Pick Gmodload if…
You want zero cost, a preset look is fine, and team editing matters to you. It's a legitimately good free tool — especially if you already host with Physgun.
GModComparison
Lumescreen vs Gmodload (Physgun)
Gmodload is a genuinely free loading screen maker built by Physgun, a GMod server host. It's good — and if your needs stop at a clean preset screen, it may be all you need. Here's a factual comparison with Lumescreen.
The short version: Gmodload is a free side-tool from a hosting company; Lumescreen is a dedicated product whose whole job is loading screens — with deeper analytics, more distinctive themes and a roadmap that doesn't depend on a host's priorities.
- Facts checked July 2026
- Lumescreen Free has no watermark
- Full analytics on Premium
Side by side
Feature comparison
Both are hosted makers with real-time editors and one-line server.cfg installation.
| Feature | Lumescreen | Gmodload |
|---|---|---|
| Hosting included | ||
| Price | Free plan · Premium €25/yr or €50 lifetime | Fully free |
| Themes | 15 designed themes across 7 styles | 14+ presets |
| Retention analytics | Loads, completion funnel, load times, devices, peak hours | |
| Music & background slideshows | ||
| Team editing | ||
| Independent of your host | Built and run by Physgun hosting | |
| Dedicated product & support | Loading screens are the whole product | Free side-tool of a hosting business |
| Setup guides & blog |
Gmodload details from physgun.com/gmodload (fully free, 14+ preset themes, CDN hosting, team editing), checked July 2, 2026.
Where each wins
An honest take
Pick Lumescreen if…
You want to know what your screen actually does for retention (full analytics), a design that doesn't look like other servers' presets, and a product whose survival doesn't hinge on a host's side-project budget.
Why analytics matter
A loading screen is your first impression — and first impressions are measurable. See how loading screens affect player retention.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
- Gmodload is free — why would I pay for Lumescreen?
- You might not need to: Lumescreen's Free plan is also free forever, without a watermark. Paying (€25/year or €50 once) buys the full theme catalog, 10 screens and retention analytics — things a free host side-tool doesn't offer.
- Can I use Lumescreen if my server isn't hosted at Physgun?
- Yes — and that's part of the point. Lumescreen works with any GMod server and any host: it's a URL in your server.cfg, nothing more.
- Is switching between Gmodload and Lumescreen risky?
- No. Both are just URLs in sv_loadingurl. Swap the line, restart, and you've switched — in either direction, with no lock-in on your server.
Ready to impress your players?
Create your first loading screen for free. No credit card, in just a few minutes.