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Head-to-head · Desktop Widget Software

Monitor Flows vs Rainmeter

  • 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
Rainmeter #2 in Desktop Widget Software 9.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 5 features Visit Rainmeter

Monitor Flows leads on 0 checks, Rainmeter 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 planboth
  • Free trialonly Monitor Flows

Monitor Flows scores higher on our rubric for desktop widget software: 9.4 against 9.3 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #2.

Monitor Flows is the better fit for windows users needing integrations and multi-monitor layouts. Rainmeter is the better fit for windows users wanting a free skin ecosystem.

  • Monitor Flows fits best

    Windows users needing integrations and multi-monitor layouts

  • Rainmeter fits best

    Windows users wanting a free skin ecosystem

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Side by side

Feature Monitor Flows 9.4/10 Visit ↗ Rainmeter 9.3/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.4 9.3
Ranking #1 in Desktop Widget Software #2 in Desktop Widget Software
Best for Windows users needing integrations and multi-monitor layouts Windows users wanting a free skin ecosystem
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free
Starting price $3/mo Free
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial 14 days —
Deployment Desktop Desktop
Platforms Windows Windows
Support Community Community, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business
Features Monitor Flows 4/5 · Rainmeter 4/5
System monitoring ✓ ✓
Custom layouts ✓ ✓
Weather widgets ✓ ✓
Calendar widgets ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Feed widgets Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Specs
Supported platforms Windows Windows
Widget categories system monitoring; media controls; calendar; weather; smart home memory, battery, RSS feeds, weather forecasts, notes, to-do lists, application launchers, media-player controls
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 and fully open source under the GNU GPL v2 license
  • Covers system data, weather, RSS, notes, launchers, and media controls
  • Includes tools for creating and editing custom desktop skins
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
  • Supports Windows rather than multiple desktop platforms
  • Customization may require more configuration than a simple widget app
  • Its feature set is delivered through configurable skins rather than one fixed interface
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 →

Rainmeter is a free, open-source desktop customization tool for Windows users who want configurable information and controls on their desktop. Its skins can display memory and battery data, weather forecasts, and RSS feeds, while also…

Read the review →
  1. Monitor FlowsDesktop Widget Software 9.4Free plan · 14-day trial
  2. RainmeterDesktop Widget Software 9.3Free 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

  • Rainmeter — where it wins

    • Free and fully open source under the GNU GPL v2 license
    • Covers system data, weather, RSS, notes, launchers, and media controls
    • Includes tools for creating and editing custom desktop skins

    Where it doesn't

    • Supports Windows rather than multiple desktop platforms
    • Customization may require more configuration than a simple widget app
    • Its feature set is delivered through configurable skins rather than one fixed interface

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