FPS Counter
FPS Counter: A focused, free Windows overlay for monitoring FPS without injection or telemetry. Ranked #13 of 25 in Game FPS Counters by our editors (7.2/10); pricing: Free plan; best for simple Windows FPS counting without overhead.
At a glance
- Editor score7.2 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forSimple Windows FPS counting without overhead
- Free planYes
- Paid fromFree
- Frame-time displayNo
- Facts checked20 Oct 2026
Where it wins
- External ETW/PresentMon capture avoids DLL injection and game hooks
- Transparent overlay includes thresholds, hotkeys, and saved positioning
- Free project publishes source, tests, build scripts, and SHA-256 hashes
Where it doesn't
- Runs only on Windows 10 or 11 x64
- Requires administrator approval for ETW capture
- Does not provide frametime, GPU metrics, or logging exports
Our verdict on FPS Counter
FPS Counter is a free Windows utility for people who want a visible frame-rate readout while running a game or graphics application. Its transparent, borderless, always-on-top overlay can be dragged to a preferred location and remembers that position. Color coding separates 60 FPS and above, 30–59 FPS, and below 30 FPS. F10, F11, and Ctrl+F10 shortcuts provide keyboard control, making the tool a fit for solo users seeking a focused desktop counter rather than a broad performance suite.
The counter reads frame events externally through Windows ETW with Intel PresentMon instead of injecting DLLs or hooking games. PresentMon is embedded, so there is no separate installation, while ETW capture requires administrator approval. The project also publishes its Win32/C++ source, build script, tests, embedded executable, and verification hashes, giving technically minded users visibility into the distributed components. Setup is therefore centered on obtaining the executable, approving capture, and positioning the overlay rather than configuring an account or telemetry service.
Its narrow scope is also its clearest boundary. FPS Counter does not display frametime or GPU metrics and does not offer logging or export, so users analyzing frame pacing, hardware utilization, or historical sessions should choose a tool with those capabilities. It is Windows-only and documentation is the stated support channel. Choose FPS Counter when an unobtrusive, no-account overlay and externally captured FPS value are enough; choose an alternative when you need broader diagnostics, cross-platform support, or recorded performance data.
Your product? Our editors can test FPS Counter in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $99/mo →
FPS Counter pricing
FPS Counter fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| Primary platform | Windows |
| In-game overlay | Yes |
| Frame-time display | No |
| GPU metrics | No |
| Logging or export | No |
| CLI or API access | Not verified |
| Deployment | Desktop |
| Platforms | Windows |
| Support | Docs |
| Built for | Solo (editorial estimate) |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | github.com |
| Facts checked | 20 Oct 2026 |
Alternatives to FPS Counter
- Intel PresentMonA free, open-source choice for detailed Windows frame-time and latency analysis.9.4
- NVIDIA FrameViewA free Windows benchmark overlay with FPS, latency, telemetry, power, and CSV reports.9.2
- RivaTuner Statistics ServerA free Windows utility for detailed FPS overlays, frame limiting, profiles, and capture.9.0
See all FPS Counter alternatives →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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