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Head-to-head · Desktop Widget Software

Rainmeter vs GKrellM

  • 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
GKrellM #6 in Desktop Widget Software 8.6/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 5 features Visit GKrellM

Rainmeter leads on 0 checks, GKrellM 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 scoreRainmeter · 9.3/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresRainmeter · 4 of 5

Rainmeter scores higher on our rubric for desktop widget software: 9.3 against 8.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #6.

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

Rainmeter is the better fit for windows users wanting a free skin ecosystem. GKrellM is the better fit for cross-platform hardware and system monitoring.

  • Rainmeter fits best

    Windows users wanting a free skin ecosystem

  • GKrellM fits best

    Cross-platform hardware and system monitoring

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Side by side

Feature Rainmeter 9.3/10 Visit ↗ GKrellM 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.3 8.6
Ranking #2 in Desktop Widget Software #6 in Desktop Widget Software
Best for Windows users wanting a free skin ecosystem Cross-platform hardware and system monitoring
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop Desktop
Platforms Windows Windows, macOS, Linux
Support Community, Docs Community, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business
Features Rainmeter 4/5 · GKrellM 2/5
System monitoring ✓ ✓
Custom layouts ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Weather widgets ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Calendar widgets Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Feed widgets ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Specs
Supported platforms Windows Cross_platform
Widget categories memory, battery, RSS feeds, weather forecasts, notes, to-do lists, application launchers, media-player controls CPU, process, disk, network, internet, memory, swap, filesystem, mailbox, clock, calendar, hostname, battery, temperature, fan, voltage, uptime, plugins
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
  • Monitors CPU, processes, disks, memory, network, temperatures, and battery
  • Supports Windows, macOS, and Linux
  • Themes, alarms, charts, plugins, and remote data collection
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
  • 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

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 →

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. RainmeterDesktop Widget Software 9.3Free plan
  2. GKrellMDesktop Widget Software 8.6Free plan

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

  • 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