Fastfetch vs Screenfetch: Which System Information Tool Is Better?

Q: What command runs Screenfetch?

After installation, run screenfetch in the terminal to display your system information.

Q: What command runs Fastfetch?

After installation, run fastfetch in the terminal to display your system information.

Fastfetch vs Screenfetch are two terminal tools that display important system details directly from the command line. While Screenfetch was popular for its simple Bash-based approach, Fastfetch provides a newer experience with faster performance, broader platform support, and more customization options.

This comparison explains the differences between Fastfetch and Screenfetch, including speed, features, supported platforms, installation, and which tool is better suited for different users.

Quick Answer

Fastfetch is usually the better choice for users who want speed, active development, and advanced customization. Screenfetch is a simpler option for users who only need basic system information with an ASCII logo.

Fastfetch vs Screenfetch comparison graphic

What Are Fastfetch and Screenfetch?

Fastfetch and Screenfetch are command-line utilities that collect system details and display them in a readable terminal format. They help users quickly view information such as operating system details, hardware specifications, memory usage, and system configuration.

Fastfetch

Fastfetch is a modern system information tool that gives users a quick command-line overview of their computer.

Screenfetch

Screenfetch is a shell script that detects basic system information and presents it alongside an operating system logo. Its output gives users a quick overview of their current system from the command line.

Fastfetch vs Screenfetch at a Glance

Fastfetch and Screenfetch provide similar functionality, but they are designed for different types of users. Fastfetch focuses on speed and flexibility, while Screenfetch focuses on simplicity and basic system information.

Comparison	Fastfetch	Screenfetch
Type	Modern system information tool	Shell-based system information script
Main purpose	Shows system details in a structured terminal output	Shows basic system details with an ASCII logo
Performance	Very fast	Generally slower
Customization	Highly customizable	Basic customization options
Configuration	Uses configuration files for detailed control	Mainly uses command-line options
Platform support	Linux, macOS, Windows, and other supported systems	Mainly Unix-like systems
Development	Actively maintained	Older project with limited development
Best suited to	Users who want speed and more control	Users who prefer a simple system information script

Is Screenfetch Still Maintained and Supported?

Screenfetch is still available, but its development is not very active. The official GitHub repository is still online, and Screenfetch is available through package repositories on some Linux distributions.

The project has not received regular updates like newer tools such as Fastfetch. It can still work well for basic system information, but users looking for an actively updated tool may want to consider newer options.

Fastfetch vs Screenfetch: Feature Comparison

Fastfetch and Screenfetch both show system information, but they offer different features.

Feature	Fastfetch	Screenfetch
Development	Actively maintained	Limited recent development
Performance	Faster output	Slower output compared with Fastfetch
Customization	Highly flexible	Basic options
Information modules	Large module support	Basic system details
Best for	Modern setups	Simple terminal displays

Which Is Faster — Fastfetch or Screenfetch?

Fastfetch is generally faster than Screenfetch. It collects and displays system information quickly, making it a good fit for users who want their terminal information to appear with minimal delay.

Fastfetch is written in C, which helps it collect and display system information efficiently, while Screenfetch is a Bash script. Screenfetch may take longer because it runs shell commands to collect different pieces of system information.

For everyday terminal use, the speed difference is most noticeable when you show system information frequently, such as when opening a new terminal.

Fastfetch vs Screenfetch: Customization Options

Fastfetch provides deeper customization options through configuration settings, while Screenfetch focuses on a simpler predefined output style.

Fastfetch

Custom layouts and colors
Different logos and images
More control over how information is arranged
Presets for ready-made terminal styles

Screenfetch

Basic display options
Different ASCII logos
Simple changes to the terminal output
Fewer options for changing the overall layout

Supported Platforms: Fastfetch vs Screenfetch

Fastfetch and Screenfetch work across several operating systems, but their platform coverage differs. Fastfetch supports a wider range of systems, while Screenfetch is mainly used on Unix-like platforms.

Fastfetch

Linux distributions such as Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, and Arch Linux
Windows support through available builds and compatible environments
macOS
BSD systems
Android through Termux

Screenfetch

Linux distributions such as Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, and Arch Linux
macOS
BSD and other Unix-like systems
Windows through environments such as WSL, Cygwin, or MSYS2

How to Install Fastfetch and Screenfetch

Both Fastfetch and Screenfetch can be installed from the command line, but the available installation methods depend on your operating system.

Fastfetch

Fastfetch is available through package managers on Linux, macOS, and Windows, with setup commands that vary slightly between platforms. A full breakdown of each method is available in the installation guide.

Screenfetch

Screenfetch can be installed through package managers on supported Linux systems or manually from its source repository. Screenfetch GitHub repository

Once installed, run either command in your terminal:

fastfetch

screenfetch

Fastfetch vs Screenfetch: Advantages and Limitations

Both tools have their own strengths and limitations. The main difference is how simple or flexible the overall experience is.

Fastfetch

Advantages

Gives users more control over the terminal output.
Works well with detailed system information.
Supports ready-made configurations and different display styles.
Works for both simple and more advanced setups.

Limitations

The many available options can take some time to learn.
Creating a highly customized setup may require more configuration.

Screenfetch

Advantages

Simple to set up and use.
Shows basic system information without much configuration.
Its familiar terminal output works well for simple setups.
Easy to understand for users who only need a quick system overview.

Limitations

Offers fewer options for changing the output.
Some newer system details may not be detected.
Its older design can make some setups less flexible.

In most new terminal setups, Fastfetch is the more practical option, while Screenfetch remains useful for users who prefer simplicity and familiarity.

Which Tool Is Right for You?

Your choice depends on your priorities.

Fastfetch is better suited for users who want:

Faster performance
More customization
Better support for modern systems

Screenfetch may be a better fit for users who:

Prefer a simple setup
Already use Screenfetch
Only need basic system details

FAQs

Yes. You can install both tools on the same system and run them separately from the terminal.

Screenfetch can still work on supported Linux systems, but compatibility may vary depending on the distribution and installed packages.

Yes. Fastfetch can be used as an alternative to Screenfetch for displaying system information in the terminal.

After installation, run screenfetch in the terminal to display your system information.

After installation, run fastfetch in the terminal to display your system information.

Yes. You can install Fastfetch and use it instead of Screenfetch. Your existing Screenfetch setup does not need to be removed before trying Fastfetch.

Conclusion

Fastfetch and Screenfetch both provide system information from the terminal, but they offer different experiences. Fastfetch provides a modern experience with faster output, wider platform support, and greater customization flexibility. Screenfetch is simpler and can still work well for basic system information.

For users setting up a new terminal environment, Fastfetch is generally the more modern choice. Screenfetch can still be useful for existing setups where simplicity is more important than advanced features.

About the Author

Adam Bennett

Adam Bennett writes the Fastfetch guides on this site, researching and testing each one against official Fastfetch documentation and other reliable technical sources to keep instructions accurate and up to date. Guides are reviewed and updated as Fastfetch continues to evolve, covering everything from installation and configuration to troubleshooting and comparisons with other terminal tools.