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Head-to-head · Game FPS Counters

Intel PresentMon vs Kestrel

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score Intel PresentMon #1 in Game FPS Counters 9.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 5 features View PresentMon
Kestrel #6 in Game FPS Counters 7.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 5 of 5 features Visit Kestrel

Intel PresentMon leads on 0 checks, Kestrel on 0, and 6 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreIntel PresentMon · 9.4/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresKestrel · 5 of 5

Intel PresentMon scores higher on our rubric for game fps counters: 9.4 against 7.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #6.

Intel PresentMon is the better fit for windows users needing deep FPS and frame analysis. Kestrel is the better fit for windows enthusiasts needing detailed per-game telemetry.

  • Intel PresentMon fits best

    Windows users needing deep FPS and frame analysis

  • Kestrel fits best

    Windows enthusiasts needing detailed per-game telemetry

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Side by side

Feature Intel PresentMon 9.4/10 Visit ↗ Kestrel 7.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.4 7.9
Ranking #1 in Game FPS Counters #6 in Game FPS Counters
Best for Windows users needing deep FPS and frame analysis Windows enthusiasts needing detailed per-game telemetry
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop Desktop
Platforms Windows Windows
Support Community, Docs Community
Features Intel PresentMon 0/5 · Kestrel 5/5
In-game overlay Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Frame-time display Not checked yet ✓ (best)
GPU metrics Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Logging or export Not checked yet ✓ (best)
CLI or API access Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Specs
Primary platform Not checked yet Windows
Our review
Pros
  • CPU, GPU, and display frame-duration tracing with latency analysis
  • Real-time overlay graphs plus per-frame CSV capture
  • Telemetry and workflows for DirectX, OpenGL, and Vulkan applications
  • Per-frame timing with 1% and 0.1% lows plus CPU/GPU-bound detection
  • CSV run recording, rolling graphs, profiles, and JSON settings transfer
  • Portable executable monitors GPU, CPU, memory, power, temperatures, and battery
Cons
  • Runs on Windows desktop rather than across multiple platforms
  • Advanced collection relies on console, command-line, or API workflows
  • Support is centered on community channels and documentation
  • Frame-timing metrics require administrator rights
  • Cannot overlay exclusive-fullscreen games
  • Windows-only desktop app with community support
Our verdict

Intel PresentMon is an open-source Windows desktop toolset for capturing and analyzing graphics-application performance. It is designed for gamers, reviewers, developers, and performance analysts who need detailed frame timing, latency,…

Read the review →

Kestrel is a portable Windows desktop overlay for monitoring game frame timing and system performance. It is aimed at Windows enthusiasts who want detailed per-game telemetry without installing a kernel driver. The single executable…

Read the review →
  1. Intel PresentMonGame FPS Counters 9.4Free plan
  2. KestrelGame FPS Counters 7.9Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Intel PresentMon — where it wins

    • CPU, GPU, and display frame-duration tracing with latency analysis
    • Real-time overlay graphs plus per-frame CSV capture
    • Telemetry and workflows for DirectX, OpenGL, and Vulkan applications

    Where it doesn't

    • Runs on Windows desktop rather than across multiple platforms
    • Advanced collection relies on console, command-line, or API workflows
    • Support is centered on community channels and documentation

  • Kestrel — where it wins

    • Per-frame timing with 1% and 0.1% lows plus CPU/GPU-bound detection
    • CSV run recording, rolling graphs, profiles, and JSON settings transfer
    • Portable executable monitors GPU, CPU, memory, power, temperatures, and battery

    Where it doesn't

    • Frame-timing metrics require administrator rights
    • Cannot overlay exclusive-fullscreen games
    • Windows-only desktop app with community support

More comparisons

All game FPS counters comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update