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Head-to-head · Game FPS Counters

Kestrel vs GameOverlay

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score Kestrel #6 in Game FPS Counters 7.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 5 of 5 features Visit Kestrel
GameOverlay #8 in Game FPS Counters 7.7/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 5 features Visit GameOverlay

Kestrel leads on 0 checks, GameOverlay 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 scoreKestrel · 7.9/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresKestrel · 5 of 5

Kestrel scores higher on our rubric for game fps counters: 7.9 against 7.7 out of 10; our editors rank them #6 and #8.

Kestrel is the better fit for windows enthusiasts needing detailed per-game telemetry. GameOverlay is the better fit for free Windows FPS and network monitoring.

  • Kestrel fits best

    Windows enthusiasts needing detailed per-game telemetry

  • GameOverlay fits best

    Free Windows FPS and network monitoring

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Side by side

Feature Kestrel 7.9/10 Visit ↗ GameOverlay 7.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 7.9 7.7
Ranking #6 in Game FPS Counters #8 in Game FPS Counters
Best for Windows enthusiasts needing detailed per-game telemetry Free Windows FPS and network monitoring
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop Desktop
Platforms Windows Windows
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business
Features Kestrel 5/5 · GameOverlay 0/5
In-game overlay ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Frame-time display ✓ (best) Not checked yet
GPU metrics ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Logging or export ✓ (best) Not checked yet
CLI or API access ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Specs
Primary platform Windows Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • 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
  • Tracks FPS, 1% lows, 0.1% lows, ping and packet loss
  • Shows CPU and GPU usage and temperatures in-game
  • Click-through overlay with detailed visual customization
Cons
  • Frame-timing metrics require administrator rights
  • Cannot overlay exclusive-fullscreen games
  • Windows-only desktop app with community support
  • Runs on Windows desktop only
  • Focused on performance and hardware metrics rather than broader tools
  • Customization requires choosing visibility, colors, layout and typography
Our verdict

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 →

GameOverlay is a lightweight, open-source Windows desktop overlay for solo players and small teams that want performance data while playing. It displays FPS, 1% low FPS, 0.1% low FPS, ping, packet loss, CPU usage and temperature, plus GPU…

Read the review →
  1. KestrelGame FPS Counters 7.9Free plan
  2. GameOverlayGame FPS Counters 7.7Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • 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

  • GameOverlay — where it wins

    • Tracks FPS, 1% lows, 0.1% lows, ping and packet loss
    • Shows CPU and GPU usage and temperatures in-game
    • Click-through overlay with detailed visual customization

    Where it doesn't

    • Runs on Windows desktop only
    • Focused on performance and hardware metrics rather than broader tools
    • Customization requires choosing visibility, colors, layout and typography

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