Pupil Core
Pupil Core: A capable research toolkit with broad desktop support and a high one-time hardware price. Ranked #8 of 27 in Eye Tracking Software by our editors (8.3/10); pricing: Paid; best for open-source wearable eye tracking.
At a glance
- Editor score8.3 / 10
- PricingPaid
- Best forOpen-source wearable eye tracking
- Free planNo
- Paid from€2,995 one-time
- Input methodHardware
- Founded2014 · Berlin, Germany
- Facts checked22 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Real-time gaze and pupil-data recording with fixation detection
- Surface tracking, heatmaps, visualizations, and post-hoc analysis
- Windows, macOS, and Linux support with APIs and Python plugins
Where it doesn't
- The standard one-time price is €3,615
- Requires wearable eye-tracking hardware
- May be more than needed for simple gaze-recording projects
Our verdict on Pupil Core
Pupil Core combines a wearable eye-tracking headset with an open-source desktop software suite for recording, reviewing, analyzing, and exporting gaze and pupil data. It is aimed at researchers and developers conducting eye-tracking studies, building prototypes, or connecting gaze data with other devices. Pupil Capture handles real-time eye and world-camera recording, while Pupil Player supports playback, visualization, fixation detection, surface tracking, calibration, and exports.
The product covers the core workflow from live capture to analysis. Available visualizations include gaze circles, gaze crosses, gaze polylines, light points, fixation overlays, and surface heatmaps. Users can export world and eye video, CSV and video data, MP4, NumPy, PNG, and TLV files. Its ecosystem includes a Network API, ZeroMQ, Lab Streaming Layer, iMotions, and runtime Python plugin support, giving developers several ways to broadcast or extend gaze data. Windows, macOS, and Linux support also makes it suitable for mixed desktop environments.
Pricing is the main consideration. The Pupil Core plan is listed at €3,615 one time, while Pupil Core Academic is listed at €2,995 one time. The software suite is open source, but the listed product price covers the hardware-and-software Pupil Core package. That makes it a stronger fit for teams that need a wearable research system, open-source access, live recording, and analysis depth in one package. Teams seeking only basic gaze visualization or a software-only workflow should consider a narrower alternative instead.
Your product? Our editors can test Pupil Core in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →
Pupil Core pricing
All 2 Pupil Core plans and prices →
Pupil Core fact sheet
| Free plan | No |
|---|---|
| Paid from | €2,995 one-time |
| Input method | Hardware |
| Study mode | Live |
| Participant limit | Not verified |
| Gaze visualizations | gaze circles, gaze crosses, gaze polylines, light points, fixation overlays, surface heatmaps |
| Export formats | MP4, CSV, NumPy, PNG, TLV |
| Supported platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Money-back guarantee | 14 days |
| Deployment | Desktop |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Compliance & security | GDPR |
| Support | Email, Live chat, Community, Docs |
| Built for | Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 4 integrations: Network API, ZeroMQ, Lab Streaming Layer (LSL), iMotions |
| Pricing | Paid (source) |
| Website | pupil-labs.com |
| Facts checked | 22 Sep 2026 |
Pupil Core integrations
Pupil Core lists 4 integrations on its own site.
- Network API
- ZeroMQ
- Lab Streaming Layer (LSL)
- iMotions
Alternatives to Pupil Core
- Tobii Pro LabA broad Windows toolkit for designing, recording, analyzing, and exporting eye-tracking research.9.4
- SR Research Data ViewerA deep EyeLink analysis workspace for research teams on Windows, macOS, or Linux.9.1
- LabvancedA flexible choice for affordable remote and in-lab eye-tracking studies.9.0
See all Pupil Core alternatives →
Pupil Core vs the competition
- Pupil Core vs Tobii Pro Lab
- Pupil Core vs SR Research Data Viewer
- Pupil Core vs Labvanced
- Pupil Core vs EyeWorks
- Pupil Core vs GazePlotter
- Pupil Core vs RealEye
Compare Pupil Core with any tool side by side →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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