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Readout review

#11 of 25 in Game FPS Counters

A paid Windows/macOS overlay combining FPS, frametime, hardware metrics, and desktop widgets.

7.4/10Editor score
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Readout7.4 Visit Readout

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Readout is a desktop heads-up overlay for gamers and general desktop users who want performance and utility widgets available over games or other applications. It runs on Windows 11 and macOS, with an always-on-top surface that becomes click-through while idle. The dashboard covers in-game FPS and frame time alongside live CPU, GPU, VRAM, RAM, per-core load, and I/O readings, making it suited to users who want more context than a frame-rate counter alone.

Its standout strength is the breadth of glanceable controls in one overlay. Users can view controller battery status, inspect inputs through an input visualizer, and apply customizable crosshairs using presets and share codes. Media features include now-playing controls, album art, and a spectrum visualizer, while a 10-band parametric equalizer provides system-wide audio adjustment with presets. This combination makes Readout useful beyond performance monitoring, particularly for players who want a configurable companion layer without switching applications.

Readout also supports sandboxed, permission-gated extensions built with the Readout SDK, giving its desktop focus an avenue for community widgets and custom functionality. The published category specifications identify cross-platform desktop coverage, in-game overlay support, frametime display, GPU metrics, and CLI/API access. It is sold as a paid, one-time purchase and provides email and documentation support, with two-factor security listed. Choose Readout if Windows or macOS coverage, deep hardware telemetry, and a multi-purpose overlay matter; choose another tool if you need Linux support or a free option.

Readout pros and cons

  • Where it wins
    • Combines FPS, frametime, and detailed CPU/GPU/RAM metrics
    • Click-through overlay keeps widgets visible over games or applications
    • Sandboxed SDK supports permission-gated community extensions
  • Where it doesn't
    • Runs on Windows 11 and macOS only
    • Paid product with a one-time purchase model
    • Support is limited to email and documentation

Readout fact sheet, pricing and score →

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