Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Macs Fan Control VS SpeedFan

Compare Macs Fan Control VS SpeedFan and see what are their differences

Macs Fan Control logo Macs Fan Control

Macs Fan Control is an iMac, MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, Mac Mini and Mac Pro fan control that is the solution of two basic issues namely noise problems and overheating problems.

SpeedFan logo SpeedFan

Hardware monitor for Windows that can access digital temperature sensors located on several 2-wire SMBus Serial Bus. Can access voltages and fan speeds and control fan speeds. Includes technical articles and docs.
  • Macs Fan Control Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-07-29
  • SpeedFan Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-01-22

Macs Fan Control features and specs

  • Custom Fan Control
    Allows users to manually set fan speeds, providing better cooling management and potentially extending the lifespan of hardware components.
  • Temperature Monitoring
    Displays real-time temperature readings for various components, enabling users to keep a close eye on their system's thermal status.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    Offers an intuitive and easy-to-navigate interface, making it accessible for users of all technical levels.
  • Cross-Platform Support
    Available for both macOS and Windows, allowing users to manage fan control on multiple operating systems.
  • Enhanced Performance
    By optimizing fan speeds, users can maintain higher performance levels without the risk of overheating.

Possible disadvantages of Macs Fan Control

  • Potential Overuse
    Manual fan control can lead to overuse of fans, potentially reducing their lifespan if not monitored correctly.
  • Incompatibility Issues
    May not be fully compatible with all Mac models or third-party hardware, leading to limited functionality in some cases.
  • Risk of Error
    Incorrect settings can result in inadequate cooling or excessive noise, requiring careful adjustment and monitoring.
  • Limited Free Features
    The free version may not offer all advanced features, prompting users to purchase the pro version for full functionality.
  • Learning Curve
    While the interface is user-friendly, understanding optimal fan speed settings and temperature management may require some learning.

SpeedFan features and specs

  • Cost
    SpeedFan is free software, making it accessible to anyone without any financial investment.
  • Temperature Monitoring
    Allows users to monitor the temperature of various hardware components, such as CPU, GPU, and hard drives, helping to prevent overheating and extend hardware lifespan.
  • Fan Control
    Enables users to manually adjust the speed of fans, providing a balance between cooling performance and noise levels.
  • Customizable
    Offers extensive customization options, including automatic fan speed adjustments based on temperature thresholds and the ability to create user-defined profiles.
  • System Information
    Provides detailed system information, including voltages, CPU usage, and S.M.A.R.T data from hard drives.
  • Support for Multiple Sensors
    Supports a wide range of sensors from various manufacturers, making it compatible with many different hardware setups.

Possible disadvantages of SpeedFan

  • User Interface
    The user interface is considered outdated and not very intuitive, which may be difficult for new users to navigate.
  • Compatibility Issues
    Some users report compatibility issues with specific hardware, particularly newer motherboard models and certain sensors.
  • Support and Updates
    Updates and official support have become sporadic, potentially leading to compatibility problems with newer hardware and operating systems.
  • Stability
    Users have experienced occasional stability issues, including crashes and incorrect fan speed readings.
  • Learning Curve
    Due to its extensive functionality, there is a steep learning curve for users who are not familiar with hardware monitoring and fan control software.
  • Potential Risks
    Improper use of manual fan control settings can potentially damage hardware components due to overheating or excessive strain on the fans.

Analysis of Macs Fan Control

Overall verdict

  • Overall, Macs Fan Control is well-regarded in the tech community for its effectiveness and ease of use. It is especially useful for users who need precise control over their Mac's cooling system, whether for performance optimization or hardware preservation.

Why this product is good

  • Macs Fan Control is considered good because it provides users with the ability to monitor and control the fan speed on their Mac computers. This can help in preventing overheating issues, optimizing performance, increasing the longevity of the hardware, and keeping the system cool under heavy use. Users appreciate its user-friendly interface and detailed real-time diagnostics, which make it easy to adjust fan settings according to their needs or environmental conditions.

Recommended for

    Macs Fan Control is recommended for users who are experiencing overheating issues on their Macs, users who run processor-intensive applications and need better thermal management, and tech enthusiasts who enjoy customizing and optimizing their system's performance. It is also useful for anyone looking to extend the lifespan of their Mac by preventing thermal damage.

Analysis of SpeedFan

Overall verdict

  • SpeedFan is considered a good tool for those who need precise control over their system's cooling settings. Its functionality and level of detail cater to users who are comfortable tweaking hardware settings. However, its interface and setup process might be challenging for beginners.

Why this product is good

  • SpeedFan is a popular utility for Windows users that provides access to temperature sensors and fan speed control. It is praised for its ability to monitor system temperatures and adjust fan speeds accordingly, which can help optimize system cooling and reduce noise. The software is particularly useful for tech-savvy users who want more control over their computer's thermal performance.

Recommended for

    SpeedFan is recommended for advanced users, overclockers, and anyone interested in detailed monitoring and customization of their PC's thermal management settings. It is especially beneficial for users who need to manage cooling in custom-built PCs or systems with specific cooling needs.

Macs Fan Control videos

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SpeedFan videos

How to set up SpeedFan - Free fan control software

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Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Macs Fan Control and SpeedFan)
Monitoring Tools
42 42%
58% 58
Log Management
57 57%
43% 43
Device Management
32 32%
68% 68
OS & Utilities
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Macs Fan Control and SpeedFan

Macs Fan Control Reviews

8 Best SpeedFan Alternatives for Computers for Windows and Mac
We have covered four options and we know macOS users have a problem with them. Don’t worry, we got you covered. Macs Fan Control is what you want. As the name indicates the software puts you in charge of the fan speed. You can set it based on the temperature or the RPM.
Source: xtendedview.com

SpeedFan Reviews

8 Best SpeedFan Alternatives for Computers for Windows and Mac
We have presented before you two circumstances where the user needs to take charge of the CPU fan speed for effective use of the computer. SpeedFan used to be the favourites of many. However now, people are looking for fan control software other than SpeedFan.
Source: xtendedview.com
7 Best Speedfan Alternatives for 2023
For many Windows users, Speedfan is the most important application for controlling fan speed. Speedfan not only evaluates fan speeds, but also measures temperature and voltages. You can use Speedfan to change the speed of your computer fan when it gets too hot inside.
11 Best CPU Temperature Monitor For Windows PC To Check Accurate CPU Temp Readings
If you need a hardware monitoring tool that not only shows your current CPU temperature but it can also control the PC’s CPU fan speed. Then download SpeedFan latest version on your PC that is totally free and highly compatible with all modern processors.
Source: www.softlay.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Macs Fan Control seems to be a lot more popular than SpeedFan. While we know about 73 links to Macs Fan Control, we've tracked only 5 mentions of SpeedFan. 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.

Macs Fan Control mentions (73)

  • Fan Control apps on Apple Silicone
    Maybe Macs Fan Control is close enough https://crystalidea.com/macs-fan-control. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Recommendation on how to make diablo 4 run cooler on M1 Max?
    You can make device cooler by manually turning on the fan and tinkering with the RPM of fan to make it run cooler when running games. Macboook by default does not turn on the Fans until its over 90 degree. You can use this free Fan control software. I have been using it and my mac runs cooler when gaming and such. Https://crystalidea.com/macs-fan-control. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • CPU/system fans stopped on wake
    Install Macs Fan Control or TG Pro and see if you can get the fans to start up again after wake. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Must-have add-ons/accessories for MBP
    Get Macs fan control, the built in temperature for when the fans kicks in is very high. https://crystalidea.com/macs-fan-control. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Is it time for a new computer or are my issues fixable?
    Knowing how one might reproduce an issue doesn’t mean the cause is failing hardware. Apple Diagnostics may be able to tell you more, and Macs Fan Control can tell you if the fans are in working order and you can make them spin faster if you want. Source: about 2 years ago
View more

SpeedFan mentions (5)

  • I NEED HELP! How can I fix this?
    I use an app to check system temps: OpenHardwareMonitor. Some people like SpeedFan, does most of the same stuff. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Question - Are the loading times supposed to be this bad right now??
    That's not super common (but it does happen ofc). It might be worth running a tool to scan the drive and take a peek at the SMART data. I typically use Speedfan https://almico.com/speedfan.php. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Computer has come back from a repair shop wiped and is missing A vital app I used to control fan speeds and I cant redownload it. Any alternative apps?
    You'll get better gpu support from Afterburner, but if you have a weird chipset or an incompatible fan controller, good old SpeedFan still has a few tricks. Source: almost 3 years ago
  • SSD and HDD usage goes to 100% for the simplest processes
    Check disk health with speedfan from http://almico.com/speedfan.php. Source: almost 4 years ago
  • Computer Software for me :)
    Speedfan Freeware gives you some info about your temps, but its mostly used to set up your custom fan control, such as increasing rpm of your front intake fans when temp of GPU and/or CPU reaches a certain point and much more, how much you can do with it depends on the fan controller chip that is used on your mainboard, so you mileage may vary. Source: almost 4 years ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Macs Fan Control and SpeedFan, you can also consider the following products

Open Hardware Monitor - Monitors temperature sensors, fan speeds, voltages, load and clock speeds, with optional graph.

iStat Menus - "An advanced Mac system monitor for your menubar."

smcFanControl - [Download] smcFanControl 2.

Argus Monitor - Argus Monitor is for monitoring and analyzing the temperature and the health status of the hardware parts of the system.

xScan - xScan is an application for viewing the behavior of your computer and Mac.

CPU-Z - CPU-Z is a freeware that gathers information on some of the main devices of your system : Processor name and number, codename, process, package, cache levels.