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Head-to-head · Speedrun Timer Software

SpeedTool vs OpenSpeedRun

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score SpeedTool #1 in Speedrun Timer Software 9.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 3 features Visit SpeedTool
OpenSpeedRun #5 in Speedrun Timer Software 7.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 3 features Visit OpenSpeedRun

SpeedTool leads on 1 check, OpenSpeedRun on 2, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 4 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreSpeedTool · 9.0/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresOpenSpeedRun · 2 of 3

SpeedTool scores higher on our rubric for speedrun timer software: 9.0 against 7.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #5.

OpenSpeedRun offers auto-splitting; SpeedTool doesn't publish it. SpeedTool offers frame-accurate timing; OpenSpeedRun doesn't. OpenSpeedRun offers leaderboard integration; SpeedTool doesn't publish it.

SpeedTool is the better fit for speedrunners building game-specific timing scripts. OpenSpeedRun is the better fit for desktop runners wanting autosplits and streaming tools.

  • SpeedTool fits best

    Speedrunners building game-specific timing scripts

  • OpenSpeedRun fits best

    Desktop runners wanting autosplits and streaming tools

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Side by side

Feature SpeedTool 9.0/10 Visit ↗ OpenSpeedRun 7.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.0 7.9
Ranking #1 in Speedrun Timer Software #5 in Speedrun Timer Software
Best for Speedrunners building game-specific timing scripts Desktop runners wanting autosplits and streaming tools
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Not published Not published
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop Desktop
Platforms Windows, Linux Windows, Linux, macOS
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business
Features SpeedTool 1/3 · OpenSpeedRun 2/3
Auto-splitting Not published ✓ (best)
Frame-accurate timing ✓ (best) —
Leaderboard integration Not published ✓ (best)
Specs
Supported platforms Windows, Linux windows, linux, macos
Game support method Not published Manual
Our review
Pros
  • Synchronizes script execution with game frame output
  • Runs inside the target game and supports nested subsplits
  • Supports OpenGL, DirectX 9, and DirectX 11
  • Autosplits via RetroArch memory protocol or Linux process memory
  • OBS browser-source overlays through a local WebSocket server
  • Imports and exports LiveSplit files and attempt history
Cons
  • Lua scripting is currently supported only on Windows
  • The developer describes the project as a work in progress
  • The official page does not describe leaderboard connections or a game catalog
  • Game-specific autosplitter addresses and split configurations are user-supplied
  • Autosplitting is limited to RetroArch or Linux process memory
  • macOS binaries are described as currently untested
Our verdict

SpeedTool is a downloadable desktop timer for speedrunners who want timing tied to a game's frame output rather than a separate timer window. It runs inside a target game, supports nested subsplits, and lets users write Lua scripts in a…

Read the review →

OpenSpeedRun is a free, open-source desktop speedrun timer for solo runners and small groups on Windows, Linux, and macOS. Its graphical timer, split editor, and theme and configuration editors cover the core timing workflow, while…

Read the review →
  1. SpeedToolSpeedrun Timer Software 9.0Free plan
  2. OpenSpeedRunSpeedrun Timer Software 7.9Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • SpeedTool — where it wins

    • Synchronizes script execution with game frame output
    • Runs inside the target game and supports nested subsplits
    • Supports OpenGL, DirectX 9, and DirectX 11

    Where it doesn't

    • Lua scripting is currently supported only on Windows
    • The developer describes the project as a work in progress
    • The official page does not describe leaderboard connections or a game catalog

  • OpenSpeedRun — where it wins

    • Autosplits via RetroArch memory protocol or Linux process memory
    • OBS browser-source overlays through a local WebSocket server
    • Imports and exports LiveSplit files and attempt history

    Where it doesn't

    • Game-specific autosplitter addresses and split configurations are user-supplied
    • Autosplitting is limited to RetroArch or Linux process memory
    • macOS binaries are described as currently untested

More comparisons

All speedrun timer software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update