Alternatives to f3
A command-line tool that tests flash drives and memory cards for fake capacity and real performance. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.
The original
f3
A command-line tool that tests flash drives and memory cards for fake capacity and real performance.
Replacements
Listings that take over the same core job as f3.
ValiDrive
A free GRC utility that checks whether a USB drive really holds its advertised capacity.
ValiDrive is a free Windows GRC utility that spot-checks USB drives for fake capacity quickly instead of writing the whole device, but it does not measure speed.
Similar software
Related functionality, not a direct replacement.
SD Memory Card Formatter
The SD Association's official utility for formatting SD, SDHC, SDXC and SDUC memory cards to specification.
CrystalDiskMark
The standard Windows disk benchmark, measuring sequential and random read and write speeds in a few clicks.
HDDScan
A free Windows utility for testing hard drives and SSDs, reading SMART data and running surface tests.
ImageUSB
A free PassMark utility that writes an image to many USB flash drives at the same time.
smartmontools
Reads the SMART health data built into disks and runs self-tests, giving advance warning before a drive fails.
