An FPS (Frames Per Second) counter helps you monitor game performance in real time, making it easier to tweak graphics settings, diagnose stutter, and compare performance across games. On Windows 11, the best FPS counters are accurate, lightweight, compatible with modern APIs (DX11/DX12/Vulkan), and don’t impact gameplay.
Below are the best FPS counters for Windows 11, covering built-in tools, free utilities, and advanced overlays.
Best FPS Counters for Windows 11 (Top Picks)
1. Xbox Game Bar (Best Built-In FPS Counter)
Xbox Game Bar comes preinstalled with Windows 11 and offers a simple FPS counter with no extra downloads.
Why it’s good
- Built into Windows 11
- Works with most modern games
- Minimal setup
- Shows FPS, CPU, GPU, RAM usage
How to enable
- Press Windows + G
- Open Performance widget
- Click FPS and allow access
- Pin the widget if needed
Best for: Casual gamers who want a quick, no-install solution.
2. Steam FPS Counter (Best for Steam Games)
Steam includes a reliable FPS counter for all Steam titles.
Why it’s good
- Extremely lightweight
- No performance hit
- Works automatically with Steam games
How to enable
- Open Steam
- Go to Settings > In-Game
- Enable In-game FPS counter
- Choose screen position
Best for: Players who mainly use Steam.
3. MSI Afterburner + RivaTuner (Best Overall & Most Accurate)
MSI Afterburner paired with RivaTuner Statistics Server is the gold standard for FPS monitoring.
Why it’s good
- Highly accurate FPS overlay
- Works with all APIs (DX9–DX12, Vulkan, OpenGL)
- Shows FPS, frametime, GPU/CPU temps, usage
- Fully customizable overlay
Use case
- Competitive gaming
- Benchmarking
- Performance troubleshooting
Best for: Power users and serious gamers.
4. NVIDIA GeForce Experience (Best for NVIDIA GPUs)
NVIDIA GeForce Experience includes an FPS overlay for NVIDIA users.
Why it’s good
- Accurate FPS counter
- Zero setup if drivers are installed
- Includes recording and performance overlays
How to enable
- Press Alt + Z
- Go to HUD Layout > Performance
- Enable FPS
Best for: NVIDIA GPU users who want simplicity.
5. AMD Adrenalin Performance Metrics (Best for AMD GPUs)
AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition provides a built-in FPS counter and performance overlay.
Why it’s good
- Accurate real-time FPS
- Integrated with AMD drivers
- Low performance impact
How to enable
- Open AMD Adrenalin
- Enable Performance Metrics Overlay
- Use shortcut Ctrl + Shift + O
Best for: AMD GPU users.
6. FRAPS (Legacy Option – Not Recommended for New Games)
FRAPS was once the most popular FPS counter, but it’s outdated.
Downsides
- Limited DX12/Vulkan support
- Can reduce performance
- No longer actively developed
Best for: Older DirectX 9/10 games only.
Final Thoughts
The best FPS counter for Windows 11 depends on how much detail you want. For most users, Xbox Game Bar or Steam’s FPS counter is more than enough. If you want professional-grade accuracy, frametime graphs, and full hardware monitoring, MSI Afterburner with RivaTuner is the best choice.GPU-specific tools like NVIDIA GeForce Experience and AMD Adrenalin are excellent if you prefer an all-in-one solution tied to your graphics card.
