“I just started gaming on PC. Mobile screen recorders are free, and console has one built into it. I want to record myself playing on PC but most of the recorders I come across are freemium.” - RobIson240YT

You’re about to record a gameplay highlight, but the built-in recorder just doesn’t deliver the quality you need. Choosing the best screen recorder PC software can make all the difference when clarity, smooth performance, and reliable audio matter most.

With so many tools available, finding one that balances ease of use with advanced features can feel overwhelming. The right screen recorder helps you capture crisp visuals, system sound, and voice without lag or dropped frames. This guide explores the best options to help you record confidently and professionally on your PC.

Table of Contents
    1. 1. OBS Studio
    2. 2. ShareX
    3. 3. FlashBack Express
    4. 4. Bandicam
    5. 5. Mango Recorder (Formerly TinyTake)
    6. 6. Icecream Screen Recorder
    7. 7. Loom

Part 1. What Features Make a Good Screen Recorder for Gaming?

Fast-paced gameplay demands a recording tool that can keep up without hurting performance or visual quality. Here are some features that you should consider when looking for the best PC screen recorder for gaming:

  • High Frame Rate Recording: A good screen recorder should support 60 FPS or higher to capture fast movements smoothly. This ensures gameplay looks fluid and professional, especially for action or competitive games.
  • Low System Resource Usage: Efficient CPU and GPU usage is critical during gaming sessions. The best screen recorder runs quietly in the background without causing lag, stutters, or frame drops.
  • Game Audio and Mic Capture: Separate tracks for system sound and microphone audio improve post-editing control. This feature allows clear commentary while keeping in-game sounds balanced.
  • Custom Resolution and Bitrate Control: Adjustable resolution and bitrate settings help maintain video quality across different PCs. They also let you optimize recordings for streaming, sharing, or editing.
  • Hotkeys and Overlay Controls: Keyboard shortcuts make it easy to start or stop recording mid-game. Minimal on-screen overlays prevent distractions while playing.
features that make good screen recorder
Free Download
Free Download

Part 2. Record Like a Pro: 7 Best Free PC Screen Recorders for Gaming to Try Today

With the essential features in mind, the next step is choosing a tool that delivers strong performance without adding cost. Below, we explore the 7 best free PC screen recorders that let you record gameplay like a pro while keeping quality:

1. OBS Studio

Best For: Powerful screen recording with long-term flexibility.

One of the most popular free screen recorders, OBS Studio, is widely used by gamers and creators worldwide. It offers a flexible recording experience designed for users who want control and reliability. The software suits long recording sessions and adapts well to different content styles without feeling restrictive. Moreover, OBS stays transparent and community-driven, and no licensing cost is involved.

obs studio gameplay recorder
Pros
  • Pros
  • Users can easily record an entire screen or a single window using this best game recording software.
  • You can apply a filter to the recording while recording the screen.
Cons
  • Cons
  • The tool does not provide the trimming utility to remove unwanted parts.
  • Its interface is pretty outdated compared to other recording software.

Pricing Plans

Free

2. ShareX

Best For: Quick recording and instant sharing.

Built for speed and simplicity, ShareX is a lightweight screen recording and capture tool designed for everyday use. It focuses on quick workflows, fast sharing, and automation rather than complex setups. The tool fits users who want efficient screen captures without unnecessary distractions. Besides screen recording, you can use this tool to capture precise screenshots as well.

sharex gameplay screen recorder
Pros
  • Pros
  • Users can apply various visual effects to the recorded gameplay using the best screen recorder PC.
  • It provides the ability to share the captured video on different platforms.
Cons
  • Cons
  • The tool has limited recording options compared to other recording software.
  • It works only for Windows and lacks support for other operating systems.

Pricing Plans

Free

3. FlashBack Express

Best For: Simple Windows screen recording with basic editing.

FlashBack Express is a free Windows screen recording software designed for users who need quick and reliable screen capture without complicated setup. It allows you to record your full screen, selected windows, or custom regions along with system audio, microphone input, and webcam overlay. The built-in editor lets you trim and cut recordings easily, making it suitable for gameplay clips, tutorials, presentations, and online class recordings.

flashback express software for game recording
Pros
  • Pros
  • You do not need long settings or technical steps to capture your screen.
  • This PC's best screen recorder does not add logos or watermarks on recordings.
Cons
  • Cons
  • Can not add text, arrows, effects, or multiple video layers.
  • Recordings must be converted before exporting, which makes saving files slower.

Pricing Plans

Plan Pricing
1-Year Plan $26.95/year
Lifetime $44.95/one-time-purchase

4. Bandicam

Best For: High-quality recording with simple controls

Designed for both casual recording and high‑quality captures, Bandicam is a popular screen recorder for Windows that lets you record screens, gameplay, and webcams with minimal hassle. It supports 4K UHD video, multiple capture modes, and real‑time drawing tools. The interface stays straightforward and easy to navigate for beginners to access easily.

recording gameplay screen bandicam
Pros
  • Pros
  • You get the ability to adjust the FPS rate according to your preferences.
  • Users can record the screen, game, or external devices with this best free PC screen recorder.
Cons
  • Cons
  • Bandicam doesn’t support macOS or Linux, restricting its versatility to Windows devices.
  • Built‑in editing is basic, making you require separate software to perform intensive editing.

Pricing Plans

Plans Pricing
Annual $33.26/year
Bandicam + Bandicut $49.97/year
Perpetual $44.96/one-time/PC

5. Mango Recorder (Formerly TinyTake)

Best For: Professionals and teams looking to record tutorials

This all-in-one recorder, Mango Recorder, makes capturing screen, webcam, and audio seamless for team collaboration and tutorials. It’s ideal for creating clear visual content quickly, with annotation tools for highlighting key points and easy sharing within your workspace. Designed for business users, it keeps recordings simple and professional without unnecessary complexity.

mango recorder for screen recording
Pros
  • Pros
  • You can record both screen and webcam video simultaneously for more engaging content.
  • Share recordings within the team workspace with the best game recording software.
Cons
  • Cons
  • A workspace login is needed to access the recorder for recording the screen of your computer.
  • Only basic trimming and annotations; no advanced edits are offered by this screen recording tool.

Pricing Plans

Plans Pricing
Basic $99/month
Standard $149/month
Pro $299/month

6. Icecream Screen Recorder

Best For: Beginners who want a simple screen recording.

Ideal for quick and easy screen captures, Icecream Screen Recorder lets you record your PC with minimal setup. It supports full-screen or custom-area recording, webcam and audio overlay, and simple annotations. Moreover, the software includes basic editing tools and instant sharing options, making it convenient for tutorials, presentations, and casual video creation.

pc screen recording icecream screen recorder
Pros
  • Pros
  • This best free PC screen recorder includes voice and webcam alongside screen recording.
  • Users get the ability to add annotations to their recorded screen video.
Cons
  • Cons
  • Some file formats require upgrading to the paid version of this recording tool.
  • A paid subscription is required to access all its features for recording and editing.

Pricing Plans

Plans Pricing
1 Year License $29.95/year
Lifetime License $59.95/one-time-purchase
Video Pro Package $78/one-time-purchase

7. Loom

Best For: Quick and shareable gameplay recordings

Perfect for quick team updates and visual communication, Loom is a screen recorder and video messaging tool that makes capturing and sharing videos easy. It lets you record your screen, webcam, and audio across Mac, Windows, and Chrome with simple controls and fast sharing links. Loom also offers editing, annotations, and collaboration features that help you communicate ideas without long meetings.

loom pc screen recorder
Pros
  • Pros
  • Loom automatically generates shareable links after recording to share on different platforms.
  • Draw and highlight directly on recordings to emphasize key points with the best screen recorder for PC.
Cons
  • Cons
  • Recordings on the free plan may have duration restrictions for recording lengthy videos.
  • Some users report lag or sync problems while recording the screen with this tool.

Pricing Plans

Plans Pricing
Business $15/user/month
Business + AI $20/user/month
Free Download
Free Download

Part 3. Screen Recorder Showdown: Which PC App Fits Your Needs?

After exploring the top screen recorders individually, it's time to see how they stack up side by side. Provided next is the comparison table between the best game recording software to make the right decision:

Screen Recorder Platform(s) Best For Key Features Ease of Use
OBS Studio Windows, macOS, Linux Power users and streamers Flexible setup, high FPS, open-source, no watermarks Moderate
ShareX Windows Quick capture and sharing Lightweight, automation, instant sharing, effects Moderate
FlashBack Express Windows Simple game recording Basic video recording, basic video editing and trimming Easy
Bandicam Windows High-quality gameplay recording 4K UHD support, adjustable FPS, drawing tools Easy
Mango Recorder Windows, macOS Professionals & team tutorials Screen & webcam, annotations, instant sharing Easy
Icecream Screen Recorder Windows, macOS Beginners and casual users Flexible capture, webcam/audio overlay, basic editing Very Easy
Loom Windows, macOS, Chrome Quick team communication Instant share links, annotations, and easy editing Very Easy

Pro Tip. Blur Be Gone: Enhance Your Game Screen Recordings with Repairit

When game recordings come out blurry, pixelated, or washed out, even the best screen recorder can’t fix the problem alone. Enhancing video clarity and color balance can make a huge difference, turning ordinary footage into professional-looking content. Repairit’s Video Enhance feature leverages AI-powered technology to upscale resolution, sharpen details, and improve brightness and contrast automatically.

Whether you’re fixing low-resolution gameplay, improving recorded tutorials, or preparing content for streaming, this tool streamlines the process. With just a few clicks, your recordings gain clarity, smoother motion, and vibrant visuals, ensuring every detail of your gameplay shines.

Key Features Offered by Repairit's Video Enhancer

  • Preview Before Saving: Review your recording or edits in real time to ensure everything looks perfect before exporting.

  • Multiple Resolution Output: Export videos in different resolutions to match your platform, device, or audience needs.

  • Enhancement Model Selection: Pick from different AI enhancement models to optimize your video for clarity.

Comprehensive Steps for Enhancing Videos with Repairit

As discussed, Repairit allows users to effortlessly remove artifacts and flaws from their videos. Provided next is the step-by-step guide on how to enhance videos using Repairit’s video enhancer.

Step 1. Select Video Enhancing Feature

Launch Repairit on your device and select the “AI Video Enhancer" option from the left side. Now, click on the "Blurry Video Enhancer” feature and add your blurred video.

choose video enhancer feature

Step 2. Begin Video Enhancement

Once the video is imported, select the enhancement model and output resolution from the options and hit the "Start Enhancing” button.

select options start enhancing

Step 3. Preview and Save Enhanced Video

After the video is successfully enhanced, preview it and press the “Save All” button to save the final results.

save the enhanced video
Enhancing Your Game Videos with Repairit

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Conclusion

To sum it up, this article provided a complete review of the 7 best screen recorders for PC that you can use to record your game. However, if your recoded gameplay is blurry and has flaws, you can use the video-enhancing feature of Repairit. This AI-powered tool lets you enhance your videos effortlessly with zero manual editing.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • 1. What is the best screen recorder for PC gaming?
    Several options exist, including OBS Studio, Bandicam, and Icecream Screen Recorder. Your choice depends on features like frame rate, ease of use, and recording quality.
  • 2. How can I improve blurry or low-resolution game recordings?
    Using a dedicated tool like Repairit Video Enhancer can upscale resolution, sharpen visuals, and enhance colors automatically.
  • 3. Can I record both the screen and the webcam at the same time?
    Yes, many recorders like Loom, Icecream Screen Recorder, and ShareX allow simultaneous screen and webcam capture.

Summarize and analyze with AI

Eleanor Reed
Eleanor Reed Dec 27, 25
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