Best Software to Record Gameplay in 2025: Top 5 Picks Ranked

You’ve probably seen smooth, high-quality gameplay videos on YouTube or Twitch and wondered—how do they make it look that clean? Whether you’re a beginner trying to clip your best moments or someone looking to make full gameplay walkthroughs, the right tool can make a big difference. But with so many options out there, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. This article breaks down the top 5 video game recording software in the world, focusing on what really matters: ease of use, quality, and performance. No buzzwords, no sales pitch—just what works.

Top 5 Video Game Recording Software in the World

OBS Studio

OBS Studio (Open Broadcaster Software) is the go-to for gamers who want full control. It’s free, open-source, and runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux. It records in high definition and supports live streaming too. The best part? There are no time limits or watermarks, unlike many free tools.

You can set custom bitrates and resolutions and even add overlays or webcam footage. It might look a little technical at first, but once you get the hang of it, it’s extremely flexible. It’s widely used by professionals and hobbyists alike, especially for live streaming and long-format recordings.

NVIDIA ShadowPlay

If you have an NVIDIA graphics card, ShadowPlay is already installed as part of GeForce Experience. It’s perfect if you don’t want to mess around with complicated settings. It lets you record up to the last 20 minutes of gameplay with a single hotkey. Great for catching unexpected highlights without recording your whole session.

It uses the GPU instead of the CPU, so you won’t notice a performance dip. ShadowPlay supports up to 4K resolution and doesn’t impact frame rates as much as other tools. The downside? It only works on NVIDIA hardware, so AMD users are out of luck.

Fraps

Fraps has been around forever, and it shows in its basic interface. But don’t let the outdated design fool you—it still works like a charm on Windows. It’s especially good if you’re interested in benchmarking frame rates while recording.

You can record in full screen or windowed mode, and the video quality is solid. However, the free version has a watermark and limits recordings to 30 seconds. You’ll need the paid version to remove those restrictions. It’s not as feature-rich as OBS or ShadowPlay, but it’s stable and easy to use.

Bandicam

Bandicam is a paid tool that balances good video quality with a lightweight footprint. It compresses recordings without a big loss in quality, so your file sizes stay manageable. It supports resolutions up to 4K and also lets you add voice commentary, webcam input, and overlays.

It’s a popular choice among YouTubers who make tutorials or let’s plays. The free version has a watermark and a 10-minute recording limit, but if you’re serious about content creation, the paid version is worth it. Its clean interface and fast setup make it one of the best software programs to record gameplay without headaches.

Xbox Game Bar

Built into Windows 10 and 11, the Xbox Game Bar is great for quick recordings without having to install anything extra. Just press Windows + G , and you’re ready to record. It’s not as powerful as OBS or Bandicam, but for casual gamers who want to save clips or share a funny moment, it’s more than enough.

You can record screen, chat, and audio, and even control Spotify or check system performance while gaming. It supports background recording, too, though you’ll want to tweak the settings to get the quality right. It’s free, easy, and gets the job done—especially if you’re on a budget.

How to Record Games with OBS Studio?

OBS can look intimidating at first glance, but it’s actually quite straightforward once you know where to start. First, download and install OBS Studio from obsproject.com, selecting the version that matches your system—Windows, macOS, or Linux. The installation process is simple and doesn’t require advanced setup.

Once installed, launch the program. You’ll notice an empty Scene box at the bottom. Click the “+” sign to add a new scene. After that, add a source to tell OBS what to record. If you’re capturing a specific game, select “Game Capture.” If you want to record your whole screen, go with “Display Capture.”

Next, configure your audio settings. Under the Mixer section, you’ll see options for Desktop Audio and Mic/Aux. These control your in-game audio and microphone input. You can adjust volumes, mute channels, or apply filters for clearer sound.

Now, go to Settings > Output. Set the recording format to MP4 (or MKV if you prefer). Choose a bitrate—6000 kbps works well for 1080p at 60 frames per second. For the encoder, NVENC is a good choice if you have an NVIDIA GPU, as it reduces the load on your CPU.

Head to Settings > Video to pick your resolution and frame rate. Match both the Base and Output resolution to your screen, typically 1920x1080. Set your FPS to 60 for smooth playback.

When you’re ready, click “Start Recording” and switch to your game. OBS will capture everything on screen until you manually hit “Stop Recording.” Your recorded files are saved in the Videos folder by default, though you can change this path in Settings > Output.

Once you’re set up, OBS becomes one of the best software programs to record gameplay, especially when you want high-quality, lag-free recordings without spending any money.

Conclusion

Choosing the right game recording tool depends on what you need. OBS Studio offers full control and customization, while NVIDIA ShadowPlay and Xbox Game Bar are ideal for quick, simple recording. Fraps and Bandicam provide a middle ground with easy interfaces and solid performance. The top 5 video game recording software in the world aren’t just well-known—they deliver smooth recording without the hassles of lag or poor quality. Whether you’re capturing highlights, creating content for YouTube, or just saving personal clips, one of these tools will fit your setup and skill level, letting you focus on your gameplay.