Bandicam review

Bandicam strips screen recording down to picking a mode and pressing record, which is exactly what most people leaving OBS want. You choose screen, game, webcam or audio recording; there are no scenes or sources to wire up. Game mode detects DirectX, OpenGL and Vulkan titles and shows your FPS while recording, so it covers the most common reason people install OBS in the first place. For tutorials it adds a webcam overlay, mouse click effects and on-screen drawing, and scheduled recording can start and stop a capture while you are away. The 2027 release adds AI transcription, webcam background removal and Smart Zoom. The free version records without a watermark but caps each recording at 5 minutes, and edited exports get a watermark. The Personal annual license is listed at $33.26 per year for one PC, and Bandicam lists a perpetual license for Bandicam 2027 as well. Businesses must buy the Business license, listed at $49.46 per year per PC when we checked.

Who it is for

people who want OBS-level game capture without scenes

Price

Free version (5 minute recordings); Personal annual license $33.26 per year, about $2.77 per month.

1-PC / 1-Year access for individuals $2.77 / mo $33.26 per year (10% OFF)
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 11, 2026.

Key features

• Game recording mode that detects the running DirectX, OpenGL or Vulkan game
• Record a single window with its own audio, the full screen, a webcam or a capture device
• Scheduled recording that starts at a set time and auto stop by time or file size
• Draw pen strokes, arrows and text on screen while recording
• AI transcription, webcam background removal and Smart Zoom built in

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Free version recordings carry no watermark
• Strength: Personal annual license listed at $33.26 per year for 1 PC
• Strength: Live FPS counter shown while recording games
• Weakness: Free version stops each video or audio recording at 5 minutes
• Weakness: Edited exports from the free version carry a watermark
• Weakness: Licenses are per PC: business use needs the $49.46 Business annual license

Key facts

• Free version: Yes, 5 minutes per recording
• Paid from: $33.26 per year (Personal)
• Platforms: Windows, separate Mac edition
• Latest version: Bandicam 2027 v27.0.7

Where it ranks

Bandicam is No. 1 in our Best OBS Alternatives verdict.