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Head-to-head · Game FPS Counters

MangoHud vs Kestrel

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score MangoHud #5 in Game FPS Counters 8.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 5 features Visit MangoHud
Kestrel #6 in Game FPS Counters 7.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 5 of 5 features Visit Kestrel

MangoHud 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 scoreMangoHud · 8.3/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresKestrel · 5 of 5

MangoHud scores higher on our rubric for game fps counters: 8.3 against 7.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #5 and #6.

MangoHud is the better fit for linux gamers needing rich open-source overlays. Kestrel is the better fit for windows enthusiasts needing detailed per-game telemetry.

  • MangoHud fits best

    Linux gamers needing rich open-source overlays

  • Kestrel fits best

    Windows enthusiasts needing detailed per-game telemetry

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Side by side

Feature MangoHud 8.3/10 Visit ↗ Kestrel 7.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.3 7.9
Ranking #5 in Game FPS Counters #6 in Game FPS Counters
Best for Linux gamers needing rich open-source overlays Windows enthusiasts needing detailed per-game telemetry
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Self-hosted, Desktop Desktop
Platforms Linux Windows
Support Community, Docs Community
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business
Features MangoHud 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
  • Tracks FPS, frametime, loads, temperatures, clocks, power, and throttling
  • Logs performance and visualizes benchmarks with mangoplot
  • Integrates with Steam, Lutris, gamescope, Vulkan, and OpenGL
  • 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
  • Linux-only support limits use on other desktop platforms
  • Configuration and installation require desktop and application setup
  • Support is centered on community resources and documentation
  • Frame-timing metrics require administrator rights
  • Cannot overlay exclusive-fullscreen games
  • Windows-only desktop app with community support
Our verdict

MangoHud is an open-source performance overlay for Linux games using Vulkan or OpenGL. It suits solo and small-team users who want detailed visibility into frame rates and system behavior while playing through desktop applications, Steam,…

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. MangoHudGame FPS Counters 8.3Free plan
  2. KestrelGame FPS Counters 7.9Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • MangoHud — where it wins

    • Tracks FPS, frametime, loads, temperatures, clocks, power, and throttling
    • Logs performance and visualizes benchmarks with mangoplot
    • Integrates with Steam, Lutris, gamescope, Vulkan, and OpenGL

    Where it doesn't

    • Linux-only support limits use on other desktop platforms
    • Configuration and installation require desktop and application setup
    • Support is centered on community resources 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