Poker Tools: Which Poker Software Will Improve Your Game?
Modern poker tools have become essential for every serious online poker player. Today’s tools allow you to study GTO strategies, analyse hand histories, track performance and make accurate, data-driven decisions.
Instead of guessing whether you played a hand correctly, solvers, HUDs and equity calculators break your game down with mathematical precision. This helps you learn faster, fix leaks and develop balanced strategies that are much harder for opponents to exploit.
In this guide, we break down the most important categories. These include solvers, HUDs, multi-tabling helpers, ICM tools and more. We also review the top platforms.
This will help you find the poker tool software that really helps your game. It will also help you determine which are a waste of time.
Types of Poker Tools and Software
Poker tools help players to study and analyse their game, play multiple tables simultaneously, and make sharper strategic decisions.
Each category solves a different problem. Most winning players now combine several tools. These include a tracker, solver and equity calculator. They use these to develop a complete study workflow.
Below is a breakdown of the major software types used in online poker, followed by detailed reviews of the best products in each category.
Poker Tool Categories Overview
| Software Type | Primary Function | Best For | Key Advantages |
|---|---|---|---|
| GTO Solvers & Trainers | Simulate game-theory optimal decisions, analyse ranges and run custom trees | Intermediate–advanced players | Learn GTO, find leaks, train specific spots |
| Tracking Software & HUDs | Track hand histories, display real-time stats on opponents | Online grinders & multi-tablers | Identify player tendencies, measure performance |
| Equity & Odds Calculators | Calculate hand equity vs ranges, pot odds and board textures | All skill levels | Fast, accurate decision support |
| Multi-tabling & Table Management | Organise tables, set hotkeys, automate betting actions | High-volume grinders | Increase efficiency and reduce misclicks |
| Tournament & ICM Tools | Evaluate push/fold spots and ICM situations for SNGs & MTTs | Tournament specialists | More profitable late-game decisions |
| Other Useful Tools | Range charts, mental-game tools, converters, niche solvers | All serious players | Fill specific gaps in a player’s study |
Poker Tools: GTO Solvers and Training Software
GTO solvers simulate game theory optimal strategies and show you how a perfectly balanced player would navigate a hand across multiple bet sizes, ranges and board textures.
Instead of relying on your gut, solvers provide you with a clear mathematical explanation of what to bet, how often, and which combos to go for.
In today’s online environment, even low-stakes players are studying solver outputs. If you’re not using one, you’re simply leaving EV on the table. But not all solvers work the same, and choosing the right one depends on your goals, technical ability and time available for study.
- Run simulations for cash, tournaments and HU formats
- Build ranges for specific positions and stack depths
- Explore full game trees with multiple bet sizes
- Compare EV differences between strategies
- Train decision-making in real-time with drills
- Analyse mistakes using automated feedback tools
- Most importantly, solvers show why a certain action works — the frequencies, combo distribution, equity shifts and blockers at play.
- Pre-Solved Databases vs Custom Solver Runs
Top GTO Solvers & Training Platforms
Quality GTO Solvers and Training Platforms form the backbone of modern poker study. These poker tools empower players with solver-precise strategies, interactive drills, and hand analysis to master unexploitable play across stakes and formats.
GTO Wizard
When it comes to my personal preference, GTO Wizard is at the centre of my poker toolset. GTO Wizard gives me instant access to high-accuracy solver outputs, structured training modes, and detailed hand analysis in one place.
By consistently reviewing my leaks, drilling common spots, and internalizing solver-backed heuristics with its trainer and analyzer, I’ve tightened up my poker fundamentals. My decision-making and long-term results at the tables show a clear improvement since taking GTO Wizard seriously.
Pre-solved solvers (like GTO Wizard) compute millions of scenarios ahead of time. This means you get instant results with no CPU strain.
Custom-run solvers (like PIO Solver and GTO+) require you to run your own solves locally. This gives more control over trees and parameters, but demands strong hardware and more time.
- Instant
- Pre-built trees
- Monthly Subscription: $39-120 (Starter to Elite Packages)
- Custom Reports & Solutions
PIO Solver
PIO Solver is a cornerstone for thousands of serious poker players worldwide. Many players I know swear by PIO Solver’s accuracy in solving complex game trees, node-locking for custom opponent modeling, and precise EV calculations.
Though it’s not part of my own setup due to its steeper learning curve and hardware demands, players should try its demo to experience these benefits firsthand before deciding, as it excels at deep postflop analysis and building unexploitable lines that sharpen decision-making over time.
PIO Solver is the best solver available. It is powerful, precise and you can customise it however you like. You can define every part of the game tree: bet sizes, future actions, blockers, sizings, rake structures and more. But its interface is technical, and solving requires high CPU power.
- Deep analysis tools
- Trusted by professionals and coaches
- One off payment (€450-800)
- Flop/turn/river spot solver
GTO+
GTO+ is as a reliable core tool for many poker students and mid-to-high stakes grinders who prioritize its fully offline operation.
These players often prefer it over GTO Wizard for its superior node-locking flexibility, script-based customization for advanced scripting without cloud reliance, and established accuracy in preflop/postflop analysis, especially those avoiding ongoing costs.
A lighter, more efficient alternative to PIO, GTO+ delivers custom solving with a friendlier interface and surprisingly fast run-times. It integrates well with tools like Flopzilla Pro, making it a favourite among serious grinders who don’t want a subscription.
- Internal analysis tools
- Advanced tree builder
- Convergence to a 0% Nash distance
- Annual License Fee: $75 (2nd license $40)
Understanding GTO Before Using a Solver
Solvers are very effective, but only if you understand the basics. Before diving in, players should have a grasp of:
- Range vs range thinking
- Blockers and combo removal
- Bet size selection
- Equity realisation
- EV differences between actions
Without this, solver outputs can feel overwhelming or misapplied. With the right foundation, however, solvers become the most valuable study tool you can own.
Tracking & HUD Software
Poker tracking software is one of the biggest edges available to online players. These tools record every hand you play, analyse your long-term performance and display real-time opponent statistics through a HUD (heads-up display).
For multi-tablers, professionals, and anyone serious about improving, a quality tracker is crucial.
What Tracking Software & HUDs Do
Tracking programs work by importing hand histories from your poker client and presenting them in a structured, analytical format. A typical tracker provides:
- Real-time HUD displaying VPIP, PFR, 3-bet, fold-to-c-bet.
- Player profiling tools for analysing tendencies
- Leak detection reports
- Hand replayers
- Positional stats
- Session analysis and win-rate tracking
- Integration with ICM tools & solvers
Top Tracking & HUD Software Poker Tools
Tracking and HUD Software Poker Tools are real-time data analyzers. The best versions like PokerTracker, Hold’em Manager, and Hand2Note import hand histories to display opponent statistics (e.g., VPIP, PFR, aggression) via on-table overlays.
Unlike solvers that build optimal ranges offline, these tools track win rates, leaks, and tendencies during sessions to enable dynamic adjustments against real opponents. I pair them with GTO Solvers to benchmark my solver study against live data, spot exploitable deviations, and refine my game.
PokerTracker 4
PokerTracker 4 is my first choice in a tracking and HUD setup. It has highly customizable reports and overlays, making it easy to drill down into leaks by position, stack depth, and situation.
Using its filters and replayer to review big pots, it is part of my game now to spot frequency mistakes, and tracking key stats over time has made study more structured. Overall, it turns vague “hunches” into clear, data-backed adjustments.
One of the most established poker tracking programs, PokerTracker 4 (PT4) offers a deep and reliable HUD system, powerful filters and a huge range of custom reports. Many grinders consider it the gold standard for long-term player development.
- Advanced Hand Range Modelling
- Interactive Reports, Graphs & Filters
- LeakTracker Feature
- Annual License: $64.99-159.99 (Hold'em, Omaha or Combo Options)
Holdem Manager 3 (HM3)
Hold’em Manager 3 (HM3) is first choice for many players, particularly those grinding high-volume online sessions. Often mentioned is its superior speed in handling massive databases. Pros and coaches highlight its edge in advanced filtering for multi-tabling (e.g., slicing stats by table position or hero stack size instantly), low resource demands on multi-monitor setups, and robust tournament support with ICM-based analysis.
The modern successor to HM2, Holdem Manager 3 features a more polished interface, strong HUD customisation and seamless integration with tools like Table Ninja II and NoteCaddy.
- Live Play View
- Mini-view hand analyzer in one dashboard
- Graphical HUD Overlay
- Annual Cost: $60-160
Hand2Note
Hand2Note is the go-to choice for plenty of serious regs who want an ultra-powerful, modern HUD with dynamic, population-and player-specific stats. Its strengths lie in ultra-deep configuration, cutting-edge population analysis, and lightweight performance. Pros and coaches often recommend it to players who are willing to invest time upfront building custom HUDs and reports in exchange for exceptionally granular, exploit-focused information during play.
A favourite among high-stakes players, Hand2Note offers incredibly detailed stats and Smart Reports, which automatically detect patterns in your opponents’ play. Its HUD system is more advanced than most competitors, with filters for raise-first-in, 4-bet frequencies, and other granular actions.
- Drag and Drop Hands into Notes
- HUD Editor
- Advanced, Smart Reports
- Dynamic HUD
- Annual fee: $15.99-61.25
DriveHUD 2
DriveHUD 2 has a loyal group of diehard fans. DriveHUD2 makes complex data feel easy to understand at a glance. Users who fall in love with it often cite the intuitive custom HUD builder, built‑in exploitative reports, and smooth performance as reasons they see no need to switch.
A more modern tracker with a clean interface, DriveHUD 2 integrates HUD tracking, range tools, and hand replay in one package. It’s user-friendly, powerful and popular with mid-stakes grinders.
- Custom Stats
- Advanced, Dynamic HUDS
- Hand Chart Deviations Reports
- Annual License: $25.99-79.99
Poker Copilot
Poker Copilot stands out from more complex HUDs by offering a lightweight, Mac-friendly tracker with a simple interface, automatic leak detectors, and easy-to-read charts rather than deep, highly customizable reports and ultra-advanced population tools.
Players who are newer to HUDs, run on Mac, or prefer a “plug-and-play” experience with clear visual feedback instead of spending hours configuring stats and popups are often better suited to Poker Copilot.
A lightweight tracker with built-in leak detection, excellent for Mac users. Ideal for casual or mid-stakes players who want an easy-to-use tracker that runs smoothly on macOS.
- Bankroll Chart
- Leak Detector
- Fat Hand Replay
- One-time payment: $99 ($39 Upgrade Option)
Why Poker Tracking Software Matters
Tracking and HUD tools help you:
- Understand how your opponents actually play, not how you think they play
- Make profitable adjustments in real time
- Measure your own skill progression
- Fix long-term leaks that costs thousands of dollars
- Analyse every session with precision
- If you take online poker seriously, using a good tracker has become a baseline requirement.
Basic Poker Tools: Equity & Odds Calculators
Equity and odds calculators are essential tools for understanding the mathematical foundation of poker.
Whether you’re reviewing hands, studying ranges, or comparing how different board textures interact with your opponent’s range, equity calculators give you objective, data-driven insight into every decision.
While most modern studies use special computer programs, equity calculators are still very important, especially for people who are just starting out. They’re quick, easy to use, and great for getting to know how to work out the odds of winning.
What Equity Calculators Do:
- Compare hand vs. hand, hand vs. range, or range vs. range
- Analyse how equity shifts across flop/turn/river cards
- Understand which hands are profitable to call, bet, or fold
- Evaluate pot odds, required equity and expected value
- Visualise how board textures hit each player’s range
These tools train your intuition and give you the mathematical foundation required to progress into full GTO study.
Best Equity & Odds Calculators
Most modern equity and range calculators offer a similar core feature set, but the key differences in interface, speed, range-handling, and integration determine how smoothly they plug into a serious study workflow.
For a free, non-download option, you can use our in-house VIP Grinders Equity and Odds calculators. We recommend using our calculators and the below tools, and compare their efficiency.
Equilab
Equilab is a staple because it makes range vs. range equity work fast and intuitive, and when it is seamlessly integrated into an overall toolkit alongside solvers and trackers, it becomes effortless to sanity-check assumptions, build preflop charts, and test postflop spots without breaking study flow.
The most popular and widely used free poker equity calculator. Ideal for beginners and intermediate players, yet flexible enough for advanced range work.
- Free
- Hand and range equity calculations
- Easy integration with other tools
- Board texture analysis
Power Equilab
Power Equilab goes far beyond basic equity checks, letting you work with weighted ranges, sub-ranges, heatmaps, and detailed equity graphs so you can understand how that equity is distributed across boards and runouts.
It adds powerful tools like street-by-street range strength analysis, flop/turn equity breakdowns, range and hand-history import, and scenario training modules. Together these make it a long-term investment for building robust, data-driven intuition that carries over directly into complex in-game decisions.
The premium evolution of Equilab, offering deeper range breakdowns and more advanced features.
- Weighted & hierarchic grouped ranges
- Annual Fee: $41.95
- 29 hand rankings pre-defined
- Equity Trainer in-built
Flopzilla
Flopzilla is a go-to calculator for serious study because it lets you visualize exactly how specific ranges hit different boards, breaking things down into made hands, draws, and combo counts.
For a long-term player looking to sharpen intuition, its fast multiway equity calculations, range-weighting, texture filters, and tight integration with solvers like GTO+ make it ideal for building a deep understanding of board coverage and equity shifts.
A must-have for players who want to understand how ranges interact with specific boards. Unlike pure equity calculators, Flopzilla shows you which range of hands is best. It does this by looking at the number of top pairs, draws and two pairs in each range..
- Quick scenario modelling
- 2Frequency distribution (TP, OESD, FD, sets, etc.)
- Weighted ranges
- Lifetime license: $25
Why Equity Calculator Poker Tools Matter
Equity calculators help players:
- Internalise pot odds and required equity
- Build accurate preflop and postflop ranges
- Understand how boards affect each side’s range
- Prepare for deeper GTO solver work
- Make lower-variance, mathematically sound decisions
- They’re essential not just for study, but also for developing a mindset rooted in math rather than guesswork.
Multi-Tabling & Table Management Poker Tools
When you move beyond one or two online poker tables, efficiency becomes a skill of its own. Multi-tabling and table management software helps you play more hands per hour, reduce misclicks and maintain focus, keeping your decision-making sharp even when juggling six, twelve or more tables.
At mid-high stakes, using these tools correctly can directly translate into higher hourly winrates. These programs don’t make decisions for you; they make sure your decisions happen quickly, cleanly, and without friction.
What Multi-Tabling Software Typically Offers
- Hotkeys: Fast betting, folding, raising, reloading and timebank activation
- Table management: Automatically reposition or stack tables exactly how you want
- Bet-sizing tools: Pre-set percentage bets for flop/turn/river
- Alerts and notifications: Avoid timeouts, missed blinds or important action
- Randomized bet timers: Useful for balancing timing tells
- Multi-room compatibility: Run the same setup across your different poker sites
Although these tools only save a few seconds per orbit, those seconds add up across thousands of hands per session.
Top Multi-Tabling & Table Management Poker Tools
Good Multi-Tabling & Table Management Poker Tools are essential for high-volume grinders. The best multi tabling poker tools offer seamless snapping, tiling, hotkeys, and lobby filters to handle 20+ tables without chaos, turning sessions into efficient, profitable volume machines.
Table Ninja II
Table Ninja II has been my go-to tool for a long time, ever since I converted to multi-tabling sessions. By automating repetitive actions, streamlining bet sizing and hotkeys, and keeping tables organised, it preserves mental energy for tough strategic decisions instead of wasting focus on clicking, timebanks, and table management.
Still one of the most popular HUD-adjacent utilities in online poker, now compatible with multiple rooms.
- Bet sizing shortcuts (percentage sliders, pot-based)
- Automatic table popup on action
- SNG & Spin and Go Sensei
- Cost: Monthly - $19.99 / Annual - $150
Jurojin
Jurojin is a favorite among multi-table purists, thanks to its laser-focused design for handling high-volume sessions, customizable hotkeys, and seamless lobby management.
Multi-table grinders value its lightweight footprint, turbo actions for rapid table handling, and integration with trackers for quick stat glances.
A more modern, user-friendly alternative with excellent layout tools and clean visuals.
- Smart grid layout for tables
- On-screen helpers like stack sizes and action previews
- Cloud profiles for multiple setups
- Pricing: Monthly $7.50 (Low Stakes) - $25 for Full Access Package. Billed Annually.
StackAndTile
StackAndTile is a lesser-known but much-loved option among players who care more about screen organization and focus than flashy extra features. StackAndTile lets players stack all their tables in one pile and automatically “pop out” only the tables where action is required.
A longtime favourite for table organisation across multiple poker rooms. Good for players who want advanced table stacking and action management across many sites, especially if grinding high volume.
- Hotkeys setup for every action
- Seamless Stacking
- Cost: Monthly - $17.95 (Full Version)
Why Multi-Tabling Software Matters
From personal experience, the biggest issue mass-tabling players have isn’t strategy; it’s execution.:
- 1Misclicks
- 2Timing out on marginal decisions
- 3Losing focus because tables are poorly arranged
- 4Accidentally cold-calling a 4-bet because the wrong table popped up
The real benefit isn’t playing more tables, but rather playing with higher clarity and less cognitive load, which means you can make more A-game decisions per hour.
Tournament Poker Tools & ICM Calculators
Tournament poker is different from cash games. Stacks sizes fluctuate rapidly. Payout structures create pressure. Marginal EV decisions become amplified near the bubble and final table. This is where ICM calculators and other tournament tools become essential.
They help you understand:
- 1Push/fold charts
- 2Nash equilibrium ranges
- 3Custom blind structure support
- 4Hand history import
Top ICM and Tournament Tools
ICM and Tournament Tools help convert complex payout structures and stack dynamics into clear, actionable decisions. At their best ICM and tournament poker tools turn guesswork in late-game spots into mathematically grounded strategy.
By modeling risk–reward trade-offs, shove/fold ranges, and deal scenarios, they are essential for anyone who takes tournaments seriously and wants long-term, repeatable edges in high-pressure stages.
ICMIZER
Even though tournaments are only a small part of my schedule, playing 5–10 events a month, ICMIZER has been a huge driver of my ROI. This tool forces me to get shove/fold and call decisions right in the exact high-pressure spots that matter most.
By drilling bubble and final-table scenarios, reviewing borderline pushes and calls after each session, and internalizing how ranges shift with pay jumps and stack sizes, ICMIZER has significantly tightened up my late-game play and turned what used to be guesswork into confident, +EV decisions.
The most widely used tournament tool and arguably the gold standard for ICM analysis.
- Quick Push/Fold Calculations
- Final table ICM EV modelling
- Re-player to review MTT hands
- ICT Trainer Preflop training mode
- Cost: $40-179.88 Annually (Various Packages)
SNG Wizard 2
SNG Wizard 2 is a mainstay for Sit & Go grinders, and has helped many recreational players turn SnGs into a serious study project and real profit source by breaking down push/fold, bubble, and heads-up spots with clear, ICM-based recommendations.
A long-standing favourite among Sit & Go and hyper-turbo players.
- Nash equilibrium ranges
- Custom blind structure support
- Hand history import
- One off payment: $99
OmahaPro
OmahaPro has transformed Pot-Limit Omaha from a high-variance gamble into precise, EV+ tournament play for many players. OmahaPro delivers intuitive GTO preflop charts across all positions, stack depths, and multiway pots, complete with EV weights and clear visualizations of hand categories.
It is focused on PLO and PLO5 tournaments, which are rare in the market. Great for mixed-game or PLO tournament specialists looking for structurally accurate ICM decisions.
- Supports PLO and PLO5 formats
- Practice with real scenarios & track progress
- Cost: $33.75 (Standard Omaha only) - $55 (+PLO5) Monthly
Why Tournament Tools Make a Difference
Having coached MTT players at every level, there’s one pattern that repeats:
Most players undervalue ICM pressure and massively over-call in high-leverage spots.
Using ICM tools to review your deep runs will:
- 1Sharpen your endgame
- 2Reduce costly mistakes at final tables
- 3Improve ROI dramatically
- 4Turn near-misses into wins
- 5Help you understand when aggression is printing money (and when it’s suicide)
Even just 10 minutes per day using a push/fold trainer can transform a player’s late-game performance.
Personal Take on Poker Tools: What I Actually Use and Why
Over the years, I have tested almost every major poker software tool on the market, from the early, clunky trackers to today’s modern, cloud-based solvers.
Not every tool is essential, but a handful of them consistently move the needle in a player’s win rate. Here’s the honest breakdown of what I personally use and why.
GTO Wizard: My everyday study backbone
If I had to choose just one tool to study with, it would be GTO Wizard. Not because it’s the most “powerful” solver (PIO still takes that crown), but because it’s the most practical. I can jump into any node, any spot, and see a full GTO breakdown instantly.
Poker Tools FAQs
What is the best poker software for overall improvement?
If you want a single tool that improves almost every part of your game, GTO Wizard offers the best mix of accessibility, depth, and pre-solved accuracy.
What is a GTO solver in poker?
A GTO solver is software that calculates the theoretically optimal strategy for a given poker situation. Tools like PIO Solver, GTO Wizard, and GTO+ show ideal bet sizes, frequencies, and ranges.
What poker tracking software should I use?
The best all-around tracker is Holdem Manager 3 for Windows users. If you are on Mac or prefer a different feel, PokerTracker 4 or Hand2Note are strong alternatives.
Are HUDs allowed on PokerStars and major sites?
PokerStars allows HUDs only on downloaded desktop clients, not on mobile or web clients. Some sites (partypoker, GG) ban HUDs completely. Always check your site’s TOS.
What’s the difference between a poker tracker and a poker calculator?
A tracker (HM3/PT4) analyses all your hands over time. A calculator (Equilab/Flopzilla) analyses a single hand or range for equity or odds.
Do I need multiple poker tools to improve?
Yes, each tool covers a different part of the game. A solver cannot replace a tracker, and an equity calculator cannot replace ICM analysis. The strongest players use a tool stack.
What software should tournament players prioritise?
Tournament players should prioritise an ICM tool (ICMIZER), a tracker (HM3/PT4), and a solver (GTO Wizard). These three cover the most profitable MTT skill areas.