Best game recording software

Bandicam was designed specifically for recording gameplay and allows you to record from a range of inputs. This includes your webcam, screen, or both, as well as external devices, such as a smartphone, PlayStation, or Xbox. The videos captured have excellent quality, as the Bandicam software can record in 4K and hit up to 480 FPS. So, if you're a professional gamer or you want to submit some gameplay for a competition, Bandicam will allow you to do so with impressive visuals.

If you're just interested in recording gameplay to share with your friends, and you don't require the added premium features that a paid game recording software has, then consider OBS Studio. It's compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux, has no time restrictions on recording time, can record at 60FPS, and record in full-screen. It can also be used for live streaming.

Action! manages to capture gameplay as it was intended, and has a wide range of professional features. These include being able to record your screen, webcam, and external devices connected via HDMI or USB. If you're not sure you want to record, but rather want to have a go at live streaming, Action! lets you live stream to several platforms, including Twitch, YouTube and Facebook.

If you're wanting to build a gaming empire, then you're going to need one of the best game recording software with professional features. This is where Camtasia comes into play. With Camtasia, you can record practically everything, including presentations and games. It also boasts plenty of video functions, so you can add extras and edits too. You can add titles, a webcam feed and take out or add audio, as well as other media. Due to all of these premium functions, it does carry a very expensive price tag, however, you do have the option of a 30-day free trial.

Nvidia GeForce ShadowPlay is another excellent free option. It has some great functions, such as ShadowPlay, which gives you three different recording options - Instant Replay, Record feature, and Broadcast live. The Instant Replay allows you to quickly replay the last five minutes of your game, whereas the Record feature lets you record the whole game. Broadcast live is ideal for anyone who wants to live stream your gameplay to platforms such as Twitch. The only caveat with this software is that you'll only be able to access it if your PC has at least a GeForce GTX 650 graphics card.

This product has some truly great recording features, without the premium price tag (literally). These include a powerful video converter, four different sound sources to choose from, a smart task scheduler, and no time restrictions on your recordings. It's also very intuitive and easy to use, with images and videos explaining each step thoroughly. Another perk of this software is that it has quick screencasting functions that can be used on a customised area of the screen, or the whole screen itself. This allows you to select exactly what you wish to record of your gameplay, and focus on specific features.