vkmark
vkmark is a Linux command-line suite for benchmarking Vulkan graphics performance with targeted scenes that can be configured individually.
What vkmark is
vkmark is a Linux command-line suite for benchmarking Vulkan graphics performance with targeted scenes that can be configured individually. You can select which scenes to run and their order with the `-b, --benchmark` option; if you do not specify benchmarks, vkmark uses its default set. The project lists X11, Wayland, and KMS backends, detects the window system automatically, and lets you choose one with `--winsys`. It can run after installation or directly from the project build directory without installing. Building from source requires Meson, a C++17 compiler, Vulkan development files, libglm, libassimp, and dependencies for the selected backend. The documented build uses Meson and Ninja, with installation through `ninja -C build install`; an `apt install` example is provided for recent Debian and Ubuntu systems. The repository includes the GNU Lesser General Public License, version 2.1, and offers GitHub Issues and Pull Requests for discussion and contributions. vkmark is free, with no trial listed.
Good
- Choose benchmark scenes and their order.
- Scenes have configurable options.
- Supports X11, Wayland, and KMS backends.
- Can run without installation.
- Free to use.
Watch out
- Building requires several development dependencies.
- Linux is the only listed platform.
- Runs from the command line.
Who it suits
vkmark suits Linux users who want to measure Vulkan graphics performance using configurable benchmark scenes. It is also relevant to developers comfortable building and running command-line software.
Verdict
vkmark offers configurable Vulkan benchmarks and several window-system backends for Linux. Building requires the listed development tools and libraries.
Plans and prices
From vkmark's own pricing page, checked 7 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| vkmark | Free | Vulkan benchmarking suite · build and install from source |
The facts
Each one read from vkmark's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Benchmark defaults
- If no benchmark options are specified, vkmark runs a default set of benchmarks.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Benchmark scenes
- Its scenes measure various aspects of Vulkan performance, and each scene’s rendering can be configured with options.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Benchmark selection
- You can specify which benchmarks to run and their order with the `-b, --benchmark` command-line option.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Build requirements
- Building requires Meson, a C++17 compiler, Vulkan development files, libglm, and libassimp; backend-specific dependencies are also listed.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Default benchmarks
- If no benchmarks are specified, vkmark runs a default set of benchmarks.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Dependencies example
- The README gives an `apt install` command for the listed dependencies on recent Debian or Ubuntu systems.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Installation
- The project documents building with Ninja and installing with `ninja -C build install`.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The README names Vulkan, X11/XCB, Wayland, and KMS-related dependencies for building; it does not describe third-party service integrations.checked 7 Oct 2026
- License
- The repository includes a file named COPYING-LGPL2.1 containing the GNU Lesser General Public License, version 2.1.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Override backend
- You can select a window system explicitly with the `--winsys` command-line option.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- vkmark is an extensible Vulkan benchmarking suite with targeted, configurable scenes.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Run modes
- After installation, vkmark runs from the command line; the README also documents running it from the project directory without installing.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Run without installing
- The README documents running vkmark directly from the project build directory without installing it.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Support
- The repository provides GitHub Issues and Pull Requests for project discussion and contributions.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Window systems
- The README lists X11, Wayland, and KMS backends and describes automatic window-system detection with an option to select one manually.checked 7 Oct 2026
Money
- Free plan
- Yeschecked 20 Sep 2026
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