The Best Fraps Alternative: Top Screen Recording & Benchmarking Tools
Fraps has long been a go-to for gamers and content creators looking to benchmark their PC performance, capture screenshots, and record gameplay. Its ability to show FPS, grab quick screenshots, and record high-quality video up to 2560x1600 has made it a popular choice. However, as technology evolves and user needs diversify, many are searching for a reliable Fraps alternative that offers more features, better performance, or simply a different approach to screen capture and benchmarking. Whether you need something free, open-source, or packed with advanced streaming capabilities, there's a solution out there for you.
Top Fraps Alternatives
Finding the perfect replacement for Fraps can seem daunting with so many options available. We've compiled a list of the best alternatives that excel in various aspects, from comprehensive live streaming to lightweight GIF recording, ensuring you find the ideal tool for your specific requirements.
OBS Studio
OBS Studio is a powerful, full-featured screen recording and live streaming software available for Free on Mac, Windows, and Linux. As an open-source solution, it's highly customizable and extensible via plugins. It's an excellent Fraps alternative for those needing robust features like game streaming, live broadcasting, multi-track audio, Twitch and YouTube integration, and a low CPU usage for a smooth experience.
Captura
Captura is a Free and open-source Windows-only software that allows you to record your screen or a specific region in high resolution, with or without audio, and even highlight keystrokes and mouse cursors. It's a great Fraps alternative for users looking for a portable, ad-free solution with features like GIF recording, optimized performance for Windows, and support for HD videos.
SimpleScreenRecorder
SimpleScreenRecorder is a Free and open-source Linux screen recorder supporting X11 and OpenGL. It's known for being lightweight, easy to use, and feature-rich with a Qt-based GUI. This is a strong Fraps alternative for Linux users who need reliable screen recording, live screen recording, and screenshot tools.
MSI Afterburner
MSI Afterburner is a Free tool primarily for managing video cards on Windows, Android, and iPhone. While not a direct screen recorder like Fraps, it's an excellent Fraps alternative for its benchmarking capabilities, offering real-time GPU stats (temp, usage), fan speed control, and a customizable FPS counter. It also includes screenshot tools and video capture, making it a comprehensive utility for gamers.
Bandicam Screen Recorder
Bandicam is a Freemium, lightweight screen recorder for Windows, offering capabilities to capture anything on your PC screen, including specific areas or full-screen gameplay. As a Fraps alternative, it boasts a built-in FPS counter, game benchmarking, GIF recording, and webcam overlays, making it versatile for various content creation needs.
Peek GIF Screen Recorder
Peek GIF Screen Recorder is a simple, Free and open-source animated GIF screen recorder for Linux and Ubuntu. While more specialized than Fraps, it's a great Fraps alternative for quickly creating small, shareable screen recordings in GIF format, with a user-friendly graphical interface.
Kazam
Kazam is a simple, Free and open-source screen recording program for Linux. It can capture your screen's content and record video files playable by any video player. For Linux users, Kazam serves as a straightforward Fraps alternative focusing on live screen recording, HD screen recording, and webcam overlays.
Action!
Action! is a Commercial Windows-based software that allows for streaming and real-time recording of the Windows desktop in superb HD video quality. It's a strong Fraps alternative, particularly for gamers, offering game benchmarking, time shift recording, direct YouTube uploads, and comprehensive screen recording and screenshot tools.
ActivePresenter
ActivePresenter is a Freemium solution for creating screencast videos, handouts, manuals, and interactive presentations on Mac and Windows. It's a versatile Fraps alternative for professional users, offering lossless compression, no watermarks, non-linear video editing, and voiceover capabilities, extending beyond simple screen recording.
Loom
Loom is an easy and Freemium screen recorder available for Mac, Windows, Web, iPhone, and Chrome. It allows you to record your camera and screen with audio directly from your browser. Loom is an excellent Fraps alternative for those prioritizing quick sharing and collaborative video messaging, offering straightforward screen recording and screenshot tools.
Ultimately, the best Fraps alternative depends on your specific needs, whether you're a hardcore gamer, a casual streamer, or a professional creating tutorials. Explore these options to find the perfect tool that aligns with your workflow and budget.