FPS Overlay
FPS Overlay: A focused, open-source Windows overlay for accurate in-game FPS readings. Ranked #14 of 25 in Game FPS Counters by our editors (7.1/10); pricing: Free plan; best for minimal open-source Windows FPS overlay.
At a glance
- Editor score7.1 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forMinimal open-source Windows FPS overlay
- Free planYes
- Paid fromFree
- Frame-time displayNo
- Facts checked20 Oct 2026
Where it wins
- Uses real PresentMon frame timings instead of application estimates
- Automatically detects the focused game window
- Draggable, configurable overlay with Windows startup option
Where it doesn't
- Windows desktop support only
- No frametime or GPU metrics display
- No logging, export, or CLI/API access
Our verdict on FPS Overlay
FPS Overlay is a lightweight Windows desktop utility for gamers who want a small, unobtrusive frames-per-second counter. It detects the focused game window automatically and displays a transparent overlay while the game runs. Frame rates are calculated from real PresentMon frame timings rather than estimated from application data, making the tool focused on a direct FPS readout. Its solo and small-team fit reflects a narrow desktop use case rather than a broader monitoring suite.
Distributed as free, open-source software, FPS Overlay has no paid tiers to compare. The published feature set covers draggable positioning, configurable font, text color, and font size, plus an optional start-with-Windows task. A system-tray menu provides visibility and settings controls, while settings persist in config.json. Self-update support and optional update checks reduce maintenance steps for users who want the utility to stay current; the project can also be run from Python source.
The trade-off is scope. FPS Overlay does not display frametime or GPU metrics, and it does not provide logging, export, or CLI/API access. That makes it a good pick for someone who needs a simple FPS number over a game without extra telemetry. Users comparing frame pacing, diagnosing graphics hardware behavior, exporting performance history, or integrating readings into another workflow should choose a counter that includes those capabilities instead. Windows-only deployment also rules it out for non-Windows gaming setups.
Your product? Our editors can test FPS Overlay in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $99/mo →
FPS Overlay pricing
FPS Overlay 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 | No |
| Deployment | Desktop |
| Platforms | Windows |
| Built for | Solo, Small business (editorial estimate) |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | github.com |
| Facts checked | 20 Oct 2026 |
Alternatives to FPS Overlay
- 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 Overlay alternatives →
Used FPS Overlay? Be the first to review it
The editor score above is our own research. What this page doesn't have yet is a reader's view — what you used FPS Overlay for, what worked and what didn't. No stars are seeded and no review is paid for; an editor reads every one before it appears.
Write a reviewTwo minutes · verified accounts only · read by an editor before it appears
Featured on iTechGuides
FPS Overlay is listed in our Game FPS Counters directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.
<a href="https://www.itechguides.com/products/fps-overlay/"><img src="https://www.itechguides.com/best/badge/fps-overlay.svg" alt="Featured on iTechGuides" width="230" height="46"></a>
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
Last updated · How we research and update