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FPS Counter review

Free#13 of 25 in Game FPS Counters

A focused, free Windows overlay for monitoring FPS without injection or telemetry.

7.2/10Editor score
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FPS Counter7.2 Visit FPS Counter

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

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.

FPS Counter pros and cons

  • 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

FPS Counter fact sheet, pricing and score →

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