MemTest86+ vs Novabench
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.
MemTest86+ is a standalone memory testing software designed to thoroughly diagnose and stress-test computer RAM for hardware faults and stability issues. Operating independently of any operating system, it boots directly from removable media to execute rigorous algorithmic patterns against physical memory addresses. Widely trusted by PC builders, system administrators, and hardware technicians, it helps isolate faulty RAM sticks, unstable overclocks, and subtle memory degradation before they cause data corruption or system crashes.
Novabench is a benchmarking suite that tests CPU (single and multi-threaded), GPU (3D graphics and compute), memory, storage and NPU performance, alongside network tests for connection speed, latency, jitter, packet loss and traceroute analysis. Results can be compared against a database of millions of previously submitted scores. Beyond benchmarking, it includes stress testing to validate system stability under sustained load and real-time monitoring of temperatures, power consumption and battery health with historical logging. The free tier runs the full benchmark suite with no time limit and no account required, while paid Plus and Pro tiers add extended stress testing, deeper analytics, and persistent monitoring with batch testing across machines. It runs natively on Windows 10/11, macOS 12+, and recent Linux distributions on both x86-64 and ARM64.
- Completely free and open source
- Runs independently of the operating system
- Supports both UEFI and legacy BIOS
- Deep diagnostic algorithms detect subtle hardware faults
- Free tier includes the full benchmark suite with no time limit or account needed
- Covers CPU, GPU, memory, storage, NPU and network in one tool
- Genuinely cross-platform, including ARM64 support
- Large comparison database for contextualizing scores
- Requires creating a bootable USB drive to run
- Lacks a graphical desktop interface during testing
- Cannot test RAM while the primary operating system is running
- Deeper stress testing and analytics are locked behind paid Plus/Pro tiers
- Pro tier pricing is per-user, which adds up for multi-machine fleets
- Less specialized than dedicated GPU-only or CPU-only benchmark tools
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The Verdict
AI-generated from listing dataNovabench is a freemium, cross‑platform benchmark suite for CPU, GPU, memory, storage, network and stress testing, while MemTest86+ is a free, open‑source, boot‑only RAM diagnostic tool.
Key differences
- •Novabench runs inside the OS on Windows, macOS and Linux; MemTest86+ boots from USB/CD and runs outside any OS.
- •Novabench benchmarks many components (CPU, GPU, storage, network); MemTest86+ focuses solely on RAM testing.
- •Novabench offers a free tier with full benchmarks but locks deeper stress‑test analytics behind paid plans; MemTest86+ is completely free and open source.
- •Novabench provides a graphical UI and historical logs; MemTest86+ has no graphical desktop interface during testing.
- •Novabench supports ARM64 hardware; MemTest86+ is limited to x86 architectures.
Pricing & value
MemTest86+ is fully free and open source; Novabench’s advanced stress‑testing features require paid Plus/Pro tiers.
Ease of use / learning curve
Novabench runs as a normal desktop app with a GUI; MemTest86+ requires creating a bootable USB and operates without a desktop UI.
Features & depth
Novabench covers CPU, GPU, memory, storage, network and stress testing; MemTest86+ only tests RAM.
Integrations & ecosystem
Novabench runs on Windows, macOS, Linux and ARM64, offering broader platform integration; MemTest86+ is limited to x86 boot environments.
Support
Novabench provides documentation and email support; MemTest86+ relies on community forums and GitHub issues only.
Security & privacy
MemTest86+ is open source, allowing full code inspection; Novabench is closed source.
Scalability
Novabench’s freemium model can be deployed on many machines, though Pro pricing is per‑user; MemTest86+ has no licensing limits but requires manual boot on each machine.
Choose MemTest86+ if…
Technicians or builders who only need thorough, free RAM diagnostics on x86 PCs.
Choose Novabench if…
IT pros needing multi‑component benchmarks on Windows/macOS/Linux, including ARM64.
Common questions
Can I test RAM while the operating system is running?
No. MemTest86+ boots outside the OS; Novabench can test memory as part of its benchmark suite.
Is there any cost for advanced stress testing?
Yes. Novabench’s deeper stress‑testing analytics require a paid Plus/Pro tier; MemTest86+ is completely free.
Which tool works on macOS or ARM‑based machines?
Novabench runs natively on macOS and ARM64 hardware; MemTest86+ only supports x86 boot environments.