Best Online Poker Software and Tools in 2024
Poker software is an important part of any player’s arsenal. The more you train, the better your results will be. And there are a number of poker programs designed to improve your performances.
We’ll discuss them in this guide, revealing the five best poker tools you can use to elevate your game, as well as which poker rooms allow tools, like CoinPoker.
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The Top 5 Poker Software Tools
First off, we’ll take a look at some of the best poker pro tools for training. You can see which poker software is best for hand tracking or studying previous tourneys, with pros and cons on each from our experts.
GTO Wizard
First launched in late 2020, GTO Wizard is arguably the leading poker hand analysis tool available today. Registered users can simulate hands with this solver and fine-tune their decision-making abilities in line with game theory optimal (GTO) strategy.
Aimed at intermediate to more advanced players, GTO Wizard requires a paid subscription to get the most out of it. However, users can enjoy one free post-flop solution per day, as well as 10 practice mode hands.
Be aware that most sites do not allow such GTO solvers to be used while actually playing, so this type of poker software is strictly a post-game study tool.
Pros
- Best tool for improving GTO knowledge
- Extremely detailed hand range analysis
- Daily free solutions available
- Easy-to-use interface
Cons
- Costly paid subscription required
- Not allowed while playing
PokerTracker 4
The fourth incarnation of this popular poker analysis software launched in 2011, but the software dates back to 2001. PokerTracker provides extensive hand histories and analysis tools, including customizable graphs and reports.
A one-time fee of at least $64.99 is necessary, depending on whether you want the Omaha or Texas Hold’em software. But it’s worth it for beginners learning the game, as it can identify major leaks.
Although PokerTracker 4 is the most complete poker hand tracker around, this powerful program also offers a real-time (HUD). Of course, not all sites permit the use of such tools, so be sure to check the T&Cs.
Pros
- Tracks every hand in any format
- Compatible with all leading poker sites
- Customizable reports and graphs
- Detailed HUD with real-time stats
Cons
- Doesn’t work well with older computers
- Requires a one-off purchase fee
Flopzilla
This piece of poker software has been helping players to understand ranges and equity since 2012. It’s not for complete beginners, but it’s ideal for those with a decent knowledge of the game seeking to make better post-flop decisions.
Flopzilla doesn’t offer hand tracking or a HUD. Instead, it allows you to analyze hand ranges and how they perform in various scenarios. All with GTO strategy in mind, of course.
Conveniently, Flopzilla is much more affordable than most poker study tools, costing just $25 for a lifetime subscription. What’s more, you can run the software on two different computers using a single license.
Pros
- Cheaper than other poker software
- Customizable hand ranges
- Simple design and interface
- Best value tool for range analysis
Cons
- Not much use for pre-flop study
- No hand tracking capability
Holdem Manager 3
One of the most in-depth analysis tools available, Holdem Manager 3 is aimed at more skilled players. Although it features a built-in HUD that’s packed with information, it’s much more useful as a study tool.
Run the Live Play feature to see customizable session stats and charts, as well as a hand replayer. Elsewhere, the post-game analysis tool includes more than 25 different preset reports and thousands of stats.
Make sure to also check out the Situational Views dashboard, which breaks down your performance in areas like continuation betting, 3-betting and river play.
The cheapest Holdem Manager 3 package, which is the small stakes Texas Hold’em poker software (or its Omaha equivalent), will set you back $60.
Pros
- Most powerful Hold’em HUD
- Live session analysis
- Situational breakdowns help plug leaks
- Includes Ignition hand grabber software
Cons
- Not the cheapest poker software
- Requires a powerful computer
PokerSnowie
Perhaps the most high-tech poker solver online at the moment, PokerSnowie was first produced in 2014. However, it’s more than just a GTO solver. It boasts AI poker software that tells you what to do in order to improve your game.
For instance, you can actually play against PokerSnowie and receive immediate feedback on your mistakes. Similarly, it’s possible to import hand histories from US and offshore poker sites, which PokerSnowie assesses. It then uses this data to act as your personal poker adviser.
It’s definitely a tool for the more experienced player, a fact that’s reflected in the subscription fees. The Pro package costs $229.95 per year, while the annual Intermediate package is $99.
Pros
- Extremely powerful GTO poker tool
- Latest AI technology mimics genuine gameplay
- Real-time feedback from coaching software
- User-friendly way to learn GTO strategy
Cons
- Very expensive compared to similar programs
- Cannot be used against real opponents
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What Are Poker Training Tools?
Poker training tools are pieces of software that can be used to analyze your playing style or improve your results. Confusingly, it has a bit of a double meaning, as “poker software” could also refer to the thing you have to download in order to play poker. In this guide, we’ll be focusing on the poker software which helps improve your gameplay.
There are several different types of poker software that fit into the category of training tools:
- Solvers. These apply the principles of game theory to poker in an attempt to “solve” the perfect strategy for any situation.
- Hand trackers. Software that keeps a log of every hand you play, then presents the data in customizable charts and reports for easy analysis.
- Equity calculators. Used to compute winning percentages of individual hands or entire ranges in various scenarios.
- Heads-up displays (HUDs). Programs that offer real-time assistance by showing key statistics about opponents or game sessions on the screen.
We’ll talk more about each of these tools later in our guide to the best online poker software.
Types of Poker Software
Now that you’ve seen some of the best online poker tools, let’s dig a little deeper into what each class of poker software actually does.
Hand Trackers
A poker hand tracker is a vital piece of poker software for players of all levels. It logs every hand played at your chosen site and records them in a database. The aim of this is twofold.
First, it keeps track of your own performance. This is essential for bankroll management, for example. But it also helps you to identify your strongest areas, as well as your weaknesses.
The best examples, such as PokerTracker 4, offer powerful analysis tools, including detailed reports, charts and graphs. You can break down your play by situations, allowing you to identify whether you bet too much pre-flop or on the river, for instance.
The second function of a hand tracker is to keep an eye on other players, their own stats and how you perform against them.
Poker HUDs
This type of poker software displays key details, either about your opponents or your own play, on the screen. The name comes from a pilot’s heads-up display – or HUD – which shows crucial real-time facts and figures.
A poker HUD might reveal the betting tendencies of players at your table, including stats like VPIP (voluntarily put money in pot) and PFR (pre-flop raise). Equally, it could tell you live information about your own performance, which is particularly useful when multi-tabling.
Many poker sites don’t allow the use of HUDs, so it’s vital to check the terms and conditions. However, much of this kind of poker software also comes with other tools, which may be allowed. Many hand tracking programs feature a built-in HUD, for example.
Equity Calculators
An equity calculator tells you the percentage chance of one hand winning against another. This is known as the “equity” of a hand. In the early days of online poker, these tools were quite simple. But today, it’s possible to match entire hand ranges against other ranges.
PokerStove was a pioneering example of a poker program that could calculate the equity of a hand against a range. These days, however, we have far more cutting-edge tools like Equilab and Flopzilla.
As a rule, such software doesn’t usually come with hand tracking capabilities or HUDs.
Poker Solvers
The concept of GTO strategy has been around for more than a decade now. It aims to create a perfectly balanced strategy that cannot be exploited in any way.
GTO solvers are essential tools if you’re to learn and understand this type of advanced strategy. They allow players to calculate what to do in certain situations.
Early poker solvers like PioSolver blazed the trail. But the likes of GTO Wizard have taken solvers to the next level.
How to Use Poker Software
Ready to try your first piece of poker software? This is what you need to do.
- Visit the website. Open the homepage of your chosen software provider.
- Download the installer. Click on the relevant tool to download the installer.
- Install the software. Select the file and follow the installation instructions.
- Create an account. You’ll need to register before you can start using the software.
- Pay any fees. Unless it’s free poker software, you’ll need a license or subscription.
- Read the manual. For the best experience, make sure you know how to use the tool.
Which Poker Rooms Allow Software?
Most online poker rooms are quite vague about which specific software is allowed and which isn’t. They usually talk about tools that “provide an advantage” and leave it to you to decide which combination of programs is fair or unfair.
As a rule, the best poker tracking software is generally permitted on its own. The main issue is real-time assistance, such as HUDs and solvers, which are almost always forbidden.
In fact, some poker clients actually scan your device to check whether such software is open, blocking you from playing until they’re closed.
Here are some examples of what may and may not be used at various sites.
| Poker Software | CoinPoker | ACR Poker | Black Chip Poker | Ignition | BetOnline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GTO Wizard | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| PokerTracker 4 | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Flopzilla | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Holdem Manager 3 | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| PokerSnowie | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
If you want to make use of selected poker software, sign up to a poker room like CoinPoker which allows you to use certain tools.
- Anonymous poker with easy registration
- Get 33% rakeback every Monday
- Free from deposit & withdrawal fees on cryptocurrencies
Is Poker Software Legal?
This is a surprisingly complicated question to answer, as there are several parts to it. Let’s start with the easy bit – study tools.
Any poker software that is used away from the table is perfectly acceptable. Nobody has a problem with a player using study aids in their spare time. Running a solver to figure out how you should have played a hand is something everyone should be doing on a regular basis.
However, real-time assistance tools are where software becomes troublesome. If you have any kind of program running while you’re sitting at a real money poker table, you leave yourself open to accusations of cheating.
Terms and Conditions
Every poker site has its own terms and conditions, so it’s important to read them carefully before playing. If you’re in any doubt, contact customer support.
Some allow certain pieces of poker software to be used individually, but not multiple tools combined. Paid and free poker tracking software is almost always permitted. But solvers and poker trainer tools that essentially tell you how to play are almost always forbidden.
Range calculators could be argued either way, so it depends on the site in question. This is also true of HUDs, as it depends exactly what information is being shown.
Possible Punishments
If you’re caught using poker software that breaches a site’s T&Cs, you’ll most likely receive a ban. It’s quite possible that any funds in your account will be seized, too. But is it against the law to use real-time assistance tools? Probably not.
Arguably the most famous case involved the Austrian Fedor Kruse, who was accused of using solvers. His “Dream Machine” setup was thought to have cost as much as $60,000 to build. It enabled him to leap from low-stakes games to crushing $200/$400 cash games in under a year.
One notable poker network banned him completely, confiscating $250,000 in winnings, though other sites returned his money. However, no criminal charges were ever brought against him.
In 2024, there was controversy at the final table of the WSOP Main Event – the biggest live tournament in poker. The eventual winner, Jonathan Tamayo, got information from his rail via the use of solvers. So, even WSOP champions have made use of the best poker software in near-real time.
Improve Your Poker Game
As well as using the best poker software to study, what else can be done to work on your game? Here are some tips to follow.
Discuss Hands Often
One of the best ways to improve as a player is to form a group of like-minded friends. Going over past hands with other players will introduce you to different perspectives and may shine some light on unknown weaknesses.
If you don’t have anyone suitable in your circle of friends and family, you can always turn to the internet. The TwoPlusTwo forum, for example, has been a valuable source of discussion and information for over 20 years.
Hire a Coach
If you’re prepared to spend money on poker software, why not consider investing in a coach or mentor? Many professional players offer this service, while there are plenty of high-profile poker coaching businesses.
The best poker training services offer everything from simple hand charts, which beginners can memorize, to more complex courses and quizzes.
Watch Streams
Observing poker streams can be a great way to learn new techniques and thought processes. Whether it’s older episodes of High Stakes Poker, innovative shows like Game Of Gold, or a live Twitch stream; the more you consume, the more you’ll pick up.
It’s not just entertaining to rail high-stakes players; they often explain what they’re thinking. There’s always a lot to be learned from players who are competing at a higher level.
Play Live
Of course, there’s no substitute for actual playing experience. Poker software on its own can only get you so far. At some point, you’ll have to dive in and tackle some hands. However, online and live poker can feel like two completely different games at times.
The slower pace of a bricks-and-mortar poker room can encourage you to take longer over your decisions and put what you’ve learned into practice. It’s also a good way to meet people with whom to discuss hands and share advice.
Get Started
Ready to get hands on with poker software? Pick the best poker learning tool for you, download and install it, then join a poker room like CoinPoker to use it.
- Anonymous poker with easy registration
- Get 33% rakeback every Monday
- Free from deposit & withdrawal fees on cryptocurrencies