glmark2
glmark2 is a graphics benchmark for OpenGL 2.0 and OpenGL ES 2.0, available as free software under GPLv3.
What glmark2 is
glmark2 is a graphics benchmark for OpenGL 2.0 and OpenGL ES 2.0, available as free software under GPLv3. Its default suite includes scenes for workloads such as textures, shading, buffers, terrain, and shadows, and a run prints a glmark2 score. You can also run custom benchmarks using command-line options or benchmark files. Results can be exported to XML or CSV, with CPU time and shader compilation time among the available result details. The project documents Linux builds for DRM, Wayland, and X11, alongside desktop GL and GLESv2 variants, and includes instructions for building and installing an Android APK. Windows support is recorded through WGL and ANGLE-EGL. Building requires Meson 0.47 or later, libpng 1.6, window-system development files, and the applicable GL or GLES libraries; the project uses Meson and documents Ninja builds. On Android, intent arguments take precedence over arguments supplied through a file, and several X11 command-line options are ignored.
Good
- Runs default scenes and user-defined benchmarks.
- Prints a score for each benchmark run.
- Exports results to XML or CSV.
- Supports documented Linux, Android, and Windows builds.
Watch out
- Building requires Meson, libpng, and graphics development libraries.
- Android ignores several X11 command-line options.
- The project provides no warranty.
Who it suits
glmark2 suits users who need a graphics benchmark for OpenGL or OpenGL ES workloads. It is aimed at people comfortable building from source for documented Linux environments or following the Android APK instructions.
Verdict
glmark2 provides built-in and custom graphics workloads, with score output and exportable results. Its build requirements and Android-specific option limits matter if you plan to compile or run it on those platforms.
The facts
Each one read from glmark2's own pages, with the date it was checked.
Where it runs
- Android
- The repository includes instructions for building an APK and installing it on an Android device.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Android arguments
- Android accepts arguments through an intent extra or an arguments file, and the intent arguments take precedence when supplied.checked 3 Oct 2026
- Android build
- The repository includes Android build instructions that describe producing and installing an APK.checked 3 Oct 2026
- Android limitations
- The Android version ignores several X11 command-line options, including --validate, --off-screen, --fullscreen, and --list-scenes.checked 3 Oct 2026
- Linux display backends
- The documented build flavors include DRM, Wayland, and X11, with desktop GL and GLESv2 variants.checked 3 Oct 2026
- Linux window systems
- Documented build flavors include DRM, Wayland, and X11, as well as other options.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Platform history
- The 2020.04 changelog records support for Windows via WGL and ANGLE-EGL.checked 3 Oct 2026
What it does
- Benchmark scenes
- The default benchmark suite includes build, texture, shading, bump, desktop, buffer, terrain, shadow, and other scenes.checked 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.checked 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.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Build system
- The project uses Meson to configure builds and Ninja to build and install.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Custom benchmarks
- The program can run benchmarks provided through command-line options or benchmark files.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Developers
- The README credits Alexandros Frantzis and Jesse Barker as glmark2 developers, based on Ben Smith’s original glmark benchmark.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The documented build flavors target graphics environments and APIs including X11, Wayland, DRM, desktop GL, EGL, and GLESv2.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- The project describes itself as a graphics benchmark and documents builds for Linux graphics environments and Android.checked 4 Oct 2026
- License
- The project is licensed under the GPLv3.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- glmark2 is an OpenGL 2.0 and OpenGL ES 2.0 benchmark.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Reported results
- The 2023.01 changelog says CPU time and shader compilation time were added to the available results.checked 3 Oct 2026
- Result export
- The 2023.01 changelog says results can be exported to XML or CSV with --results-file.checked 3 Oct 2026
- Result export formats
- csvchecked 20 Sep 2026
- Results
- A benchmark run prints a glmark2 score.checked 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.checked 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.checked 3 Oct 2026
Money
- Free plan
- Yeschecked 20 Sep 2026
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