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Head-to-head · Desktop Widget Software

Rainmeter vs Dashboard

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score Rainmeter #2 in Desktop Widget Software 9.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 5 features Visit Rainmeter
Dashboard #16 in Desktop Widget Software 7.5/10 Open source ✓ 4 of 5 features Visit Dashboard

Rainmeter leads on 1 check, Dashboard on 0, and 5 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 scoreRainmeter · 9.3/10
  • Free planonly Rainmeter

Rainmeter scores higher on our rubric for desktop widget software: 9.3 against 7.5 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #16.

On supported platforms, Dashboard gives you Linux where Rainmeter offers Windows. Rainmeter offers feed widgets; Dashboard doesn't.

Rainmeter is the better fit for windows users wanting a free skin ecosystem. Dashboard is the better fit for linux users wanting an all-purpose dashboard.

  • Rainmeter fits best

    Windows users wanting a free skin ecosystem

  • Dashboard fits best

    Linux users wanting an all-purpose dashboard

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Side by side

Feature Rainmeter 9.3/10 Visit ↗ Dashboard 7.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.3 7.5
Ranking #2 in Desktop Widget Software #16 in Desktop Widget Software
Best for Windows users wanting a free skin ecosystem Linux users wanting an all-purpose dashboard
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free Open source
Free plan ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop Desktop
Platforms Windows Linux
Support Community, Docs Docs
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business
Features Rainmeter 4/5 · Dashboard 4/5
System monitoring ✓ ✓
Custom layouts ✓ ✓
Weather widgets ✓ ✓
Calendar widgets Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Feed widgets ✓ (best) —
Specs
Supported platforms Windows Linux
Widget categories memory, battery, RSS feeds, weather forecasts, notes, to-do lists, application launchers, media-player controls Clock, Calendar, Todo, Notes, Pomodoro, Countdown, Links, Weather, System Status, Htop, AI Chat, Log Tail
Our review
Pros
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Limited to Linux desktop environments
  • AI chat uses the OpenAI API
  • No feed widget category is included
Our verdict

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 →

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. RainmeterDesktop Widget Software 9.3Free plan
  2. DashboardDesktop Widget Software 7.5Open source

Strengths and trade-offs

  • 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

  • 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