Abstract Objectives This study compared plans of high definition (HD), 2.5 mm width multi-leaf collimator (MLC), to standard, 5 mm width, isocentric linear accelerator (linacs), CyberKnife (CK) and Gamma Knife (GK) for stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) techniques on multiple brain metastases. Methods Eleven patients undergoing SRS for multiple brain metastases were chosen. Targets and organs at risk (OARs) were delineated and optimised SRS plans were generated and compared. Results The linacs delivered similar conformity index (CI) values, but the gradient index (GI) for HD MLCs was significantly lower (p-value < 0.001). Half the OARs received significantly lower dose using HD MLCs. CK delivered a significantly lower CI than HD MLC linac (p-value < 0.001), but a significantly higher GI (p-value < 0.001). CI was significantly improved with the HD MLC linac compared to GK (p-value = 4.591 × 10−3), however, GK delivered a significantly lower GI (p-value < 0.001). OAR dose sparing was similar for the HD MLC TL, CK and GK. Conclusions Comparing linacs for SRS, the preferred choice is HD MLCs. Similar results were achieved with the HD MLC linac, CK or GK, with each delivering significant improvements in different aspects of plan quality. Advances in Knowledge This paper is the first to compare HD and standard width MLC linac plans using a combination of single isocentre volumetric modulated arc therapy and multi-isocentric dynamic conformal arc plans as required, which is a more clinically relevant assessment. Furthermore, it compares these plans with CK and GK, assessing the relative merits of each technique.