SimHub and RaceLab solve different problems, so the best choice depends on what you want to see and feel. RaceLab is the stronger pick for race overlays such as relative, standings and fuel, with native VR support. SimHub is the better pick when you want dashboards on extra screens or a phone, plus hardware like LEDs, bass shakers and wind fans. Many drivers in 2026 simply run both side by side.
In this comparison you learn what each app does well, what the free versions include and how to combine them without clutter on your screen.
What is the main difference?
The quickest way to compare them is to look at what each app was built for.
RaceLab is an overlay app. It focuses on the information you need in a race: who is around you, your position, your inputs and your fuel. SimHub is a telemetry hub. It reads data from your sim and sends it to almost anything, from a SimHub telemetry dashboard on a second screen to shift lights and tactile transducers.
So the question is not which app is better. The question is which job you want done first.
What does RaceLab do best?
RaceLab shines in multiclass and online racing.
Race overlays
The relative overlay shows the cars near you with live lap times and stint info. The standings overlay shows positions, lap times and tyre compounds for the whole field. The input telemetry overlay shows your pedals and steering, and you compare them with your best laps or with other drivers. A fuel calculator works out how much fuel you need.
Supported sims and VR
RaceLab supports iRacing, Le Mans Ultimate, Automobilista 2, Assetto Corsa Competizione, Assetto Corsa, RaceRoom, rFactor 2 and the F1 games. Not every overlay works in every sim. A big plus is the native VR integration for OpenVR and OpenXR headsets, so you place panels in your headset without an extra tool.
SIMGASM | Core Integrated quad monitor stand vesa 75/100 - Black
Free and Pro
RaceLab has a free tier that stays free. It includes the basic overlays, a limited layout library and driver tags for up to five drivers. The Pro tier adds full customisation, smart layouts, the full layout library and team features such as fuel sharing.
What does SimHub do best?
SimHub is the Swiss army knife of sim racing software.
Dashboards on any screen
SimHub runs dashboards on a second monitor, a small USB screen, a tablet or a phone. You build your own layouts in Dash Studio or download one from the community. If you want to try it with zero cost, read how to use a phone as a SimHub dashboard.
Hardware and tactile
This is where SimHub has no real rival. It drives Arduino LEDs, shift lights, wind simulators and bass shakers from one place. Our SimHub bass shaker tuning deep dive shows how far you can take it.
Free and licensed
The free version of SimHub has nearly every feature. It runs displays, Arduino devices and shakers at up to 10 frames per second. The licence raises this to 60 and adds automatic game switching, start minimised and no reminder screens.
SIMGASM | Sport Aluminum Sim Racing Cockpit - Black
Which app fits which driver?
Match the app to the way you race, and the choice becomes easy.
Do you mainly race online in iRacing or Le Mans Ultimate, often in VR? Start with RaceLab. Its relative and standings overlays help you in traffic, and VR works out of the box. Do you race offline, stream, or want a physical dash and tactile feedback? Start with SimHub. Do you want both? Run RaceLab for the race overlays and SimHub for the dash and hardware. Just avoid showing the same number twice, because duplicate info only adds noise.
One rule from our SimHub troubleshooting checklist applies to both apps: overlays need the game in windowed or borderless mode on a flat screen. In exclusive fullscreen they stay hidden.
How does your rig support this setup?
Software works best when the hardware around it is calm and tidy.
A fourth screen for telemetry or a stream chat needs a stable mount above or beside your main screen. Shakers need a stiff frame, so the effects reach your body instead of shaking the monitors. The SIMGASM Sport uses a 40 x 120 mm main profile and the Pro a 40 x 160 mm profile, both with integrated cable passthroughs and a motion ready build. That keeps USB cables for dashes and LED strips out of the way.
SIMGASM develops these cockpits itself. Product development started in January 2026, and the company was formally incorporated on 27 February 2026, with its base in Wijk bij Duurstede in the Netherlands. Founder Johan Akkerman tested many cockpits, wheel bases and accessories over years of racing and industry work before he designed his own. Compare the four tiers in the aluminium sim racing cockpit range.
SIMGASM | Core Integrated Single Monitor stand Vesa 75/100 - Black
Frequently asked questions
Here are short answers to common questions about SimHub and RaceLab.
Can I run SimHub and RaceLab at the same time?
Yes. Many drivers do. Use RaceLab for race overlays and SimHub for dashboards and hardware, and avoid duplicate widgets.
Which app is better for VR?
RaceLab, because it has native VR support for OpenVR and OpenXR. SimHub overlays need an extra tool to show in a headset.
Is the free version of either app enough?
For most beginners, yes. Upgrade when you need smoother displays in SimHub or full layout freedom in RaceLab.
Does RaceLab control bass shakers?
No. For tactile effects, LEDs and wind you need SimHub.
Want to learn more? The SIMGASM experts are happy to help.
