FreeSync vs. G-Sync 2022: Which Variable Refresh Tech Is Best?

FreeSync vs. G-Sync
(Image credit: Shutterstock)

For the past few years, the best gaming monitors have enjoyed something of a renaissance. Before Adaptive-Sync technology appeared in the form of Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync, the only thing performance-seeking gamers could hope for was higher resolutions or a refresh rate above 60 Hz. Today, not only do we have monitors routinely operating at 144 Hz and higher, Nvidia and AMD have both been updating their respective technologies. In this age of gaming displays, which Adaptive-Sync tech reigns supreme in the battle between FreeSync vs. G-Sync?

We've also got next-generation graphics cards arriving, like the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 and Ada Lovelace GPUs with DLSS 3 technology that can potentially double framerates, even at 4K. AMD's RDNA 3 and Radeon RX 7000-series GPUs are also slated to arrive shortly, and should also boost performance and make higher quality displays more useful.

FreeSync vs. G-Sync

(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

For the uninitiated, Adaptive-Sync means that the monitor’s refresh cycle is synced with the rate at which the connected PC’s graphics card renders each frame of video, even if that rate changes. Games render each frame sequentially, and the rate can vary widely depending on the complexity of the scene being rendered. With a fixed monitor refresh rate, the screen updates at a specific cadence, like 60 times per second for a 60 Hz display. What happens if a new frame is ready before the scheduled update?

There are a few options. One is to have the GPU and monitor wait to send the new frame to the display, which increases system latency and can make games feel less responsive. Another option is for the GPU to send the new frame to the monitor and let it immediately start drawing it onto the screen — this is called tearing and the result is shown in the above image.

G-Sync (for Nvidia-based GPUs) and FreeSync (AMD GPUs and potentially Intel GPUs as well) aim to solve the above problems, providing maximum performance, minimal latency, and no tearing. The GPU sends a "frame ready" signal to a G-Sync or FreeSync monitor, which draws the new frame and then awaits the next "frame ready" signal, thereby eliminating any tearing artifacts.

Today, you’ll find countless monitors — even non-gaming ones — boasting some flavor of G-Sync, FreeSync, or even both. If you haven’t committed to a graphics card technology yet or have the option to use either, you might be wondering which is best when considering FreeSync vs. G-Sync. And if you have the option of using either, will one offer a greater gaming advantage than the other? 

FreeSync vs. G-Sync

Swipe to scroll horizontally
FreeSyncFreeSync PremiumFreeSync Premium ProG-SyncG-Sync UltimateG-Sync Compatibility 
No price premiumNo price premiumNo price premiumHDR and extended color supportRefresh rates of 144 Hz and higherValidated for artifact-free performance
Refresh rates of 60 Hz and higherRefresh rates of 120 Hz and higherRefresh rates of 120 Hz and higherFrame-doubling below 30 Hz to ensure Adaptive-Sync at all frame ratesFactory-calibrated accurate SDR (sRGB) and HDR color (P3) gamut supportG-Sync Compatible monitors also run FreeSync
Many FreeSync monitors can also run G-SyncLow Framerate Compensation (LFC)HDR and extended color supportUltra-low motion blur"Lifelike" HDR supportRow 2 - Cell 5
May have HDR supportMay have HDR supportLow Framerate Compensation (LFC)Row 3 - Cell 3 Variable LCD overdriveRow 3 - Cell 5
Row 4 - Cell 0 Many FreeSync Premium monitors can also run G-Sync with HDRNo specified peak output, but most will deliver at least 600 nitsRow 4 - Cell 3 Optimized latency Row 4 - Cell 5
Row 5 - Cell 0 Row 5 - Cell 1 Many FreeSync Premium Pro monitors can also run G-Sync with HDRRow 5 - Cell 3 Row 5 - Cell 4 Row 5 - Cell 5

Fundamentally, G-Sync and FreeSync are the same. They both sync the monitor to the graphics card and let that component control the refresh rate on a continuously variable basis. To meet each certification, a monitor has to meet the respective requirements detailed above, but a monitor can also go beyond the requirements. For example, a FreeSync monitor isn't required to have HDR but some do, and some FreeSync monitors reduce motion blur via a proprietary partner tech, like Asus ELMB Sync.

Can the user see a difference between the two? In our experience, there is no visual difference in FreeSync vs. G-Sync when frame rates are the same and the monitor quality is the same. Achieving such parity however is far from guaranteed.

We did a blind test in 2015 and found that when all other parameters are equal between FreeSync vs. G-Sync monitors, G-Sync had a slight edge over the still-new-at-the-time FreeSync. But a lot has happened since then. Our monitor reviews have highlighted a few things that can add or subtract from the gaming experience that have little to nothing to do with refresh rates and Adaptive-Sync technologies.

The HDR quality is also subjective at this time, although G-Sync Ultimate claims to offer "lifelike HDR." It then comes down to the feature set of the rival technologies. What does all this mean? Let’s take a look.

G-Sync Features

FreeSync vs. G-Sync

(Image credit: Nvidia)

G-Sync monitors typically carry a price premium because they contain the extra hardware needed to support Nvidia’s version of adaptive refresh. When G-Sync was new (Nvidia introduced it in 2013), it would cost you about $200 extra to purchase the G-Sync version of a display, all other features and specs being the same. Today, the gap is closer to $100.

However, FreeSync monitors can be also certified as G-Sync Compatible. The certification can happen retroactively, and it means a monitor can run G-Sync within Nvidia's parameters, despite lacking Nvidia' proprietary scaler hardware. A visit to Nvidia’s website reveals a list of monitors that have been certified to run G-Sync. You can technically run G-Sync on a monitor that's not G-Sync Compatible-certified, but the quality and experience are not guaranteed. For more, see our articles on How to Run G-Sync on a FreeSync Monitor and Should You Care if Your Monitor's Certified G-Sync Compatible?

There are a few guarantees you get with G-Sync monitors that aren’t always available in their FreeSync counterparts. One is blur-reduction (ULMB) in the form of a backlight strobe. ULMB is Nvidia’s name for this feature; some FreeSync monitors also have it under a different name. While this works in place of Adaptive-Sync, some prefer it, perceiving it to have lower input lag. We haven’t been able to substantiate this in testing. However, when you run at 100 frames per second (fps) or higher, blur is typically a non-issue and input lag is super-low, so you might as well keep things tight with G-Sync engaged.

G-Sync also guarantees that you will never see a frame tear even at the lowest refresh rates. Below 30 Hz, G-Sync monitors double the frame renders (thereby doubling the refresh rate) to keep them running in the adaptive refresh range.

FreeSync Features 

FreeSync vs. G-Sync

(Image credit: AMD)

FreeSync has a price advantage over G-Sync because it uses an open-source standard created by VESA, Adaptive-Sync, which is also part of VESA’s DisplayPort spec. 

Any DisplayPort interface version 1.2a or higher can support adaptive refresh rates. While a manufacturer may choose not to implement it, the hardware is there already, so there’s no additional production cost for the maker to implement FreeSync. FreeSync can also work with HDMI 2.0b and later. (For help understanding which is best for gaming, see our DisplayPort vs. HDMI analysis.)

Because of its open nature, FreeSync implementations vary widely between monitors. Budget displays will typically get FreeSync and a 60 Hz or greater refresh rate. The lowest-priced displays likely won’t get blur-reduction, and the lower limit of the Adaptive-Sync range might be just 48 Hz. However, there are FreeSync (as well as G-Sync) displays that operate at 30 Hz or, according to AMD, even lower.

FreeSync Adaptive-Sync works just as well as G-Sync in theory. In practice, the cheapest FreeSync displays (particularly older models) may not look quite as nice. Pricier FreeSync monitors add blur reduction and Low Framerate Compensation (LFC) to compete better against their G-Sync counterparts.

And, again, you can get G-Sync running on a FreeSync monitor without any Nvidia certification, but performance may falter. These days, monitors are opting for FreeSync support because it's effectively free, and higher quality displays work with Nvidia to ensure they're also G-Sync compatible.

FreeSync vs. G-Sync: Which Is Better for HDR? 

To add even more choices to a potentially confusing market, AMD and Nvidia have upped the game with new versions of their Adaptive-Sync technologies. This is justified, rightly so, by some important additions to display tech, namely HDR and extended color.

FreeSync vs. G-Sync

(Image credit: Nvidia)

On the Nvidia side, a monitor can support G-Sync with HDR and extended color without earning the “Ultimate” certification. Nvidia assigns that moniker to monitors with the capability to offer what Nvidia deems "lifelike HDR." Exact requirements are vague, but Nvidia clarified the G-Sync Ultimate spec to Tom's Hardware, telling us that these monitors are supposed to be factory-calibrated for the HDR color space, P3, while offering 144Hz and higher refresh rates, overdrive, "optimized latency" and "best-in-class" image quality and HDR support.

Meanwhile, a monitor must support HDR, extended color, hit a minimum of 120 Hz at 1080p resolution, and have LFC for it to list FreeSync Premium on its specs sheet. If you’re wondering about FreeSync 2, AMD has supplanted that with FreeSync Premium Pro. Functionally, they are the same.

Here’s another fact: If you have an HDR monitor (for recommendations, see our article on picking the best HDR monitor) that supports FreeSync with HDR, there’s a good chance it will also support G-Sync with HDR — and both can function without HDR as well.

FreeSync vs. G-Sync

(Image credit: AMD)

And what of FreeSync Premium Pro? It’s the same situation as G-Sync Ultimate in that it doesn’t offer anything new to the core Adaptive-Sync tech. FreeSync Premium Pro simply means AMD has certified that monitor to provide a premium experience with at least a 120 Hz refresh rate, LFC, and HDR.

Naturally, the higher quality components necessary for FreeSync Premium Pro cost more than basic components. That means that while FreeSync technically doesn't come with a cost, FreeSync Premium Pro monitors will be more expensive than lesser monitors.

Chances are that if the FreeSync monitor supports HDR, it will likely work with G-Sync (Nvidia-certified or not) too.

Conclusion

So which is better: G-Sync or FreeSync? With the features being so similar there is no inherent reason to select a particular monitor. Both technologies produces similar results, so the contest is mostly a wash at this point. There are a few disclaimers, however.

If you purchase a G-Sync monitor, you will only have support for its adaptive-sync features with a GeForce graphics card. You're effectively locked into buying Nvidia GPUs as long as you want to get the most out of  your monitor. With a FreeSync monitor, particularly the newer, higher quality variants that meet the FreeSync Premium Pro certification, you're often free to use AMD or Nvidia graphics cards.

Those shopping for a PC monitor will have to decide which additional features are most important to them. How high should the refresh rate be? How much resolution can your graphics card handle? Is high brightness important? Do you want HDR and extended color?

It’s the combination of these elements that impacts the gaming experience, not simply which adaptive sync technology is in use. Ultimately, the more you spend, the better gaming monitor you’ll get. These days, when it comes to displays, you do get what you pay for. But you don't have pay thousands to get a good, smooth gaming experience.

MORE: Best Gaming Monitors

MORE: Best 4K Gaming Monitors

MORE: How We Test Monitors

MORE: All Monitor Content

Christian Eberle
Contributing Editor

Christian Eberle is a Contributing Editor for Tom's Hardware US. He's a veteran reviewer of A/V equipment, specializing in monitors. Christian began his obsession with tech when he built his first PC in 1991, a 286 running DOS 3.0 at a blazing 12MHz. In 2006, he undertook training from the Imaging Science Foundation in video calibration and testing and thus started a passion for precise imaging that persists to this day. He is also a professional musician with a degree from the New England Conservatory as a classical bassoonist which he used to good effect as a performer with the West Point Army Band from 1987 to 2013. He enjoys watching movies and listening to high-end audio in his custom-built home theater and can be seen riding trails near his home on a race-ready ICE VTX recumbent trike. Christian enjoys the endless summer in Florida where he lives with his wife and Chihuahua and plays with orchestras around the state.

  • cyrusfox
    So many words, with no concrete conclusion(or data). Where is a critical opinion in this article...
    I'll inject my own as I was so frustrated to read something this meandering(long) and then come to such a bland conclusion. I was really expecting some sort of test rather than a wall of text on features.

    Short conclusion:
    G-sync guarenteed to get better results for a higher price and only compatible with one flavor of cards(Green team).
    Freesync can work just as well, is free, but with no guarentees and not consistently applied so do your homework on the monitor.

    From my own use, I have 2 LG4k monitors(LG 27UK600) that are freesync supported, I have G-sync enabled on them(TB3 1050 dock and a 1080 on the desktop), I can not tell a difference, maybe there is a benefit, although not one I can perceive.
    Reply
  • icedeocampo
    Link to Dell S3220DGF points to the Acer Monitor.
    Reply
  • Deicidium369
    cyrusfox said:
    So many words, with no concrete conclusion(or data). Where is a critical opinion in this article...
    I'll inject my own as I was so frustrated to read something this meandering(long) and then come to such a bland conclusion. I was really expecting some sort of test rather than a wall of text on features.

    Short conclusion:
    G-sync guarenteed to get better results for a higher price and only compatible with one flavor of cards(Green team).
    Freesync can work just as well, is free, but with no guarentees and not consistently applied so do your homework on the monitor.

    From my own use, I have 2 LG4k monitors(LG 27UK600) that are freesync supported, I have G-sync enabled on them(TB3 1050 dock and a 1080 on the desktop), I can not tell a difference, maybe there is a benefit, although not one I can perceive.

    And what games at what resolution are you running? Neither GSync or Freesync will make one bit of difference on the desktop. This is an anti tearing technology - which happens at high resolution and high frame rates.

    I have had a real G Sync monitor since the original that only worked with the Asus monitor... It has improved greatly and is very noticeable - would not expect anything with a Free Sync monitor that is G Sync "compatible" - just won't be a big deal at all.
    Reply
  • bit_user
    I still don't see a single 2560x1440 monitor that's compatible with both FreeSync Premium Pro and G-Sync HDR. When there is, I will buy it.

    See:
    https://www.amd.com/en/products/freesync-monitorshttps://www.nvidia.com/en-us/geforce/products/g-sync-monitors/specs/
    I don't want 4k, and anything wider than a 27" 16:9 monitor won't fit in my setup.
    Reply
  • sizzling
    bit_user said:
    I still don't see a single 2560x1440 monitor that's compatible with both FreeSync Premium Pro and G-Sync HDR. When there is, I will buy it.

    See:
    https://www.amd.com/en/products/freesync-monitorshttps://www.nvidia.com/en-us/geforce/products/g-sync-monitors/specs/
    I don't want 4k, and anything wider than a 27" 16:9 monitor won't fit in my setup.


    So this monitor definitely has G-Sync HDR, I am using it but it’s not on that list. I am not sure about version of Freesync as the spec’s don’t confirm this and I not running FreeSync. https://www.lg.com/us/monitors/lg-27gl83a-b-gaming-monitor
    Reply
  • bit_user
    sizzling said:
    So this monitor definitely has G-Sync HDR, I am using it but it’s not on that list.
    Does it support G-Sync and HDR, simultaneously? I don't know what are Nvidia's criteria for stating a G-Sync monitor supports HDR, but you could look into that, if you're curious.

    sizzling said:
    I am not sure about version of Freesync as the spec’s don’t confirm this and I not running FreeSync. https://www.lg.com/us/monitors/lg-27gl83a-b-gaming-monitor
    I almost bought one, last December. Amazon briefly had quite an amazing deal on them.

    According to the link I posted above, it's "FreeSync Premium", whereas "Premium Pro" is their HDR tier. The tiers are defined here:
    https://www.amd.com/en/technologies/free-sync
    Reply
  • bit_user
    BTW, Gigabyte's FI27Q-P is 90% there, for me. It has G-Sync HDR, but only Freesync Premium. Also, customer reviews complain about backlight bleed, near the bottom.

    But, the cool thing about it is that it features DisplayPort HBR 3, which enables 10-bit at higher refresh rates (and maybe that's what qualified it for G-Sync HDR?).
    Reply
  • sizzling
    bit_user said:
    Does it support G-Sync and HDR, simultaneously? I don't know what are Nvidia's criteria for stating a G-Sync monitor supports HDR, but you could look into that, if you're curious.


    I almost bought one, last December. Amazon briefly had quite an amazing deal on them.

    According to the link I posted above, it's "FreeSync Premium", whereas "Premium Pro" is their HDR tier. The tiers are defined here:
    https://www.amd.com/en/technologies/free-sync
    It definitely has G-Sync and HDR on at the same time. That’s how I’m using it.
    Reply
  • bit_user
    sizzling said:
    It definitely has G-Sync and HDR on at the same time. That’s how I’m using it.
    Well... they don't really say what qualifies a monitor as G-Sync HDR, but maybe some aspect of its HDR implementation isn't up to their standards.

    https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/geforce/news/g-sync-ces-2019-announcements/
    Reply
  • sizzling
    bit_user said:
    Well... they don't really say what qualifies a monitor as G-Sync HDR, but maybe some aspect of its HDR implementation isn't up to their standards.

    https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/geforce/news/g-sync-ces-2019-announcements/
    Maybe, I don’t know. This does illustrate how confusing and difficult it is to get hard facts about these features.
    Reply