!["Live Gaming Recording Battle Pick Your Preference, OBS or ShadowPlay?"](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/TKoUz7zi8lw5cyOA93bOwDLfNYs=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/the_room-56cc7f225f9b5879cc590941.png)
"Live Gaming Recording Battle Pick Your Preference, OBS or ShadowPlay?"
![](/images/site-logo.png)
Live Gaming Recording Battle: Pick Your Preference, OBS or ShadowPlay?
If you are an avid gamer and you are not recording your gameplay and uploading on online platforms, you are missing out on the trend. Gamers are uploading their gameplay on video streaming platforms like Twitch and YouTube and earning followers, fame as well as money. No matter which game you play on your computer, you should record it. Thereafter, you can make it interesting with editing and voiceover and upload on video streaming and social media platforms.
Primarily, you will need a gameplay recording software and there is no dearth of gameplay and screen recording software. The two most popular free gameplay recorders are OBS Studio and ShadowPlay. In order to help you choose OBS or ShadowPlay, we have provided you with a complete comparison of ShadowPlay vs OBS recording software. Go through all the points minutely and understand their differences and pick the perfect one for recording your gameplay.
Part 1. Key Features of OBS and ShadowPlay
OBS and ShadowPlay are both completely free to use for recording your gameplay as well as your capturing desktop screen. OBS is open-source software and it has a cross-platform structure which is why it supports all computer operating systems. It is popular among gamers for live streaming on Twitch and YouTube.
ShadowPlay comes from Nvidia which is the largest manufacturer for GPU. That is why gamers who prefer Nvidia GPU, they have a special preference for ShadowPlay. Here are the key features of OBS and ShadowPlay you should be aware of.
OBS Studio
Screen Capture - You can capture high-quality gameplay when you play games on your computer as well as on a gaming console. You can tweak the parameters on video quality so that you can get the recording just like you want.
Webcam Capture - OBS lets you add webcam as an overlay so that you can record your gameplay as well as show your reaction so that the recording is more interactive and engaging. You can also use green screen setup to make the video more professional and eye-catching.
Better Audio - You can record your game sound as well as your voice from external mic. This is useful for voiceover and live commentary to make the video interesting and showcase your personality traits verbally. There are also audio filters, audio mixers, and audio effects available to apply.
Advanced Editor - The built-in editing software allows performing different post-recording tasks like sharpening, cropping, and color correction. It has advanced filters that enable Chroma keying, image masking, and color correction.
Easy Switching - It comes with a one-click solution for switching between transitions and scenes. The tool can be perfect for going back and forth between games and devices. You can also add multiple screens and audio sources as required.
Most importantly, you can live stream your gameplay on almost any online video streaming platform.
Nvidia ShadowPlay
Gameplay Capture - ShadowPlay lets you record gameplay at 8K with 30FPS. This is unmatched by any free video recording software. You can also record gameplay at 4K HDR with 60FPS. It comes with hardware acceleration to ensure the performance does not get affected while recording in the background.
Instant Replay - ShadowPlay keeps recording in the background and therefore, if something important has happened in the game, you can get the last 30 seconds of instant replay clip and you can share it anywhere you want. This is highly useful to share short clips on social media platforms.
ShadowPlay Highlights - The feature will automatically record the best gaming moments and create a perfect highlight video. This is useful when you want to upload the best parts of the gameplay rather than the entire part.
Screenshots - ShadowPlay lets you capture 8K screenshots of your game that you can use as thumbnails for your videos as well as put them up on social media platforms.
GIF Creator - With ShadowPlay, you don’t have to leave the game to create GIFs. You can create high-quality GIFs of duration 15 seconds. You can also add text to the GIFs and share anything you want.
Just like OBS, ShadowPlay enables you to broadcast gameplay in real-time on YouTube Live, Twitch, and Facebook Live.
Part 2. Comparison ShadowPlay vs OBS
Here are the key points of differences between OBS and ShadowPlay that will help you decide between OBS or ShadowPlay.
ShadowPlay vs OBS Recording:
While recording, OBS allows faster processing of the recorded video files. Besides, it can compress the file size during the encoding process so that the recorded video files take relatively less space. This makes it ideal for longer sessions of gameplay recording. However, in the process, OBS can reduce the frame rate significantly, and hence, the video may not be as smooth as you expect it to be. Therefore, OBS is suitable for regular game recording where not much compression is required.
On the contrary, ShadowPlay does not reduce the file size or frame rate, and hence, it is a great choice for high-end games where you need the recorded to be as smooth as possible. However, ShadowPlay requires more space on the hard drive. When you upload on video streaming platforms, there will be some automatic compression. Therefore, the less compression you do during your encoding phase, the better will be the output.
ShadowPlay vs OBS Performance:
OBS uses significant CPU power and resources. This is one of the reasons why it reduces the frame rate while recording to use less CPU resources. In fact, it can affect the game performance if you are playing and recording a high-end game. However, you can customize various configuration parameters to reduce its burden on CPU performance.
ShadowPlay does not affect the CPU performance as it comes with hardware acceleration. It supports higher frame rates for high-end games as well. If at all, it can bring about 5%-10% effect on CPU performance which is almost ignorable in comparison to OBS.
ShadowPlay vs OBS File Format:
OBS consumes less space for recorded videos. It compresses the format which can drastically reduce the output file size. The best thing about OBS is that it comes with the NVENC hardware encoded chip that allows choosing from different supported file formats.
On the contrary, ShadowPlay supports MP4 formats by default which makes it require more space. It uses codec. MP4 file format is the most popular video file format that you can play across all media players and upload on online platforms.
ShadowPlay vs OBS Live Streaming:
You cannot live stream as well as record on ShadowPlay. This is a major drawback that OBS has overcome. That is why most gamers prefer OBS Studio for live streaming as they can record the gaming session for future reference. If you want to just broadcast your gameplay, ShadowPlay is good enough. But if you want to have multiple scenes and overlay adjustments in live streaming, OBS is the best choice.
ShadowPlay vs OBS Editing:
OBS offers better editing options thanks to its built-in editor. Starting customizable transitions to real-time editing before broadcasting, OBS has different editing scopes tailor-made for gamers. On the contrary, ShadowPlay has very limited editing options as the main focus is on recording only. But if we talk about true video editing, both applications are still underdeveloped on this front.
Part 3. Alternative Way To Record Games
If you are looking for a premium gameplay recording software, we recommend Wondershare Filmora. Filmora is a perfect combination of screen recorder and professional video editor. In comparison to OBS or ShadowPlay, Filmora has better features and options in terms of editing. You can record your gameplay as well as webcam in overlay for professional recording. You can add video effects as well as audio effects to make the video more appealing. Here are the steps to record gameplay with Filmora.
For Win 7 or later (64-bit)
For macOS 10.12 or later
Step 1: Download and install Wondershare Filmora. Open Filmora and click on PC Screen option to record your gameplay.
Step 2: Select the recording screen size which is likely to be full screen for gaming. You can select the microphone if you want to record your voice for live commentary. Besides, turn on Record the Camera Stream option if you want your face video to be present as an overlay.
Step 3: To start recording, click on Record button. You will get a few buffer seconds to switch to your game after which recording will start automatically.
You can press F9 key to stop recording. You can edit the recorded gameplay and export in any desired file format.
Conclusion
If you want to record high-end games, ShadowPlay is ideal as it does not affect game performance as well as does not reduce frame rate. For not so high-end games, OBS does the job perfectly. OBS is particularly useful when you want to live stream as well as record your gameplay. If you are looking for a premium software and a better alternative, Wondershare Filmora is the perfect choice.
For macOS 10.12 or later
Step 1: Download and install Wondershare Filmora. Open Filmora and click on PC Screen option to record your gameplay.
Step 2: Select the recording screen size which is likely to be full screen for gaming. You can select the microphone if you want to record your voice for live commentary. Besides, turn on Record the Camera Stream option if you want your face video to be present as an overlay.
Step 3: To start recording, click on Record button. You will get a few buffer seconds to switch to your game after which recording will start automatically.
You can press F9 key to stop recording. You can edit the recorded gameplay and export in any desired file format.
Conclusion
If you want to record high-end games, ShadowPlay is ideal as it does not affect game performance as well as does not reduce frame rate. For not so high-end games, OBS does the job perfectly. OBS is particularly useful when you want to live stream as well as record your gameplay. If you are looking for a premium software and a better alternative, Wondershare Filmora is the perfect choice.
For macOS 10.12 or later
Step 1: Download and install Wondershare Filmora. Open Filmora and click on PC Screen option to record your gameplay.
Step 2: Select the recording screen size which is likely to be full screen for gaming. You can select the microphone if you want to record your voice for live commentary. Besides, turn on Record the Camera Stream option if you want your face video to be present as an overlay.
Step 3: To start recording, click on Record button. You will get a few buffer seconds to switch to your game after which recording will start automatically.
You can press F9 key to stop recording. You can edit the recorded gameplay and export in any desired file format.
Conclusion
If you want to record high-end games, ShadowPlay is ideal as it does not affect game performance as well as does not reduce frame rate. For not so high-end games, OBS does the job perfectly. OBS is particularly useful when you want to live stream as well as record your gameplay. If you are looking for a premium software and a better alternative, Wondershare Filmora is the perfect choice.
For macOS 10.12 or later
Step 1: Download and install Wondershare Filmora. Open Filmora and click on PC Screen option to record your gameplay.
Step 2: Select the recording screen size which is likely to be full screen for gaming. You can select the microphone if you want to record your voice for live commentary. Besides, turn on Record the Camera Stream option if you want your face video to be present as an overlay.
Step 3: To start recording, click on Record button. You will get a few buffer seconds to switch to your game after which recording will start automatically.
You can press F9 key to stop recording. You can edit the recorded gameplay and export in any desired file format.
Conclusion
If you want to record high-end games, ShadowPlay is ideal as it does not affect game performance as well as does not reduce frame rate. For not so high-end games, OBS does the job perfectly. OBS is particularly useful when you want to live stream as well as record your gameplay. If you are looking for a premium software and a better alternative, Wondershare Filmora is the perfect choice.
Also read:
- "\"[Updated] 2024 Approved WebCamSavvy EssentialRecordingHacks\""
- "[New] The Ultimate Guide to Recording Gaming with Fraps for 2024"
- "[Updated] Elite 12 Personal Recording Solutions"
- "[New] Cyber Conference Capture"
- "\"In 2024, Weekly Webinar Strategies Timing and Coordination Tips\""
- "[New] In 2024, Unleash Premium Zoom Audio Quality with Simple Adjustments"
- "\"[New] In 2024, Mac Screen Grabber Including Microphone Recording\""
- "\"Getting Started with OBS on Apple A Comprehensive Guide for 2024\""
- "\"[New] In 2024, SplitCam Breakdown Best or Not Amongst Recorders?\""
- "[Updated] The Complete Guide to Voiced PPT Mastery"
- "\"ScreenSnap Win10 - Top Quality Recorder for 2024\""
- "\"[Updated] 2024 Approved The Quintessential Guide to Win 10/11 Recorder Tools\""
- "[New] Intuitive Mac Videographer + Voice Support"
- "[Updated] In 2024, Recording the Virtual Realm"
- "[New] Should You Consider ITop for Professional Use, In 2024"
- "\"[Updated] 2024 Approved Master the Art of Screen Recording for Exceptional Videos\""
- "[Updated] In 2024, Videography Titans Battle"
- "\"[New] 2024 Approved Total Recording Tool - AZ App Examination Guide\""
- "[New] Optimizing Audio Clarity in Home VO Recording Setups"
- "\"[New] 2024 Approved VideoRecorderMax 9 In-Depth Performance Check\""
- "\"[New] Asgard Unleashed Echoes of Ragnarök\""
- "\"In 2024, EaseUS Reviewed A World of Technology\""
- "[New] Top OBS Recording Software Unveiled in Our Latest Study for 2024"
- "\"[New] 2024 Approved Complete Assessment Gecata's Real-Time Logger\""
- "\"[Updated] .MOV in the Cloud - Top Six Techniques for Windows 11 Users\""
- "\"Switch to the Future Capture Cards Guide for 2024\""
- "[New] FrameFlick Recorder Reflection"
- "\"[Updated] 2024 Approved Capture Unrooted Android Sounds 4 Techniques\""
- "\"[Updated] In 2024, Pinnacle of Recording Quality 9 Mic Devices Rated Best\""
- "\"Navigating Digital Discussions with Ease Essential Advice for Successful Zoom Meetings\""
- "\"[New] Superior Sound Collector Top 10 Tools on Spotify\""
- "\"[New] In 2024, Easy Routine Reverse Playback on VLC Platform\""
- "\"[Updated] 2024 Approved Unmatched Tools Apart From OBS for Broadcasting\""
- "\"[Updated] In 2024, Browsing Like a Pro 5 Top Choices for Screen Capture Software\""
- "\"[New] 2024 Approved Harvest Hits Roundup Next-Gen Farming Game Picks\""
- "\"[New] In 2024, Global Leaders in Digital Education Beyond Udemy\""
- "[Updated] Mastering VRecorder Download, Install for 2024"
- "\"In 2024, VSX Screen Grabber Insight Detailed Overview\""
- "\"[New] 2024 Approved Most Efficient Techniques for Real-Time YouTube Video Recording\""
- "\"[New] 2024 Approved Mastering Professional Webcam Recording on Mac\""
- "\"[New] Perfect Pairing Best 6 Video Capture Tools for MacOS\""
- Latest Guide How To Bypass Vivo T2x 5G FRP Without Computer
- In 2024, Is pgsharp legal when you are playing pokemon On Xiaomi Redmi 13C 5G? | Dr.fone
- New 2024 Approved Discover the Best Free Animation Software for Windows, Mac, and More
- The Ultimate Guide to Video Dubbing Top Apps
- How To Fix Part of the Touch Screen Not Working on Vivo V29 | Dr.fone
- How to Transfer Data from Oppo A38 to Any iOS Devices | Dr.fone
- In 2024, How Can Motorola Moto E13Mirror Share to PC? | Dr.fone
- Updated In 2024, Gaming Intro Mastery The Top 10 Online Creators
- 4 Methods to Turn off Life 360 On Tecno Pova 5 without Anyone Knowing | Dr.fone
- Process of Screen Sharing Honor 90 to PC- Detailed Steps | Dr.fone
- In 2024, About Meizu FRP Bypass
- 8 Solutions to Fix Find My Friends Location Not Available On Nokia 105 Classic | Dr.fone
- In 2024, 10 Easy-to-Use FRP Bypass Tools for Unlocking Google Accounts On Xiaomi 14 Ultra
- The Art of Accompaniment Crafting a Harmonious Blend Between Video and Music for 2024
- How To Repair iPhone 14 Plus iOS System Issues? | Dr.fone
- New Soundcloud Music Download Secrets Revealed
- New AVS Video Editor 2023 Review Does It Live Up to the Hype for 2024
- In 2024, How to Transfer Data from Itel P55+ to BlackBerry | Dr.fone
- The Auto-Transcription Experts Choice – Top 6 Software Picks for 2024
- Updated In 2024, Elevate Your Edits Advanced L-Cuts and J-Cuts Techniques in FCPX
- In 2024, 4 Most-Known Ways to Find Someone on Tinder For Lava Agni 2 5G by Name | Dr.fone
- In 2024, Easiest Guide How to Clone Motorola Moto G 5G (2023) Phone? | Dr.fone
- In 2024, The Complete Guide to Vivo FRP Bypass Everything You Need to Know
- New Top Tips for a Seamless MP3 to MP4 File Conversion Experience
- Can You Unlock Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max After Forgetting the Passcode? | Dr.fone
- Title: "Live Gaming Recording Battle Pick Your Preference, OBS or ShadowPlay?"
- Author: Duchess
- Created at : 2024-05-20 00:50:42
- Updated at : 2024-05-21 00:50:42
- Link: https://screen-video-capture.techidaily.com/live-gaming-recording-battle-pick-your-preference-obs-or-shadowplay/
- License: This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.