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Head-to-head · Game FPS Counters

RivaTuner Statistics Server vs Kestrel

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score RivaTuner Statistics Server #3 in Game FPS Counters 9.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 5 features Visit Guru3D
Kestrel #6 in Game FPS Counters 7.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 5 of 5 features Visit Kestrel

RivaTuner Statistics Server 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 scoreRivaTuner Statistics Server · 9.0/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresKestrel · 5 of 5

RivaTuner Statistics Server scores higher on our rubric for game fps counters: 9.0 against 7.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #6.

RivaTuner Statistics Server is the better fit for windows users wanting customizable OSD monitoring. Kestrel is the better fit for windows enthusiasts needing detailed per-game telemetry.

  • RivaTuner Statistics Server fits best

    Windows users wanting customizable OSD monitoring

  • Kestrel fits best

    Windows enthusiasts needing detailed per-game telemetry

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Side by side

Feature RivaTuner Statistics Server 9.0/10 Visit ↗ Kestrel 7.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.0 7.9
Ranking #3 in Game FPS Counters #6 in Game FPS Counters
Best for Windows users wanting customizable OSD monitoring Windows enthusiasts needing detailed per-game telemetry
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop Desktop
Platforms Windows Windows
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business
Features RivaTuner Statistics Server 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
  • Monitors framerate and frametime with an in-game OSD.
  • Limits framerate and supports per-application profiles.
  • Captures desktop or gameplay across DirectX, OpenGL, and Vulkan apps.
  • 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
  • Windows desktop only, with no cross-platform deployment.
  • A single freeware tier provides no paid feature levels.
  • Overlay and capture workflows center on supported graphics APIs.
  • Frame-timing metrics require administrator rights
  • Cannot overlay exclusive-fullscreen games
  • Windows-only desktop app with community support
Our verdict

RivaTuner Statistics Server (RTSS) is a freeware Windows desktop utility for displaying and managing game performance information. It renders an in-game on-screen display, monitors framerate and frametime, limits framerate, and captures…

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. RivaTuner Statistics ServerGame FPS Counters 9.0Free plan
  2. KestrelGame FPS Counters 7.9Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • RivaTuner Statistics Server — where it wins

    • Monitors framerate and frametime with an in-game OSD.
    • Limits framerate and supports per-application profiles.
    • Captures desktop or gameplay across DirectX, OpenGL, and Vulkan apps.

    Where it doesn't

    • Windows desktop only, with no cross-platform deployment.
    • A single freeware tier provides no paid feature levels.
    • Overlay and capture workflows center on supported graphics APIs.

  • 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
  • RivaTuner Statistics Server9.0/10 · Free plan

    A free Windows utility for detailed FPS overlays, frame limiting, profiles, and capture.

    Visit Guru3DFull verdict →
  • Kestrel7.9/10 · Free plan

    A detailed, open-source Windows overlay for frame-time and system telemetry.

    Visit KestrelFull verdict →

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