Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

FileActivityWatch VS FSMonitor

Compare FileActivityWatch VS FSMonitor and see what are their differences

FileActivityWatch logo FileActivityWatch

FileAccessErrorView - Show file open / read / write / delete errors on Windows

FSMonitor logo FSMonitor

FSMonitor is a macOS app that monitors all changes in the file system, including file creation...
Not present
  • FSMonitor Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-08-02

FileActivityWatch features and specs

  • Lightweight
    FileActivityWatch is a small and lightweight utility that does not require a lot of system resources to run, making it ideal for older or less powerful computers.
  • Portability
    The tool is portable and does not require installation, allowing users to run it directly from a USB stick or any other portable storage device.
  • Ease of Use
    The user interface is straightforward and easy to navigate, allowing users with varying levels of technical expertise to monitor file activities.
  • Real-Time Monitoring
    FileActivityWatch provides real-time monitoring of file activities, allowing users to see changes as they happen.
  • Freeware
    It is offered as freeware, providing users with full functionality without the need for a paid license.

Possible disadvantages of FileActivityWatch

  • Limited Features
    Compared to more advanced file monitoring tools, FileActivityWatch has a limited set of features and may not meet the needs of users requiring more comprehensive monitoring capabilities.
  • Windows Only
    The utility is only available for Windows platforms, which limits its use for those operating on macOS or Linux systems.
  • No GUI Customization
    The tool offers limited options for customizing the graphical user interface, which might be a drawback for users who prefer more personalized software environments.
  • No Official Support
    Being a freeware utility from a small developer, there is no official support channel for troubleshooting or detailed guidance.
  • Potential Security Risks
    As with any monitoring software, users need to be cautious about the security implications of running the utility, especially in environments with sensitive data.

FSMonitor features and specs

  • Real-time Monitoring
    FSMonitor provides real-time monitoring of file system changes, allowing users to quickly detect and respond to modifications.
  • Detailed File Information
    The tool offers comprehensive insights into file attributes such as size, path, and type, which can help in effective file management.
  • Cross-platform Support
    FSMonitor is available on multiple operating systems, providing flexibility and convenience for users working in diverse environments.
  • User-friendly Interface
    The software features an intuitive interface that is easy to navigate, making it accessible to users with varying levels of technical expertise.
  • Customizable Alerts
    Users can set up customizable alerts to receive notifications of specific file system events, enhancing proactive management capabilities.

Possible disadvantages of FSMonitor

  • Resource Intensive
    The constant monitoring can be resource-heavy, potentially impacting system performance, especially on older hardware.
  • Learning Curve
    While the interface is user-friendly, some advanced features may require a learning curve for full utilization.
  • Limited Free Version
    The free version of FSMonitor has limited capabilities, prompting users to opt for the paid version to access all features.
  • Potential for Information Overload
    With extensive monitoring capabilities, users may encounter an overwhelming amount of information, making it challenging to identify critical alerts.
  • Compatibility Issues
    There may be compatibility issues with certain file systems or configurations, which could hinder optimal functioning on specific setups.

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to FileActivityWatch and FSMonitor)
Image Optimisation
57 57%
43% 43
Note Taking
52 52%
48% 48
File Management
61 61%
39% 39
Computer Monitoring Software

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, FSMonitor seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 6 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

FileActivityWatch mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of FileActivityWatch yet. Tracking of FileActivityWatch recommendations started around Dec 2023.

FSMonitor mentions (6)

  • Mac Power Users 690: Better Touch Tool with Andreas Hegenberg
    Links and Show Notes:More Power Users: Ad-free episodes with regular bonus segmentsSubmit Feedbackfolivora.ai - Great Tools for your Mac!iPhone Praktikum 2009GitHub - quicklywilliam/multiclutch: Customization App for Macbooks with MultiTouch supportHopperFSMonitorProxyman ยท Native, Modern Web Debugging Proxy ยท Inspect network traffic from Mac, iOS, Android devices with easeCharles Web Debugging Proxy โ€ข HTTP... Source: over 2 years ago
  • Sloth โ€“ A Mac app that shows all open files, directories, sockets, etc.
    FSMonitor[0] is similar to the old FileMon[1] but for macOS. In the default tree view, as new data is written, the entries are highlighted and sort of throb, so it's easy to track what's going on. [0] https://fsmonitor.com/ [1] https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/downloads/filemon. - Source: Hacker News / over 2 years ago
  • App wants to make changes
    They're hard to find these days for later versions of macOS, but you could try a file monitor so you can see what files the app is making changes to. You could try the free trial of FSMonitor. I'm just not sure how much you can do with the free trial though. Or look on GitHub to see if someone has scripted something similar. Source: almost 3 years ago
  • An app to find out which app created a file/folder?
    Maybe FSMonitor can help if you set it to watch the parent folder. Source: over 3 years ago
  • The orange dot appears while on the lock screen but goes away right after I login. Does this happen for anyone else? I'm starting to think that a hidden process is using the microphone
    You can use something like FSMonitor to watch/analyze which files are being touched while the orange dot is on. Source: almost 4 years ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing FileActivityWatch and FSMonitor, you can also consider the following products

File Juggler - File Juggler is a Windows utility for automatic file management.

iWatch - iWatch is a realtime filesystem monitoring program.

Folder Monitor - FolderMonitor helps you monitor what happens in a folder.

Free folder monitor - Free file monitor software - free file monitor to record the system changes in real-time, investigating exactly what files/folders have been altered, created or removed.

FolderChangesView - FolderChangesView is a simple tool that monitors the folder or disk drive that you choose and lists every filename that is being modified, created, or deleted while the folder is being monitored

DaemonFS - DaemonFS is a real time file monitoring software.