RaceLab Support – RaceLab Overlays: Free vs Pro (Overview)

RaceLab Overlays – Free vs Pro

RaceLab offers two main “levels” of overlays: free overlays that any logged-in user can use and Pro overlays that are part of the subscription features. This page explains the general difference, how to recognise each type, and some simple starting advice so you know what to expect.

Quick summary
  • Free overlays – available to everyone with a RaceLab account and the RaceLab app running.
  • Pro overlays – require an active RaceLab subscription to work fully.
  • The exact list can change over time, so always check inside the RaceLab app for the current status.

1. How RaceLab marks Free vs Pro overlays

In the RaceLab app and overlay browser, each overlay normally has a clear indicator:

  • Free overlays:
    • No Pro or subscription icon next to the overlay name.
    • Can usually be added to layouts and used without warnings.
  • Pro overlays:
    • Often show a Pro, star or similar icon near the name.
    • May warn you in the app that a subscription is required.

If you add an overlay that does not behave as expected, first check the overlay list in RaceLab to see whether it is marked as a Pro overlay.

2. What you get with Free overlays

Free overlays usually cover the most commonly needed information:

Typical free overlay areas
  • Race information – Relative, Standings, and smaller leaderboard variants.
  • Fuel and pit info – basic fuel remaining, laps left and fuel to add.
  • Awareness overlays – Radar, track map and other tools that help you avoid contact.
  • Basic streaming helpers – some chat overlays, mic visualiser, promo code banner and simple information panels.

These give most new users a very solid starting point without needing to subscribe immediately.

3. What Pro overlays usually add

Pro overlays are aimed at drivers and streamers who want more detailed data, more advanced tools or extra styling options.

Typical Pro overlay areas
  • More detailed analysis – extra information about stints, pace, incident tracking or comparisons, depending on sim support.
  • Advanced layouts – more complex leaderboard views, custom data combinations or special race-control style overlays.
  • Extra streaming features – additional ways to show chat, alerts, engagement tools and branding.
  • Finer customisation – in some cases more detailed control over layout, appearance or data sources.

The exact Pro feature set changes over time, but the idea is generally to give more depth, more tools and more flexibility on top of the free base.

4. Simple way to think about Free vs Pro

  • Free overlays – “Do I have the key information I need to race and stream comfortably?”
  • Pro overlays – “Do I want more data, polish and tools to push further into league racing, long endurance events or professional-looking streams?”
Tip – start Free, then grow Build a complete layout using only free overlays first. Once you are happy and understand what you use regularly, it is easier to decide whether Pro tools are worth it for the way you drive or stream.

5. Checking an overlay before you rely on it

  1. Open the RaceLab App.
  2. Go to the Layouts section and click Add widget.
  3. Find the overlay you are interested in.
  4. Look at its name and description:
    • If there is no Pro icon or subscription note, treat it as free.
    • If there is a Pro icon or subscription note, treat it as a Pro overlay.
  5. Only build “critical race layouts” (for league events or long races) using overlays you have verified and tested ahead of time.

6. Example layouts: Free-only vs mixed Pro

Example – Free-only driving layout
  • Relative overlay – side of screen for cars ahead/behind.
  • Standings or mini-standings – top or side of screen.
  • Fuel overlay – near your dash or wheel area.
  • Radar – lower centre for car awareness.
  • Track map – somewhere you can glance at, but not in the way.
Example – Mixed Pro layout for advanced users
  • Everything from the free layout above.
  • Pro strategy or stint overlays for long races.
  • Extra timing overlays for analysing pace and consistency.
  • More advanced streaming overlays for detailed on-stream information.

7. Common questions

  • Can I test Pro overlays without breaking my free setup?
    Yes. Make a copy of your layout and experiment in the copy. If you decide not to continue with Pro features, you can go back to your free-only layout easily.
  • Why does an overlay show, but some data is missing?
    Check whether it is a Pro overlay with limited behaviour on free accounts, or whether the sim you are using supports that specific data.
  • Do Pro overlays always use more FPS?
    Not necessarily. FPS is affected more by how many overlays, layouts and browser sources you run at once than by whether they are free or Pro.
  • Can the Free vs Pro status change?
    Yes. RaceLab can adjust which overlays are free or Pro as the platform evolves. Always treat the information inside the RaceLab app as the current source of truth.
Important reminder This page is an unofficial explanation to help new users understand the general idea of free vs Pro overlays. RaceLab can change plan details, prices and overlay access rules at any time. Always check the official RaceLab information for the current details.

This page was created by a RaceLab community member Scottozy, based on personal experience using RaceLab overlays together with publicly available documentation and community feedback. It is an unofficial help page and is not an official RaceLab publication.

Sources & references

  • RaceLab – overlay browser and indicators for free vs Pro status.
  • RaceLab community explanations of how free and Pro overlays differ.
  • Practical testing using free-only and mixed Pro layouts in common sim setups.