9 Best FREE Game Recording Software for PC

Game recording software captures gameplay in HD and supports sharing on social media. They save videos in formats like MOV, MP4, and GIF. Some tools also record live streaming. The list includes both free and paid options with key features and website links.

Based on our research, here’s our list of the Best FREE Game Recording Software

1) Action

2) ManyCam

3) Icecream Screen Recorder

4) Captivate

5) Wondershare DemoCreator

6) Bandicam

7) ScreenPal

8) EaseUS RecExperts

9) Xbox Game Bar

1) Action

Action is a robust and user-friendly software, designed for recording and live streaming high-quality gameplay. It supports 4K webcams and effortlessly saves videos in MP4 format, ensuring compatibility with various platforms. With its ability to capture fast-paced games at up to 60fps, it's ideal for gamers looking to share their experiences on Facebook or YouTube.

Features:

• The game recording tool boasts an intuitive and easy-to-navigate interface.
• Enables users to stream their gameplay live.
• Employs graphics processing unit (GPU) encoding for accelerated video production.
• Features the capability to record videos with a slow-motion effect.
• Compatible with Logitech G13, G19, and G15 devices.
• Allows the addition of live audio commentary during recordings.

Pros:

• HD Video Quality: Supports streaming and real-time recording of Windows desktop in HD quality, ideal for gameplay and web player videos.
• User-Friendly Interface: Offers a compact, stylish, and user-friendly interface with a built-in screen and gameplay recording manager.
• Greenscreen Mode: Allows background removal during webcam recording without needing a special camera, only a solid color background.
• Versatile Recording Options: Can record from webcams, USB/HDMI capture devices, and selectively record applications for privacy.

Cons:

• Software Cost: The software is not free, which might be a consideration for users looking for no-cost solutions.
• System Requirements: High-quality recording features might require a more powerful computer system, which could be a limitation for users with less capable hardware.

2) ManyCam

ManyCam stands as a versatile live streaming application designed to enhance the quality and professionalism of video presentations, streams, and online classes. It offers features such as background removal, replacement, or blurring, catering to the needs of web conferences and online communication, ensuring a seamless and engaging visual experience.

Features:

• Compatible with Facebook and YouTube Live for seamless integration.
• Enables both streaming and broadcasting capabilities.
• Equipped to capture video content in WMV and AVI formats.
• Integrates smoothly with Skype and Yahoo Messenger for enhanced communication.
• Boasts a wide range of filters and visual effects to enhance video quality.
• Compatible with Windows 11, 10, 8, and 7 operating systems.
• Facilitates video sharing across social platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

Pros:

• The complimentary version comes free of watermarks, ensuring clean video output.
• Capable of streaming in ultra-high 4K resolution for crystal-clear visuals.
• Features a user-friendly interface with real-time drag-and-drop effects for easy customization.

Cons:

• Lacks a feature for enhancing video lighting conditions.

3) Icecream Screen Recorder

Icecream Screen Recorder, a versatile screen recording software, enables users to capture any part of their computer screen. Ideal for creating video tutorials, recording gameplay, live streams, webinars, and Skype calls, this tool simplifies the process of documenting and sharing screen content with ease and efficiency.

Features:

• Offers adjustable output quality for tailored recording.
• Provides the flexibility to capture a specific screen area or the entire screen.
• Supports screen recording with an integrated webcam overlay for dynamic content creation.
• Includes options to enhance recordings with text, various shapes, and arrows for clarity and emphasis.
• Capable of capturing high-quality footage from full-screen 3D games.
• Allows for recording directly from a webcam, adding a personal touch to your videos.
• Facilitates the addition of captions to videos for better viewer engagement and understanding.
• Equipped with the functionality to save screen recordings in GIF format for compact, shareable files.

Pros:

• Intuitive and easy-to-navigate user interface.
• Versatile recording capabilities to suit various needs.
• Comprehensive tool for both video capturing and taking screenshots.

Cons:

• The video editing capabilities are somewhat basic and limited in scope.

4) Captivate

Captivate, part of the Adobe Creative Cloud suite, transforms eLearning and tutorial creation through its interactive video-making capabilities. This powerful tool enables users to effortlessly capture screen content, enriching it with interactive elements for an engaging learning experience. Its seamless integration with Adobe's ecosystem enhances its utility for educational content creators.

Features:

• Adapts content to various screen dimensions effortlessly.
• Facilitates exporting videos in MP4 format.
• Enables incorporation of interactive buttons in educational videos.
• Offers a range of styles and templates specifically for crafting software tutorials.
• Supports publishing of the final video across different platforms, including desktop, web, and mobile applications.
• Simplifies the creation of storyboards on mobile devices.
• Provides functionality for capturing screen activities on iPhone and iPad.
• Enhances videos with a variety of embellishments, including transitions, video animations, freehand annotations, text animations, and more.

Pros:

• Boasts sophisticated tools for content creation.
• Creates captivating and interactive e-learning materials.
• Offers smooth compatibility and integration with other solutions from Adobe's suite.

Cons:

• Presents a somewhat challenging learning process for novices.

5) Wondershare DemoCreator

Wondershare DemoCreator offers a versatile experience for users of both Windows and Mac. This comprehensive tool enables simultaneous recording of screen, audio, and webcam, streamlining content creation, especially for gaming videos. Its multi-track editing capability further enhances its appeal, making it a go-to solution for efficient video production.

Features:

• Offers integrated solutions for screen, audio, and webcam recording, complemented by comprehensive video editing tools.
• Equipped with an advanced screen annotation tool, ideal for adding dynamic explanations or comments during game recordings.
• Includes a range of video enhancement options such as pan and zoom effects, chroma key (green screen), and various transitions to elevate your video's visual appeal.
• Facilitates efficient project management with features like multi-track editing, clip nesting, and marker placements.
• Simplifies the process of capturing and sharing images and GIFs, enhancing your content sharing capabilities.
• Comes with a pre-loaded library of video effects to add a creative touch to your gaming videos.

Pros:

• User-friendly interface, making it accessible for beginners and professionals alike.
• Comprehensive screen recording options, catering to a variety of recording needs.
• A broad array of video editing features to fine-tune and enhance your recordings.

Cons:

• Access to some of the more sophisticated features necessitates an additional purchase.

6) Bandicam

Bandicam stands out as a superior game recording tool, offering the capability to capture videos in stunning 4K Ultra HD quality. Its user-friendly interface simplifies the process of recording both game and microphone audio concurrently. Additionally, it provides seamless integration for uploading clips directly to YouTube, enhancing the ease of sharing gameplay experiences.

Features:

• Bandicam facilitates the capturing of gameplay from both web-based and Flash games.
• The software effectively reduces video file size during capture.
• Enhanced recording efficiency is achieved through the utilization of the H.264 encoding technology.
• Incorporate dynamic motion to titles, logos, and graphics with the inbuilt animation capabilities of this tool.
• Monitor your recording's frame rate with an on-screen FPS counter.
• Transform video clips into animated PNG or GIF formats.
• Compatible exclusively with Windows operating systems.

Pros:

• High-Performance Recording: It supports the recording of high-resolution gameplay, up to 4K UHD and 480 FPS, using hardware acceleration, which ensures high-quality recording without compromising the system's performance.
• Versatile Audio Support: Bandicam can record various audio inputs simultaneously, including game sound, music, and voice through different programs. Audio tracks can be saved as separate WAV files, providing flexibility in audio management.
• Webcam and Mic Integration: The software allows recording gameplays with the player’s live face and voice, using a webcam and a microphone. This feature is enhanced with a chroma-key option for background transparency, making it ideal for content creators who want to include their live reactions in their gameplay videos.
• Direct Upload to YouTube: Bandicam enables direct uploading of recorded gameplay to YouTube without additional encoding, supporting 1080p/4K video quality. This feature streamlines the process for users looking to share their content online.

Cons:

• Bandicam may present challenges for those new to video recording software.

7) ScreenPal

ScreenPal, a versatile screen recording application, excels in capturing gameplay across various devices. Its user-friendly interface simplifies adding background music and enhancing videos with rich text elements, making it an ideal choice for gamers seeking to create engaging content effortlessly. This mobile app brings a professional touch to casual gaming videos.

Features:

• Incorporate a variety of royalty-free music tracks into your videos.
• Align your unique narratives with your video content using this tool.
• Easily distribute your videos across major social media platforms, including YouTube and Facebook.
• Compatible with both iOS and Android devices.

Pros:

• Quick creation of visual content.
• Tailorable AI-assisted functionalities.
• Streamlines intricate design processes.

Cons:

• Reduced functionality when not connected to the internet.

8) EaseUS RecExperts

EaseUS RecExperts is a versatile recording tool, ideal for capturing gameplay with its ability to record video and audio concurrently. It stands out with its in-built editing features, enabling users to tweak their recordings on the fly, making it a comprehensive solution for gamers and content creators alike.

Features:

• Seamlessly record both 2D and 3D video games in crisp, high-definition quality.
• Directly upload and share your recordings on YouTube with ease.
• Effortlessly trim and eliminate unnecessary segments from your videos.
• Versatile saving options, including formats like MP4, AVI, MOV, and FLV.
• Flexibility to record either the entire screen or select specific areas.
• Compatible with Windows operating systems.

Pros:

• Customizable Screen Capture: This tool enables dynamic screen recording, allowing users to select specific screen areas with tailored settings for a more focused capture experience.
• Versatile Recording Capabilities: It's proficient in capturing a wide range of media including screen activity, webcam footage, audio, and even gaming sessions, ensuring comprehensive coverage of all recording needs.
• Scheduled Recording: The software stands out with its ability to automate recording tasks. Users can set it to start recording at predetermined times, adding a layer of convenience and efficiency.
• Enhanced Recording Tools: While recording, users can enrich their content with various on-screen elements like lines, texts, and arrows, making the recordings more informative and engaging.

Cons:

• Pricing Concerns: One of the primary drawbacks of this software is its pricing. It is regarded as relatively costly, which might be a deterrent for users seeking more budget-friendly solutions.

9) Xbox Game Bar

Xbox Game Bar, a versatile app for gamers, offers an effortless way to capture and share gaming moments. It's designed to record up to two hours of gameplay, simplifying the process of creating clips to showcase skills or memorable experiences, making it a favorite tool among gaming enthusiasts.

Features:

• The Xbox Game Bar is equipped with easy-to-use shortcut key integration for swift navigation.
• Experience hassle-free screen recording with a single-click mouse operation.
• Customize your recording experience with options to set clip duration limits, manage background recording intervals, and various other settings.
• Designed with simplicity in mind, the Xbox Game Bar boasts an intuitive interface.
• Exclusively compatible with Windows operating systems, ensuring seamless integration.

Pros:

• Features an intuitive and distinct user interface.
• Offers no-cost accessibility.
• Comes pre-installed with Windows operating systems.
• Provides a user interface that can be tailored to personal preferences.
• Enables users to seek out multiplayer groups and start recording gameplay with Game DVR.

Cons:

• Lacks the capability to capture the entire screen during recording.