glmark2 review
A configurable, open-source graphics benchmark for OpenGL and OpenGL ES testing.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
glmark2 is an open-source command-line benchmark for graphics-performance testing on systems with compatible OpenGL or OpenGL ES drivers. It supports OpenGL 2.0 and OpenGL ES 2.0, with platforms listed for Windows, Linux, and Android. It suits developers, system evaluators, and technically oriented users who need configurable graphics workloads rather than a broad, general-purpose benchmarking suite.
Its main strength is control over the workload. Users can select individual benchmark scenes, adjust scene options, load custom benchmark descriptions from files, and control rendering and window parameters. The published category specifications list 33 benchmark presets, while the feature set also includes off-screen rendering and visual-configuration controls. Multiple backends—including X11, Wayland, DRM, and Android—help align testing with different graphics environments. Results include FPS, CPU time, and shader-compilation time, and can be exported to CSV or XML files for later analysis.
The trade-off is a narrower comparison and workflow model. glmark2 focuses on OpenGL and OpenGL ES rendering rather than a wider collection of graphics APIs or workloads, and its command-line design places more emphasis on configuration and result handling than on a guided interface. It also does not provide online comparison, so cross-system evaluation depends on how users collect and interpret exported results. Choose glmark2 when open-source licensing, configurable scenes, multiple rendering backends, validation, and file-based reporting matter most. Consider a broader benchmark suite when online comparison or wider graphics coverage is the priority.
glmark2 pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Open-source benchmarking with no license cost
- Configurable scenes, workloads, and rendering options
- CSV or XML export with output validation
- Where it doesn't
- Focused on OpenGL 2.0 and OpenGL ES 2.0
- Command-line workflow may not suit every user
- No online comparison feature is provided
glmark2 fact sheet, pricing and score →
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