Rainmeter vs GadgetPack (formerly 8GadgetPack)

Rainmeter9.3Visit GadgetPack (formerly 8GadgetPack)9.0Visit

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

vs

GadgetPack (formerly 8GadgetPack) #3 in Desktop Widget Software 9.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 5 of 5 features Visit GadgetPack

• Rainmeter fits best

  Windows users wanting a free skin ecosystem

• GadgetPack (formerly 8GadgetPack) fits best

  Windows users wanting a ready-made free gadget collection

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Side by side

Feature	Rainmeter 9.3/10 Visit ↗	GadgetPack (formerly 8GadgetPack) 9.0/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.3	9.0
Ranking	#2 in Desktop Widget Software	#3 in Desktop Widget Software
Best for	Windows users wanting a free skin ecosystem	Windows users wanting a ready-made free gadget collection
Pricing model	Free	Free
Starting price	Free	Free
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	Windows	Windows
Support	Community, Docs	Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business	Solo, Small business
Features Rainmeter 4/5 · GadgetPack (formerly 8GadgetPack) 5/5
System monitoring	✓	✓
Custom layouts	✓	✓
Weather widgets	✓	✓
Calendar widgets	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Feed widgets	✓	✓
Specs
Supported platforms	Windows	Windows
Widget categories	memory, battery, RSS feeds, weather forecasts, notes, to-do lists, application launchers, media-player controls	sidebar, agenda, CPU and GPU monitoring, battery, calendar, clipboard, clocks, currency, drives, network monitoring, weather, reminders, slideshow, sticky notes, calculator, volume control, unit converter, radio
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 access to a broad collection of desktop gadgets System monitoring covers CPU, GPU, drives, network, and power Supports movable gadgets, an optional sidebar, and compatible .gadget files
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	Windows-only support limits cross-platform use Focused on ready-made gadgets rather than custom widget development Gadget quality and compatibility may vary across external .gadget files
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 →	GadgetPack, formerly 8GadgetPack, restores a desktop gadget platform for Windows 10 and 11. It suits Windows users who want a ready-made set of clocks, calendars, weather tools, system monitors, and everyday utilities without a paid plan.… Read the review →

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

• GadgetPack (formerly 8GadgetPack) — where it wins

  • Free access to a broad collection of desktop gadgets
  • System monitoring covers CPU, GPU, drives, network, and power
  • Supports movable gadgets, an optional sidebar, and compatible .gadget files

  Where it doesn't

  • Windows-only support limits cross-platform use
  • Focused on ready-made gadgets rather than custom widget development
  • Gadget quality and compatibility may vary across external .gadget files

• Rainmeter9.3/10 · Free plan

  A flexible Windows widget toolkit for system data, feeds, controls, and custom layouts.

  Visit RainmeterFull verdict →
• GadgetPack (formerly 8GadgetPack)9.0/10 · Free plan

  A free Windows gadget collection with monitoring, utilities, and desktop organization.

  Visit GadgetPackFull verdict →