Fraps alternatives: 5 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Nov 1, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Fraps: no new release since February 2013, and download page lists only Windows XP to Windows 7. We ranked 5 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Fraps, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Bandicam currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#	App	Pricing	Open source	Platforms	Verified facts	Score
1	OBS Studio	Open source	Yes	Windows, macOS, Linux	5 of 5	68.8
2	ShareX	Open source	Yes	Windows	3 of 3	59.4

1. OBS StudioTop pick
Best for: Streamers and creators who want a free, flexible recorder and are willing to learn it
Open sourceWindows, macOS, Linux
68.8
score / 100
Why switch from Fraps
Free and open source, still actively developed, and records or streams any modern game with efficient GPU encoding.
Pros
Completely free with no watermark or time limits
Scene and source system handles complex multi-camera setups
Large plugin ecosystem and active community
Cons
Steep learning curve for a quick screen capture
No built-in editor or link sharing
Settings for encoders and bitrates can confuse beginners
Visit OBS Studio Details and reviews
How this score is calculated
Editorial fit ×0.3100
Reviews ×0.363
Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
Freshness ×0.15100
Votes ×0.150
0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula
Is OBS Studio a good Fraps alternative?
Verified facts
5 of 5 verified
License
GPL-2.0
Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
Open source
Yes, free for recording and streaming
Checked Oct 29, 2026obsproject.com(opens source in a new tab)
Windows support
Windows 10 and 11
Checked Oct 29, 2026obsproject.com(opens source in a new tab)
macOS support
macOS 13 or newer
Checked Oct 29, 2026obsproject.com(opens source in a new tab)
Linux distribution
Flatpak on Flathub and Ubuntu PPA
Checked Oct 25, 2026obsproject.com(opens source in a new tab)
2. ShareX
Best for: Windows power users who want free capture with automated upload workflows
Open sourceWindows
59.4
score / 100
Why switch from Fraps
Free open-source Windows tool for screenshots and screen recording, if capture matters more than FPS stats.
Pros
Free and open source with no limits or watermark
Huge range of upload destinations and custom uploaders
OCR, scrolling capture and GIF recording built in
Cons
Windows only
Crowded interface and deep settings
No video editor for recordings
Visit ShareX Details and reviews
How this score is calculated
Editorial fit ×0.369
Reviews ×0.363
Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
Freshness ×0.15100
Votes ×0.150
0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula
Is ShareX a good Fraps alternative?
Verified facts
3 of 3 verified
License
GPL-3.0
Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
Platform
Windows
Checked Oct 29, 2026getsharex.com(opens source in a new tab)
Upload targets
Includes S3, Google Cloud Storage, Cloudflare R2
Checked Oct 29, 2026getsharex.com(opens source in a new tab)

The best Fraps alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

Best Fraps alternative for most people

Bandicam

Paid Windows game recorder that also shows an FPS counter, but supports current Windows versions and compressed output.

Best Fraps alternative for a free option

OBS Studio

Free and open source, still actively developed, and records or streams any modern game with efficient GPU encoding.

Best Fraps alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Medal

Free clip recorder built for modern games, with instant replays and easy sharing.

Best Fraps alternative for open source

ShareX

Free open-source Windows tool for screenshots and screen recording, if capture matters more than FPS stats.

Best Fraps alternative for Mac

Icecream Screen Recorder

Simple Windows recorder with a free tier that runs on current versions of Windows.

Best Fraps alternative for Windows

Bandicam

Paid Windows game recorder that also shows an FPS counter, but supports current Windows versions and compressed output.

Best Fraps alternative for Linux

OBS Studio

Free and open source, still actively developed, and records or streams any modern game with efficient GPU encoding.

Best Fraps alternative for iPhone and Android

Medal

Free clip recorder built for modern games, with instant replays and easy sharing.

Fraps alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Fraps?

Bandicam ranks first right now. Paid Windows game recorder that also shows an FPS counter, but supports current Windows versions and compressed output. OBS Studio and Medal follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Fraps?

Yes. Bandicam (free plan + paid), OBS Studio (open source), Medal (free plan + paid) and ShareX (open source) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Fraps?

Yes: OBS Studio and ShareX.

Which Fraps alternatives work on Linux?

OBS Studio runs on Linux.

Why do people switch from Fraps?

The complaints we hear most: no new release since February 2013; download page lists only Windows XP to Windows 7; free version adds a watermark and limits recording length.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces Fraps, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.