There are two very popular and effective tools for checking RAM integrity on x86 architecture systems: MemTest86 vs MemTest86+. But which one should we choose? In this article, we'll give you the keys to answering this question.
Is Two related solutions, but which at the time took separate technical and development pathsWhile MemTest86 was acquired in 2013 by PassMark Software to continue its development, MemTest86+ remained an open source project, expanding its compatibility and adapting to new hardware standards.
MemTest86 was born in 1994 by the hand of Chris Brady and soon became the reference for. It was a revolutionary software: programmed in C and x86 assembler, it allowed errors to be detected in RAM modules in a much more exhaustive way than conventional utilities or the Windows or Linux diagnostics themselves.
However, in the early 2000s, MemTest86 stopped updating for years (it stayed at version 3.0 in 2002). It was then that Samuel Demeulemeester created the MemTest86+ fork, a fork intended to provide support for newer processors and chipsets not supported in the original branch.
Key Differences: Licensing, Compatibility, and Features
One of the The most notable differences between both tools are in their license and distribution model.. MemTest86+ is completely free and open source (GNU GPL v2.0 license), which means that any user can download, modify and distribute it at no cost.
By contrast, MemTest86 adopted a freemium model after its acquisition by PassMark: There is currently a free version and a paid Pro version. The free version is sufficient for most users, but the Pro version includes professional utilities such as DDR4/DDR5 decoding, advanced SIMD testing (SSE/Neon), ECC error injection, SPD data validation, and automation via configuration files, among other extras designed for professional environments or testing labs.
To learn more about how to take advantage of all the features, you can check out our Complete guide to using MemTest86 to check for RAM errors.
Another important difference when comparing MemTest86 vs MemTest86+ is the UEFI and BIOS support. MemTest86, since version 10, only allows booting on UEFI systems. However, MemTest86+ was recently updated (version 6.10 and above) to support both BIOS and UEFI., thus covering practically all equipment on the market.
Finally, it should be mentioned that MemTest86 supports Windows, Linux, and macOS (in its main version), while MemTest86+ works on Windows and Linux.
Execution Method: How They Work and How They Are Used
Both utilities are designed to run as standalone programs, outside the operating system. This is essential: RAM must be tested under controlled conditions, without the operating system itself using it and potentially masking errors.
To use MemTest86 or MemTest86+, you need to create bootable media (usually a USB flash drive, although it's also possible to burn a CD/DVD or even a floppy disk on older computers). The procedure is simple:
- Download the appropriate image from the official MemTest86 or MemTest86+ website, depending on your case and the type of firmware (UEFI or BIOS) supported by your computer.
- Use a tool like Rufus, Etcher, or the software's own installer to burn the image to a USB.
- Boot the PC from that USB (by accessing the BIOS/UEFI boot menu).
- The memory test will start automatically and begin performing several passes, testing different data patterns and stress testing the installed RAM.
The procedure for Create the MemTest86+ USB on Windows It is especially simple, as it offers an installer that automates the entire process: just run the downloaded .exe file, select the USB drive and follow the wizard.
In all cases, It is advisable to let the test perform several complete passes.Some RAM errors only appear intermittently or depend on the data stored in the modules; therefore, the longer you let it run, the more reliable the diagnosis will be.
Technical characteristics and tests performed
Reviewing the differences MemTest86 vs MemTest86+ further, we discover that the two utilities They run a very comprehensive set of tests on the system's RAMEssentially, they write different data patterns to each memory address, then read them back and compare them to check for discrepancies. This process can detect problems such as defective cells, bit-to-bit interference, or overheating under high load. You can explore many of these features in our .
MemTest86 includes in its modern versions a mouse-friendly graphical interface (in UEFI) and support for Secure Boot, as well as advanced tests such as row hammer (an attack that induces errors by repeatedly accessing the same row of memory) and support for DDR4 and DDR5 in the latest versions.
MemTest86+ has also been incorporating UEFI support, advanced decoding and compatibility with DDR4 and DDR5 standards thanks to its rewriting in the 6.x branch and later.
In both cases, error detection is extremely thorough. In addition, both programs allow you to export the list of bad memory blocks in a format useful for the Linux kernel's BadRAM patch and for the "badmemorylist" utilities on Windows (although the latter requires manual customization by the user).
MemTest86 vs MemTest86+ comparison: advantages and limitations
We summarize the most relevant differences when choosing one or the other software (MemTest86 vs MemTest86+) in relation to your hardware and needs:
- Legacy BIOS/UEFI Compatibility: If you have a very old computer, MemTest86+ is usually the most up-to-date option. On modern UEFI systems, both work, as long as you download the appropriate version.
- License and cost: MemTest86+ is completely free and open source, while MemTest86 offers a free basic version and a paid Pro version with advanced tools.
- Support and updates: The open source community has revitalized MemTest86+ since 2022, adapting it to the latest hardware; MemTest86 also receives frequent updates, especially in the professional segment.
- Supported platforms: MemTest86 has the advantage of being able to run on Windows, Linux, and macOS, while MemTest86+ is optimized for Windows and Linux.
- Professional tools: In laboratory or professional repair environments, MemTest86 Pro is unbeatable due to its extra utilities (DIMM detection, error injection/logging, automation, integration with logic analyzers, etc.), although for the home user they are not usually necessary.
Both tools are extremely effective at finding memory errors. These problems often go unnoticed and even allow for fine-tuning the diagnosis on machines that appear to be working correctly but experience unpredictable crashes. The tests are so intensive that they can uncover faults that are only detectable after many hours and multiple passes, something no superficial test will achieve.
Integration into operating systems and distribution
MemTest86+ has a wide presence in Linux distributions: Debian, Ubuntu and Arch Linux include it by default in their boot menus. in BIOS mode, and its availability is being extended to the new generation of UEFI. This makes it much easier to run a memory test without downloading anything additional in Linux environments.
For its part, MemTest86 is still offered for macOS and, thanks to direct support from PassMark, it stays up to date for the latest platforms.
Ultimately, both solutions require running the test outside of the already installed operating system, which eliminates the influence of drivers, services, or resident programs on the analysis results.