The Best Head Tracking Software for Games in 2026
Every real option, compared with verified prices and specs (checked July 2026). Yes, this page lives on LookPilot's own site - so instead of asking you to trust us, every claim below is checkable, and we tell you when a competitor is the better pick.
| Option | Price | Type | Tracking | Platforms | Reviews | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LookPilot | $14.99 one-time | Webcam software | 6DoF head + eye | Windows, Linux, Steam Deck | 96% (227 reviews) | Best overall: quality comparable to IR hardware, lowest price, only native Linux option |
| TrackIR 5 | $149.95-$169.95 | IR camera + clip | 6DoF head only | Windows | n/a (not on Steam) | Best in total darkness / with face-covering headgear |
| Tobii Eye Tracker 5 | $279+ | IR sensor bar | Gaze + 6DoF head | Windows | n/a (not on Steam) | Best dedicated eye-gaze precision (133 Hz), if your screen is under 27"-30" |
| Beam Eye Tracker | $29.99 one-time | Webcam software | Gaze + 6DoF head | Windows | 88% (911 reviews) | Best if eye-gaze features (overlays, gaze camera) are the priority |
| opentrack | Free | Webcam software (open source) | 6DoF head only | Windows, Linux | n/a (GitHub) | Best free option, if you enjoy tuning curves and filters |
| SmoothTrack | $11.99-$14.99 | Phone app + opentrack | 6DoF head only | Windows PC + iOS/Android | 4.7/5 App Store | Best if your PC has no webcam but you own a recent phone |
Prices and review scores verified against official pages and Steam, July 2026.
Our verdict, and how to disagree with it
For most sim players - flight, trucking, racing - LookPilot is the best overall pick: tracking quality comparable to IR hardware, the best review score of any head tracker on Steam (96% vs Beam's 88%), the lowest paid price at $14.99 one-time, eye tracking included, and the only native Linux/Steam Deck support.
The honest exceptions: pick TrackIR 5 if you play in total darkness or with face-covering headgear; pick Tobii 5 if precise eye-gaze is the product you actually want; pick opentrack if free plus tinkering beats tuned-out-of-the-box for you; pick SmoothTrack if your PC has no webcam at all.
And the cheapest way to disagree with us costs nothing: the 14-day free trial runs the full feature set on your own webcam and games.
Common questions
Is webcam head tracking really as good as TrackIR?
For head tracking in a normally lit room, yes - modern neural tracking is comparable to IR hardware, and smoothness/latency are what LookPilot reviews consistently praise. IR hardware keeps an edge in total darkness (it tracks a reflector, not your face) and under face-covering headgear.
What is the cheapest way to get head tracking?
opentrack is free and good if you are happy to tune curves and filters yourself. The cheapest paid, tuned-out-of-the-box option is LookPilot at $14.99 one-time.
What about eye tracking?
Three options here: Tobii Eye Tracker 5 (dedicated IR hardware, most precise gaze, $279+), Beam Eye Tracker ($29.99, webcam gaze focus), and LookPilot ($14.99, head tracking first with eye tracking on top).
Which option works on Linux or Steam Deck?
LookPilot is the only one with a native Linux/SteamOS build and automatic Proton/Wine game connection. opentrack also runs on Linux but requires manual setup. TrackIR, Tobii, and Beam are Windows-only.
Try the best-reviewed option first
700+ games supported. 96% positive on Steam (227 reviews). 14-day free trial.
Buy LookPilot $14.99