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vkmark
What it is
vkmark is a free, extensible Vulkan benchmarking suite for Linux. It uses configurable scenes to measure different aspects of Vulkan performance, and scenes can accept options. Users can select benchmarks and their order with the `-b, --benchmark` command-line option; otherwise, the default set runs. The project lists X11, Wayland, and KMS backends, with automatic window-system detection and a `--winsys` option for manual selection. After installation, vkmark runs from the command line. The project also documents running it from its build directory without installing. Building requires Meson, a C++17 compiler, Vulkan development files, libglm, and libassimp, plus dependencies for the selected backend. The documented build process uses Meson and Ninja, and installation uses `ninja -C build install`. The README gives an `apt install` example for dependencies on recent Debian or Ubuntu systems. The repository includes the GNU Lesser General Public License, version 2.1.
For and against
For
- Benchmark scenes can be selected and reordered.
- Supports X11, Wayland, and KMS backends.
- Can run from the build directory without installation.
- Free to use.
Against
- Building requires several development tools and libraries.
- Runs from the command line.
- Supported platform is Linux.
The verdict
vkmark offers configurable Vulkan benchmark scenes and multiple window-system backends. Users should be prepared to build and run it from the command line.
Who it suits
vkmark suits Linux users who want to run configurable Vulkan graphics benchmarks and choose which scenes to execute. It requires building from source and command-line use.
Plans and prices
vkmark
Vulkan benchmarking suite · build and install from source
Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
On the record
- Benchmark defaults
- If no benchmark options are specified, vkmark runs a default set of benchmarks.github.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Benchmark scenes
- Its scenes measure various aspects of Vulkan performance, and each scene’s rendering can be configured with options.github.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Benchmark selection
- You can specify which benchmarks to run and their order with the `-b, --benchmark` command-line option.github.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Build requirements
- Building requires Meson, a C++17 compiler, Vulkan development files, GLM, and Assimp; backend-specific dependencies are also listed.github.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Default benchmarks
- If no benchmarks are specified, vkmark runs a default set of benchmarks.github.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Dependencies example
- The README gives an `apt install` command for the listed dependencies on recent Debian or Ubuntu systems.github.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Installation
- The project documents building with Ninja and installing with `ninja -C build install`.github.com · read 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.github.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- License
- The repository includes a file named COPYING-LGPL2.1 containing the GNU Lesser General Public License, version 2.1.github.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Override backend
- You can select a window system explicitly with the `--winsys` command-line option.github.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- vkmark is an extensible Vulkan benchmarking suite with targeted, configurable scenes.github.com · read 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.github.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Run without installing
- The README documents running vkmark directly from the project build directory without installing it.github.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Support
- The repository provides GitHub Issues and Pull Requests for project discussion and contributions.github.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Window systems
- The README lists X11, Wayland, and KMS backends and says vkmark attempts to detect a suitable window system automatically.github.com · read 7 Oct 2026
