Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Desktop Info VS Nerdtool

Compare Desktop Info VS Nerdtool and see what are their differences

Desktop Info logo Desktop Info

This little application displays system information on your desktop in a similar way to some other...

Nerdtool logo Nerdtool

NerdTool is a GeekTool-like application that displays information directly on your desktop.
  • Desktop Info Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-01-24
  • Nerdtool Landing page
    Landing page //
    2018-11-19

Desktop Info features and specs

  • Customizability
    Desktop Info offers a high degree of customizability, allowing users to tailor the information displayed to suit their specific needs and preferences.
  • Lightweight
    The software is lightweight and does not consume significant system resources, making it suitable for running on older or less powerful machines.
  • Real-time Monitoring
    Desktop Info provides real-time updates and monitoring of system information, which is useful for users who need to track system performance and resource usage closely.
  • Free to Use
    Desktop Info is offered as freeware, making it accessible to a wide range of users without the need for a financial commitment.
  • Wide Range of Information
    The application can display a broad range of system information, from CPU and RAM usage to network statistics and more.

Possible disadvantages of Desktop Info

  • Complexity for Beginners
    The high level of customizability might be overwhelming for beginners who may find it difficult to set up and configure the software without guidance.
  • Windows Only
    Desktop Info is only available for Windows systems, which limits its usefulness for users of other operating systems like macOS and Linux.
  • Manual Configuration Required
    Users need to manually edit configuration files to change settings, which can be cumbersome and prone to errors if done incorrectly.
  • Limited Support
    As a freeware project, Desktop Info may not offer the same level of support or regular updates that commercial software typically provides.
  • Aesthetic Limitations
    The interface aesthetic might not appeal to all users, as it primarily focuses on functionality rather than visual design.

Nerdtool features and specs

  • Customizability
    Nerdtool offers a high level of customizability allowing users to display various types of information on their desktop, such as system stats, text and images, or even shell output, by creating personalized skins.
  • Lightweight
    The application is lightweight, meaning it doesn’t require much system resources, allowing it to function efficiently in the background without slowing down other processes.
  • Open Source
    Nerdtool is open source, which means users can modify and improve the code according to their needs or preferences and also contribute towards the app’s development.
  • Free
    The application is freely available, providing an economical choice for displaying system information and other feeds directly on the desktop without any cost.

Possible disadvantages of Nerdtool

  • Steep Learning Curve
    For new users, Nerdtool may present a steep learning curve due to its reliance on scripting and absence of a more intuitive drag-and-drop interface.
  • Limited Support
    Being an open-source project, it may have limited official support and may rely heavily on community contributions for troubleshooting and updates.
  • Potential Compatibility Issues
    Nerdtool may encounter compatibility issues with recent operating system updates or third-party applications, as it may not receive timely updates to address these changes.
  • Basic UI
    The user interface of Nerdtool is relatively basic and may not be as visually appealing or user-friendly as other modern desktop widget applications.

Desktop Info videos

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Nerdtool videos

Nerdtool & Quartz Composer... Experiments... 2 of 4

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Desktop Info and Nerdtool)
Monitoring Tools
59 59%
41% 41
Command Line Tools
57 57%
43% 43
Tool
57 57%
43% 43
Log Management
59 59%
41% 41

User comments

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What are some alternatives?

When comparing Desktop Info and Nerdtool, you can also consider the following products

Conky - Latest commit 262a292 on Dec 7, 2017 brndnmtthws Add missing build dep. Conky is a free, light-weight system monitor for X, that displays any kind of information on your desktop.

Bginfo - This fully-configurable program automatically generates desktop backgrounds that include important information about the system.

Übersicht - Keep an eye on what is happening on your machine and in the World.

GKrellM - GKrellM is a single process stack of system monitors which supports applying themes to match its...

Rainmeter - Rainmeter is a desktop customization platform.

Cysboard - A lightweight conky alternative that uses HTML/CSS for themes.