High-Quality Game Capture Apps Reviewed

15 Best Game Recording Software for YouTuber in 2024

Richard Bennett

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

There is no doubt that gaming is one of the largest entertainment sources for most of people. The advanced technology has led to the development of game recorders by which you can record the video of your favorite game and share it with your friends and viewers on YouTube.

Wondershare Filmstock Gaming Video Editing Skils ](https://filmstock.wondershare.com/creative-theme-game?source%5Fchannel=seo%5Farticle&spm=rs.filmora%5Fweb )

You might be interested in:

3 Methods to Record LOL Gameplay

If you are looking for a screen recorder that allows you to capture your gameplay, add markers to the important point during playing, and edit the recorded gameplay video easily, then we recommend you to try Wondershare DemoCreator.

With DemoCreator, you can:

Add Markers to important points during recording
Record high paced games at up to 120 fps
Capture video, system audio, webcam, and mic at the same time
Record the entire screen or just a part of your screen
Change video speed and add fade in and fade out with a simple drag
Detach audio and record voice narration during editing and reduce the noise
Use the Blur effect to blur the private info or remove the watermark
Share videos to Vimeo, YouTube, Facebook, and Twitch directly

However, if you are looking for a video editing software that provides various gameplay elements, I want to recommend - Wondershare Filmora , an easy to use while powerful video editor that allows you not only cut, split, crop, resize, reverse your videos, but also offers you multiple video effects specially designed for Fashion, Beauty, Gaming, Travel, Education, etc. Check the video to know more fantastic features, and keep reading the article to know why Filmora is still one of the best options when it comes to gameplay recording.

Download Mac Version ](https://tools.techidaily.com/wondershare/filmora/download/ )

15 Best Game Screen Recorders for Recording Game Videos

1. ShadowPlay

It is free game video capture software created by Nvidia GeForce for streaming game videos. There are two modes of this video recording tool i.e. Manual mode and Shadow mode.

Features:

Instant replay and record
Excellent hardware i.e. a GPU-accelerated video encoder
It has a minimal performance impact
Records up to 4K resolution at the speed of 130 Mbps

Compatibility: Windows XP, 7, 8, 8.1 and 10

Pros:

Unlimited recording time in manual mode
Allow it users to capture full desktop screen

Cons:

Geforce GTX 600 and above is required to operate this software.

Price: It is available free of cost.

We have researched about how to record gameplay with Nvidia ShadowPlay, check this article How to Use Nvidia Share or ShadowPlay to Record Gameplay for the detailed information.

2. Camtasia

It is one of the best game recorders for recording professional videos on your PC. You can also import HD videos from an external source. The interactive videos can also be created by using this software.

Features:

Stunning graphics
Direct link to social media
Effective recording option
Drag and drop editing
Google Drive integration

Compatibility: Windows 10, 8 and 7 SP1

Pros:

You can easily include animated items
Video, audio and cursor tracks can be edited individually
Provides panning and zooming options
Incorporates webcam
You can also use the green screen effect

Cons:

Free trial for only 30 days.
The users cannot record videos for commercial use in the free version
Very expensive
Works slowly on large projects

Price: $299.00 USD but it can be reduced if you buy 5-9 licenses

3. Open Broadcast Software

It is an open-source game recording tool having unlimited customization options. You can get idea about this software by its name i.e. the game streams can be broadcasted on various websites such as Twitch, YouTube, Hitbox etc.

Features:

Simple interface
Limitless scenes and sources
It has file output to FLV or MP4
GPU-based video game capture

Compatibility: Windows 10, 8, 8.1, Vista and 7, Version for Linux and Mac OS X is also in the pipeline

Pros:

Easy to use
High-speed performance
Keyboard shortcuts

Cons:

A sharp learning curve
Difficult to construct scenes

Price: Free

4.Bandicam

It is a perfect choice for beginners as it is easy to understand. You can also record a video game that utilizes the Direct X or OpenGL technology and share on YouTube with a single click. The size of the window can also be adjusted according to your need.

Features:

Built-in compression feature ensuring high-quality videos
Recording can be done for more than 24 hours
You can record videos at 4k Ultra HD resolution

Compatibility: Windows XP, 10, 8.1, 8, and 7

Pros:

Maximum frame rate i.e. 120 fps
Two different audio inputs can be recorded at the same time

Cons:

It does not proffer live streaming

Price: Free trial, $59 for two licenses, $39 for one license

5. EpicRewind

This software is developed recently introducing a unique feature i.e. RAM Rolling Buffer mode. It enables the user to replay the recording instantly. The buffer contents can also be saved by pressing a hotkey.

Features:

You can conveniently capture screenshot and video from browser games or flash games.
Direct-To-Disk capture mode
Video Output Format and Codec can be configured with great ease.

Compatibility: It does not support windows

Pros:

Videos are not encoded all the time.

Cons:

It cannot be run on the Windows operating system.

Price: Free trial of the base version

6.D3DGear

It is a very simple and light recorder. This software compresses the recorded files in real-time mode i.e. you are able to record screen activity even if there is less space in your storage drive. The videos can be shared over any social networking website.

Features:

User-friendly interface
Built-in compression system

Compatibility: Windows XP, 7, 10, 8, 8.1 and Vista

Pros:

You can do live video streaming
The audio files can be saved separately.

Cons:

Pro version is very costly

Price: 15-day free trial otherwise it costs $34.95.

7.Fraps

It is one of the most famous game screen recorders having superb features. The average performance rate can also be measured by using this recorder. You can also save these statistics in a different file. It is also very light software similar to D3DGear.

Features:

It can be used as a benchmark tool.
Capture high-quality footage

Compatibility: Windows Vista, XP, 7, 10, 8.1 and 8

Pros:

You can record videos at 7680×4800 resolution
Frames can be adjusted up to 120fps

Cons:

It does not have streaming options

Price: Free version with few features, full version at $37

8.Microsoft Screen Encoder 4

It is an advanced version of Microsoft screen encoder 3. It has wonderful graphics and live IIS (Internet Information Services) smooth streaming options. The Windows Media video, as well as audio files, can be produced with the help of this software.

Features:

Screen capture
GUI interface
Live template support

Compatibility: Windows 7, Vista, Windows XP service pack2

Pros:

High-quality playback
Enables encoding using H.261Intuitive interface

Cons:

Less editing tools in comparison to other software
You cannot export your recordings to Sony Vegas11

Price: Pro version costs $199.95 while the standard version is free having limited features

9.Tinytake

This game recorder is an ideal choice for making commercial presentations. This software allows its users to capture video from the selected region and upload it directly on YouTube or any other social media.

Features:

Drag and drop option
You can conveniently annotate the videos
Inbuilt online file viewer

Compatibility: It can work with Windows as well as Mac operating system

Pros:

You can develop custom shortcut keys
Bulk files sharing
You can run this software on mobile devices

Cons:

Files are saved only in MP4 format
Video recording can be done up to 2 hours
No free version is available for business purposes

Price: It ranges between $29.95 and $199.95 for a yearly plan. You will also get storage memory space up to 2TB with a business plan.

10.Ezvid

This screen software is specially designed for saving the time of the users. It also increases the recording speed and video editing capabilities. You can also add text and watermark to the videos.

Features:-

Videos are uploaded on YouTube in a fast manner.
It provides computer speech for narrative purposes.
Modern and sleek interface

Compatibility: Windows XP SP3, 7 and Vista

Pros:

High-quality video resolution
You can also select the most popular music tracks
It also has a facecam and a video editor
You can also drag and drop videos
Professional videos can be created in a few minutes

Cons:

It is glitch and leggy.
It requires 10GB free space
Fewer features as compared to Camtasia software

Price: Free

11. Gecata

Gecata by Movavi is a lightweight video recording tool designed to capture gameplays. Screen recording with this program is easy without needing external hardware. You can capture all screen activities and save recordings in major video formats, including .MOV, .MP4, .AVI, and GIF.

Features:

One-click screenshots
Game mode for automatic recording
Screen and audio recording simultaneously and separately
Graphics hardware integration option (NVIDIA or Intel) for 400% faster encoding

Compatibility: Windows 7/8/10

Pros:

Simple interface
Speedy capturing
Tested on dozens of games
Game recording up to 120fps

Cons:

The free version pastes a watermark on the recording
Lagging

Price: $30.95 for a lifetime

12. EaseUS RecExperts

RecExperts by EaseUS is a premium screen recorder with many exciting features. For instance, you can record a particular part of the screen by making a selection through your mouse. Likewise, you can also record multiple screens side by side.

While RecExperts is made for gamers and YouTubers, you can use this tool for a wide range of purposes. Such as recording an online meeting, video tutorial, and more.

Features:

Sound recording and extracting
Web camera capturing
Saving captured video into GIF
Screenshots
Schedule recording with automatic stop and split options

Compatibility: Windows 7/8.1/10/11 and macOS 10.13 or later

Pros:

Simple software design
Allows editing on the captured screen
Supports different video and formats, including MP4, MKV, MOV, AVI

Cons:

Limited editing, such as trimming and cutting

Price: $19.95 per month, $39.95 per year, and $79.95 for a lifetime

13. Flashback Express (Free Version)

Flashback Express is a screen recording and editing software. It is a powerful tool for recording desktop screens simultaneously with mic sounds. You can also add webcam recordings to recorded gameplays as most YouTubers do.

Besides, there’s no time limit on the recording. So whether you want to capture a small portion of your video or screen record several hours of gameplay, feel free to do it.

Features:

Video trimming
Multi-screen recording
Webcam overlay
Direct YouTube uploading option

Compatibility: Windows 7/8.1/10/11

Pros:

Easy interface
No watermark
Voice over during screen capturing
Selected and full-screen recording
You can save the recordings in MP4

Cons:

Difficult export settings
Unable to export audio in the free version
You need to convert the video using other programs if you want your recording in different video formats

Price: Free

14. Snagit

Snagit is another product by TechSmith (the developers of Camtasia). It’s a super easy tool to take screenshots and record screens.

You can save the captured video in MP4 and directly send the file through email. You can also upload files on different platforms and applications, including YouTube, Twitter, Slack, Google Drive, and more.

Features:

Screen and audio recording
Annotations
Video trimming
Webcam recording
Cloud library
Video conversion to GIFs
Panoramic screen capturing

Compatibility: Windows 10/11 and Mac 11 or later

Pros:

Simple user interface
Fast video uploading to various platforms

Cons:

Saved videos are only available in MP4 format

Price:$62.99 for a lifetime, including first-year maintenance (regular maintenance charges are $12.6 per year applicable after completing the first year)

15. Filmora

Filmora is an all-in-one program and is one of the top video editing tools cherished by all types of users – beginners and professionals. But what makes this software super cool for gamers and YouTubers is its screen recording option. With comprehensive features, you can record your gameplay and edit your screen recordings by using a wide range of features.

Features:

Support 4K editing
Noise removal
Advanced text editor
Color tuning
Audio mixing

Compatibility: Windows 7/8/10/11 (64-bit) and macOS V10.1/V10.13/V10.14/V10.15/V11/V12

Pros:

User-friendly interface
Huge effects library
Affordable perpetual licensing
Wide range of features
Support various video formats
High-quality results

Cons:

The free version includes a watermark
You need to purchase the product to use some important features, such as keyframing

Price: $29.99 per month, $69.99 per year, and $79.99 for a perpetual

What to look for game screen recorder

There are many people who do not have any knowledge regarding game capture software. You must look for the following things before choosing a game screen recorder.

The option of personalizing the hotkeys
Number of built-in tools
How to begin and pause recording
Number of codes offered by it
Recording time
Editing features like cut and paste
Custom-made Recording Resolution
Adjustable video frames

In addition to this, some game recorders also affect your in-game fps (Frame per second). You should also check whether it is compatible with large-sized files or not. The quality of the video also depends upon the file size. The larger is file size, the higher is video quality. However, you can face problems while uploading huge-sized videos as online content distributors hardly support such files. So you must compress your video before sharing anywhere. There are also some recorders that provide a direct link to social networking sites. Thus you should consider these factors also before purchasing the game recording software.

You can easily run this recorder on your computer if it is updated and has 8GB of RAM. PC should also have two storage drives so as to install gaming software on one drive and record videos on another drive. It is also advisable to use computers than laptops for recording screen activities because laptops rarely have two storage drives.

FAQs

Q1. What software do YouTubers use to record gameplay?

Most gamers on YouTube use Open Broadcast System (OBS) and Bandicam to record their gameplays. However, there are a few more authentic screen recording tools for high-quality video recording, such as Filmora.

Using Filmora to record your gameplay will help you save the video in all major video formats. Moreover, the tool is also compatible with Mac and Windows operating systems.

Q2. How do I record my screen smoothly?

You should do a couple of things to avoid lagging while screen recording your gameplay. For example, do not use your built-in microphone to record your voice during screen recording. Instead, use an external microphone.

Only record what is important. Use high RAM and have a good graphics card. And most importantly, get screen recorders with at least 60fps.

Q3. Does screen recording decrease FPS?

Yes, it does affect your overall gaming performance. However, it depends on several factors. For instance, the fps won’t be affected much if you’re playing a less CPU-intensive game. The only way to sustain FPS is to have a high-quality screen recorder, such as OBS, Filmora, Bandicam, and Fraps.

Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

Wondershare Filmstock Gaming Video Editing Skils ](https://filmstock.wondershare.com/creative-theme-game?source%5Fchannel=seo%5Farticle&spm=rs.filmora%5Fweb )

You might be interested in:

3 Methods to Record LOL Gameplay

With DemoCreator, you can:

Add Markers to important points during recording
Record high paced games at up to 120 fps
Capture video, system audio, webcam, and mic at the same time
Record the entire screen or just a part of your screen
Change video speed and add fade in and fade out with a simple drag
Detach audio and record voice narration during editing and reduce the noise
Use the Blur effect to blur the private info or remove the watermark
Share videos to Vimeo, YouTube, Facebook, and Twitch directly

Download Mac Version ](https://tools.techidaily.com/wondershare/filmora/download/ )

15 Best Game Screen Recorders for Recording Game Videos

1. ShadowPlay

It is free game video capture software created by Nvidia GeForce for streaming game videos. There are two modes of this video recording tool i.e. Manual mode and Shadow mode.

Features:

Instant replay and record
Excellent hardware i.e. a GPU-accelerated video encoder
It has a minimal performance impact
Records up to 4K resolution at the speed of 130 Mbps

Compatibility: Windows XP, 7, 8, 8.1 and 10

Pros:

Unlimited recording time in manual mode
Allow it users to capture full desktop screen

Cons:

Geforce GTX 600 and above is required to operate this software.

Price: It is available free of cost.

We have researched about how to record gameplay with Nvidia ShadowPlay, check this article How to Use Nvidia Share or ShadowPlay to Record Gameplay for the detailed information.

2. Camtasia

Features:

Stunning graphics
Direct link to social media
Effective recording option
Drag and drop editing
Google Drive integration

Compatibility: Windows 10, 8 and 7 SP1

Pros:

You can easily include animated items
Video, audio and cursor tracks can be edited individually
Provides panning and zooming options
Incorporates webcam
You can also use the green screen effect

Cons:

Free trial for only 30 days.
The users cannot record videos for commercial use in the free version
Very expensive
Works slowly on large projects

Price: $299.00 USD but it can be reduced if you buy 5-9 licenses

3. Open Broadcast Software

Features:

Simple interface
Limitless scenes and sources
It has file output to FLV or MP4
GPU-based video game capture

Compatibility: Windows 10, 8, 8.1, Vista and 7, Version for Linux and Mac OS X is also in the pipeline

Pros:

Easy to use
High-speed performance
Keyboard shortcuts

Cons:

A sharp learning curve
Difficult to construct scenes

Price: Free

4.Bandicam

Features:

Built-in compression feature ensuring high-quality videos
Recording can be done for more than 24 hours
You can record videos at 4k Ultra HD resolution

Compatibility: Windows XP, 10, 8.1, 8, and 7

Pros:

Maximum frame rate i.e. 120 fps
Two different audio inputs can be recorded at the same time

Cons:

It does not proffer live streaming

Price: Free trial, $59 for two licenses, $39 for one license

5. EpicRewind

Features:

You can conveniently capture screenshot and video from browser games or flash games.
Direct-To-Disk capture mode
Video Output Format and Codec can be configured with great ease.

Compatibility: It does not support windows

Pros:

Videos are not encoded all the time.

Cons:

It cannot be run on the Windows operating system.

Price: Free trial of the base version

6.D3DGear

Features:

User-friendly interface
Built-in compression system

Compatibility: Windows XP, 7, 10, 8, 8.1 and Vista

Pros:

You can do live video streaming
The audio files can be saved separately.

Cons:

Pro version is very costly

Price: 15-day free trial otherwise it costs $34.95.

7.Fraps

Features:

It can be used as a benchmark tool.
Capture high-quality footage

Compatibility: Windows Vista, XP, 7, 10, 8.1 and 8

Pros:

You can record videos at 7680×4800 resolution
Frames can be adjusted up to 120fps

Cons:

It does not have streaming options

Price: Free version with few features, full version at $37

8.Microsoft Screen Encoder 4

Features:

Screen capture
GUI interface
Live template support

Compatibility: Windows 7, Vista, Windows XP service pack2

Pros:

High-quality playback
Enables encoding using H.261Intuitive interface

Cons:

Less editing tools in comparison to other software
You cannot export your recordings to Sony Vegas11

Price: Pro version costs $199.95 while the standard version is free having limited features

9.Tinytake

Features:

Drag and drop option
You can conveniently annotate the videos
Inbuilt online file viewer

Compatibility: It can work with Windows as well as Mac operating system

Pros:

You can develop custom shortcut keys
Bulk files sharing
You can run this software on mobile devices

Cons:

Files are saved only in MP4 format
Video recording can be done up to 2 hours
No free version is available for business purposes

Price: It ranges between $29.95 and $199.95 for a yearly plan. You will also get storage memory space up to 2TB with a business plan.

10.Ezvid

This screen software is specially designed for saving the time of the users. It also increases the recording speed and video editing capabilities. You can also add text and watermark to the videos.

Features:-

Videos are uploaded on YouTube in a fast manner.
It provides computer speech for narrative purposes.
Modern and sleek interface

Compatibility: Windows XP SP3, 7 and Vista

Pros:

High-quality video resolution
You can also select the most popular music tracks
It also has a facecam and a video editor
You can also drag and drop videos
Professional videos can be created in a few minutes

Cons:

It is glitch and leggy.
It requires 10GB free space
Fewer features as compared to Camtasia software

Price: Free

11. Gecata

Features:

One-click screenshots
Game mode for automatic recording
Screen and audio recording simultaneously and separately
Graphics hardware integration option (NVIDIA or Intel) for 400% faster encoding

Compatibility: Windows 7/8/10

Pros:

Simple interface
Speedy capturing
Tested on dozens of games
Game recording up to 120fps

Cons:

The free version pastes a watermark on the recording
Lagging

Price: $30.95 for a lifetime

12. EaseUS RecExperts

While RecExperts is made for gamers and YouTubers, you can use this tool for a wide range of purposes. Such as recording an online meeting, video tutorial, and more.

Features:

Sound recording and extracting
Web camera capturing
Saving captured video into GIF
Screenshots
Schedule recording with automatic stop and split options

Compatibility: Windows 7/8.1/10/11 and macOS 10.13 or later

Pros:

Simple software design
Allows editing on the captured screen
Supports different video and formats, including MP4, MKV, MOV, AVI

Cons:

Limited editing, such as trimming and cutting

Price: $19.95 per month, $39.95 per year, and $79.95 for a lifetime

13. Flashback Express (Free Version)

Besides, there’s no time limit on the recording. So whether you want to capture a small portion of your video or screen record several hours of gameplay, feel free to do it.

Features:

Video trimming
Multi-screen recording
Webcam overlay
Direct YouTube uploading option

Compatibility: Windows 7/8.1/10/11

Pros:

Easy interface
No watermark
Voice over during screen capturing
Selected and full-screen recording
You can save the recordings in MP4

Cons:

Difficult export settings
Unable to export audio in the free version
You need to convert the video using other programs if you want your recording in different video formats

Price: Free

14. Snagit

Snagit is another product by TechSmith (the developers of Camtasia). It’s a super easy tool to take screenshots and record screens.

Features:

Screen and audio recording
Annotations
Video trimming
Webcam recording
Cloud library
Video conversion to GIFs
Panoramic screen capturing

Compatibility: Windows 10/11 and Mac 11 or later

Pros:

Simple user interface
Fast video uploading to various platforms

Cons:

Saved videos are only available in MP4 format

Price:$62.99 for a lifetime, including first-year maintenance (regular maintenance charges are $12.6 per year applicable after completing the first year)

15. Filmora

Features:

Support 4K editing
Noise removal
Advanced text editor
Color tuning
Audio mixing

Compatibility: Windows 7/8/10/11 (64-bit) and macOS V10.1/V10.13/V10.14/V10.15/V11/V12

Pros:

User-friendly interface
Huge effects library
Affordable perpetual licensing
Wide range of features
Support various video formats
High-quality results

Cons:

The free version includes a watermark
You need to purchase the product to use some important features, such as keyframing

Price: $29.99 per month, $69.99 per year, and $79.99 for a perpetual

What to look for game screen recorder

There are many people who do not have any knowledge regarding game capture software. You must look for the following things before choosing a game screen recorder.

The option of personalizing the hotkeys
Number of built-in tools
How to begin and pause recording
Number of codes offered by it
Recording time
Editing features like cut and paste
Custom-made Recording Resolution
Adjustable video frames

FAQs

Q1. What software do YouTubers use to record gameplay?

Using Filmora to record your gameplay will help you save the video in all major video formats. Moreover, the tool is also compatible with Mac and Windows operating systems.

Q2. How do I record my screen smoothly?

Only record what is important. Use high RAM and have a good graphics card. And most importantly, get screen recorders with at least 60fps.

Q3. Does screen recording decrease FPS?

Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

Wondershare Filmstock Gaming Video Editing Skils ](https://filmstock.wondershare.com/creative-theme-game?source%5Fchannel=seo%5Farticle&spm=rs.filmora%5Fweb )

You might be interested in:

3 Methods to Record LOL Gameplay

With DemoCreator, you can:

Add Markers to important points during recording
Record high paced games at up to 120 fps
Capture video, system audio, webcam, and mic at the same time
Record the entire screen or just a part of your screen
Change video speed and add fade in and fade out with a simple drag
Detach audio and record voice narration during editing and reduce the noise
Use the Blur effect to blur the private info or remove the watermark
Share videos to Vimeo, YouTube, Facebook, and Twitch directly

Download Mac Version ](https://tools.techidaily.com/wondershare/filmora/download/ )

15 Best Game Screen Recorders for Recording Game Videos

1. ShadowPlay

It is free game video capture software created by Nvidia GeForce for streaming game videos. There are two modes of this video recording tool i.e. Manual mode and Shadow mode.

Features:

Instant replay and record
Excellent hardware i.e. a GPU-accelerated video encoder
It has a minimal performance impact
Records up to 4K resolution at the speed of 130 Mbps

Compatibility: Windows XP, 7, 8, 8.1 and 10

Pros:

Unlimited recording time in manual mode
Allow it users to capture full desktop screen

Cons:

Geforce GTX 600 and above is required to operate this software.

Price: It is available free of cost.

We have researched about how to record gameplay with Nvidia ShadowPlay, check this article How to Use Nvidia Share or ShadowPlay to Record Gameplay for the detailed information.

2. Camtasia

Features:

Stunning graphics
Direct link to social media
Effective recording option
Drag and drop editing
Google Drive integration

Compatibility: Windows 10, 8 and 7 SP1

Pros:

You can easily include animated items
Video, audio and cursor tracks can be edited individually
Provides panning and zooming options
Incorporates webcam
You can also use the green screen effect

Cons:

Free trial for only 30 days.
The users cannot record videos for commercial use in the free version
Very expensive
Works slowly on large projects

Price: $299.00 USD but it can be reduced if you buy 5-9 licenses

3. Open Broadcast Software

Features:

Simple interface
Limitless scenes and sources
It has file output to FLV or MP4
GPU-based video game capture

Compatibility: Windows 10, 8, 8.1, Vista and 7, Version for Linux and Mac OS X is also in the pipeline

Pros:

Easy to use
High-speed performance
Keyboard shortcuts

Cons:

A sharp learning curve
Difficult to construct scenes

Price: Free

4.Bandicam

Features:

Built-in compression feature ensuring high-quality videos
Recording can be done for more than 24 hours
You can record videos at 4k Ultra HD resolution

Compatibility: Windows XP, 10, 8.1, 8, and 7

Pros:

Maximum frame rate i.e. 120 fps
Two different audio inputs can be recorded at the same time

Cons:

It does not proffer live streaming

Price: Free trial, $59 for two licenses, $39 for one license

5. EpicRewind

Features:

You can conveniently capture screenshot and video from browser games or flash games.
Direct-To-Disk capture mode
Video Output Format and Codec can be configured with great ease.

Compatibility: It does not support windows

Pros:

Videos are not encoded all the time.

Cons:

It cannot be run on the Windows operating system.

Price: Free trial of the base version

6.D3DGear

Features:

User-friendly interface
Built-in compression system

Compatibility: Windows XP, 7, 10, 8, 8.1 and Vista

Pros:

You can do live video streaming
The audio files can be saved separately.

Cons:

Pro version is very costly

Price: 15-day free trial otherwise it costs $34.95.

7.Fraps

Features:

It can be used as a benchmark tool.
Capture high-quality footage

Compatibility: Windows Vista, XP, 7, 10, 8.1 and 8

Pros:

You can record videos at 7680×4800 resolution
Frames can be adjusted up to 120fps

Cons:

It does not have streaming options

Price: Free version with few features, full version at $37

8.Microsoft Screen Encoder 4

Features:

Screen capture
GUI interface
Live template support

Compatibility: Windows 7, Vista, Windows XP service pack2

Pros:

High-quality playback
Enables encoding using H.261Intuitive interface

Cons:

Less editing tools in comparison to other software
You cannot export your recordings to Sony Vegas11

Price: Pro version costs $199.95 while the standard version is free having limited features

9.Tinytake

Features:

Drag and drop option
You can conveniently annotate the videos
Inbuilt online file viewer

Compatibility: It can work with Windows as well as Mac operating system

Pros:

You can develop custom shortcut keys
Bulk files sharing
You can run this software on mobile devices

Cons:

Files are saved only in MP4 format
Video recording can be done up to 2 hours
No free version is available for business purposes

Price: It ranges between $29.95 and $199.95 for a yearly plan. You will also get storage memory space up to 2TB with a business plan.

10.Ezvid

This screen software is specially designed for saving the time of the users. It also increases the recording speed and video editing capabilities. You can also add text and watermark to the videos.

Features:-

Videos are uploaded on YouTube in a fast manner.
It provides computer speech for narrative purposes.
Modern and sleek interface

Compatibility: Windows XP SP3, 7 and Vista

Pros:

High-quality video resolution
You can also select the most popular music tracks
It also has a facecam and a video editor
You can also drag and drop videos
Professional videos can be created in a few minutes

Cons:

It is glitch and leggy.
It requires 10GB free space
Fewer features as compared to Camtasia software

Price: Free

11. Gecata

Features:

One-click screenshots
Game mode for automatic recording
Screen and audio recording simultaneously and separately
Graphics hardware integration option (NVIDIA or Intel) for 400% faster encoding

Compatibility: Windows 7/8/10

Pros:

Simple interface
Speedy capturing
Tested on dozens of games
Game recording up to 120fps

Cons:

The free version pastes a watermark on the recording
Lagging

Price: $30.95 for a lifetime

12. EaseUS RecExperts

While RecExperts is made for gamers and YouTubers, you can use this tool for a wide range of purposes. Such as recording an online meeting, video tutorial, and more.

Features:

Sound recording and extracting
Web camera capturing
Saving captured video into GIF
Screenshots
Schedule recording with automatic stop and split options

Compatibility: Windows 7/8.1/10/11 and macOS 10.13 or later

Pros:

Simple software design
Allows editing on the captured screen
Supports different video and formats, including MP4, MKV, MOV, AVI

Cons:

Limited editing, such as trimming and cutting

Price: $19.95 per month, $39.95 per year, and $79.95 for a lifetime

13. Flashback Express (Free Version)

Besides, there’s no time limit on the recording. So whether you want to capture a small portion of your video or screen record several hours of gameplay, feel free to do it.

Features:

Video trimming
Multi-screen recording
Webcam overlay
Direct YouTube uploading option

Compatibility: Windows 7/8.1/10/11

Pros:

Easy interface
No watermark
Voice over during screen capturing
Selected and full-screen recording
You can save the recordings in MP4

Cons:

Difficult export settings
Unable to export audio in the free version
You need to convert the video using other programs if you want your recording in different video formats

Price: Free

14. Snagit

Snagit is another product by TechSmith (the developers of Camtasia). It’s a super easy tool to take screenshots and record screens.

Features:

Screen and audio recording
Annotations
Video trimming
Webcam recording
Cloud library
Video conversion to GIFs
Panoramic screen capturing

Compatibility: Windows 10/11 and Mac 11 or later

Pros:

Simple user interface
Fast video uploading to various platforms

Cons:

Saved videos are only available in MP4 format

Price:$62.99 for a lifetime, including first-year maintenance (regular maintenance charges are $12.6 per year applicable after completing the first year)

15. Filmora

Features:

Support 4K editing
Noise removal
Advanced text editor
Color tuning
Audio mixing

Compatibility: Windows 7/8/10/11 (64-bit) and macOS V10.1/V10.13/V10.14/V10.15/V11/V12

Pros:

User-friendly interface
Huge effects library
Affordable perpetual licensing
Wide range of features
Support various video formats
High-quality results

Cons:

The free version includes a watermark
You need to purchase the product to use some important features, such as keyframing

Price: $29.99 per month, $69.99 per year, and $79.99 for a perpetual

What to look for game screen recorder

There are many people who do not have any knowledge regarding game capture software. You must look for the following things before choosing a game screen recorder.

The option of personalizing the hotkeys
Number of built-in tools
How to begin and pause recording
Number of codes offered by it
Recording time
Editing features like cut and paste
Custom-made Recording Resolution
Adjustable video frames

FAQs

Q1. What software do YouTubers use to record gameplay?

Using Filmora to record your gameplay will help you save the video in all major video formats. Moreover, the tool is also compatible with Mac and Windows operating systems.

Q2. How do I record my screen smoothly?

Only record what is important. Use high RAM and have a good graphics card. And most importantly, get screen recorders with at least 60fps.

Q3. Does screen recording decrease FPS?

Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

Wondershare Filmstock Gaming Video Editing Skils ](https://filmstock.wondershare.com/creative-theme-game?source%5Fchannel=seo%5Farticle&spm=rs.filmora%5Fweb )

You might be interested in:

3 Methods to Record LOL Gameplay

With DemoCreator, you can:

Add Markers to important points during recording
Record high paced games at up to 120 fps
Capture video, system audio, webcam, and mic at the same time
Record the entire screen or just a part of your screen
Change video speed and add fade in and fade out with a simple drag
Detach audio and record voice narration during editing and reduce the noise
Use the Blur effect to blur the private info or remove the watermark
Share videos to Vimeo, YouTube, Facebook, and Twitch directly

Download Mac Version ](https://tools.techidaily.com/wondershare/filmora/download/ )

15 Best Game Screen Recorders for Recording Game Videos

1. ShadowPlay

It is free game video capture software created by Nvidia GeForce for streaming game videos. There are two modes of this video recording tool i.e. Manual mode and Shadow mode.

Features:

Instant replay and record
Excellent hardware i.e. a GPU-accelerated video encoder
It has a minimal performance impact
Records up to 4K resolution at the speed of 130 Mbps

Compatibility: Windows XP, 7, 8, 8.1 and 10

Pros:

Unlimited recording time in manual mode
Allow it users to capture full desktop screen

Cons:

Geforce GTX 600 and above is required to operate this software.

Price: It is available free of cost.

We have researched about how to record gameplay with Nvidia ShadowPlay, check this article How to Use Nvidia Share or ShadowPlay to Record Gameplay for the detailed information.

2. Camtasia

Features:

Stunning graphics
Direct link to social media
Effective recording option
Drag and drop editing
Google Drive integration

Compatibility: Windows 10, 8 and 7 SP1

Pros:

You can easily include animated items
Video, audio and cursor tracks can be edited individually
Provides panning and zooming options
Incorporates webcam
You can also use the green screen effect

Cons:

Free trial for only 30 days.
The users cannot record videos for commercial use in the free version
Very expensive
Works slowly on large projects

Price: $299.00 USD but it can be reduced if you buy 5-9 licenses

3. Open Broadcast Software

Features:

Simple interface
Limitless scenes and sources
It has file output to FLV or MP4
GPU-based video game capture

Compatibility: Windows 10, 8, 8.1, Vista and 7, Version for Linux and Mac OS X is also in the pipeline

Pros:

Easy to use
High-speed performance
Keyboard shortcuts

Cons:

A sharp learning curve
Difficult to construct scenes

Price: Free

4.Bandicam

Features:

Built-in compression feature ensuring high-quality videos
Recording can be done for more than 24 hours
You can record videos at 4k Ultra HD resolution

Compatibility: Windows XP, 10, 8.1, 8, and 7

Pros:

Maximum frame rate i.e. 120 fps
Two different audio inputs can be recorded at the same time

Cons:

It does not proffer live streaming

Price: Free trial, $59 for two licenses, $39 for one license

5. EpicRewind

Features:

You can conveniently capture screenshot and video from browser games or flash games.
Direct-To-Disk capture mode
Video Output Format and Codec can be configured with great ease.

Compatibility: It does not support windows

Pros:

Videos are not encoded all the time.

Cons:

It cannot be run on the Windows operating system.

Price: Free trial of the base version

6.D3DGear

Features:

User-friendly interface
Built-in compression system

Compatibility: Windows XP, 7, 10, 8, 8.1 and Vista

Pros:

You can do live video streaming
The audio files can be saved separately.

Cons:

Pro version is very costly

Price: 15-day free trial otherwise it costs $34.95.

7.Fraps

Features:

It can be used as a benchmark tool.
Capture high-quality footage

Compatibility: Windows Vista, XP, 7, 10, 8.1 and 8

Pros:

You can record videos at 7680×4800 resolution
Frames can be adjusted up to 120fps

Cons:

It does not have streaming options

Price: Free version with few features, full version at $37

8.Microsoft Screen Encoder 4

Features:

Screen capture
GUI interface
Live template support

Compatibility: Windows 7, Vista, Windows XP service pack2

Pros:

High-quality playback
Enables encoding using H.261Intuitive interface

Cons:

Less editing tools in comparison to other software
You cannot export your recordings to Sony Vegas11

Price: Pro version costs $199.95 while the standard version is free having limited features

9.Tinytake

Features:

Drag and drop option
You can conveniently annotate the videos
Inbuilt online file viewer

Compatibility: It can work with Windows as well as Mac operating system

Pros:

You can develop custom shortcut keys
Bulk files sharing
You can run this software on mobile devices

Cons:

Files are saved only in MP4 format
Video recording can be done up to 2 hours
No free version is available for business purposes

Price: It ranges between $29.95 and $199.95 for a yearly plan. You will also get storage memory space up to 2TB with a business plan.

10.Ezvid

This screen software is specially designed for saving the time of the users. It also increases the recording speed and video editing capabilities. You can also add text and watermark to the videos.

Features:-

Videos are uploaded on YouTube in a fast manner.
It provides computer speech for narrative purposes.
Modern and sleek interface

Compatibility: Windows XP SP3, 7 and Vista

Pros:

High-quality video resolution
You can also select the most popular music tracks
It also has a facecam and a video editor
You can also drag and drop videos
Professional videos can be created in a few minutes

Cons:

It is glitch and leggy.
It requires 10GB free space
Fewer features as compared to Camtasia software

Price: Free

11. Gecata

Features:

One-click screenshots
Game mode for automatic recording
Screen and audio recording simultaneously and separately
Graphics hardware integration option (NVIDIA or Intel) for 400% faster encoding

Compatibility: Windows 7/8/10

Pros:

Simple interface
Speedy capturing
Tested on dozens of games
Game recording up to 120fps

Cons:

The free version pastes a watermark on the recording
Lagging

Price: $30.95 for a lifetime

12. EaseUS RecExperts

While RecExperts is made for gamers and YouTubers, you can use this tool for a wide range of purposes. Such as recording an online meeting, video tutorial, and more.

Features:

Sound recording and extracting
Web camera capturing
Saving captured video into GIF
Screenshots
Schedule recording with automatic stop and split options

Compatibility: Windows 7/8.1/10/11 and macOS 10.13 or later

Pros:

Simple software design
Allows editing on the captured screen
Supports different video and formats, including MP4, MKV, MOV, AVI

Cons:

Limited editing, such as trimming and cutting

Price: $19.95 per month, $39.95 per year, and $79.95 for a lifetime

13. Flashback Express (Free Version)

Besides, there’s no time limit on the recording. So whether you want to capture a small portion of your video or screen record several hours of gameplay, feel free to do it.

Features:

Video trimming
Multi-screen recording
Webcam overlay
Direct YouTube uploading option

Compatibility: Windows 7/8.1/10/11

Pros:

Easy interface
No watermark
Voice over during screen capturing
Selected and full-screen recording
You can save the recordings in MP4

Cons:

Difficult export settings
Unable to export audio in the free version
You need to convert the video using other programs if you want your recording in different video formats

Price: Free

14. Snagit

Snagit is another product by TechSmith (the developers of Camtasia). It’s a super easy tool to take screenshots and record screens.

Features:

Screen and audio recording
Annotations
Video trimming
Webcam recording
Cloud library
Video conversion to GIFs
Panoramic screen capturing

Compatibility: Windows 10/11 and Mac 11 or later

Pros:

Simple user interface
Fast video uploading to various platforms

Cons:

Saved videos are only available in MP4 format

Price:$62.99 for a lifetime, including first-year maintenance (regular maintenance charges are $12.6 per year applicable after completing the first year)

15. Filmora

Features:

Support 4K editing
Noise removal
Advanced text editor
Color tuning
Audio mixing

Compatibility: Windows 7/8/10/11 (64-bit) and macOS V10.1/V10.13/V10.14/V10.15/V11/V12

Pros:

User-friendly interface
Huge effects library
Affordable perpetual licensing
Wide range of features
Support various video formats
High-quality results

Cons:

The free version includes a watermark
You need to purchase the product to use some important features, such as keyframing

Price: $29.99 per month, $69.99 per year, and $79.99 for a perpetual

What to look for game screen recorder

There are many people who do not have any knowledge regarding game capture software. You must look for the following things before choosing a game screen recorder.

The option of personalizing the hotkeys
Number of built-in tools
How to begin and pause recording
Number of codes offered by it
Recording time
Editing features like cut and paste
Custom-made Recording Resolution
Adjustable video frames

FAQs

Q1. What software do YouTubers use to record gameplay?

Using Filmora to record your gameplay will help you save the video in all major video formats. Moreover, the tool is also compatible with Mac and Windows operating systems.

Q2. How do I record my screen smoothly?

Only record what is important. Use high RAM and have a good graphics card. And most importantly, get screen recorders with at least 60fps.

Q3. Does screen recording decrease FPS?

Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Richard Bennett

Essential Guide: The 8 Best Zero Price Video Cutting Software

The Best Free Video Editing Software for YouTube (Top 8 Reviews)

Richard Bennett

Dec 02, 2022• Proven solutions

What makes a YouTube video good? The most important element is obviously you, the creator. Your personality, ideas, and unique viewpoint are what will make your content special and turn viewers into subscribers.

The next most important thing – even more important than the camera you use – is editing.

Editing a YouTube video doesn’t have to be difficult. In fact, it should be simple. Your focus when you’re perfecting your video should be on that ‘most important thing’ we mentioned earlier – your creativity. Editing for a YouTube video should be art, not mechanical engineering.

Below is a list of the top free video editing software ranked according to how appropriate it is for YouTube videos.

Rank	Editor	Make Cuts	Audio Features	Multiple Video Tracks	Video Effects	Intuitive Score (1-5)	Compatibility
1.	OpenShot Video Editor	Yes	Fade In/Out, set volume levels	Yes	Transitions, text, ability to animate. Blur/Saturation/Brightness controls.	5	Windows, Mac, Linux
2.	Shotcut	Yes	Detailed audio editing	Yes	You can customize color presets and other effects. No animations.	4	Windows, Mac, Linux
3.	Hitfilm Express	Yes	Audio effects and transitioning.	Yes	Every imaginable picture customization. Some FX (more if you pay). Text tool.	4	Windows, Mac
4.	VideoPad Video Editor	Yes	Noise removal, equalizer, audio effects.	Yes	Moving text, transitions, filters.	5	Windows
5.	Lightworks	Yes	Detailed audio editing	Yes	No premade effects, but you can add text/color edit.	3	Windows, Mac, Linux
6.	VSDC Video Editor	Yes	Some audio features blocked in free version	Yes	Filters, transitions, text, and more.	1	Windows
7.	Machete Video Editor Lite	Yes	None	No	None	3	Windows
8.	Avidemux	Yes	Some audio features	No	Some picture adjustments	2	Windows, Mac, Linux, BSD

Ready to upgrade to a simple, powerful, paid software that’s perfect for YouTube? Check out the free trial of Wondershare Filmora . It is an advanced tool that is focused more on newbie editors who are new to the videography world but want to compete with professionals!

1. OpenShot Video Editor – Open Source (Windows, Mac, Linux)

Pros

Easy to use
Includes transitions
Keyframing
Alpha Channel
Unlimited video tracks

OpenShot Video Editor Review

OpenShot completely lives up to the claim that it was designed to be ‘easy to use, quick to learn, and surprisingly powerful’.

The first time you use OpenShot there will be helpful tutorial notes to guide you through the program. The interface is intuitive enough that you may not always need them, but having them should erase any confusion.

All of the basic editing features, like cutting clips up, are easy to access in the timeline. You have unlimited tracks, and it’s easy to drag your clips between them. There’s a helpful magnet feature that fits clips together if you slide them together, but which still allows for blank space if you choose to leave it.

Most other functions – setting volume levels, adjusting the speed, adding movement/zoom effect – are accessible simply by right-clicking on your clip in the timeline and choosing what you want from the menu that pops up.

Is OpenShot Video Editor good for YouTube?

OpenShot is a great, free, choice for YouTubers at any editing skill level.

Beyond simply ordering your clips, OpenShot includes text and transition options within the program. You can even animate the text, and access Animated Titles if you use OpenShot in tandem with a free animation program called Blender. Titles and transitions are vital to a lot of popular YouTube styles.

OpenShot does not provide the same level of detail as the runner up, Shotcut, when it comes to color correction or audio editing. However, the features it does have (volume levels, control of saturation) will satisfy most YouTubers.

2. Shotcut – Open Source (Windows, Mac, Linux)

Pros

Detailed audio editing
Color grading, ability to save presets
Fairly intuitive timeline

Shotcut Review

Shotcut delivers a smooth, detailed, editing experience for free. It is not as easy to jump into as some of the other programs on this list, but it still only takes a half-hour or so of playing around to understand it well enough to make a video. There are also tutorials up on Shotcut’s site that can help you.

You can edit using multiple video tracks in Shotcut, making it easy to combine multiple clips, and basic functions like splitting or copying clips are as easy as clicking the right icon on the toolbar.

All of the video and audio effects, including things like chroma key, you might want to apply to your video are found under the Filters menu. It will look empty when you first open it, and you have to click the plus sign to see what your options are. If you want to create a color tint (like what you might think of as an Instagram filter) then you can do that through the Color Grading option. If you want to do something like invert your colors or add an ‘old film’ look, you’ll find that here as well along with all of the audio editing features (balance, bass and treble, and gain to name just a few).

Is Shotcut good for YouTube?

Shotcut is a great choice for YouTubers. It allows you to do some advanced editing, and it’s easy to learn compared to a program targeted at professional editors.

The only complication with Shotcut for entry-level editors who will primarily use the program for YouTube might be that animations – like moving text – are not available through the program (you can add and customize text, but it just sits there). You can get them from elsewhere and use them in the program (Shotcut has an alpha channel), but it’s a bit more involved a process than simply customizing something that’s already provided.

3. Hitfilm Express – Windows, Mac

Pros

Compositing mode (2D and 3D)
The Most effect customization
Helpful User Guide & tutorials

Cons

Can be overwhelming
Its main strength is FX, but you only get a couple for free. Most have to be bought separately.

Hitfilm Express Review

Hitfilm Express is the best free editor if you want to add special effects to your projects. OpenShot’s alpha channel will be enough for most people, but if you think of yourself as an aspiring filmmaker then it’s hard to beat Hitfilm’s range of functions.

This is an editor designed for people who want to make movies, and it’s a lot more intuitive than most professional-grade software. Film-quality FX (lasers, explosions, etc.) are available through Hitfilm Express for a reasonable price ($10-$50, depending on what you want), and even without paying extra for the packs, there’s a lot you can do to give your video a ‘film look’ using compositing layers and the multitude of customizable effects provided through the program.

Another highlight of Hitfilm Express is the extensive selection of tutorials and helpful information they have available both through YouTube videos and their User Guide. You will need those because this program can be overwhelming. It has so many functions and areas you can customize that it is easy to get lost.

That said, basic editing in Hitfilm Express is not difficult to jump into. It’s only when you start getting fancy that things get dicey.

Is Hitfilm Express good for YouTube?

Yes. It will not be the best option for everyone, but it’s not a bad option for anyone either.

If what you want to make is a vlog where you have a series of clips, and intro, and maybe a couple of title effects, then Hitfilm express might be overkill. You don’t want to have to master compositing just to add some text.

If what you want to make is a vlog that’s interrupted by an alien invasion and turns into an action sequence with lasers and falling debris, it’d be hard to do better than Hitfilm Express.

4. VideoPad Video Editor – Windows

Pros

Easy to jump into
Moving text
Huge audio waveforms
Audio and visual effects
Lossless exports

Cons

No longer updated

VideoPad Video Editor Review

VideoPad Video Editor is an extremely easy to use program. It may be the easiest program on this list to jump into, which you could also realistically create your entire video inside (there are easier programs, but you can only do some of your work in them). Part of its simplicity comes from not being as feature-rich as the programs ranking higher than it on this list, however.

You do not get the same range of functions with VideoPad as you do from the top 3 free editors, but it has enough to satisfy people who are just starting out. Creating moving text effects is easy, you have huge audio waves to work with while you’re syncing, and effects like transitions and filters are easy to find.

VideoPad does suffer a bit from being dated. This program is no longer being worked on, and the interface doesn’t look particularly modern. This is a bit more than a cosmetic issue because some features, while not difficult to find, are placed a bit oddly compared to other editors.

One slightly annoying feature of VideoPad is that it will prompt you to buy the commercial version sometimes (the free version is only for non-commercial use). There have been reports of exports being blocked in the free version, but I exported several times for the sake of this review and the issue never came up.

Is VideoPad Video Editor good for YouTube?

VideoPad makes a decent YouTube editor. You can jump right in and start making cuts, adding filters, and ordering your clips. If you have the kind of channel where voiceovers are important (like in gaming or makeup), then you’ll be happy with the size of the audio waves you have to work with for syncing.

The thing about VideoPad is that you’re probably going to outgrow it quickly as you become a more capable editor.

5. Lightworks – Windows, Mac, Linux

Pros

Detailed color and audio editing
Multicam editing

Cons

Exports limited to 720p for the free version
Difficult to learn compared to other free software

Lightworks Review

On their website, Lightworks claims to have an ‘intuitive interface’ and ‘easy timeline editing’. This is true if you compare it to other professional-level editing suites. Compared to the other programs on this list, Lightworks is complicated.

The first thing I attempt when I review this program is to simply split a clip, and it took me a ridiculous amount of time to figure this feature out in Lightworks (a more advanced editor could have found it faster, but these reviews are meant to help people with less experience). Lightworks does have a whole tutorial series on using the software, so if you are interested in learning to use it there is ample material out there to help you.

Lightworks has a wide range of functions (i.e. detailed audio editing and color correction), and it has been used for big movies like ‘The Wolf of Wall Street’. It is the most professional program on this list, and it’s a great free alternative to something like Adobe Premiere Pro.

Note: there is no time limit on the free version of Lightworks, but it will ask you to renew your free license every 7 days. When it says your license is ‘expired’ it isn’t kicking you off the free version, you just need to renew.

Is Lightworks good for YouTube?

Whether or not Lightworks is right for your YouTube channel depends on your goals as a video editor.

If what you want is to jump in and start making YouTube videos quickly, Lightworks might not be a great choice. It’s not an easy program to just jump into, you’ll have to either take time to learn it or accept that it’ll take some trial and error to get the hang of.

If what you want is to become a professional-level video editor, then Lightworks is a great program to start on (although, Hitfilm Express may still be better). Taking the time to learn it could certainly pay off in the long run.

However, if one of your priorities is for your YouTube channel to come across as professional, then the free version of Lightworks does have some disappointing limitations. You can only export videos in 720p, which is lower quality than viewers on YouTube expect (you probably want at least 1080p). Your output format is limited too. The royalty-free audio and video content Lightworks offers are also not free; you can just buy them through the program.

6. VSDC Video Editor – Windows

Pros

Diagrams and charts
How To Get Started Guide
Lots of features

Cons

Very confusing
Paid features show up in the free version, but they’re blocked

Review of VSDC Video Editor

There’s a lot to like about VSDC Video Editor, but you have to do a lot of work to uncover any of it. Accessing even the most basic features is confusing.

One of the first things I tried to do as I tested the program was make a jump cut (where you cut out part of a video so the playback ‘jumps over’ the deleted segment) and, while I was able to do it, it was not an intuitive process. There is a multitude of toolbars and icons surrounding your preview window in VSDC, and none of those icons was for making cuts to your clips. To make any cuts you have to find the ‘cutting and splitting’ option under the Editor tab at the top of the page, which will open a second window in which you still cannot make any cuts. Instead what you can do is place markers, and when you click ‘apply changes’ to exit the window cuts will be made where you placed markers. There is nothing in the window to explain what the markers are for.

Other basic functions, like adding text, are just as complicated.

Is VSDC Video Editor good for YouTube?

I would not recommend VSDC for YouTube. It ranks higher than two other items on this list because they are, do to functional limitations, unable to create full YouTube videos without the support of other programs (at least realistically). You certainly could create your full YouTube video in VSDC, but it’d be a headache.

7. Machete Video Editor Lite – Windows

Pros

Great for harvesting clips from longer footage
Lossless exports

Cons

Cannot swap or add audio
Only supports two formats (AVI and WMV)
Slightly awkward timeline

Machete Video Editor Lite Review

Machete Lite claims that you’ll be able to edit your videos “within a few minutes after downloading the program, even if you’ve never edited a video before”, and that is true. It might even be better if you haven’t edited a video before because the interface is slightly awkward if you’ve come from a program with a more traditional timeline setup. Machete Lite is easy to use for the most part, but it doesn’t work like most other editors and that can be awkward to navigate around.

Instead of seeing a timeline with all of your individual clips, Machete treats your entire video as one clip. You will only be able to see where you have inserted a separate video clip or cut out a portion of the video by watching the video back or jumping through it (Machete Lite does allow frame-by-frame scrolling). You won’t be able to see this information at a glance, and you won’t be able to adjust the lengths of clips you’ve added separately.

To take out any portion of your overall video you’ll need to find a keyframe at the beginning, set that as the beginning of your selection, then find a key frame at the end and set that as the end of your selection. You will then be able to delete that selection. This will not work if the frames you have set as the beginning and end are not considered keyframes by the program, so it can be difficult to be precise, but since the program allows you to jump through keyframes it’s not difficult to find a point that works.

Is Machete Video Editor Lite good for YouTube?

Machete Lite is not a good choice for YouTubers unless it is used in combination with another program.

It doesn’t work as a YouTube editor because you cannot edit or swap audio, the transition between clips, or create layers of videos and images.

However, the thing Machete Lite is really good at is cutting out clips from longer videos. You can create a selection of a part of your longer clip and then export it (with no quality loss) as its own video file.

This is what the Machete Lite toolbar looks like when you’ve created a selection. Tools like cut and copy which were greyed out before are now available, as is the save icon on the far right. If you click the save icon, you’ll be able to save that selection as its own video.

You can’t create a complete YouTube video in Machete Lite, but you can harvest clips to use in a different program.

8. Avidemux – Windows, Mac, Linux, BSD

Pros

Can add subtitle files

Cons

Not intuitive
Doesn’t support MOV or WMV
The website is not informative, no tutorials

Avidemux Review

Avidemux is not an easy program to jump into. I almost wrote that it couldn’t do anything besides make cuts to a clip before I saw a YouTube tutorial about how to find the contrast and brightness tools. If you decide to try it out, remember that you have to choose your output format before Avidemux will let you access tools like Hue/Saturation and Contrast (click Filters under Video Output to find them).

There are no official tutorials for Avidemux you can access from their site, so you’ll have to rely on the forums and tutorials from users if you want to learn it.

You can import multiple clips into Avidemux, but you have to import them in the order you want because you can’t drag them around the timeline after. Everything becomes one big clip.

Is Avidemux good for YouTube?

No. It has more functionality than Machete, which is ranked higher on this list, but the difference is that Machete is excellent at one thing. They both suffer from the same main weakness – you could not complete your full YouTube video either (at least not without a lot of trouble). Machete could still be useful to a YouTuber, though, because it allows for the lossless exporting of segments of clips. You can use it to harvest clips for your larger project in another program.

In theory, you could do some picture editing and snipping in Avidemux and then put your project together/add titles in another program, but your other program can probably do all that just as well if not better. Avidemux isn’t a bad program, but it doesn’t excel at anything. There are a lot of better options which are also free.

What has your experience with free video editors been like?

Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett

Dec 02, 2022• Proven solutions

The next most important thing – even more important than the camera you use – is editing.

Below is a list of the top free video editing software ranked according to how appropriate it is for YouTube videos.

Rank	Editor	Make Cuts	Audio Features	Multiple Video Tracks	Video Effects	Intuitive Score (1-5)	Compatibility
1.	OpenShot Video Editor	Yes	Fade In/Out, set volume levels	Yes	Transitions, text, ability to animate. Blur/Saturation/Brightness controls.	5	Windows, Mac, Linux
2.	Shotcut	Yes	Detailed audio editing	Yes	You can customize color presets and other effects. No animations.	4	Windows, Mac, Linux
3.	Hitfilm Express	Yes	Audio effects and transitioning.	Yes	Every imaginable picture customization. Some FX (more if you pay). Text tool.	4	Windows, Mac
4.	VideoPad Video Editor	Yes	Noise removal, equalizer, audio effects.	Yes	Moving text, transitions, filters.	5	Windows
5.	Lightworks	Yes	Detailed audio editing	Yes	No premade effects, but you can add text/color edit.	3	Windows, Mac, Linux
6.	VSDC Video Editor	Yes	Some audio features blocked in free version	Yes	Filters, transitions, text, and more.	1	Windows
7.	Machete Video Editor Lite	Yes	None	No	None	3	Windows
8.	Avidemux	Yes	Some audio features	No	Some picture adjustments	2	Windows, Mac, Linux, BSD

1. OpenShot Video Editor – Open Source (Windows, Mac, Linux)

Pros

Easy to use
Includes transitions
Keyframing
Alpha Channel
Unlimited video tracks

OpenShot Video Editor Review

OpenShot completely lives up to the claim that it was designed to be ‘easy to use, quick to learn, and surprisingly powerful’.

Is OpenShot Video Editor good for YouTube?

OpenShot is a great, free, choice for YouTubers at any editing skill level.

2. Shotcut – Open Source (Windows, Mac, Linux)

Pros

Detailed audio editing
Color grading, ability to save presets
Fairly intuitive timeline

Shotcut Review

Is Shotcut good for YouTube?

Shotcut is a great choice for YouTubers. It allows you to do some advanced editing, and it’s easy to learn compared to a program targeted at professional editors.

3. Hitfilm Express – Windows, Mac

Pros

Compositing mode (2D and 3D)
The Most effect customization
Helpful User Guide & tutorials

Cons

Can be overwhelming
Its main strength is FX, but you only get a couple for free. Most have to be bought separately.

Hitfilm Express Review

That said, basic editing in Hitfilm Express is not difficult to jump into. It’s only when you start getting fancy that things get dicey.

Is Hitfilm Express good for YouTube?

Yes. It will not be the best option for everyone, but it’s not a bad option for anyone either.

If what you want to make is a vlog that’s interrupted by an alien invasion and turns into an action sequence with lasers and falling debris, it’d be hard to do better than Hitfilm Express.

4. VideoPad Video Editor – Windows

Pros

Easy to jump into
Moving text
Huge audio waveforms
Audio and visual effects
Lossless exports

Cons

No longer updated

VideoPad Video Editor Review

Is VideoPad Video Editor good for YouTube?

The thing about VideoPad is that you’re probably going to outgrow it quickly as you become a more capable editor.

5. Lightworks – Windows, Mac, Linux

Pros

Detailed color and audio editing
Multicam editing

Cons

Exports limited to 720p for the free version
Difficult to learn compared to other free software

Lightworks Review

Is Lightworks good for YouTube?

Whether or not Lightworks is right for your YouTube channel depends on your goals as a video editor.

6. VSDC Video Editor – Windows

Pros

Diagrams and charts
How To Get Started Guide
Lots of features

Cons

Very confusing
Paid features show up in the free version, but they’re blocked

Review of VSDC Video Editor

There’s a lot to like about VSDC Video Editor, but you have to do a lot of work to uncover any of it. Accessing even the most basic features is confusing.

Other basic functions, like adding text, are just as complicated.

Is VSDC Video Editor good for YouTube?

7. Machete Video Editor Lite – Windows

Pros

Great for harvesting clips from longer footage
Lossless exports

Cons

Cannot swap or add audio
Only supports two formats (AVI and WMV)
Slightly awkward timeline

Machete Video Editor Lite Review

Is Machete Video Editor Lite good for YouTube?

Machete Lite is not a good choice for YouTubers unless it is used in combination with another program.

It doesn’t work as a YouTube editor because you cannot edit or swap audio, the transition between clips, or create layers of videos and images.

You can’t create a complete YouTube video in Machete Lite, but you can harvest clips to use in a different program.

8. Avidemux – Windows, Mac, Linux, BSD

Pros

Can add subtitle files

Cons

Not intuitive
Doesn’t support MOV or WMV
The website is not informative, no tutorials

Avidemux Review

There are no official tutorials for Avidemux you can access from their site, so you’ll have to rely on the forums and tutorials from users if you want to learn it.

You can import multiple clips into Avidemux, but you have to import them in the order you want because you can’t drag them around the timeline after. Everything becomes one big clip.

Is Avidemux good for YouTube?

What has your experience with free video editors been like?

Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett

Dec 02, 2022• Proven solutions

The next most important thing – even more important than the camera you use – is editing.

Below is a list of the top free video editing software ranked according to how appropriate it is for YouTube videos.

Rank	Editor	Make Cuts	Audio Features	Multiple Video Tracks	Video Effects	Intuitive Score (1-5)	Compatibility
1.	OpenShot Video Editor	Yes	Fade In/Out, set volume levels	Yes	Transitions, text, ability to animate. Blur/Saturation/Brightness controls.	5	Windows, Mac, Linux
2.	Shotcut	Yes	Detailed audio editing	Yes	You can customize color presets and other effects. No animations.	4	Windows, Mac, Linux
3.	Hitfilm Express	Yes	Audio effects and transitioning.	Yes	Every imaginable picture customization. Some FX (more if you pay). Text tool.	4	Windows, Mac
4.	VideoPad Video Editor	Yes	Noise removal, equalizer, audio effects.	Yes	Moving text, transitions, filters.	5	Windows
5.	Lightworks	Yes	Detailed audio editing	Yes	No premade effects, but you can add text/color edit.	3	Windows, Mac, Linux
6.	VSDC Video Editor	Yes	Some audio features blocked in free version	Yes	Filters, transitions, text, and more.	1	Windows
7.	Machete Video Editor Lite	Yes	None	No	None	3	Windows
8.	Avidemux	Yes	Some audio features	No	Some picture adjustments	2	Windows, Mac, Linux, BSD

1. OpenShot Video Editor – Open Source (Windows, Mac, Linux)

Pros

Easy to use
Includes transitions
Keyframing
Alpha Channel
Unlimited video tracks

OpenShot Video Editor Review

OpenShot completely lives up to the claim that it was designed to be ‘easy to use, quick to learn, and surprisingly powerful’.

Is OpenShot Video Editor good for YouTube?

OpenShot is a great, free, choice for YouTubers at any editing skill level.

2. Shotcut – Open Source (Windows, Mac, Linux)

Pros

Detailed audio editing
Color grading, ability to save presets
Fairly intuitive timeline

Shotcut Review

Is Shotcut good for YouTube?

Shotcut is a great choice for YouTubers. It allows you to do some advanced editing, and it’s easy to learn compared to a program targeted at professional editors.

3. Hitfilm Express – Windows, Mac

Pros

Compositing mode (2D and 3D)
The Most effect customization
Helpful User Guide & tutorials

Cons

Can be overwhelming
Its main strength is FX, but you only get a couple for free. Most have to be bought separately.

Hitfilm Express Review

That said, basic editing in Hitfilm Express is not difficult to jump into. It’s only when you start getting fancy that things get dicey.

Is Hitfilm Express good for YouTube?

Yes. It will not be the best option for everyone, but it’s not a bad option for anyone either.

If what you want to make is a vlog that’s interrupted by an alien invasion and turns into an action sequence with lasers and falling debris, it’d be hard to do better than Hitfilm Express.

4. VideoPad Video Editor – Windows

Pros

Easy to jump into
Moving text
Huge audio waveforms
Audio and visual effects
Lossless exports

Cons

No longer updated

VideoPad Video Editor Review

Is VideoPad Video Editor good for YouTube?

The thing about VideoPad is that you’re probably going to outgrow it quickly as you become a more capable editor.

5. Lightworks – Windows, Mac, Linux

Pros

Detailed color and audio editing
Multicam editing

Cons

Exports limited to 720p for the free version
Difficult to learn compared to other free software

Lightworks Review

Is Lightworks good for YouTube?

Whether or not Lightworks is right for your YouTube channel depends on your goals as a video editor.

6. VSDC Video Editor – Windows

Pros

Diagrams and charts
How To Get Started Guide
Lots of features

Cons

Very confusing
Paid features show up in the free version, but they’re blocked

Review of VSDC Video Editor

There’s a lot to like about VSDC Video Editor, but you have to do a lot of work to uncover any of it. Accessing even the most basic features is confusing.

Other basic functions, like adding text, are just as complicated.

Is VSDC Video Editor good for YouTube?

7. Machete Video Editor Lite – Windows

Pros

Great for harvesting clips from longer footage
Lossless exports

Cons

Cannot swap or add audio
Only supports two formats (AVI and WMV)
Slightly awkward timeline

Machete Video Editor Lite Review

Is Machete Video Editor Lite good for YouTube?

Machete Lite is not a good choice for YouTubers unless it is used in combination with another program.

It doesn’t work as a YouTube editor because you cannot edit or swap audio, the transition between clips, or create layers of videos and images.

You can’t create a complete YouTube video in Machete Lite, but you can harvest clips to use in a different program.

8. Avidemux – Windows, Mac, Linux, BSD

Pros

Can add subtitle files

Cons

Not intuitive
Doesn’t support MOV or WMV
The website is not informative, no tutorials

Avidemux Review

There are no official tutorials for Avidemux you can access from their site, so you’ll have to rely on the forums and tutorials from users if you want to learn it.

You can import multiple clips into Avidemux, but you have to import them in the order you want because you can’t drag them around the timeline after. Everything becomes one big clip.

Is Avidemux good for YouTube?

What has your experience with free video editors been like?

Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett

Dec 02, 2022• Proven solutions

The next most important thing – even more important than the camera you use – is editing.

Below is a list of the top free video editing software ranked according to how appropriate it is for YouTube videos.

Rank	Editor	Make Cuts	Audio Features	Multiple Video Tracks	Video Effects	Intuitive Score (1-5)	Compatibility
1.	OpenShot Video Editor	Yes	Fade In/Out, set volume levels	Yes	Transitions, text, ability to animate. Blur/Saturation/Brightness controls.	5	Windows, Mac, Linux
2.	Shotcut	Yes	Detailed audio editing	Yes	You can customize color presets and other effects. No animations.	4	Windows, Mac, Linux
3.	Hitfilm Express	Yes	Audio effects and transitioning.	Yes	Every imaginable picture customization. Some FX (more if you pay). Text tool.	4	Windows, Mac
4.	VideoPad Video Editor	Yes	Noise removal, equalizer, audio effects.	Yes	Moving text, transitions, filters.	5	Windows
5.	Lightworks	Yes	Detailed audio editing	Yes	No premade effects, but you can add text/color edit.	3	Windows, Mac, Linux
6.	VSDC Video Editor	Yes	Some audio features blocked in free version	Yes	Filters, transitions, text, and more.	1	Windows
7.	Machete Video Editor Lite	Yes	None	No	None	3	Windows
8.	Avidemux	Yes	Some audio features	No	Some picture adjustments	2	Windows, Mac, Linux, BSD

1. OpenShot Video Editor – Open Source (Windows, Mac, Linux)

Pros

Easy to use
Includes transitions
Keyframing
Alpha Channel
Unlimited video tracks

OpenShot Video Editor Review

OpenShot completely lives up to the claim that it was designed to be ‘easy to use, quick to learn, and surprisingly powerful’.

Is OpenShot Video Editor good for YouTube?

OpenShot is a great, free, choice for YouTubers at any editing skill level.

2. Shotcut – Open Source (Windows, Mac, Linux)

Pros

Detailed audio editing
Color grading, ability to save presets
Fairly intuitive timeline

Shotcut Review

Is Shotcut good for YouTube?

Shotcut is a great choice for YouTubers. It allows you to do some advanced editing, and it’s easy to learn compared to a program targeted at professional editors.

3. Hitfilm Express – Windows, Mac

Pros

Compositing mode (2D and 3D)
The Most effect customization
Helpful User Guide & tutorials

Cons

Can be overwhelming
Its main strength is FX, but you only get a couple for free. Most have to be bought separately.

Hitfilm Express Review

That said, basic editing in Hitfilm Express is not difficult to jump into. It’s only when you start getting fancy that things get dicey.

Is Hitfilm Express good for YouTube?

Yes. It will not be the best option for everyone, but it’s not a bad option for anyone either.

If what you want to make is a vlog that’s interrupted by an alien invasion and turns into an action sequence with lasers and falling debris, it’d be hard to do better than Hitfilm Express.

4. VideoPad Video Editor – Windows

Pros

Easy to jump into
Moving text
Huge audio waveforms
Audio and visual effects
Lossless exports

Cons

No longer updated

VideoPad Video Editor Review

Is VideoPad Video Editor good for YouTube?

The thing about VideoPad is that you’re probably going to outgrow it quickly as you become a more capable editor.

5. Lightworks – Windows, Mac, Linux

Pros

Detailed color and audio editing
Multicam editing

Cons

Exports limited to 720p for the free version
Difficult to learn compared to other free software

Lightworks Review

Is Lightworks good for YouTube?

Whether or not Lightworks is right for your YouTube channel depends on your goals as a video editor.

6. VSDC Video Editor – Windows

Pros

Diagrams and charts
How To Get Started Guide
Lots of features

Cons

Very confusing
Paid features show up in the free version, but they’re blocked

Review of VSDC Video Editor

There’s a lot to like about VSDC Video Editor, but you have to do a lot of work to uncover any of it. Accessing even the most basic features is confusing.

Other basic functions, like adding text, are just as complicated.

Is VSDC Video Editor good for YouTube?

7. Machete Video Editor Lite – Windows

Pros

Great for harvesting clips from longer footage
Lossless exports

Cons

Cannot swap or add audio
Only supports two formats (AVI and WMV)
Slightly awkward timeline

Machete Video Editor Lite Review

Is Machete Video Editor Lite good for YouTube?

Machete Lite is not a good choice for YouTubers unless it is used in combination with another program.

It doesn’t work as a YouTube editor because you cannot edit or swap audio, the transition between clips, or create layers of videos and images.

You can’t create a complete YouTube video in Machete Lite, but you can harvest clips to use in a different program.

8. Avidemux – Windows, Mac, Linux, BSD

Pros

Can add subtitle files

Cons

Not intuitive
Doesn’t support MOV or WMV
The website is not informative, no tutorials

Avidemux Review

There are no official tutorials for Avidemux you can access from their site, so you’ll have to rely on the forums and tutorials from users if you want to learn it.

You can import multiple clips into Avidemux, but you have to import them in the order you want because you can’t drag them around the timeline after. Everything becomes one big clip.

Is Avidemux good for YouTube?

What has your experience with free video editors been like?

Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Richard Bennett

Youtube Help

"In 2024, High-Quality Game Capture Apps Reviewed"

High-Quality Game Capture Apps Reviewed

15 Best Game Recording Software for YouTuber in 2024

Richard Bennett

15 Best Game Screen Recorders for Recording Game Videos

1. ShadowPlay

2. Camtasia

3. Open Broadcast Software

4.Bandicam

5. EpicRewind

6.D3DGear

7.Fraps

8.Microsoft Screen Encoder 4

9.Tinytake

10.Ezvid

11. Gecata

12. EaseUS RecExperts

13. Flashback Express (Free Version)

14. Snagit

15. Filmora

What to look for game screen recorder

FAQs

Q1. What software do YouTubers use to record gameplay?

Q2. How do I record my screen smoothly?

Q3. Does screen recording decrease FPS?

Richard Bennett

15 Best Game Screen Recorders for Recording Game Videos

1. ShadowPlay

2. Camtasia

3. Open Broadcast Software

4.Bandicam

5. EpicRewind

6.D3DGear

7.Fraps

8.Microsoft Screen Encoder 4

9.Tinytake

10.Ezvid

11. Gecata

12. EaseUS RecExperts

13. Flashback Express (Free Version)

14. Snagit

15. Filmora

What to look for game screen recorder

FAQs

Q1. What software do YouTubers use to record gameplay?

Q2. How do I record my screen smoothly?

Q3. Does screen recording decrease FPS?

Richard Bennett

15 Best Game Screen Recorders for Recording Game Videos

1. ShadowPlay

2. Camtasia

3. Open Broadcast Software

4.Bandicam

5. EpicRewind

6.D3DGear

7.Fraps

8.Microsoft Screen Encoder 4

9.Tinytake

10.Ezvid

11. Gecata

12. EaseUS RecExperts

13. Flashback Express (Free Version)

14. Snagit

15. Filmora

What to look for game screen recorder

FAQs

Q1. What software do YouTubers use to record gameplay?

Q2. How do I record my screen smoothly?

Q3. Does screen recording decrease FPS?

Richard Bennett

15 Best Game Screen Recorders for Recording Game Videos

1. ShadowPlay

2. Camtasia

3. Open Broadcast Software

4.Bandicam

5. EpicRewind

6.D3DGear

7.Fraps

8.Microsoft Screen Encoder 4