks, memory, network, temperatures, and battery
  • Supports Windows, macOS, and Linux
  • Themes, alarms, charts, plugins, and remote data collection
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
  • 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

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 →

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 →
  1. Monitor FlowsDesktop Widget Software 9.4Free plan · 14-day trial
  2. GKrellMDesktop Widget Software 8.6Free plan

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

  • 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

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