A PC Monitoring software provides real-time insights into your CPU, RAM, GPU, and hard drive, making it easier to detect hardware issues early and prevent costly downtime.
By continuously tracking metrics like temperature, voltage, fan speeds, and usage levels, monitoring software allows users to detect potential hardware issues before they escalate.
For instance, if your CPU is overheating or your hard drive is showing signs of failure, the software can alert you early, helping you take corrective action before any permanent damage occurs.
In this blog, we’ll walk through 11 of the best PC monitoring tools in 2025.
Key takeaways:
- PC monitoring software is more than just a “tech tool” – it can track system performance, security threats, employee activity, and even parental controls, depending on the type you choose.
- There are multiple categories of PC monitoring tools, including employee activity monitoring, network monitoring, security monitoring, parental controls, system performance monitoring, and email monitoring—each serving different needs.
- The benefits go beyond detecting issues – these tools can boost productivity, ensure compliance, improve workload distribution, prevent downtime, and protect sensitive data.
- The top tools in 2025 vary widely in purpose and features, from privacy-friendly productivity tracking (Flowace, ActivTrak) to deep hardware diagnostics (HWiNFO, HWMonitor) and enterprise-level network monitoring (Paessler PRTG).
- When choosing a PC monitoring solution, factors like ease of use, data detail, alerting, reporting, privacy, support, and total cost of ownership should be weighed carefully against your goals.
- The ultimate goal is proactive problem prevention, whether that’s keeping systems running smoothly, safeguarding against cyber threats, or maintaining ethical visibility over employee or family device use.
What Is PC Monitoring Software?
PC monitoring software is basically a tool that tracks how a computer is being used. It helps you track things like your computer’s health, like CPU or GPU usage, temperatures, memory, and network traffic.
On the tech side, these tools are super useful. If you’re into IT or just love tweaking your setup, system monitors alert you when your CPU is running hot or if your server goes offline. It’s like having a dashboard for your computer’s health.
A PC monitoring tools give you the data to make smarter decisions. But the key here is choosing the right tool for your goal.
For businesses with remote teams, PC monitoring tools offer a seamless way to track employee activity and diagnose system issues from anywhere, without the need for in-person inspections.
Types of PC Monitoring Software
PC monitoring software comes in many forms, each designed to serve a specific purpose, whether it’s keeping employees on task, safeguarding sensitive data, or ensuring systems run smoothly.
Understanding the different categories can help you choose the right tool for your needs.
Employee Activity Monitoring Software
This type of software is designed to keep track of how employees use their computers during work hours. It records activities such as websites visited, applications opened, time spent on each task, and sometimes even screenshots of the desktop.
The goal isn’t necessarily to “spy”; when used ethically, it helps managers ensure productivity, prevent time wastage, and identify areas where employees might need support or training. Many companies also use it to comply with labor regulations or contractual requirements for client projects.
Network Monitoring
Network monitoring software focuses on tracking data that flows across a company’s network. It keeps tabs on bandwidth usage, suspicious activity, unauthorized connections, and system downtimes.
IT teams rely on this type of software to quickly detect and fix problems before they cause major disruptions. For example, if a sudden spike in network traffic occurs, it could indicate a cyberattack or a misconfigured system, and network monitoring tools can alert admins in real time.
Security Monitoring
Security monitoring tools are like the digital security guards of an organization. They continuously scan for potential threats, malware, unauthorized access attempts, and unusual patterns of behavior on company devices. These tools often integrate with antivirus and firewall systems to provide a layered defense against cyberattacks.
For businesses handling sensitive data, such as healthcare records or financial information, security monitoring is non-negotiable.
Parental Control Software
While most PC monitoring solutions are for businesses, parental control software is aimed at households. It allows parents to manage their children’s device usage by setting time limits, blocking inappropriate content, and monitoring online activity. Some advanced versions even provide alerts if suspicious activity is detected or if a child tries to access restricted websites. This type of software helps foster safer internet habits from a young age.
System Performance Monitoring Software
This type of software keeps an eye on the health and efficiency of a computer system. It tracks metrics such as CPU usage, memory consumption, disk health, and application performance. For IT teams, these tools are crucial in spotting early signs of hardware failure or performance bottlenecks. By catching problems early, businesses can avoid costly downtime and keep their operations running smoothly.
E-mail Monitoring Software
E-mail monitoring software helps organizations ensure that communication through company email accounts is secure, compliant, and free from potential risks. It can flag suspicious attachments, detect sensitive data being shared without authorization, and even prevent phishing attempts. Some companies also use these tools to monitor tone and professionalism in external communications, ensuring brand consistency.
Benefits of Using PC Monitoring Software
- Tracks work habits and identifies time-wasting activities
- Encourages employees to stay focused when they know activities are being monitored
- Helps managers spot bottlenecks in processes
- Provides data for reassigning workloads to balance team performance
- Detects unauthorized access attempts and suspicious activity
- Prevents sensitive company data from being leaked or misused
- Helps businesses adhere to industry-specific rules (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA, ISO standards)
- Provides audit trails for investigations or client reporting
- Identifies unusual user behaviors that could indicate potential fraud or sabotage
- Allows timely intervention before major damage occurs
- Gives visibility into employee activity, even when they work from different locations
- Flag system performance issues early (e.g., slow response, storage problems)
- Reduces downtime by enabling proactive fixes
- Helps optimize infrastructure costs by identifying underused or overused assets
- Prevents inappropriate or unprofessional online behavior on company devices
Top 11 PC Monitoring Software for 2025
Here are our top 11 favorite picks for 2025.
1. Flowace
Flowace is a modern productivity intelligence and PC monitoring tool designed for teams that want transparent insights without intrusive surveillance. It works quietly in the background to automatically capture app and task usage, generate timesheets, and deliver AI-driven productivity analytics. The interface emphasizes clarity, showing time spent per project, usage patterns, and productivity trends—all while respecting privacy with customizable screenshot blur and role-based access.
Key Features:
- Automated Time & App Tracking: Logs active time on software and websites without manual input.
- AI-Powered Insights: Highlights ideal productivity windows, distractions, and workflow bottlenecks.
- Project-Level Reporting: Ties time usage back to tasks for billing, forecasting, and coaching.
- Privacy Controls: Offers blurred screenshots, selective capture, and customizable permissions.
Pricing:
Offers a free 7-day trial and tiered plans suited for SMBs up to enterprises. Pricing varies based on feature sets (tracking, analytics, admin tools) and team size, with custom enterprise quotes available.
Ratings:
Well-reviewed for accurate auto-tracking, intuitive dashboards, and effective productivity insights. Users switching from manual tracking appreciate the automation, though some request more case study references for large-scale deployments.
2. ActivTrak
ActivTrak is a workforce analytics platform built for teams seeking insights into productivity without invasive surveillance. It aggregates app and website usage, active vs. idle time, and turns them into visual heatmaps, benchmarking dashboards, and anomaly alerts. The tool prioritizes employee privacy with anonymized views, making it ideal for performance coaching and process optimization.
Key Features:
- Heatmaps & Productivity Benchmarks: Visualize work patterns and compare team behavior.
- Behavioral Insights: Track active vs. idle time and find workflow inefficiencies.
- Privacy-Aware Reporting: Anonymized or blurred data views to protect privacy.
- Alerts & Flagging: Highlight unusual fluctuations in engagement or app usage.
Pricing:
Includes a free plan for small teams with limited history. Paid plans scale by user and unlock longer data retention, advanced analytics, and security features.
Ratings:
Praised for clean UX and insightful dashboards; many users highlight its usefulness for building healthy workflows rather than enforcing oversight. Some criticism lies in restricted historical data on lower tiers and a learning curve for a complex reporting setup.
3. Teramind
Teramind is a comprehensive security and employee monitoring solution geared towards organizations with stringent compliance and insider threat concerns. It captures keystrokes, screen sessions, file activity, and email content, enabling policy-based data loss prevention (DLP) and forensic investigation. Designed for regulated industries, its depth is trusted for auditing and real-time response.
Key Features:
- Keystroke & Screen Recording: Capture detailed user activity for investigation.
- Policy-Based Controls: Block or quarantine actions that violate company policies.
- Insider Threat Detection: Alerts on suspicious behavior before escalation.
- On-Prem & Cloud Options: Deployment flexibility for data control and compliance.
Pricing:
Per-user licensing with tiered plans for monitoring depth, DLP, and insider risk management. Enterprise pricing tailored to scale, clarity, and module selection.
Ratings:
Highly regarded for security and compliance features; frequently recommended for legal, financial, or healthcare environments. Users note its power, but also the cultural sensitivity required when deploying such deep monitoring.
4. Hubstaff
Hubstaff is a practical time tracking and monitoring tool aimed at remote and field-based teams. It combines automatic timers with activity tracking, optional screenshots, GPS/geofencing for mobile workers, and seamless integration into payroll and invoicing workflows. It brings clarity to who’s working on what and when, without micromanagement.
Key Features:
- Time & Activity Tracking: Logs active work time, idle periods, and provides screenshot options.
- GPS & Geofencing: Track field workers’ locations and work zones.
- Billing & Invoicing Tools: Convert tracked time directly into invoices or payroll.
- Integrations: Connects with task, accounting, and project management platforms.
Pricing:
Free tier available for solo users. Paid plans are per-user, with add-ons like GPS or advanced integrations. Offers both monthly and annual billing options.
Ratings:
Highly rated for ease of use and practical features, especially around field tracking and billing workflows. Some feedback mentions a dated interface and emerging demand for more advanced analytics.
5. GlassWire
GlassWire is a user-friendly, desktop-based network monitoring and security visualization tool. It presents real-time internet activity on a per-app basis, logs bandwidth usage, and alerts users to unusual connections. Its emphasis is on clarity and simplicity, making it accessible to non-experts who want to spot suspicious behavior on their PCs.
Key Features:
- App-Level Network Insights: Visual breakdown of bandwidth consumption by application.
- Alerts for Suspicious Activity: Notifies users about unexpected connections or bandwidth spikes.
- Historical Traffic Graphs: See trends over time to identify recurring issues.
- Human-Centric Interface: Attractive visuals and intuitive alerts for easy oversight.
Pricing:
The free version covers basic monitoring. Premium licenses (one-time or subscription) unlock advanced features like extended history, more hosts, and alert customization.
Ratings:
Users love the polished visuals and straightforward insights. Considered excellent for personal or small-business usage, but not intended as a full enterprise firewall or NDR replacement.
6. HWiNFO
HWiNFO (short for Hardware Info) is a veteran PC monitoring utility beloved by IT professionals and hardcore PC enthusiasts alike. Unlike employee trackers, HWiNFO focuses on system hardware monitoring and diagnostics. It provides in-depth details on every component in your PC – from CPU, GPU, and memory to motherboards, drives, and sensor readings.
When you launch HWiNFO, it scans your entire system. You can see things like temperatures, fan speeds, power usage, clock speeds, and voltages, all in one place.
Key Features:
- Powerful sensor interface: HWiNFO gives you a detailed, organized view of all your system sensors and lets you set custom alerts (e.g., when your GPU gets too hot).
- Advanced integrations: You can connect HWiNFO with other tools or overlays for real-time monitoring or remote access.
- Failure prediction: It monitors key stats like CPU throttling and hard drive health (S.M.A.R.T.) to help you catch problems before they happen.
- Trusted and up-to-date: Regularly updated for the latest hardware, and even used by organizations like NASA for critical monitoring.
Pricing:
HWiNFO is free for personal use and offers a Pro version for commercial users starting at $29/year. The Pro version includes advanced features and support, while the free version is full-featured and ad-free.
Ratings:
HWiNFO has strong ratings on G2 (~4.5/5), with users praising its detailed data and reliability.
7. HWMonitor
HWMonitor is developed by CPUID (makers of CPU-Z) and is known for its simplicity and focus. HWMonitor reads your system’s main health sensors – including CPU and GPU temperatures, core voltages, fan speeds, power consumption, and usage percentages.
The interface is a straightforward tree view listing each component and its sensor values (current, minimum, and maximum recorded). For example, under your CPU, it will show per-core temps, overall CPU package power, etc.; under your GPU, it’ll list temperatures, fan speed, etc. This at-a-glance format makes it super easy to spot if something is running hot or using excessive resources.
Key Features:
- Lightweight and minimalistic: Uses very low system resources and shows real-time temperature, voltage, and fan speed data with no extra clutter.
- Remote monitoring (Pro version): Lets you view sensor data from other PCs over a local network or the internet using port forwarding.
- Sensor logging and simple graphs (Pro): Logs min/max values and can generate basic visual charts for deeper insight.
- Wide hardware compatibility: Supports a broad range of CPUs, GPUs, and sensor chips, with frequent updates to support new hardware.
Pricing:
HWMonitor is free for personal and commercial use, but the Pro version (starting at ~$22) adds features like remote monitoring and graph generation. Both licenses are one-time payments, making Pro a cost-effective upgrade for IT professionals.
Ratings:
HWMonitor holds strong ratings across platforms, with around 4.4/5 on G2 and 4.9/5 on Capterra, praised for its simplicity, ease of use, and accuracy. Users value it for troubleshooting and PC health checks.
8. Webwatcher
WebWatcher is a PC (and mobile) monitoring tool that is often used for parental control or stealth monitoring purposes. Unlike productivity-focused tools, WebWatcher is more about comprehensive surveillance of computer activity. Its key features include the ability to record emails, instant messages/chats, screenshots of the screen, website history, keystrokes, and more on the target computer.
Key Features:
- Comprehensive Monitoring: Logs websites visited, keystrokes, screenshots, emails, social media chats, and even file transfers via USB, all accessible through a secure online account.
- Keyword & Behavior Alerts: Sends notifications when flagged keywords are typed or viewed, with triggered screenshots for deeper context.
- Cross-Platform Support: Compatible with Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Chromebooks—ideal for families needing oversight across multiple device types.
- Stealth Mode Operation: Runs invisibly on the target device, making it hard to detect, and is marketed primarily for parental control and employee monitoring (with legal caution).
Pricing:
WebWatcher positions itself as a premium service – you pay for the convenience of easy monitoring. The subscription includes cloud storage of the logged data and access to the web dashboard. The most cost-effective plan is the 12-month plan, which costs about $129.95 per year. It breaks down to roughly $10.83 per month.
Ratings:
WebWatcher doesn’t have ratings on G2 or Capterra, but consumer and tech sites offer mixed reviews. It’s praised for its strong monitoring capabilities but criticized for its high price, limited customer service, and refund issues.
9. Paessler PRTG
Paessler PRTG Network Monitor, often just called PRTG, is an all-in-one network and systems monitoring platform. It’s been around for many years and is a favorite among IT departments for keeping tabs on everything from servers and workstations to routers and applications.
PRTG is best suited for IT teams managing medium to large networks that need real-time, detailed monitoring of infrastructure health. While it is an overkill for individuals or tiny setups, it’s invaluable for preventing downtime, spotting issues early, and keeping mission-critical systems running smoothly. This includes monitoring for things like Crazy Compression in data traffic.
Key Features:
- Comprehensive Monitoring: Captures emails, social media chats (e.g., Facebook Messenger, Snapchat), text messages, call logs, photos, and GPS location.
- Keyword Alerts & Screenshots: Notifies you when specific words are typed or viewed and can take automatic screenshots on trigger events.
- Web & USB Activity Tracking: Logs websites visited, flags content by category or keyword, and detects file transfers to USB drives.
- Cross-Platform Stealth Operation: Works discreetly across PC, Mac, Android, iOS, and Chromebook, without obvious traces on the device.
Pricing:
PRTG offers a free version for up to 100 sensors, ideal for small networks. Beyond that, it provides tiered perpetual licenses starting at around $1,79 (for 500 sensors), with optional maintenance, and now also offers enterprise subscriptions for large-scale deployments.
Ratings:
PRTG is highly rated on G2 and Capterra, averaging 4.5–4.6 stars. Users praise its extensive monitoring capabilities, reliability, and strong support, though some note a steep learning curve and complex initial setup.
10. NZXT CAM
NZXT CAM is a free PC monitoring and control software that’s especially popular with gamers and PC builders. CAM is developed by NZXT (a hardware company) to give users a centralized hub to monitor their computer’s performance and also control certain devices (like lighting and fan controllers).
The software provides real-time monitoring for all your critical system stats: CPU and GPU load, temperatures, clock speeds, RAM usage, network bandwidth, etc. The interface is very slick and user-friendly, with graphs and gauges that let you see at a glance if anything is running hot or if an application is hogging resources.
Key Features:
- NZXT Hardware Control: Customize fan curves, pump speeds, and RGB lighting for NZXT components like Kraken coolers and case lights, including fun effects like temperature-based color changes or audio-reactive lighting.
- In-Game Overlay: View real-time performance metrics (FPS, CPU/GPU temps) while gaming without needing to alt-tab, ideal for overclockers and streamers.
- Smart Scheduling & Profiles: Automate settings like lighting and fan noise based on time or activity using preset or custom profiles (e.g., night mode).
- System Monitoring & Utility Tools: Offers graphical task manager-like insights into system processes and performance, even without NZXT hardware.
Pricing:
NZXT CAM is completely free to use, with no paid tier or hidden features. It’s available to anyone, regardless of hardware brand, and includes full access to monitoring, control, and customization tools.
Ratings:
NZXT CAM is well-received in gaming and PC-building communities for its rich features and polished interface, despite some historical bugs.
11. AIDA64
AIDA64 is a deep system diagnostics, benchmarking, and remote monitoring suite often used by IT professionals, labs, and system integrators. It provides exhaustive hardware telemetry (temperatures, voltages, S.M.A.R.T. health), performance benchmarks, and remote sensor polling—suited for managing, benchmarking, and diagnosing large fleets of PCs or servers.
Key Features:
- In-Depth Hardware Telemetry: Monitor components down to volt, fan, and sensor level.
- System Benchmarking Tools: Evaluate system performance across CPU, memory, and disk.
- Remote Monitoring: Poll sensor data from an entire fleet with logging and reporting.
- SDK & Reporting: Integrate AIDA64 data into RMM dashboards or custom workflows
Pricing:
Offers Home/Extreme editions for personal use and Business/Network / Engineer editions for commercial, with pricing depending on per-seat or per-node licensing plus optional maintenance.
Ratings:
Highly praised for accuracy and detail, especially in technical environments. Professionals rely on it for troubleshooting and diagnostics. UI is utilitarian but justified by the depth of features.
Comparison table
| Tool | Best For | Key Features | Ratings | Notable Pros | Notable Cons |
| Flowace | Transparent productivity tracking with privacy controls | Automated time & app tracking, AI productivity insights, project-level reporting, customizable privacy settings | Well-reviewed for automation & insights | Non-intrusive, clear dashboards, strong privacy | Limited public case studies for large-scale use |
| ActivTrak | Workforce analytics & healthy productivity insights | Heatmaps, benchmarks, behavioral analytics, privacy-aware reporting, anomaly alerts | Praised for UX & coaching value | Privacy-friendly, great for workflow optimization | Limited historical data on lower tiers, learning curve |
| Teramind | Security, compliance, and insider threat prevention | Keystroke & screen recording, policy-based controls, insider threat alerts, on-prem/cloud deployment | Trusted for security & compliance | Very detailed monitoring, compliance-friendly | Can feel invasive, requires cultural sensitivity |
| Hubstaff | Remote & field team tracking with billing integration | Time/activity tracking, GPS/geofencing, invoicing, integrations | Highly rated for practicality | GPS & billing features, good for field teams | Interface can feel dated, limited advanced analytics |
| GlassWire | Personal/small business network monitoring | App-level bandwidth tracking, suspicious activity alerts, traffic history, visual interface | Loved for visuals & ease | Simple, clear network security view | Not a full enterprise security solution |
| HWiNFO | Deep hardware diagnostics | Detailed sensor data, integrations, failure prediction, regular updates | ~4.5/5 G2 | Extremely detailed & reliable, used in mission-critical ops | More for technical users, not productivity monitoring |
| HWMonitor | Lightweight hardware health checks | CPU/GPU temps, voltages, fan speeds, remote monitoring (Pro), sensor logging | ~4.4–4.9/5 | Minimal resource use, great troubleshooting tool | Limited analytics beyond sensor data |
| WebWatcher | Stealth surveillance & parental control | Logs websites, keystrokes, screenshots, chats, USB activity, keyword alerts | Mixed reviews | Very comprehensive tracking, cross-platform | High price, limited support, refund complaints |
| Paessler PRTG | Enterprise network & systems monitoring | Full IT infra monitoring, alerts, reporting, multi-protocol support | ~4.5–4.6/5 | Extremely comprehensive, scalable | Steep learning curve, overkill for small setups |
| NZXT CAM | Gamers & PC builders | Real-time system stats, NZXT hardware control, in-game overlay, automation profiles | Well-received in gaming communities | Beautiful UI, hardware control, overlays | Occasional historical bugs |
| AIDA64 | IT pros & enterprise diagnostics | Full telemetry, benchmarking, remote fleet monitoring, SDK integration | Highly praised by pros | Exhaustive detail, great for diagnostics | Utilitarian UI, technical learning curve |
Data Points Provided By PC Monitoring Software
PC monitoring tools collect different kinds of data based on your goals. Here’s a quick breakdown:
- System Performance:
Tools like HWiNFO and PRTG monitor hardware health. You’ll get data on CPU/GPU usage, temperatures, memory, disk space, and network speed. These help spot issues like overheating or performance bottlenecks. - Security & Audit Logs:
Some tools track USB activity, file transfers, login attempts, and blocked sites. You’ll know if someone copied files or tried accessing sensitive data, which is useful for audits and compliance. - Alerts & Insights:
Instead of raw data, many tools give alerts, like low disk space or long idle times. These help you act fast when something needs attention. - Trends Over Time:
Historical data shows patterns like peak usage times and productivity. It helps with planning and performance reviews.
What Should You Look For In Pc Tracking Tools?
- Ease of Use and Deployment
Pick something that’s easy to set up and manage, especially if you’re not tech-savvy or need to monitor many devices. Cloud-based tools are usually simpler, while on-premise ones give more control but need more effort. - Data Collected and Granularity
Make sure the tool tracks the exact data you need, and check how detailed and frequent the data collection is. - Alerting and Notifications
If you want to be notified when something goes wrong (like high CPU usage or idle time), choose a tool with customizable alerts and notification channels. - Reporting and Analytics
Look for tools that offer clear summaries, dashboards, and ready-to-export reports so you don’t waste time analyzing raw data manually. - Privacy and Transparency
Consider the ethical and legal side too. Some tools are stealthy, others are transparent and privacy-friendly. Choose what fits your context, especially if you’re monitoring others. - Support and Community
Good customer support or an active user community can help you fix issues faster. Check reviews to see how responsive and helpful the vendor is. - Cost vs. Budget
Balance features with price. Don’t just consider upfront cost. Factor in how much time it takes to manage the tool, and choose something efficient and affordable.
Final Thoughts
So, there you have it! With so many PC monitoring tools out there, it’s all about finding the right one that fits your needs. Whether you’re a gamer trying to keep your rig cool with NZXT CAM, an IT pro needing deep insights with HWiNFO, or a business looking for network-level monitoring with PRTG, there’s something for everyone.
The key is to balance ease of use, data granularity, and your specific goals, whether it’s improving system performance, enhancing security, or just keeping things running smoothly. No matter which tool you pick, the goal is the same: prevent issues before they escalate and keep your systems performing at their best.
