With an ever evolving craze of video games, we have always looked out for ways to make our gaming experience better. Be it switching to a console, upgrading to virtual reality or streaming live games – the fun in gaming is never constant.
In this article we will be discussing particularly about game streaming and recording.
Recommended : Best Free Screen Sharing Apps
Amazing how you can share your game with your friends or even the public with just a few clicks, right?
There are several apps that offer such facilitation. While most of them are free to use, a lot of them are paid. The image quality, FPS rate, device compatibility, etc. varies from app to app. In here, we have brought together the Top 10 game recording softwares with the best features to satisfy your requirement.
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10 Best Game Recording Softwares
Open Broadcaster Software (OBS)
Being free to use and an open-source software, which enhances its flexibility, it is the most popular choice among gamers. It supports live streaming as well as recording of games.
One might need some time to get used to the usage and configuration, but it usually turns out to be worth it. The recordings can be in mp4 or FLV formats and is better suited for high quality streaming when your PC has a GPU.
Certain unique features like ‘Push to talk’, ‘custom watermark’ and ‘picture in picture’ make it the best app for video tutorials.
Compatible with: Windows 10, 8.1, 8 and 7, macOS (10.11 and newer), Linux (Ubuntu 14.04 and newer)
Nvidia GeForce Experience
Another free gem to explore for PCs with Nvidia GPU.
The shadowplay feature of this app allows you to record games. It does not in any way burden your CPU as it uses the GPU for encoding the videos.
The software can record in the resolution of your display. A better display, therefore, is a promise of better video resolution.
The customization features are not too many; perhaps the software is easy to use.
It only works with Nvidia’s GPUs.
Compatible with: Windows 10, 8.1, 8 and 7.
Radeon ReLive
The Radeon ReLive is not only especially designed for AMD GPUs, but also is free to use.
This one too, uses the GPU for the encoding of the video, reducing the impact on CPU performance. One of the best features of this software is that it allows upscalling of resolution. It means that you don’t necessarily need a 4k display to record in 4k resolution – 1080p would do too.
It comes with limited features and is compatible only with AMD GPUs. However, it is quite simple to learn and use.
Compatible with: RX Vega, 500 Series Graphics products; Radeon R9 Fury, Radeon Pro Duo, and Radeon RX 400 Series; AMD Radeon R9 200, R7 200, R5 300, R5 240 Series; AMD Radeon™ HD 8500 – HD 8900 Series; AMD Radeon™ HD 7700 – HD 7900 Series.
Streamlabs OBS
Streamlabs OBS is free-to-use beta version for users who find the interface of OBS difficult to cope up with.
With all the features of OBS but in a simplified interface, Streamlabs OBS makes the user experience for beginners in OBS simpler.
The encoding options are limited as compared to the OBS.
Being a beta version, it is also expected to crash with the usage of heavy add-ons. However, it still remains the best choice for you to get hands on experience with OBS.
Compatible with: Windows 10, 8.1, 8 and 7.
Fraps
Fraps makes the game recording experience really easy. There are complicated configurations to be set up; just a few simple steps and you are good-to-go!
The app is free to use. However, you may buy the full or premium version for $37 only.
One of the best features of this software is that it allows users to enter the FPS manually – any rate up to 120 FPS.
Fraps records sound through both – system sound and externally input sound. It is also light in weight.
Compatible with: Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista and XP.
Bandicam
Next up is a quite popular choice of the gamers- Bandicam. It comes with a free trial, followed by $60 per license.
This software records games in certainly high FPS rates and bitrates which enhance the resolution of the recording. It comes with a built-in compressor mechanism, due to which the file size is reduced without compromising with the quality of the video.
It also enables users to customize frame rates as per their convenience.
Compatible with: Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7 and Vista.
XSplit
The app XSplit is free to use, however, users may opt to buy the premium version for $8.32 per month.
With an automatic configuration setup that adapts to your PC’s compatibility, the software proves to be a powerful tool. It also offers high quality streaming services apart from recording games.
Certain unique features of this app include picture in picture, watermarks, and video annotations among others.
Including a built-in video editor, it is a great app to start with, since it is also simple to learn.
Compatible with: Windows 10, 8.1 and 7.
Movavi Screen Recorder
Movavi software comes with a free trial for 7 days followed by premium plans starting from $31.95.
With an up-to-date user interface and simple navigation and control, the Movavi software is a great choice for the gamers and tutors.
It supports recording up to 4k resolution, syncing webcam and microphone alongside a streaming video and also comes packed with great built-in video editing features.
Overall, it is well appreciated.
Compatible with: Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7.
D3DGear
D3dGear brings with it a 15 day free trial, followed by $29.85 per license.
Given a basic user interface and configuration, it turns out to be a great tool for someone who only needs a few features. It is a lightweight app and also comes with a built-in compressor to reduce the size of video recordings without hindering the quality of resolution.
The software uses the GPU for encoding.
Compatible with: Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista and XP.
Windows Game DVR
Here is great news for windows 10 users- It comes with a built in recording system!
One may use the shortcut Win + G to launch the same, or alternatively, use Win + alt + R to set up bit rate and frame rate.
However, this one consists of basic features. The best option for beginners and is also free to use.
Compatible with: Windows 10.
Conclusion
Recording games or live streaming them, could be a source of income of many and hobbies of some.
The abovementioned softwares range between the standard quality of recording and the standard pricing. As a beginner, it would be best to start with a free one -with the easiest user interface and settings.
As you keep learning and growing, feel free to switch over to a more advanced option.
