RivaTuner Statistics Server vs ReShade

RivaTuner Statistics Server9.4Visit ReShade8.4Visit

Higher score RivaTuner Statistics Server #1 in Game Overlay Software 9.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 4 features Visit Guru3D

vs

ReShade #6 in Game Overlay Software 8.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 4 features Visit ReShade

• RivaTuner Statistics Server fits best

  PC gamers wanting a complete performance overlay

• ReShade fits best

  Custom visual effects and shader overlays

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Side by side

Feature	RivaTuner Statistics Server 9.4/10 Visit ↗	ReShade 8.4/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.4	8.4
Ranking	#1 in Game Overlay Software	#6 in Game Overlay Software
Best for	PC gamers wanting a complete performance overlay	Custom visual effects and shader overlays
Pricing model	Free	Free
Starting price	Free	Free plan
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	Windows	Windows, Linux
Built for	Solo, Small business	Solo, Small business
Features RivaTuner Statistics Server 3/4 · ReShade 2/4
In-game chat	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Performance statistics	✓	✓
Recording controls	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Hardware monitoring	✓	✓
Specs
Supported platforms	Windows	Cross-platform
Supported games	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Supports DirectX, OpenGL, and Vulkan applications Combines monitoring, OSD rendering, limiting, and capture Per-application profiles and MSI Afterburner integration add flexibility	Free and open source on Windows and Linux Supports Direct3D 9–12, OpenGL, and Vulkan Includes shader tools, presets, screenshots, and statistics
Cons	Windows-only availability limits cross-platform use The named ecosystem integration is focused on MSI Afterburner Per-application profiles add another layer of configuration	Linux use relies on Wine and DXVK rather than native desktop support Its focus is visual customization, not performance monitoring Depth-buffer effects may depend on game compatibility
Our verdict	RivaTuner Statistics Server is a freeware Windows utility for PC gamers who want performance information and controls inside games or on the desktop. It provides in-game on-screen display rendering, framerate and frametime monitoring,… Read the review →	ReShade is an open-source post-processing injector for games and video software. It adds an in-game overlay for configuring effects and presets, making it suited to players and creators who want to adjust a game's visual presentation.… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• RivaTuner Statistics Server — where it wins

  • Supports DirectX, OpenGL, and Vulkan applications
  • Combines monitoring, OSD rendering, limiting, and capture
  • Per-application profiles and MSI Afterburner integration add flexibility

  Where it doesn't

  • Windows-only availability limits cross-platform use
  • The named ecosystem integration is focused on MSI Afterburner
  • Per-application profiles add another layer of configuration

• ReShade — where it wins

  • Free and open source on Windows and Linux
  • Supports Direct3D 9–12, OpenGL, and Vulkan
  • Includes shader tools, presets, screenshots, and statistics

  Where it doesn't

  • Linux use relies on Wine and DXVK rather than native desktop support
  • Its focus is visual customization, not performance monitoring
  • Depth-buffer effects may depend on game compatibility

• RivaTuner Statistics Server9.4/10 · Free plan

  A free Windows overlay utility with broad API support and practical performance controls.

  Visit Guru3DFull verdict →
• ReShade8.4/10 · Free plan

  A free, open-source overlay for deep visual customization across supported graphics APIs.

  Visit ReShadeFull verdict →