# The best game recording software (2026)

Source: https://thebestscreenrecorder.com/best-game-recording-software/
By Sam Fisher. Part of The Best Screen Recorder (https://thebestscreenrecorder.com/). Method: https://thebestscreenrecorder.com/how-we-test/

Apps for recording games, ranked as game recorders: recording quality and the free plan count most, sharing and editing don't count.

## Ranking

1. [OBS Studio](https://thebestscreenrecorder.com/reviews/obs-studio/index.md): 8.9/10 as a game recorder. Best free recorder for full control. Works on Windows, Mac, Linux. Free recording: Length not documented. Watermark when free: No. Price: Free.
2. [Bandicam](https://thebestscreenrecorder.com/reviews/bandicam/index.md): 8.3/10 as a game recorder. Best for game recording on Windows. Works on Windows, Mac. Free recording: 5 min per video. Watermark when free: No. Price: From $33.26/yr.
3. [Streamlabs Desktop](https://thebestscreenrecorder.com/reviews/streamlabs/index.md): 8.3/10 as a game recorder. Best for streamers who also record. Works on Windows, Mac. Free recording: No time limit. Watermark when free: No. Price: From $27/mo.
4. [Medal](https://thebestscreenrecorder.com/reviews/medal/index.md): 7.1/10 as a game recorder. Best for sharing game clips fast. Works on Windows, iPhone, Android. Free recording: No time limit. Watermark when free: Yes. Price: From $9.99/mo.
5. [NVIDIA App](https://thebestscreenrecorder.com/reviews/nvidia-app/index.md): 7.0/10 as a game recorder. Best free recorder for NVIDIA GPU owners. Works on Windows. Free recording: Length not documented. Watermark when free: No. Price: Free.
6. [Xbox Game Bar](https://thebestscreenrecorder.com/reviews/xbox-game-bar/index.md): built in, not scored. Built-in Windows recorder for games and apps. Works on Windows. Free recording: Length not documented. Watermark when free: No. Price: Free.



## What matters for game recording

A game recorder has to keep up with the game: high frame rates and resolutions, computer audio, and as little impact on performance as possible. Instant replay, which saves the last few minutes after something happens, is useful if you don't want to record everything. Some recorders need specific hardware, such as an NVIDIA graphics card, so check the requirements in each review.