glmark2

Free plan AndroidLinuxWindows

What glmark2 is

glmark2 is a free graphics benchmark for OpenGL 2.0 and OpenGL ES 2.0. It runs a default suite of scenes covering graphics workloads such as textures, shading, terrain, shadows, and buffers, then prints a score. You can also choose custom benchmarks using command-line options or benchmark files. Results can be exported to CSV or XML, with CPU time and shader compilation time among the available result details. The project documents Linux builds for DRM, Wayland, and X11, with desktop GL and GLESv2 variants, as well as instructions to build and install an Android APK. Windows support is also recorded through WGL and ANGLE-EGL. Android accepts arguments through an intent extra or an arguments file, though it ignores some X11 options. Building requires Meson 0.47 or later, libpng 1.6, window-system development files, and applicable GL or GLES libraries; the project uses Meson and documents Ninja builds. glmark2 is licensed under GPLv3.

Who it suits

It suits people who need to benchmark graphics workloads on Linux, Android, or Windows. Users who want to build it should be prepared to meet its listed development dependencies.

What it does well

Free plan is available.
Runs default and custom benchmark workloads.
Exports results to CSV or XML.
Linux builds include DRM, Wayland, and X11.
Android APK build instructions are provided.

What to know first

Building requires Meson 0.47 or newer.
Builds need libpng and graphics development libraries.
Android ignores several X11 command-line options.

Limits

On Android, several X11 command-line options are ignored, including --validate, --off-screen, --fullscreen, and --list-scenes. Building requires the listed development tools, window-system files, and applicable graphics libraries.

Getting started

Open the glmark2 project website.
Choose the Linux or Android build route described for your platform.
For a Linux build, install Meson 0.47 or newer, libpng 1.6, window-system development files, and the applicable GL or GLES libraries.
Use Meson and Ninja to build the selected Linux flavor.
For Android, follow the repository instructions to build and install the APK.

Verdict

glmark2 offers configurable graphics benchmarks and exportable results across documented Linux builds, Android, and Windows support. Its build requirements and Android command-line limitations are worth considering.

Questions

Is glmark2 free?

Yes. Its pricing model is free, and the project is licensed under GPLv3.

Which platforms does it support?

The listed platforms are Android, Linux, and Windows. Linux build flavors include DRM, Wayland, and X11 options.

What does it benchmark?

It benchmarks OpenGL 2.0 and OpenGL ES 2.0 graphics workloads. A run prints a glmark2 score.

Can I export benchmark results?

Yes. Results can be exported to XML or CSV with --results-file.

What is required to build it?

The listed requirements include Meson 0.47 or newer, libpng 1.6, window-system development files, and the applicable GL or GLES libraries. Ninja is documented for building.

Facts from glmark2's own pages

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