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glmark2

github.com

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Spec score 7.6 #11 of 22 in Game Benchmark Software

What it is

glmark2 is a free graphics benchmark for OpenGL 2.0 and OpenGL ES 2.0. Its default suite runs scenes covering workloads such as building, textures, shading, bump, buffers, terrain, and shadows, then prints a glmark2 score. Users can specify custom benchmarks through command-line options or benchmark files. Results can be exported to XML or CSV, and available result details include CPU time and shader compilation time. The project documents Linux builds for DRM, Wayland, and X11, including desktop GL and GLESv2 variants, and provides instructions for building and installing an Android APK. Windows support is recorded through WGL and ANGLE-EGL. Building uses Meson and Ninja and requires Meson 0.47 or newer, libpng 1.6, window-system development files, and applicable GL or GLES libraries. On Android, arguments can come through an intent extra or an arguments file, with intent arguments taking precedence when supplied. The Android version ignores several X11 options, including validation, off-screen, fullscreen, and scene-list options. The project is licensed under GPLv3 and is provided without warranty.

Spec sheet

Purpose
glmark2 is an OpenGL 2.0 and OpenGL ES 2.0 benchmark.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Intended users
The project describes itself as a graphics benchmark and documents builds for Linux graphics environments and Android.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Free plan
YesRead 20 Sep 2026 · github.com
Integrations
The documented build flavors target graphics environments and APIs including X11, Wayland, DRM, desktop GL, EGL, and GLESv2.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
License
The project is licensed under the GPLv3.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Android
The repository includes instructions for building an APK and installing it on an Android device.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Android arguments
Android accepts arguments through an intent extra or an arguments file, and the intent arguments take precedence when supplied.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
Android build
The repository includes Android build instructions that describe producing and installing an APK.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
Android limitations
The Android version ignores several X11 command-line options, including --validate, --off-screen, --fullscreen, and --list-scenes.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
Benchmark scenes
The default benchmark suite includes build, texture, shading, bump, desktop, buffer, terrain, shadow, and other scenes.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Build dependencies
The README lists Meson 0.47 or newer, libpng 1.6, window-system development files, and either libGL or libEGL plus libGLESv2, depending on the build.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
Build requirements
The README lists Meson 0.47 or later, libpng 1.6, window-system development files, and the applicable GL or GLES libraries as build requirements.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Build system
The project uses Meson to configure builds and Ninja to build and install.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Custom benchmarks
The program can run benchmarks provided through command-line options or benchmark files.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Developers
The README credits Alexandros Frantzis and Jesse Barker as glmark2 developers, based on Ben Smith’s original glmark benchmark.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Linux display backends
The documented build flavors include DRM, Wayland, and X11, with desktop GL and GLESv2 variants.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
Linux window systems
Documented build flavors include DRM, Wayland, and X11, as well as other options.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Platform history
The 2020.04 changelog records support for Windows via WGL and ANGLE-EGL.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
Reported results
The 2023.01 changelog says CPU time and shader compilation time were added to the available results.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
Result export
The 2023.01 changelog says results can be exported to XML or CSV with --results-file.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
Results
A benchmark run prints a glmark2 score.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Security and warranty
The source states that glmark2 is provided without warranty, including implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Security information
The GitHub repository's Security page is available, but the page does not provide a security policy in the opened content.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
Support channel
The project provides a GitHub Issues page for reporting and tracking issues.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
Validation mode
The program has a validation mode that forces the output size to 800×600.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Runs OpenGL 2.0 and OpenGL ES 2.0 benchmarks.
  • Includes a default suite of graphics scenes.
  • Custom benchmarks can be specified.
  • Results can be exported to XML or CSV.
  • Linux and Android build instructions are provided.

Limits

  • Building requires Meson 0.47 or newer and listed libraries.
  • Android ignores several X11 command-line options.
  • The source states that the software is provided without warranty.

Who it suits

glmark2 suits people who need a graphics benchmark for documented Linux graphics environments or Android. It also allows custom workloads through command-line options or benchmark files.

Verdict

glmark2 provides preset and custom graphics workloads, score output, and exportable results. Its documented build requirements and Android-specific option limits are worth checking before use.

Where Specifiction places it

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