Nvidia ShadowPlay Alternatives

Nvidia ShadowPlay is described as 'ShadowPlay is a graphics-accelerated overlay to record and share high-quality gameplay videos, screenshots, and livestreams' and is a Screen Recorder in the photos & graphics category. There are more than 100 alternatives to Nvidia ShadowPlay for a variety of platforms, including Windows, Mac, Linux, Web-based and Google Chrome apps. The best Nvidia ShadowPlay alternative is OBS Studio, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Nvidia ShadowPlay are Open Hardware Monitor, Camtasia, VokoscreenNG and Bandicam.

Nvidia ShadowPlay alternatives are mainly Screen Recorders but may also be Screenshot Capture Tools or Screen Casting Tools. Filter by these if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of Nvidia ShadowPlay.

Nvidia ShadowPlay alternatives page was last updated

Nvidia ShadowPlay

Free • Proprietary
Screen Recorder

ShadowPlay is a graphics-accelerated overlay to record and share high-quality gameplay videos, screenshots, and livestreams.

More about Nvidia ShadowPlay

OBS Studio
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Screen Recorder
Screenshot Capture Tool
Screen Casting Tool
Mac
Windows
Linux
BSD
PortableApps.com
Steam
FreeBSD
157 OBS Studio alternatives
OBS Studio (also known as Open Broadcaster Software, or OBS) is a screen-casting and live-streaming software available across multiple platforms including macOS, Windows and Linux. Boasting features typically only found in commercial screen recording apps, OBS also provides one...
- - OBS Studio is the most popular Windows, Mac & Linux alternative to Nvidia ShadowPlay.
- - OBS Studio is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Nvidia ShadowPlay.
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OBS Studio Features
1. Extensible by Plugins/ExtensionsOBS Studio can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
2. Virtual camera outputUse the output from OBS Studio as your webcam's primary video source.
3. Dark ModeOBS Studio supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
4. Custom overlaysOBS Studio allows you to add custom images or videos on top of your composition.
5. Screen SharingYou can use OBS Studio to share your screen with your colleages or friends.
6. Multi-streamingWith OBS Studio you can live streaming to multiple channels simultaneously.
7. Live Video EffectsOBS Studio lets you edit your video input in real time to apply new image values or add filters.
8. Transitions EffectsOBS Studio allows you to apply transition effects between two different scenes/pages using pre-loaded or custom animated transitions.
9. RTMP Live StreamingOBS Studio supports the Real Time Messaging Protocol to connect an encoder with a server.
Capture Video
Live Broadcasting
Ability to select a source
Game Streaming
Low CPU usage
Customizable
Record desktop activity
Streaming
Twitch Integration
Live Camera Streaming
Comments about OBS Studio as a Alternative to Nvidia ShadowPlay
Most users think OBS Studio is a great Nvidia ShadowPlay alternative.
Guest
Too complaicated, missing feature, can't record some games due to graphics API or anti-cheat compatibility errors unlike Shadowplay which records everything. Also has no proper suport for on the fly screen resolution changes
Negative comment•
0
Open Hardware Monitor
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
System Information Utility
Windows
Mono
70 Open Hardware Monitor alternatives
The Open Hardware Monitor is a free open source software that monitors temperature sensors, fan speeds, voltages, load and clock speeds of a computer.
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Open Hardware Monitor Features
1. PortableOpen Hardware Monitor can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
2. LightweightOpen Hardware Monitor consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
3. Command line interfaceOpen Hardware Monitor either have CLI support or is a CLI-only app.
Temperature Monitoring
Hardware Monitoring
Voltage monitoring
Fan Speed
No installation required
History graphs
Export to CSV
Sensors
Discontinued
There has not been any code change since December 2020, also the community now wonders if it is abandoned: https://github.com/openhardwaremonitor/openhardwaremonitor/issues/1471 There also seems to be a fork called LibreHardwareMonitor (which is already listed as an alternative) and appears to be the most active fork right now.

Comments about Open Hardware Monitor as a Alternative to Nvidia ShadowPlay
pros, cons and recent comments
mirellanmal
different type of software
Negative comment•
4

Guest
Different types of software, different purpose and functionality
Negative comment•
2

Guest
How is this even remotely similar to Nvidia Shadowplay????
Negative comment•
1

mer2329
shadow play is a screen recorder. Open Hardware Monitor is a system information tool. not the same category
Negative comment•
0
Camtasia
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Paid • Proprietary
Video Editor
Screen Recorder
Screenshot Capture Tool
Mac
Windows
215 Camtasia alternatives
Produce videos for the web using the industry-leading H.264 format. No tweaks or technospeak, just sparkling HD-quality video with compact file sizes...every single time. Two existing production presets (blog and web) and three new presets (YouTube, HD display, and Screencast.
- - Camtasia is the most popular commercial alternative to Nvidia ShadowPlay.
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Camtasia Features
1. Chroma Key / Green ScreenCamtasia supports chroma key to replace the background with an image or video backdrop.
Built-in Screen Capture
Built-in editor
Capture Video
Image Annotations
Interface Overlay
Support for HD videos
Graphical component
Swiping from all window edges
VokoscreenNG
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Screen Recorder
Screen Casting Tool
Audio Recorder
Windows
Linux
144 VokoscreenNG alternatives
VokoscreenNG is a user friendly screencaster for Linux and Windows. It is a continuation of the now discontinued Vokoscreen project that has been totally rewritten from scratch using Qt and GStreamer.
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VokoscreenNG Features
1. Support for Multiple MonitorsVokoscreenNG supports the use of multiple displays.
2. Ad-freeVokoscreenNG doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
3. No TrackingVokoscreenNG will not track you or use your personal data.
4. LightweightVokoscreenNG consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
5. No registration requiredYou can use most of the features in VokoscreenNG without registration.
6. Works OfflineVokoscreenNG can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
Record videos
Text Overlays
Bandicam
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Proprietary
Screen Recorder
Screenshot Capture Tool
Screen Casting Tool
Windows
127 Bandicam alternatives
Bandicam is a lightweight screen recorder for Windows that can capture anything on your PC screen. Also, it makes it possible to record a certain area on a PC screen, or capture a game that uses the DirectX/OpenGL/Vulkan graphic technologies.
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Bandicam Features
1. Works OfflineBandicam can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
2. Chroma Key / Green ScreenBandicam supports chroma key to replace the background with an image or video backdrop.
3. LightweightBandicam consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
Record desktop activity
Capture Video
FPS counter
Full video recording
Live recording
Voice Recording
Game Benchmarking
Dynamic retargeting
Webcam overlays
GIF recording
CamStudio
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Screen Recorder
Screenshot Capture Tool
Screen Casting Tool
Windows
PortableApps.com
138 CamStudio alternatives
Record your computer screen with audio input from Mic or Speakers. Also shows mouse clicks in addition to the regular cursor. Simple interface with ability to record in AVI or export as swf.
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CamStudio Features
1. PortableCamStudio can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
Capture Video
Discontinued
The project seems to be no longer developed. Last version, 2.7 r316, released in May 2015, can be still downloaded from SourceForge.
Warning
As described on VirusTotal comment (https://www.virustotal.com/en/file/1ddb733efb11769a05cc735d555e9a4df92c4cdf29fa47ea3864e57e67dcf884/analysis/1411383540/): if you download CamStudio from SourceForge.net, the VirusTotal results are 0/53. After installing this SF version, it immediately says that there is an update available. When the link is clicked, it takes you to camstudio.org, which has a zip file that, scanned with VirusTotal, gives you 15/53 result. So do NOT download and install the "update": it's a malware. Installer as of 09/22/2014.
Peek GIF Screen Recorder
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Screen Recorder
Screenshot Capture Tool
Screen Casting Tool
Linux
Flathub
Ubuntu
Flatpak
35 Peek GIF Screen Recorder alternatives
Peek makes it easy to create short screencasts of a screen area. It was built for the specific use case of recording screen areas, e.g. for easily showing UI features of your own apps or for showing a bug in bug reports.
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Peek GIF Screen Recorder Features
GIF recording
Graphical User Interface
Discontinued
Peek has been discontinued: https://github.com/phw/peek/issues/1191
ActivePresenter
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free Personal • Proprietary
Screen Recorder
Screen Casting Tool
Video Editor
Mac
Windows
111 ActivePresenter alternatives
ActivePresenter is a leading authoring software to simplify your eLearning design experience with 3 main functions:
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ActivePresenter Features
1. Dark ModeActivePresenter supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
2. GamificationActivePresenter makes use of game-design elements such as point scoring, competition, achievements, etc.
3. No registration requiredYou can use most of the features in ActivePresenter without registration.
4. Chroma Key / Green ScreenActivePresenter supports chroma key to replace the background with an image or video backdrop.
5. Support for LayersActivePresenter supports the organization of elements through a hierarchical order that can be manipulated/viewed independently.
6. Ad-freeActivePresenter doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
7. Screen SharingYou can use ActivePresenter to share your screen with your colleages or friends.
No Watermark
Lossless Compression
Tabbed interface
Export to HTML
Voiceover
Non linear editor
XSplit Broadcaster
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Proprietary
Live Streaming Tools and Service
Windows
46 XSplit Broadcaster alternatives
XSplit Broadcaster is a desktop application designed to make your multimedia broadcasting and recording a lot easier and more fun to do. With its live output broadcasting feature, you can self-produce video broadcasts, conferences, distance learning courses, campus-wide...
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XSplit Broadcaster Features
1. Virtual camera outputUse the output from XSplit Broadcaster as your webcam's primary video source.
2. Support for Multiple MonitorsXSplit Broadcaster supports the use of multiple displays.
Mix Music
Live Broadcasting
Built-in editor
Game Streaming
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Xbox Game Bar
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Proprietary
Screen Recorder
Screenshot Capture Tool
Live Streaming Tools and Service
Windows
95 Xbox Game Bar alternatives
Take control of your gaming activities—such as screenshots, capturing clips, and streaming—by pressing Win+G on your keyboard.
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Xbox Game Bar Features
1. Achievements SupportedXbox Game Bar offers the possibility of unlocking achievements through completing challenges.
2. Custom overlaysXbox Game Bar allows you to add custom images or videos on top of your composition.
3. Extensible by Plugins/ExtensionsXbox Game Bar can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
System audio recording
Spotify integration
FPS counter
Advanced volume mixing
Performance Monitoring
Customizable
In-Game Overlay
Mix Music
Capture Video
Integrated Chat
Action!
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Paid • Proprietary
Screen Recorder
Screenshot Capture Tool
Windows
Steam
80 Action! alternatives
Action! allows real-time recording/capture of Windows Aero desktop in a superb HD video quality. With Action! you can record web player videos, your gameplay, display game framerates, add live audio commentary to create high quality tutorials, record music, capture screenshots...
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Action! Features
1. LightweightAction! consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
Time shift
Low CPU usage
Record videos
Upload directly to YouTube
Capture Video
Game Benchmarking
recordMyDesktop
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Screen Recorder
Screen Casting Tool
Linux
BSD
105 recordMyDesktop alternatives
recordMyDesktop is a desktop session recorder for GNU / Linux that attemps to be easy to use, yet also effective at it's primary task. As such, the program is separated in two parts; a simple command line tool that performs the basic tasks of capturing and encoding and an...
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recordMyDesktop Features
Record videos
Record desktop activity
Capture Video
Discontinued
The project is no longer developed. Last version, 0.3.8.1, released in December 2008, can be still downloaded from SourceForge.