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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

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Bandicam logoBandicamFree plan + paidNoWindows, macOS6 of 679.8
2OBS Studio logoOBS StudioOpen sourceYesWindows, macOS, Linux5 of 568.8
3Icecream Screen Recorder logoIcecream Screen RecorderFree plan + paidNoWindows, macOS, Android7 of 757.5
  1. Bandicam logo

    1. BandicamTop pick

    Best for: Windows users recording gameplay or tutorials locally with minimal slowdown

    Free plan + paidWindows, macOS

    79.8

    score / 100

    Why switch from Fraps

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

    Pros

    • Light on system resources during recording
    • Dedicated game, screen and device recording modes
    • Perpetual licence available

    Cons

    • Free version limits recording length
    • No cloud sharing or full editor
    • Interface looks dated
    Visit Bandicam Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.387
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.15100
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Bandicam a good Fraps alternative?

    Verified facts

    6 of 6 verified
    Free version limit
    5 minutes per recording
    Checked Oct 29, 2026bandicam.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Annual licence
    1 PC, 1 year
    Checked Oct 29, 2026bandicam.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Perpetual licence
    $53.90 for 1 PC (personal, sale price)
    Checked Nov 1, 2026bandicam.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Recording modes
    Screen, gameplay, webcam, audio
    Checked Oct 29, 2026bandicam.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Starting price
    $33.26 per year (personal, 1 PC, sale price)
    Checked Nov 1, 2026bandicam.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Business plan
    $49.46 per PC per year (sale price)
    Checked Nov 1, 2026bandicam.com(opens source in a new tab)
  2. OBS Studio logo

    2. OBS Studio

    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)
  3. Icecream Screen Recorder logo

    3. Icecream Screen Recorder

    Best for: Home users and teachers who want an easy, inexpensive recorder

    Free plan + paidWindows, macOS, Android

    57.5

    score / 100

    Why switch from Fraps

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

    Pros

    • Very easy to use with drawing and zoom tools
    • Lifetime licence option
    • Free version for short recordings

    Cons

    • Free version is limited
    • Basic editing and small cloud storage
    • Mac version has fewer features
    Visit Icecream Screen Recorder Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.363
    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 Icecream Screen Recorder a good Fraps alternative?

    Verified facts

    7 of 7 verified
    Platforms
    Windows, Mac, Android
    Checked Oct 29, 2026icecreamapps.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Annual licence
    $29.95 per year (Windows)
    Checked Oct 29, 2026icecreamapps.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Lifetime licence
    One-time fee available
    Checked Oct 29, 2026icecreamapps.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Pro limits
    No time limit or watermark
    Checked Oct 29, 2026icecreamapps.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Starting price
    $29.95 a year (Windows, billed annually)
    Checked Nov 1, 2026icecreamapps.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Lifetime price
    $59.95 one-time (Windows)
    Checked Nov 1, 2026icecreamapps.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Money-back guarantee
    30 days
    Checked Nov 1, 2026icecreamapps.com(opens source in a new tab)

The best Fraps alternative for…

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

Bandicam logo

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.

OBS Studio logo

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.

Medal logo

Best Fraps alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Medal

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

ShareX logo

Best Fraps alternative for open source

ShareX

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

Icecream Screen Recorder logo

Best Fraps alternative for Mac

Icecream Screen Recorder

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

Bandicam logo

Best Fraps alternative for Windows

Bandicam

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

OBS Studio logo

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.

Medal logo

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.