Recording gameplay has become essential for content creators, streamers, and gamers who want to share their best moments or improve their skills. Finding the best game recording software depends on your specific needs, from simple highlights to professional streaming. This guide explores six top-tier options ranging from completely free solutions to premium software offering advanced features. Whether you’re asking “how to record gameplay on PC” or seeking the best pc game recording software for your budget, we’ve analyzed features, performance impact, and pricing to help you make an informed decision.
Quick Overview:
- Leawo Free Screen Recorder – Best free option
- OBS Studio – Best for streamers and advanced users
- Bandicam – Best for high-quality recordings
- NVIDIA ShadowPlay – Best for NVIDIA GPU owners
- Action! Game Recorder – Best all-around premium option
- PlayClaw – Best for real-time stats overlay
1. 6 Best Game Recording Software for PC Gamers
1.1. Leawo Free Screen Recorder
Leawo Free Screen Recorder stands as the premier free game recording software, offering professional features without watermarks or time limits. This lightweight tool records up to 1080p HD quality with system audio and microphone capture simultaneously, making it perfect for commentary-driven content.
Key features include custom recording area selection, scheduled recording for automatic capture, minimal system impact ensuring smooth gameplay, and an intuitive interface suitable for beginners. Unlike many free alternatives, Leawo imposes no restrictions on recording length and adds zero branding to your videos. The software works offline and provides superior stability compared to browser-based tools. For gamers wanting desktop-level performance without cost, Leawo Free Screen Recorder represents the best value in game recording software.
1.2. OBS Studio
OBS Studio dominates as the industry-standard open-source solution for both recording and streaming. This powerful video game recording software supports unlimited recording time, custom scenes and transitions, and direct streaming to Twitch, YouTube, and Facebook. Advanced users appreciate the extensive plugin ecosystem, multi-source capture including webcams and capture cards, and professional-grade audio mixing capabilities.
However, OBS Studio requires significant setup time and technical knowledge. The interface intimidates beginners, and optimal settings require experimentation. For streamers and content creators willing to invest time learning, OBS delivers unmatched flexibility completely free.
1.3. Bandicam
Bandicam excels at high-quality captures with minimal performance impact, supporting 4K Ultra HD at customizable frame rates up to 480 FPS. The software features high compression ratios maintaining quality while saving storage space, DirectX/OpenGL/Vulkan game capture, and real-time drawing tools for annotations during recording.
The free version limits recordings to 10 minutes with watermarks. The full version costs $39.95 for lifetime access, justifying the price through reliable performance and quality output. Bandicam suits gamers prioritizing recording quality and storage efficiency over free alternatives.
1.4. NVIDIA ShadowPlay
NVIDIA ShadowPlay (GeForce Experience) provides hardware-accelerated recording exclusively for NVIDIA GeForce GPU owners. This free tool offers instant replay capturing the last 20 minutes automatically, one-click recording with Alt+F10, direct streaming to Twitch, YouTube, and Facebook, and support up to 8K resolution at 30 FPS.
ShadowPlay’s hardware acceleration minimizes performance impact, making it ideal for competitive gamers. However, AMD GPU users must seek alternatives, and functionality remains basic compared to dedicated software. For NVIDIA users wanting simple, high-quality recording with negligible FPS loss, ShadowPlay can’t be beaten.
1.5. Action! Game Recorder
Action! provides premium features at $29.95 for lifetime access, recording 4K UHD at 120 FPS, live streaming to major platforms, webcam overlay with customizable positioning, and remote control via smartphone app. The software uses hardware acceleration for minimal system impact and includes basic editing tools for trimming and effects.
Action! balances quality, features, and ease of use better than competitors. The clean interface welcomes beginners while offering depth for advanced users. Windows-only compatibility limits cross-platform creators, but for PC gamers wanting professional results without OBS complexity, Action! delivers exceptional value.
1.6. PlayClaw
PlayClaw specializes in real-time overlay features, displaying FPS, system resources, and custom widgets during gameplay and recording. The software records up to 4K resolution with GPU acceleration, supports multiple audio tracks for separate game and commentary channels, and includes video editing capabilities.
PlayClaw costs $29.99 and targets competitive gamers and analysts wanting performance monitoring alongside recording. The real-time stats overlay helps identify bottlenecks and optimize settings. While not as widely known as competitors, PlayClaw fills a specific niche for data-driven players.
2. How to Choose the Best Game Recording Software
Selecting the ideal recorder depends on several factors. Consider your budget, as free options like Leawo Free Screen Recorder and OBS Studio provide professional features at zero cost, while premium tools like Action! and Bandicam offer convenience and support for $30-40. Evaluate your technical skill level. Beginners benefit from straightforward interfaces like Leawo or ShadowPlay, whereas experienced users appreciate OBS’s customization depth.
Assess your hardware, particularly GPU manufacturer. NVIDIA users get free, powerful recording through ShadowPlay, while AMD owners should consider Leawo, OBS, or Radeon ReLive. Determine your primary use case. Streamers prioritize OBS or Action! for their streaming integration, while highlight creators prefer instant replay features in ShadowPlay or PlayClaw. Content quality requirements matter too. For 4K 60+ FPS recording, choose Bandicam or Action!, while 1080p suffices for most YouTube content using Leawo or OBS.
3. Best Settings for Smooth Gameplay Recording
Optimal settings balance quality and performance. Set recording resolution to match your monitor (1080p for most, 1440p or 4K if your system handles it). Configure frame rate at 60 FPS for smooth playback, 30 FPS for slower games or weaker hardware. Choose MP4 format for universal compatibility, or MKV for advanced editing. Enable hardware encoding (NVENC for NVIDIA, AMD VCE for AMD, QuickSync for Intel) to offload processing from your CPU to GPU, dramatically reducing performance impact.
Adjust bitrate appropriately. For 1080p 60 FPS, use 12-20 Mbps. For 1440p, use 20-35 Mbps. For 4K, use 40-60 Mbps. Higher bitrates improve quality but create larger files. Capture audio at 192-320 kbps for clear commentary and game sounds. Beyond recording settings, close background applications, update graphics drivers, and disable unnecessary overlays. For live streaming or recording demanding games, consider using CleverGet Recorder to record live streams professionally with up to 4K quality and automatic ad filtering.
4. Conclusion
The best game recording software for PC gamers varies based on individual needs and priorities. Leawo Free Screen Recorder leads for budget-conscious users wanting professional quality without limitations. OBS Studio dominates for streamers and technical users seeking maximum customization. Bandicam excels in pure recording quality with minimal impact. NVIDIA ShadowPlay provides effortless recording for GeForce GPU owners. Action! balances features, quality, and ease of use for premium buyers. PlayClaw specializes in performance monitoring and analysis.
Start with free options like Leawo or OBS to determine your requirements before investing in premium software. Most gamers find free solutions entirely adequate for YouTube content and Twitch streaming. Remember that proper settings matter more than software choice – even free recorders produce exceptional results when configured correctly. Whichever you choose, happy recording!
