What it is
POE Overlay is an in-game overlay that sits on top of the Path of Exile client (classic version) and Path of Exile 2 ("POE Overlay II" build) to surface market data, price-check hotkeys, and an integrated browser for services like boss carries, trials, and leveling.
It's been actively maintained for over five years and reports more than a million users. Windows-only. Installation comes in two flavors: via Overwolf (auto-updates) or standalone (no Overwolf, manual updates).
It is not affiliated with Grinding Gear Games — that disclaimer is explicit on the site.
What problem it solves
Pricing items by hand in PoE 2 is a six-click workflow: copy item, open browser, open official trade, paste mods, adjust filters, scroll listings. POE Overlay collapses that to hover + hotkey: you see an estimated price in seconds without alt-tabbing.
On top of that, it integrates 7-day market history so you can spot whether an item is trending up or down, and lets you browse carry services straight from inside the game — useful for one-off boss kills or Ascendancy trials.
Differentiation
Versus Awakened PoE Trade and exiled-exchange-2 (open-source alternatives): POE Overlay has more polished features (services browser, 7d history) but is closed source and depends on its own backend. If code transparency and forkability matter to you, the open-source alternatives win. If "it just works and updates itself" matters, POE Overlay wins on convenience.
Versus Sidekick: Sidekick is minimalist, open source, and cross-OS. POE Overlay is more feature-rich but Windows only.
What people use it for
Quick price check while mapping: hover a rare/unique, hotkey, keep playing. Loot decisions in seconds instead of minutes.
Verification before listing: drop an item in your priced stash tab and compare with the overlay's suggestion before setting your price. Avoids underpricing.
Browsing services without leaving the game: when you need a boss carry or a trial run, launch the integrated browser and contact a seller without breaking the session.
Currency and volume tracking: for builds requiring specific currency, seeing listing volume helps decide whether to buy in batches.
7d history for timing: for items with fluctuating prices, the 7-day chart helps decide between selling now or waiting.
Who it's not for
If you're on Linux or macOS, POE Overlay is not for you — Windows only. Open-source alternatives work on Linux via Wine or natively.
If closed-source software on your system bothers you, prefer the auditable alternatives.
If you play SSF, there's no trade to monitor — the overlay doesn't add value.
If you only open the game occasionally, installing Overwolf for a few hours a week is overkill. For casual use, lighter standalone alternatives are a better fit.
How to use it in practice
- Download from
poeoverlay.com. Pick Overwolf (recommended for auto-updates) or standalone. - Install via the wizard. Overwolf bundles its runtime; standalone is direct.
- Launch PoE 2. POE Overlay injects itself on top of the client.
- Configure hotkeys (default: Ctrl+D for price check, others configurable).
- In-game, hover an item + hotkey → an overlay panel shows estimated price.
- For services: a dedicated hotkey opens the integrated browser.
Honest limitations
Closed source. You can't audit the code or fork it. For some users that's a deal-breaker; for others, irrelevant.
Windows only. Linux and macOS are out. Open-source alternatives cover those systems.
Overwolf dependency (recommended mode). Overwolf is a third-party runtime with its own resource use and telemetry. Installing standalone avoids Overwolf but trades that for losing auto-updates.
Built on top of GGG's public API. When GGG changes rate limits or trade structure, there's a lag until the team patches.
Donation-funded, no formal commitment. The project runs on donations (~938 reported donors). No service contract — if the team pauses development, there's no contractual fallback.
"Free" has an indirect asterisk. It's free to use, but the Overwolf model can surface ads within its own interface (not the PoE overlay itself). If that bothers you, go standalone.
How to start
Go to poeoverlay.com. Pick PoE Overlay II (for PoE 2) or classic PoE Overlay depending on the game. Recommended via Overwolf so you don't miss updates. After installing, launch PoE 2 and configure basic hotkeys.
The learning curve is flat: if you've used Awakened PoE Trade or any similar overlay, the flow is practically identical. First session, you only use the hotkey price check; advanced features (services, market history) reveal themselves over time.