OBJECTIVE The purpose of this work was to investigate the targeting and dosimetric characteristics of a linear accelerator (LINAC) system dedicated for stereotactic radiosurgery compared with those of a commercial gamma knife (GK) unit. METHODS A phantom was rigidly affixed within a Leksell stereotactic frame and axial computerized tomography scans were obtained using an appropriate stereotactic localization device. Treatment plans were performed, film was inserted into a recessed area, and the phantom was positioned and treated according to each treatment plan. In the case of the LINAC system, four 140 degrees arcs, spanning +/-60 degrees of couch rotation, were used. In the case of the GK unit, all 201 sources were left unplugged. Radiation was delivered using 3- and 8-mm LINAC collimators and 4- and 8-mm collimators of the GK unit. Targeting ability was investigated independently on the dedicated LINAC by using a primate model. Measured 50% spot widths for multisource, single-shot radiation exceeded nominal values in all cases by 38 to 70% for the GK unit and 11 to 33% for the LINAC system. Measured offsets were indicative of submillimeter targeting precision on both devices. In primate studies, the appearance of an magnetic resonance imaging-enhancing lesion coincided with the intended target. CONCLUSIONS Radiosurgery performed using the 3-mm collimator of the dedicated LINAC exhibited characteristics that compared favorably with those of a dedicated GK unit. Overall targeting accuracy in the submillimeter range can be achieved, and dose distributions with sharp falloff can be expected for both devices.