!["[New] Game Streaming Tool Analysis Choose OBS or ShadowPlay for 2024"](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/zjPjlWJTSL68ZSlBHgpVNVEF0Y0=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/free-disk-partition-software-tools-2624950-fad3ccc557d34ed89d53eff7538f5fdb.png)
"[New] Game Streaming Tool Analysis Choose OBS or ShadowPlay for 2024"
![](/images/site-logo.png)
Game Streaming Tool Analysis: Choose 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:
- "\"Advanced Archiving Preserving Full FBM Call History for 2024\""
- "[New] 10 Best Webcams | A Buyer’s Guide"
- "[New] Top 15 Screen Recorder for Windows 11 for 2024"
- "\"[Updated] In Overwatch Streamlining the Recording Process for 2024\""
- "\"[New] 2024 Approved Detailed Screencasting Techniques Systematic Approach\""
- "[New] In 2024, 10 Premier Online Systems for Screen Saving"
- "\"Personalized TV Recording From Screen to Storage\""
- "\"[Updated] In-Depth Assessment Comprehensive CamStudio Toolkit for 2024\""
- "[New] In 2024, Simplified Techniques for Console Recordings"
- "Ideal Approaches to Stream and Record Major Sports Games for 2024"
- "\"2024 Approved Unleash PS2 Gaming on iOS The Best Emulators\""
- "\"[New] From Novice to Pro Navigating Streamlabs OBS\""
- "[New] Film Like a Pro with MacBook Webcam Tutorial"
- "[Updated] Expert Strategies for Efficient IO Screen Recording for 2024"
- "\"[Updated] 2024 Approved OBS Studio vs Bandicam Which Is Better\""
- "\"[Updated] In 2024, Expert's Choice Android's Best Large Group Calling\""
- "Innovative Puzzles Await in Leading Room Escape Experiences for 2024"
- "\"[Updated] PS5 Storage Revamped Topping 10 External Units for 2024\""
- "\"2024 Approved Delving Into Recmeister’s Capabilities for Quality Video Capture\""
- "Foundations of Using Zoom's Clustering Feature"
- "In 2024, Essential Tips for Game Recording on Windows 10"
- "[Updated] In 2024, The Complete Lowdown on IO Image Recording Software"
- "\"[New] In 2024, EaseUS Reviewed A World of Technology\""
- "\"[New] 2024 Approved Ensuring Compliance with FB Messenger Call Records\""
- "[Updated] Reviving Unresponsive OBS Camera Integration for 2024"
- "In 2024, Transform Your Screen Recording Process Using Aiseesoft Tools"
- "In 2024, A Detailed Exploration of Professional Video Instruction Making"
- "\"[New] 2024 Approved Maintaining Confidentiality with Professional Zoom Recordings\""
- "\"Jotunheim's Gambit Warriors of Ragnarok for 2024\""
- "[Updated] The Expert's Handbook on Laptop ScreenCapture"
- "\"Mastery in One Bite IO Screen Capture Guidebook for 2024\""
- "[New] In 2024, Strategic Approaches to Share PPT Powerfully in Google Meet"
- "\"[New] Essential List 11 Streamers' Go-To Audio Devices for 2024\""
- "[Updated] In 2024, How to Perfectly Record and Preserve Your PS3 Games"
- "\"Premier 5 Time-Lapse Camera Apps\""
- "[New] The Ultimate Guide to Exceptional Facecam Video Documentation for 2024"
- "\"2024 Approved Essential Strategies for Capturing Starlit Self-Portraits\""
- "In 2024, The Ultimate Guide to Invisible Lines in Virtual Meetings"
- "\"2024 Approved The Pathway to Proficient ZOOM Communication Maximizing Meeting Engagement\""
- "\"[New] 10 Excellent Open-Source Screen Capture Programs for 2024\""
- "In 2024, Superior Free Tools for Online Streaming Recording"
- In 2024, Simple and Effective Ways to Change Your Country on YouTube App Of your Vivo S18e | Dr.fone
- 8 Workable Fixes to the SIM not provisioned MM#2 Error on Honor Play 8T | Dr.fone
- In 2024, How to Fake Snapchat Location on Oppo A78 | Dr.fone
- New Get Creative with Free Online Video Invitation Software for 2024
- Full guide to iPhone 11 Pro iCloud Bypass
- In 2024, How to Turn Off Google Location to Stop Tracking You on Apple iPhone 15 Pro | Dr.fone
- New Translate Live Videos With The Best Video Translator
- In 2024, Why does the pokemon go battle league not available On Oppo A59 5G | Dr.fone
- 2024 Approved Mastering Audio Purification for Outdoor Visuals on iOS, Android & PC Environments
- 3 Solutions to Hard Reset Infinix Smart 8 Phone Using PC | Dr.fone
- Updated In 2024, The Best of the Best Top iPhone Video Editing Apps Revealed
- Easily Unlock Your Xiaomi 13T Pro Device SIM
- How to Unlock Samsung Galaxy F15 5G PIN Code/Pattern Lock/Password
- Updated In 2024, Split, Trim, and Edit Mastering Video Segmentation in Windows Live Movie Maker
- In 2024, How to Apply Video Filters Mobile and Desktop
- How to Stop Life360 from Tracking You On ZTE Blade A73 5G? | Dr.fone
- Fix Cant Take Screenshot Due to Security Policy on Vivo Y200 | Dr.fone
- How to Repair corrupt MP4 and MOV files of Honor X50i+?
- Updated In 2024, Cinematic Storytelling with Final Cut Pro X Tips and Techniques
- New In 2024, 16 Best Apps to Cartoon Yourself on iPhone, iPad and Android
- Recover your pictures after Itel A05s has been deleted.
- Quickly Repair Damaged PDF v1.3 Files | Stellar
- Undelete lost call logs from Realme
- In 2024, How to Transfer Contacts from Google Pixel 8 Pro To Phone | Dr.fone
- How to Rescue Lost Pictures from Motorola Moto G 5G (2023)?
- Updated Discovering the Leading 9 AI Voice Models to Transform Your Day
- 5 Quick Methods to Bypass Tecno Spark 10 5G FRP
- Xiaomi Redmi Note 12T Pro Bootloop Problem, How to Fix it Without Data Loss | Dr.fone
- How To Restore Missing Contacts Files from Honor Magic Vs 2.
- Updated 2024 Approved Subtitle Your Videos for Free 10 Top Online Captioning Tools
- Home Button Not Working on Samsung Galaxy S24+? Here Are Real Fixes | Dr.fone
- New Essential Insights Into the World of Free Stock Images via Pexels.com for 2024
- Complete Tutorial to Use VPNa to Fake GPS Location On Apple iPhone 6s Plus | Dr.fone
- In 2024, How Can We Bypass Huawei P60 FRP?
- New Multiple Ways How To Remove iCloud Activation Lock From your iPhone 12 mini
- Unlock Apple ID without Phone Number On iPhone 6
- In 2024, How to Unlock Nokia G22 Phone Pattern Lock without Factory Reset
- Title: "[New] Game Streaming Tool Analysis Choose OBS or ShadowPlay for 2024"
- Author: Vivienne Westwood
- Created at : 2024-05-18 09:01:20
- Updated at : 2024-05-19 09:01:20
- Link: https://video-capture.techidaily.com/new-game-streaming-tool-analysis-choose-obs-or-shadowplay-for-2024/
- License: This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.