TLDR
Match the tool to your hardware and workflow before anything else. If you run a modern NVIDIA or AMD GPU, prioritize software with hardware encoding and a background replay buffer so grabbing the last 30 seconds costs almost no frames. Creators who edit heavily want built-in trimming and export presets, while streamers should weigh scene management and platform integration.
Gamers and streamers on Windows who want to capture highlights, record full sessions, and clip the last few minutes without a big performance hit.
Clipping software captures gameplay or screen activity so you can save highlights, record tutorials, or stream. The core split is between full-session recorders and replay-buffer tools that keep the last few minutes in memory and dump a clip on a hotkey.
The two things that decide the experience are encoding and performance. Hardware encoders (NVENC on NVIDIA, AMF on AMD, Quick Sync on Intel) offload the work from your CPU, so you keep frames while recording at high bitrates. Software encoding gives better quality per bitrate but taxes the CPU.
Weigh how much you edit, whether you also stream, and how much disk space you can spare. A tool that produces huge files but no trimming means extra work later, while an all-in-one that captures, clips, and exports directly can save real time.
best clipping software for pc Tools compared
Filter by what you care about. Every tool stays on the page.
| Tool | Price | Capture Modes | Instant Replay / Buffer | GPU Encoding | Built-in Editing | Live Streaming | Low FPS Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OBS Studio | Free | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Limited |
| NVIDIA ShadowPlay | Free | Limited | Yes | Yes | No | Limited | Yes |
| AMD ReLive | Free | Limited | Yes | Yes | Limited | Yes | Yes |
| Bandicam | From $33.26 one-time | Yes | No | Yes | Limited | No | Limited |
| Fraps | From $37 one-time | Limited | No | No | No | No | Limited |
| Medal.tv | Free | Limited | Yes | Yes | Limited | No | Yes |
| Outplayed | Free | Limited | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Streamlabs | Free | Yes | Yes | Yes | Limited | Yes | Limited |
| Xbox Game Bar | Free | Limited | Yes | Yes | Limited | No | Yes |
| Action! | From $29.95 one-time | Yes | Yes | Yes | Limited | Yes | Limited |
| Camtasia | From $179.88/yr | Yes | No | Limited | Yes | No | Limited |
| ShareX | Free | Yes | No | Limited | Limited | No | Yes |
| Dxtory | From $38 one-time | Limited | No | Limited | No | No | Limited |
| FlashBack Express | Free | Yes | No | Limited | Yes | No | Limited |
| Movavi Screen Recorder | From $42.95/yr | Yes | No | Limited | Limited | No | Limited |
Highlighted rows are featured placements. Competitor details are set by each platform, so confirm on their site before buying.
The 15 best best clipping software for pc tools
OBS Studio
FreeOBS Studio records gameplay at high quality with scenes, multiple sources, and custom encoders including GPU options. It doubles as a live streaming tool, so you can record clips and go live from one setup. There is a learning curve and no built-in replay buffer for one-click clipping unless you configure it, but the price is unbeatable.
Pros
- Completely free and open source
- Handles both recording and streaming
- GPU encoding via NVENC, AMF, and QuickSync
Cons
- Steeper setup than dedicated clippers
- No polished built-in editor
Best for: Users who want free recording plus streaming in one app.
NVIDIA ShadowPlay
FreeShadowPlay, part of the NVIDIA app, records gameplay using the GPU's hardware encoder so the performance hit stays minimal. Its instant replay feature keeps a rolling buffer so you can save the last few minutes with a hotkey. It only works on NVIDIA GeForce cards and offers little in the way of editing.
Pros
- Free with NVIDIA GPUs
- Very low performance impact
- Instant replay for quick clips
Cons
- Only works on NVIDIA hardware
- No real editing tools
Best for: NVIDIA GPU owners who want free, low-overhead clipping.
AMD ReLive
FreeAMD ReLive is bundled with the Radeon Software driver suite and records or streams gameplay using the GPU encoder. It offers an instant replay buffer and basic overlays with minimal performance cost. Like ShadowPlay, it is limited to its own hardware and has minimal editing options.
Pros
- Free with AMD Radeon GPUs
- Low performance overhead
- Instant replay support
Cons
- Only works on AMD hardware
- Minimal editing features
Best for: AMD Radeon owners wanting free built-in clipping.
Bandicam
From $33.26 one-timeBandicam captures screen, gameplay, and webcam with hardware-accelerated encoding to keep frame rates high. It includes basic trimming, Smart Zoom, background removal, and AI transcription. The free version watermarks recordings, so most users buy the license.
Pros
- Reliable game and screen capture
- GPU-accelerated encoding
- Built-in trimming and AI tools
Cons
- Free version adds watermark
- Editing is fairly basic
Best for: PC users wanting a straightforward recorder with light editing.
Fraps
From $37 one-timeFraps has been around for years and shows FPS overlays, benchmarks, and records raw uncompressed video from games. The capture quality is high but file sizes are huge and it lacks GPU encoding or editing. It has not been updated since 2013 and struggles with newer titles.
Pros
- Simple FPS overlay and benchmarking
- High-quality raw capture
Cons
- No updates since 2013
- Enormous file sizes
- No editing or GPU encoding
Best for: Old-school benchmarking and raw footage on older games.
Medal.tv
FreeMedal.tv runs in the background and lets you save the last several seconds or minutes with a hotkey, then get an instant share link. It supports multi-track audio, custom clip lengths, and light trimming, with a focus on quick social sharing. The free tier covers most needs while a subscription unlocks higher quality and longer clips.
Pros
- One-button instant clip capture
- Fast sharing links
- Multi-track audio support
Cons
- Focused on clips more than long recording
- Best features need a subscription
Best for: Gamers who want to grab and share highlights fast.
Outplayed
FreeOutplayed automatically detects and records highlights while you play, then organizes them in a match timeline for review. It includes performance tracking, manual capture, trimming, and a built-in video editor for collages. It is free with ads and supports over 5000 games, with an optional subscription.
Pros
- Automatic highlight detection
- Free with wide game support
- Built-in editor for collages
Cons
- Requires the Overwolf platform
- Ads on the free tier
Best for: Players who want automatic highlight capture and quick edits.
Streamlabs
FreeStreamlabs Desktop builds on OBS with a friendlier interface, themes, alerts, and a replay buffer for clipping. It records and streams with GPU encoding and offers cloud features on paid tiers. The core app is free, with Ultra adding extra tools and integrations.
Pros
- Easier interface than raw OBS
- Replay buffer for clips
- Free core app with GPU encoding
Cons
- Paid tier for premium features
- Heavier than lightweight clippers
Best for: Streamers who want clipping and broadcasting together.
Xbox Game Bar
FreeXbox Game Bar comes with Windows 10 and 11 and lets you record gameplay, capture the last few minutes, and take screenshots with a hotkey. It is free and needs no install, though it is limited to game and app capture rather than full desktop recording. Editing is minimal beyond basic trimming.
Pros
- Free and built into Windows
- Background clip capture
- No install needed
Cons
- Limited to games and apps
- Very basic editing
Best for: Windows users wanting free, no-setup gameplay clips.
Action!
From $29.95 one-timeMirillis Action! records desktop, apps, and games with webcam and mic overlays, GPU-accelerated encoding, and support for high resolutions and HDR. It can also stream and includes live commentary features. It is a paid app with a free trial period.
Pros
- 4K and HDR capture support
- GPU-accelerated encoding
- Webcam and mic overlays
Cons
- Paid license required
- Editing is limited
Best for: Users wanting high-resolution capture with streaming options.
Camtasia
From $179.88/yrCamtasia records your screen and webcam then hands off to a strong timeline editor with transitions, annotations, and effects. It is aimed at tutorials and training rather than fast gameplay clipping, so it lacks a replay buffer. Licensing is a one-time purchase per version with paid upgrades.
Pros
- Powerful built-in video editor
- Good for tutorials and training
- Clean recording quality
Cons
- Expensive license
- Not built for gameplay clipping
- No instant replay buffer
Best for: Creators who need recording plus serious editing.
ShareX
FreeShareX is a lightweight, free, open-source tool for screenshots, screen recording, and GIF capture with automatic uploading to many destinations. It offers region capture, an image editor, and workflow automation. It is more focused on screenshots and short recordings than sustained gameplay capture.
Pros
- Completely free and open source
- No ads and privacy focused
- Flexible upload and workflow options
Cons
- No dedicated video editor
- Not tuned for gameplay recording
Best for: Power users wanting free capture and quick sharing.
Dxtory
From $38 one-timeDxtory captures high-quality, near-lossless video directly from DirectX and OpenGL applications and can write to multiple drives to keep up with data rates. It supports multiple audio sources and custom codecs. It is a paid tool with an older feel and no modern editing.
Pros
- High-quality lossless capture
- Multi-drive writing for high bitrates
- Multiple audio source support
Cons
- Dated interface
- No editing tools
- Large file sizes
Best for: Users needing maximum-quality game footage.
FlashBack Express
FreeFlashBack Express records screen, webcam, and audio with no watermark or time limit on the free version. The paid Pro version adds a fuller editor with annotations and effects. It leans toward screencasts and tutorials rather than gameplay clipping.
Pros
- Free version has no watermark
- Includes an editor
- Records screen, webcam, and audio
Cons
- Not focused on gameplay
- Advanced editing needs Pro
Best for: People making tutorials and screencasts on a budget.
Movavi Screen Recorder
From $42.95/yrMovavi Screen Recorder captures screen, webcam, and audio with a simple interface aimed at newcomers. It offers scheduled recording, trimming, and drawing tools, with a separate video editor available. The free trial watermarks output and full use requires a paid license.
Pros
- Easy for beginners
- Scheduled recording
- Basic trimming and drawing tools
Cons
- Trial adds watermark
- Full editing needs a separate product
Best for: Beginners who want simple screen recording.
How to choose the right clipping tool
Start with your GPU. If you own an NVIDIA RTX or GTX card, ShadowPlay is already installed with your driver and adds almost no overhead. AMD users get the equivalent in ReLive. These cost nothing and are the easiest way to enable a replay buffer.
If you need scene switching, overlays, or multiple sources, OBS Studio does all of it for free and supports every hardware encoder. It has a learning curve but no feature ceiling. Reach for paid tools like Bandicam or Action! only when you want a simpler interface or specific export presets.
Key features to look for
A replay buffer is the single most useful feature for gaming: it keeps the last 30 to 120 seconds in RAM so you can save a highlight after it happens. Confirm the tool supports hotkey clip saving.
Check the encoder options (NVENC, AMF, Quick Sync, x264), bitrate ceiling, and whether it records at 60fps or higher. Also look at file format (MP4 is broadly compatible, MKV survives crashes) and whether basic trimming is built in so you skip a separate editor.
Performance and storage tips
Record with hardware encoding whenever possible to keep frames stable. Cap the bitrate at what your upload and disk can handle; 30 to 50 Mbps at 1080p60 is plenty for most highlights.
Full-session recording eats disk fast, roughly 1GB every few minutes at high bitrate. Point captures at a fast SSD, and use the replay buffer instead of continuous recording when you only want highlights.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a clip and a full recording?
A full recording captures an entire session start to finish, producing large files. A clip is a short segment, often pulled from a replay buffer that holds the last 30 to 120 seconds in memory. Buffer clipping lets you save a moment after it happens without recording everything.
Does clipping software slow down my games?
With hardware encoding (NVENC, AMF, or Quick Sync) the impact is usually a few frames or less because the GPU or CPU has dedicated encoding hardware. Software (x264) encoding uses your main CPU cores and can drop more frames, especially at high bitrates or resolutions.
Is free clipping software good enough?
Yes for most people. OBS Studio is free and matches or beats paid tools on capability. NVIDIA ShadowPlay and AMD ReLive are free with your GPU driver and tuned for low overhead. Paid tools mainly add simpler interfaces or convenience features.
What format and settings should I use?
MP4 with the H.264 (or H.265) codec is the most compatible. Record at 1080p60 with a bitrate around 30 to 50 Mbps for clean highlights. Use MKV if crash recovery matters, then remux to MP4 for editing and uploading.
Can I clip and stream at the same time?
Yes. OBS Studio and Streamlabs stream and record simultaneously, and ShadowPlay or ReLive can run a replay buffer while other software streams. Streaming plus local recording increases encoder load, so hardware encoding is recommended.
How much disk space do I need?
At 1080p60 and 40 Mbps, expect roughly 300MB per minute of continuous recording, so a one-hour session can top 15GB. A replay buffer uses far less since it only saves clips you trigger. A fast SSD prevents dropped frames during writes.
The bottom line
Casual clippers should start with the free tool bundled with their GPU driver (NVIDIA ShadowPlay or AMD ReLive) since it is tuned for that hardware. If you want more control, download OBS Studio (free) and one lightweight replay tool, test both during a real session, and keep whichever holds your frame rate.