GPU Screen Recorder review

GPU Screen Recorder is the pick for gameplay on Linux. Its developer describes it as a ShadowPlay-like recorder: it records a monitor using the GPU only, which keeps the performance cost low while a game is running, and it works on both X11 and Wayland with AMD, Intel and NVIDIA graphics. Beyond plain recording it does live streaming and instant replay, where it keeps the last few minutes in a buffer and saves them when you press a hotkey, so you can capture a good moment after it happens. Codec support covers H264, HEVC and AV1, with optional HDR for HEVC and AV1. The Flathub package is the easiest install on Ubuntu because it bundles the encoding drivers and a patch for older NVIDIA cards. There are tradeoffs: it is Linux only, recordings use variable frame rate by default, which some video players handle poorly, and the interface is in transition from a GTK window to a new overlay UI.

Who it is for

Linux gamers who want low-overhead gameplay recording and ShadowPlay-style instant replay on AMD, Intel or NVIDIA graphics.

Price

Free and open source under GPL version 3; no paid plan.

GNU GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE Version 3, 29 June 2007
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 10, 2026.

Key features

• Records a monitor using the GPU only, for minimal impact on system performance
• Instant replay mode that saves only the last few minutes
• H264, HEVC and AV1 video, with optional HDR for HEVC and AV1, plus VP8 and VP9
• Live streaming and offline desktop recording from the same tool
• An experimental fullscreen overlay UI opened with Left Alt+Z, plus a GTK UI and a command line

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Works on X11 and Wayland with AMD, Intel and NVIDIA GPUs
• Strength: The Flathub build includes the video encoding drivers and a patch for older NVIDIA GPUs
• Strength: Frequent updates: Flathub listed version 6.1.7 as 8 days old when we checked
• Weakness: Linux only, so there is no matching tool for a Windows or Mac machine
• Weakness: Videos use variable frame rate by default, which some players stutter on
• Weakness: The project says the current GTK interface will be removed in favor of the new overlay UI

Key facts

• Platforms: Linux (X11 and Wayland)
• GPUs: AMD, Intel, NVIDIA
• Video codecs: H264, HEVC, AV1, VP8, VP9
• Flathub downloads: 15,211 per month

Where it ranks

GPU Screen Recorder is No. 2 in our Best Screen Recorders for Linux verdict.