GameGlass From $4.16/mo · Free plan 9.4 Visit GameOverlay
github.com
What it is
GameOverlay is a free Windows utility that places performance statistics over games. It can display FPS, 1% and 0.1% low FPS, ping, packet loss, and CPU and GPU usage and temperatures. FPS capture uses bundled Intel PresentMon, and low-FPS figures are calculated from frame times. In Auto mode, network monitoring identifies a game server from traffic and pings the address exchanging the most packets with the game. Each metric has its own visibility control and color picker; users can also adjust position, font, size, opacity, and background box. The overlay stays on top, allows clicks to pass through, and saves changes to a configuration file. Downloads include a standalone executable and a folder ZIP, and the project documents running from source with Python 3.10 or later on Windows. Administrator access is required for CPU temperature readings, FPS capture, and ping detection; declining it can leave those readings unavailable. The overlay cannot draw over exclusive-fullscreen games, so the maker recommends borderless or windowed fullscreen mode. The project is MIT licensed, and the bundled sensor library is under MPL 2.0.
Spec sheet
- Purpose
- GameOverlay is a lightweight, customizable in-game performance overlay for Windows.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Security
- The README says the single-file executable is unsigned and may trigger antivirus heuristics; it suggests the folder ZIP or running from source as alternatives.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
- License
- The project is MIT licensed and bundles LibreHardwareMonitorLib under MPL 2.0 and Intel PresentMon under MIT.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Maker
- The repository identifies kynemyers as its owner and the release author.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Appearance controls
- Each metric has its own visibility toggle and color picker, and users can change position, font, font size, opacity, and background box.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
- CPU sensor fallback
- When Windows blocks the bundled sensor driver's CPU temperature access, the app can read temperature from Core Temp while it is running.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Customization
- Each metric has its own visibility toggle and color picker, and users can change the overlay position, font, size, opacity, and background box.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Display limitation
- The overlay cannot draw over exclusive-fullscreen games, so the README recommends Borderless or Windowed Fullscreen mode.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Distribution
- The latest release offers a standalone GameOverlay.exe and a GameOverlay-folder.zip, and the source can also be run with Python 3.10 or later on Windows.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Downloads
- The project offers a standalone GameOverlay.exe and a GameOverlay-folder.zip, and also documents running from source with Python 3.10 or later on Windows.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
- FPS integration
- FPS data comes from bundled Intel PresentMon, which supplies frame times used to calculate average FPS and the 1% and 0.1% lows.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Fullscreen limit
- The overlay cannot draw over exclusive-fullscreen games, so the maker recommends borderless or windowed fullscreen mode.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Hardware monitoring
- CPU and GPU sensors use LibreHardwareMonitor, with Windows GPU counters as a fallback when GPU sensors are unavailable.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Network monitoring
- Automatic ping mode identifies a game server from network traffic, while custom mode pings a user-entered host; packet loss is calculated after at least 10 pings.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Overlay behavior
- The overlay is always on top and click through, and changes apply instantly and are saved to a configuration file.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Performance metrics
- It displays FPS, 1% and 0.1% low FPS, ping, packet loss, CPU usage and temperature, and GPU usage and temperature.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Permissions
- The app requests administrator access for CPU temperature sensors, FPS capture, and ping detection; declining can leave those metrics unavailable.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Security notes
- The maker says the single-file executable is unsigned and may trigger heuristic antivirus warnings, and provides a folder ZIP build that is flagged less often.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Supported games
- The README says FPS, ping, and packet loss show as unavailable when no game is active, and notes that Counter-Strike 2 can report an exact ping while some games require an approximate reading.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Windows requirement
- The app requires administrator access for CPU temperature readings, FPS capture, and ping detection.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Plans and prices
GameOverlay Free Windows performance overlay · MIT licensed Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Strong points and limits
Strong points
- Shows FPS, low FPS, ping, and packet loss.
- Includes CPU and GPU use and temperatures.
- Metric visibility and appearance are configurable.
- Free and MIT licensed.
Limits
- Requires administrator access for several readings.
- Cannot overlay exclusive-fullscreen games.
- Unsigned executable may trigger antivirus heuristics.
- Some games provide only approximate ping.
Who it suits
It suits Windows players who want configurable FPS, network, CPU, and GPU readings over a game. Users should be comfortable granting administrator access for some metrics and using a supported display mode.
Verdict
GameOverlay offers a broad set of selectable gaming and hardware readings with adjustable appearance. Its administrator requirement and exclusive-fullscreen limitation are important setup constraints.
Where Specifiction places it
- Game Overlay Software#5 of 258.2
