There are various types of game capture software available, and they all claim to be the best gaming software ever created. However, some are better than others, and the best game recorder for you will be determined by the games you intend to play and the type of PC you have.

Let’s look at the apps that claim to be the best game screen recorder, including free game recording software.

The top 5 best screen recorders for games

1. Gecata

Best for: Windows game recording

Compatibility: Windows 7/8/10

Price: Free trial, full version for $30.95

Gecata by Movavi is a lightweight streaming and game recording program for Windows PCs that guarantees lag-free operation with a single click. You can stream and record at the very same time, overlay your webcam, and control everything with hotkeys so you don’t have to interrupt the gameplay. Gecata supports multiple formats, can use NVIDIA and Intel hardware acceleration, and can record 4K video at up to 120fps. Because it saves your audio streams separately, it’s very easy to edit out any bloopers without affecting the in-game audio.

2. Bandicam

Best for: Beginners

Compatibility: Windows XP, Vista, 7/8/10

Price: Free trial; full version for $39

Bandicam does not stream, but it does provide a plethora of screen capture and recording options, including the ability to capture from external devices such as smartphones and game consoles, as well as the standard webcam support. It can capture up to 480fps at up to 4K UHD resolution and can capture not only the full screen but also specific areas. With Chromakey support, you can make yourself appear in-game if you have a green screen handy. If you want to livestream, this isn’t the program for you, but it’s great for recording games on Windows.

3. Screen Grabber Premium

Best for: Feature-packed gameplay recording

Compatibility: Windows 7/8/10, macOS 10.8 and higher

Price: Free trial: from $29.95 a year or $42.95 for a lifetime license

Screen Grabber Premium can record the entire screen, a specific area, just your webcam, or even a small area around your mouse, and it outputs in all major formats, including MP4. The built-in editor allows you to add text, lines, call-outs, and other on-screen items if you want to create a tutorial rather than just capture your gameplay, and the app can also record audio from anything playing on your PC or Mac. The interface is simple and easy to use despite its minimalist design.

4. Fraps

Best for: Older versions of Windows

Compatibility: Windows XP/2000 or later

Price: Free version; full version for $37

Fraps has been around for a while: how many screen recorder apps still list Windows XP and 2003 as compatible? The most recent release of this app was seven years ago, but its age is a benefit if you’re running older versions of Windows or need a screen recording app with very low hardware requirements. The free version, on the other hand, is severely limited, and the screenshot feature saves to BMP, which means it’s only marginally more modern than having someone draw it on parchment with a quill.

5. NVIDIA ShadowPlay

Best for: GeForce graphics cards

Compatibility: Windows 7/8/10

Price: Free