# Poker Software: A Complete Guide to the Programs the Pros Use

To reach the top in poker, you need to study systematically. Reading books, watching videos, discussing strategy with colleagues, practice — there are many ways to learn the game. Working in specialized software is one of the most effective options. Let's discuss useful poker software.

What software do poker players use

At the dawn of online poker, players' needs were fully covered by statistical software and the simplest calculators. 

Professionals use different combinations of software. The specific choice depends on: the player's skill level, discipline, and poker room.

Later, Holdem Manager and PokerTracker were joined by SharkScope — a service for finding information on opponents in tournaments. The poker software market developed in parallel with the growth of the industry. Want to play several tables comfortably — here's StarsCaption. Need to build charts for every position — grab Flopzilla. As the average skill level of players rose, so did the need for advanced software.

To win today, you need to use every opportunity to gain an edge. Systematic work in poker programs will provide an advantage over your opponents. That's why we recommend adopting the most modern poker software. Don't give up on classic tools either: a tracker in skilled hands is useful both in 2007 and in 2025. Let's look at current statistical software, solvers, auxiliary programs, and other tools.

Hand2Note

Hand2Note collects hand histories into a database and displays statistics on opponents. 

The new version of H2N supports macOS. Previously the tracker did not work on Apple computers.

Information from the HUD will let you make a better decision during a hand. Importing your history will give you the opportunity to analyze mistakes and raise your skill level away from the tables. Advanced filters and graphs provide the player with a large amount of data for growth. Against competitors, H2N stands out with: innovative tools, hand import speed, and the number of supported poker rooms. Hand2Note works on 50+ poker sites.

How to try it for free. Previously the developer offered a free basic version, Hand2Note 3, with no time limits. Beginners got the opportunity to immediately play with a HUD and import hand histories. After the release of the new version of the tracker — Hand2Note 4 — the free H2N3 was removed. Now players are given a trial version of Hand2Note 3 for 30 days. You can also download a trial of Hand2Note 4. The current tracker is offered to test for free for 14 days.

Alternatives. The overall impression of Hand2Note is spoiled by 2 facts: price and distribution model. An annual subscription to the cut-down version of the tracker — H2N Learner — costs $192. Hand2Note Pro is asking $588 a year. That's why many poker players buy the simpler Holdem Manager 3 or PokerTracker 4. Both trackers offer lifetime licenses. Many players would prefer to pay $100 once rather than spend from $16 to $49 every month.

SharkScope

SharkScope provides a lot of useful information on opponents in tournaments. The service's data will help you make the right decision at a key moment in a tournament.

SharkScope lets you hide your own results from searches

SharkScope answers the questions:

• How many tournaments has the opponent played?

• How much has he won or lost?

• What is his average buy-in?

• What kind of form is he in?

A graph and a symbol next to the nickname will let you draw conclusions about your opponent. For example, against a holder of a shark or a diamond star you should play more carefully. To avoid searching for information on every opponent separately, you can buy the SharkScope HUD. The software will automatically pull up information on the opponents at the table. Since September 2023 the service no longer supports PokerOK and other rooms in the Good Game network. The absence of data from the most popular platform of modern poker is a significant drawback of SharkScope.

How to try it for free. The service gives registered users 5 free searches a day. Recently the feature doesn't always work. Often when you try to find information the site shows the notification "An active SharkScope subscription is required to use this feature." To work with the service fully, you need to take out a subscription. The most budget-friendly plan — Bronze with 10 searches a day — costs $7 a month when paid annually. The Silver or Gold subscriptions are more suitable for professionals. The first gives 150 searches a day, the second — 1,000.

Alternatives. In the 2000s players used: PokerTableRatings, Official Poker Ratings, Macropoker, and Tournament Shark. By 2025 none of them had survived. There are no alternatives to SharkScope.

Flopzilla

The main value of Flopzilla is the ability to break down a specific hand. Regular hand analysis lets you learn from your own mistakes. 

Flopzilla trains combinatorics and teaches you to think in ranges

Working with ranges will also bring great benefit. Save separate charts for: raises, calls, 3-bets, 4-bets. The developer integrated the updated Flopzilla Pro into the GTO+ solver. As a result, users can import ranges and boards from one program into another.

How to try it for free. The developer provides a 7-day trial. 

Alternatives. Among other poker calculators we'll highlight Power-Equilab and Oranges Calculator. The distribution model speaks against the first. A subscription to Power-Equilab costs $42 a year, while a lifetime license for Flopzilla is $25. Among the drawbacks of Oranges Calculator we'll list the variety of products. The calculator's creator sells 13 variations of the software. On the other hand, he carefully copied Flopzilla's interface, which will simplify the transition from one calculator to another. We'll also mention FreeBetRange — an app for constructing ranges in a browser.

ICMIZER

ICMIZER is the best push/fold trainer for tournament players. The software will teach you to go all-in profitably and avoid losing calls. 

Without short-stack play skills you can't achieve success in tournament poker

An indispensable tool for players: MTT, Sit&Go, Spin&Go. The user can both load their own hand history for analysis and practice decisions in the trainer. ICMIZER is able to: automatically break down a player's session, find mistakes, and suggest profitable actions. There is a browser version of the software. 

How to try it for free. The developer provides a 7-day trial version. The trial supports all functions.

Alternatives. In the past, Sit&Go players rated SNG Wizard highly. Now there's no point in paying $100 for morally outdated software. Among ICMIZER's competitors we'll highlight HoldemResources Calculator. The calculator can analyze the push/fold stage in tournaments with a focus on GTO. Among the drawbacks of HoldemResources Calculator we'll count the interface. ICMIZER looks significantly clearer than HRC.

GTO Wizard

GTO Wizard is the leading tool for learning balanced poker. It teaches you to use the correct frequencies and prepares you for any action by an opponent. 

GTO Wizard suits both cash players and tournament regulars

It gives you the opportunity to load and analyze your hand history. Users can both break down specific hands and practice decisions in the trainer. GTO Wizard provides players with a huge library of ready-made solutions that is constantly being expanded. Tournament players are offered 3 subscription levels. Each adds new functions and increases the number of hands for analysis.

How to try it for free. After registration the player will be given access to basic preflop solutions and 1 postflop solution a day. The trial lets you train up to 10 situations a day on the Practice tab.

Alternatives. Among GTO Wizard's competitors we'll note: RangeConverter, Deepsolver, and GTOBase. Each falls short of the leader in the number of available tools and the depth of analysis.

Jurojin Poker

Jurojin Poker simplifies playing several tables at once. The software can:

• assign hotkeys;

• convert stacks into big blinds;

• switch the player's focus to the active table;

• save bet profiles for preflop and postflop;

• display brief information about opponents' actions in a hand;

• arrange the tables on the monitor screen according to a preset template. 

The specific list of functions depends on the poker room

Jurojin Poker supports all popular platforms: PokerOK, GGPoker, PokerStars, PokerKing, RedStar Poker, TigerGaming, Winamax, 888Poker, CoinPoker, PPPoker. 

How to try it for free. The developer offers an unlimited trial for low-stakes players. The software works for free in:

• multi-table tournaments with buy-ins up to $5;

• Spin-n-Go tournaments with buy-ins up to $2;

• cash games up to and including the NL10 limit.

Alternatives. The main value of Jurojin Poker is its versatility. The software supports most popular rooms and apps. However, there are also specialized tools for specific platforms:

If you play in a single room, you can take a less expensive alternative instead of Jurojin Poker. For example, an annual subscription to StarsCaption costs $24. Jurojin Poker's price tag is an order of magnitude higher — $300 a year. A hidden argument in favor of StarsCaption is that the program will arrange windows across the monitor screen for free if the player hasn't launched PokerStars. That's why regulars of Americas Cardroom, Betsson, and other rooms can save money when playing multiple tables.

Conclusion

Working in poker software is an effective way to raise the level of your game. At the early stage of a career, a tracker and a calculator are enough for progress. As your skill grows, you need to move on to more complex tools, like solvers and push/fold trainers. Auxiliary poker programs will also be useful. They take the routine off the player and save time for making better decisions. 

FAQ

Which poker program should you buy first?

A poker tracker will bring the greatest benefit at the start of a career. We recommend paying attention to: Hand2Note, Holdem Manager 3, PokerTracker 4, DriveHUD 2. Each statistical program can be evaluated for free using a trial.

How do you learn to play with a short stack in tournaments?

ICMIZER will let you hone your short-stack play skill. Break down your own hand history or practice making decisions in the trainer.

Where is it best to build ranges for raise, call, 3-bet?

It's convenient to work with ranges in poker calculators: Flopzilla, Power-Equilab, Oranges Calculator. Each program can group hands and color them in different colors. FreeBetRange also deserves attention.

How do you find out information on an unknown opponent in a tournament?

SharkScope collects data on opponents in tournaments. The service will indirectly indicate the opponent's skill level, provide information on the number of tournaments he has played, his total profit, and other metrics.