10 Best Software to Record Valorant Gameplay (2023)

What is the best way to record Valorant gameplay?

The best way to record Valorant gameplay is to use dedicated screen recording software like OBS Studio or Nvidia ShadowPlay if you have an Nvidia graphics card. These tools offer customizable settings, good performance, and ease of use, allowing you to capture your gameplay seamlessly for review or sharing with others.

1. OBS Studio

OBS Studio is one of the most popular free and open source software for recording gameplay videos. It offers a wide range of features for recording, live streaming, mixing audio, adding webcam overlays, and more.

Some key features of OBS Studio:

Completely free and open source. Available for Windows, Mac and Linux.
Allows recording gameplay in high quality at 60fps or more. Can customize output resolution, bitrate, encoder and more.
Has options for GPU-based encoding using NVENC and AMD AMF for minimal performance hit while recording.
Extensive audio mixing capabilities. Add multiple audio sources like desktop audio, mic, in-game sound etc. and adjust levels individually.
Built-in chroma key for easy webcam overlays and picture-in-picture.
Lots of plugins and integrations available like game capture, webcams, alerts etc.
Streaming supported on major platforms like Twitch, YouTube, Facebook Live etc.
For recording Valorant, OBS provides all the tools you need. You can capture the game footage directly using display or game capture. Use hotkeys to start/stop recording. Tweak encoder settings for optimal quality and file size. Add webcam, mic and setup scenes. OBS makes it easy to record Valorant videos for YouTube or streaming on Twitch. The wide array of plugins extends its capabilities for overlays and effects. The only downside is the learning curve for new users due to extensive options. But excellent community support is available.

Overall, OBS Studio is the go-to free software for recording gameplay and live streaming. Its versatile recording options and active development make it the best choice for recording Valorant videos.

2. Nvidia ShadowPlay

Nvidia ShadowPlay is a convenient gameplay recording software for Nvidia GPU users. The dedicated encoder on Nvidia GPUs makes ShadowPlay capable of recording Valorant gameplay with minimal performance impact.

Key features:

Automatically records gameplay in background with little FPS drop.
Instant Replay feature can save last 20 minutes of gameplay. Great for capturing epic moments.
Provides high quality H.264/HEVC encoding using NVENC encoder on Nvidia GPU. Up to 130 Mbps bitrate supported.
Option to enable camera and mic audio overlay in recordings.
Minimal interface stays out of your way during games. Configure settings before playing.
Saves recordings directly to MP4 video files for easy sharing on YouTube etc.
Supported on all modern Nvidia GPUs starting from GTX 600 series and later. Needs Nvidia Experience software installed.
For Valorant players with Nvidia graphics cards, ShadowPlay is the ideal solution for gameplay recording. Just set it up once and it will automatically capture your matches and clutch plays. The performance impact is negligible even at high quality settings. Recordings can be shared online or used for VOD reviews. ShadowPlay integrates neatly into Nvidia Experience. Highly recommended for Valorant gameplay recording if you have a supported Nvidia GPU.

3. AMD ReLive

AMD ReLive offers similar seamless gameplay recording features like ShadowPlay for AMD GPU users. Making use of the VCE encoder on AMD graphic cards, it can record Valorant gameplay footage easily.

Key features of AMD ReLive:

Built into AMD Radeon Software for one-click recording.
Minimal performance hit from recording thanks to AMD VCE encoder.
Customizable video quality up to 100Mbps bitrate and 60fps. Multiple audio channels supported.
Option to record desktop or select application like Valorant. Mic audio can be captured.
Instant Replay feature lets you save last 30 seconds of gameplay with hotkey. Great for epic plays.
Minimalist UI stays out of your gameplay during matches. Configure before playing.
Direct recording to MP4 format. Webcam overlays are also supported.
Supports all modern AMD GPUs starting from Radeon RX 400 series.
For AMD users, Relive offers the best solution for recording Valorant gameplay conveniently. Setup the quality options once and you can record hours of footage with minimal performance impact. The instant replay feature lets you save amazing plays. Recorded files can instantly be exported to popular formats for YouTube. Overall, AMD ReLive is the recommended software for recording Valorant on AMD GPU rigs.

4. Windows 10 Game Bar

The Windows 10 Game Bar is a convenient built-in option for simple gameplay recording needs. Using the Xbox Game Bar app in Windows 10, it offers basic recording capabilities with decent performance.

Here are the key aspects of Windows Game Bar for recording Valorant:

Part of Windows 10 operating system. Enable via Settings app.
Minimal interface overlay with shortcut buttons for recording, screenshots etc.
Straightforward recording options. Up to 60fps video at 1080p resolution.
Records game audio plus microphone/system audio if enabled.
Hardware encoding works only on select GPUs. Software encoding on others may impact performance.
Direct saving of recordings as MP4 files on local storage.
Also offers screenshot capture, FPS counter overlay, chatting with Xbox friends during gameplay.
The Game Bar may appeal to users looking for a simple no-fuss recording utility for Valorant that just works. But the lack of customization in quality and encoding settings is a letdown. Performance is acceptable but not optimal for weaker PCs. Still, it offers a usable free option directly integrated into Windows 10 itself. Worth trying out before looking for third-party solutions.

5. Medal.tv

Medal.tv is a popular dedicated gameplay recording app for Windows and macOS. It markets itself as a social platform for sharing clips and highlights from your gameplay sessions.

Here are its key features for recording Valorant games:

Automatically records gameplay and lets you share highlights online.
Provides options to trim clips, add captions and upload to Medal’s platform.
Ability to set video quality up to 60fps 1080p resolution and 50Mbps bitrate.
Continuous recording of up to last 25 minutes of gameplay. Replay feature to save interesting moments.
Software encoding uses system resources. Can impact game performance on slower PCs.
Social features to follow profiles, comment on clips, earn medals and points.
Free app but requires signing up. Also offers paid Priority subscription for uploading longer videos.
Exports recorded videos in MP4 format. No live streaming features.
Medal.tv is geared more towards social sharing of short gameplay highlights on its platform rather than full match recordings. The automatic clip recording is convenient but may lack deeper configuration options for quality and encoding. Overall, it’s a decent option for quickly capturing and sharing Valorant highlights online instead of full match VODs.

6. XSplit Gamecaster

XSplit Gamecaster is a popular broadcasting app with an integrated recorder for gameplay footage. Here are its key aspects for recording Valorant play:

Streamlined interface. Setup scenes with game capture, webcam etc and go live on Twitch etc.
Built-in gameplay recording feature with start/stop hotkeys.
Quality options up to 60fps 1080p video at 50Mbps. Multiple audio channels supported.
Can edit and cut recordings before exporting final video.
PLL encoding allows using GPU resources for recording with lower performance hit.
Free version has XSplit watermark on exported videos. Paid version ($60/year) offers watermark removal.
Advanced Chroma Key options for webcam overlays and picture-in-picture.
Lots of overlays and customization options for streaming.
Gamecaster is primarily designed for live streaming and secondary recording functionality. The recording features are decent but export options are better suited for highlights than full match videos. Recording quality is good and PLL encoding helps minimize performance impact. But the subscription cost is high just for removing watermarks. Overall it’s a good fit only if you plan to also live stream gameplay besides recording.

7. MSI Afterburner

MSI Afterburner is popular PC benchmarking and tweaking software for graphics cards. It also offers gameplay video recording functionality as a side feature:

Lightweight app focused on GPU tweaking and monitoring.
Game recording is a secondary feature with basic configuration options.
Maximum quality is 60fps at 1080p resolution with 50Mbps bitrate.
Records video with only game audio by default. Can extend with third party audio capture.
Uses GPU resources for recording so minimal performance hit on FPS.
Allows displaying custom overlays like FPS counter, system stats etc during gameplay.
Free app but recording features are barebones. Interface is dated looking.
Saved recordings are in uncompressed AVI format. Large file sizes.
While Afterburner’s recording capability gets the job done, the lack of audio mixing options and AVI exports make it unsuited for proper Valorant match recordings for YouTube or analysis. The small interface footprint during gaming is a plus. Mainly useful for quickly capturing benchmark runs or testing FPS differences. Better recording software exist unless you specifically need Afterburner for GPU overclocking etc.

8. Plays.tv

Plays.tv is an automated game recording and highlight clipping service officially supported by Riot for Valorant. Here are its notable features:

Automatically records gameplay footage in background without needing to press record.
Machine learning highlights interesting gameplay moments like kills, headshots etc.
Create clips and highlight reels from recordings to share online.
Video settings up to 1080p 60fps quality at high bitrates. Multiple audio channels supported.
Editing tools available to trim, draw and add effects to recordings.
Free account offers limited cloud storage for videos. Premium subscription ($3-10/month) for more storage and features.
Syncs and imports footage from PC and consoles gaming sessions.
Plays.tv takes an innovative approach to game recording by using AI to find highlight worthy moments. This removes the need to manually record gameplay sessions. Clip creation and sharing tools are also useful for making compilations. However, recording and PC usage overhead can be significant. Premium pricing seems expensive if you just want to record normal gameplay. But the automated approach may appeal to some Valorant players.

9. Dxtory

Dxtory is an advanced gameplay recording utility for Windows PC with tons of options and customizations. Key aspects:

Capture gameplay with multiple sound channels, webcam, mic etc.
Lossless video/audio recording quality with high compression ratio.
Supports 1080p 60fps recording at up to 140Mbps bitrate.
Highly optimized encoder minimizes performance impact during gameplay.
Output to popular formats like MP4, MKV, AVI etc. No watermarks.
Lots of tweaking available for codecs, overlay text, hotkeys, output folder etc.
Steep learning curve for new users. Interface looks dated.
Dxtory is packed with professional grade recording features for the highest quality Valorant recordings. Almost too many options which can confuse novice users. The output videos lack watermarks seen in other paid tools like XSplit. Performance optimization is great as well. Only downside is the dated interface. With some learning time invested, Dxtory can produce stunning Valorant gameplay recordings rivaling paid tools.

10. NVidia GeForce Experience

NVidia’s GeForce Experience app offers basic screen and gameplay recording features similar to Windows Game Bar. Key aspects:

Automatically optimizes game settings for your PC hardware.
Can record desktop or in-game footage up to 4K 60fps quality.
Maximum bitrate of 130Mbps with HEVC or H.264 encoder based on GPU.
Mic audio can be recorded along with game sounds. Webcam overlay also available.
Instant replay function saves last 30 seconds with a hotkey press.
Minimal performance impact due to GPU encoder. But high quality strains weaker GPUs.
GeForce Experience needs to run in background during gameplay.
Straightforward interface. Lacks finer customization of recording options.
GeForce Experience is convenient for quick recordings without complex settings. The instant replay feature is handy for capturing amazing Valorant plays to share online. But recording overhead on GPU increases at 4K resolution. The app ties you into the Nvidia platform limiting compatibility. Overall it works well enough but has fewer configuration options compared to OBS Studio.

Conclusion

So in summary, OBS Studio, Shadowplay and Relive offer the best combination of recording performance, quality and ease of use for capturing Valorant gameplay. They utilize GPU resources efficiently with customizable output quality. XSplit, Dxtory and Dxtory provide advanced options if you need more fine-grained control. GeForce Experience, Game Bar and Medal.tv are easiest to use but lack configuration settings and can affect in-game FPS. Plays.tv takes an innovative automated approach but has high resource usage. Afterburner lacks audio mixing options. Evaluate recording needs and PC capabilities before choosing the best software for capturing gameplay footage without performance penalties.