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Head-to-head · Game Recording Software

Bandicam vs Action!

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score Bandicam #5 in Game Recording Software 8.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 4 features Visit Bandicam
Action! #8 in Game Recording Software 8.2/10 30-day trial Free trial✓ 4 of 4 features Visit Action!

Bandicam leads on 1 check, Action! on 0, and 4 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreBandicam · 8.8/10
  • Free planonly Bandicam
  • Free trialonly Action!
  • Most featuresAction! · 4 of 4

Bandicam scores higher on our rubric for game recording software: 8.8 against 8.2 out of 10; our editors rank them #5 and #8.

Bandicam offers free plan; Action! doesn't.

Bandicam is the better fit for paid 4K recording with editing utilities. Action! is the better fit for paid users needing recording and livestreaming.

  • Bandicam fits best

    Paid 4K recording with editing utilities

  • Action! fits best

    Paid users needing recording and livestreaming

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Bandicam 8.8/10 Visit ↗ Action! 8.2/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.8 8.2
Ranking #5 in Game Recording Software #8 in Game Recording Software
Best for Paid 4K recording with editing utilities Paid users needing recording and livestreaming
Pricing model Free plan + paid Paid
Starting price — —
Free plan ✓ (best) —
Free trial — 30 days
Deployment Cloud, Desktop Desktop, Mobile
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, Linux Windows, Android
Support Email, Live chat, Community, Docs · 24/7 Email, Community, Docs
Integrations 3 integrations 7 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Bandicam 0/4 · Action! 4/4
Instant replay Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Watermark-free video Not checked yet ✓ (best)
GPU encoding Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Webcam overlay Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Specs
Capture resolution Not checked yet 8k
Recording modes Not checked yet Multi-mode
Supported platforms Not checked yet Windows
Our review
Pros
  • Records games, screens, webcams, external devices, and audio
  • Supports 4K capture up to 3840×2160 with scheduled recording
  • Adds trimming, Smart Zoom, AI transcription, and background removal
  • Records up to 4K MP4 and supports 8K AVI configurations
  • Time-Shift replay, webcam overlays, and separate audio tracks
  • Streams to major platforms and supports USB/HDMI capture devices
Cons
  • Requires a paid license rather than offering a free plan
  • Direct uploads are limited to YouTube, Google Drive, and Vimeo
  • Registered access is limited to Windows and macOS
  • No free plan; access is limited to a 30-day trial before purchase
  • Recording is centered on Windows desktop use
  • Only Home use and Commercial use license plans are listed
Our verdict

Bandicam is paid screen recording software for Windows and macOS. It is designed for gameplay, tutorials, online classes, meetings, presentations, and general desktop capture. Recording modes cover screens, games, desktops, webcams, and…

Read the review →

Action! is desktop and game recording software from Mirillis Ltd. for players, streamers, and creators who need more than basic gameplay capture. It records gameplay and desktop activity, supports webcam overlays with chroma key, captures…

Read the review →
  1. BandicamGame Recording Software 8.8Free plan
  2. Action!Game Recording Software 8.230-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Bandicam — where it wins

    • Records games, screens, webcams, external devices, and audio
    • Supports 4K capture up to 3840×2160 with scheduled recording
    • Adds trimming, Smart Zoom, AI transcription, and background removal

    Where it doesn't

    • Requires a paid license rather than offering a free plan
    • Direct uploads are limited to YouTube, Google Drive, and Vimeo
    • Registered access is limited to Windows and macOS

  • Action! — where it wins

    • Records up to 4K MP4 and supports 8K AVI configurations
    • Time-Shift replay, webcam overlays, and separate audio tracks
    • Streams to major platforms and supports USB/HDMI capture devices

    Where it doesn't

    • No free plan; access is limited to a 30-day trial before purchase
    • Recording is centered on Windows desktop use
    • Only Home use and Commercial use license plans are listed
  • Bandicam8.8/10 · Free plan

    A paid recorder with 4K capture, editing tools, AI features, and scheduled recording.

    Visit BandicamFull verdict →
  • Action!8.2/10 · 30-day trial

    A paid Windows recorder with replay, high-resolution capture, streaming, and hardware support.

    Visit Action!Full verdict →

More comparisons

All game recording software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update