Game Screen Recorder for PC
Medal records your gameplay on Windows PC in the background. Press F8 to save the last 15 seconds to 10 minutes, or record the full session. Every game clip saves as an MP4 with a medal.tv link, and GPU encoding on NVIDIA, AMD and Intel means Medal does not drop your frames.
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How to record gameplay on PC with Medal
Three steps from download to a clip in the group chat.
1. Download Medal and sign in
Launch your game and Medal detects it. The replay buffer starts on its own, with none of the scene, source or bitrate setup OBS needs.
2. Press F8, or record the full session
F8 saves the last 15 seconds to 10 minutes. Set the length in settings. For a whole match, start a full-session recording and stop it when you are done.
3. Share the link or save the MP4
Every game clip is a medal.tv link that plays inline in Discord and in the browser. Download any clip as an MP4 from the app or from its link.
Clip after the moment, not before it.
Medal keeps a replay buffer running while you play. Press F8 and the last 15 seconds to 10 minutes are saved; tune the length in settings. For a whole match, record the full session instead.
Finish the match and your highlights are already saved.
Clipping by hand means pressing a key mid-fight, every time. In supported games like Valorant, Fortnite, Counter-Strike 2, Apex Legends and Roblox, Medal clips your kills, wins and big rounds for you. Every other game clips with F8.
Game or Desktop: pick what Medal captures.
Medal's capture source has two tabs. Game captures the game you are playing, with the replay buffer and auto-clipping. Desktop records your entire screen for anything that is not a game. Desktop recordings save locally as MP4; uploading one to share it needs Medal Premium.
Game
Captures the game you are playing. Replay buffer, auto-clipping in supported games, and a medal.tv link for every clip.
Desktop
Records your entire screen. Saves locally as MP4. Uploading to share needs Medal Premium.
Every game clip is a medal.tv link.
Sharing from a recorder means exporting, rendering and uploading before anyone sees the play. On Medal every game clip gets a medal.tv link. Drop it in Discord and it plays inline. Send it to any other chat and friends watch in the browser, no install. The built-in editor trims, adds text and slow-mo before you send.
6 best screen recorders for PC gaming
Ranked for recording gameplay: replay buffer, auto-clipping, desktop capture, sharing and GPU support. OBS wins on long desktop recordings and streaming, ShareX on screenshots, Medal on clips you share.
Medal
Top pickBest for gameplay clips you share
Pros
- Replay buffer from 15 seconds to 10 minutes, saved with F8
- Auto-clipping saves kills, wins and big rounds in supported games
- Game or Desktop capture from one recorder
- Built-in editor: trim, text, effects and slow-mo
- Every game clip is a medal.tv link that plays inline in Discord
- NVIDIA, AMD and Intel GPUs, plus CPU-based recording
- Up to 4K at 144fps
Cons
- Uploading desktop screen recordings needs Medal Premium
- Built for clips first; hour-long tutorials are better served by OBS
OBS Studio
Best for long desktop recordings and streaming
Pros
- Open source
- Records any window, display or region
- Replay buffer, once you set it up
- Full streaming suite with scenes and transitions
Cons
- Scenes, sources and encoder settings to configure first
- No auto-clipping
- No built-in editor
- No share links; you get a file
NVIDIA ShadowPlay
Best for NVIDIA GPU owners
Pros
- Low FPS impact on NVIDIA hardware
- Instant Replay built in
- Part of the NVIDIA app
Cons
- NVIDIA GPUs only, no AMD or Intel
- Desktop capture is a separate privacy toggle
- No auto-clipping
- Limited sharing and a basic editor
Xbox Game Bar
Already on Windows
Pros
- Built into Windows 10 and 11, nothing to install
- Win+Alt+R starts a recording
- Background recording saves the last 30 seconds by default, up to 10 minutes
Cons
- Does not record the desktop or File Explorer
- Max recording length is a setting, 2 hours by default
- No auto-clipping and no editor
ShareX
Best for screenshots and short desktop clips
Pros
- Open source
- Region, window and full-screen capture
- GIF and MP4 output, uploads to many hosts
Cons
- No game hooking and no replay buffer
- Video capture downloads FFmpeg on first use
- No gameplay features
Bandicam
Classic paid recorder
Pros
- Game and screen recording modes
- Long recording sessions
- Low CPU usage
Cons
- $45 one-time license for one PC
- Watermark on the trial
- No auto-clipping and no share links
How every recorder stacks up
The six features that decide a gameplay recording, side by side.
Medal records the desktop without Premium. Uploading a desktop recording to share it needs Medal Premium.
See the full breakdown: Medal vs OBS · Medal vs ShadowPlay · Medal vs Xbox Game Bar
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I record gameplay on PC?
Install Medal, sign in and launch your game. Medal detects it and runs a replay buffer in the background. Press F8 to save the last 15 seconds to 10 minutes, or start a full-session recording. Every game clip saves as an MP4 and gets a medal.tv link you can share.
What is the best screen recorder for PC gaming?
For gameplay, Medal is the pick. It keeps a replay buffer running, clips your highlights for you in supported games, and encodes on NVIDIA, AMD and Intel GPUs. Every game clip gets a medal.tv link. For long desktop recordings or live streaming, OBS Studio is the better pick.
Can Medal record my desktop?
Yes. Switch the capture source from Game to Desktop and Medal records your entire screen, not just a game. Desktop recordings save locally as MP4. Uploading a desktop recording to share it needs Medal Premium.
Is the Medal screen recorder safe?
Yes, Medal is safe. It is made by Medal B.V., distributed through medal.tv, the Apple App Store and Google Play, and it records only while you run it. Medal runs as its own process and encodes on your GPU; it does not interact with anti-cheat.
Will recording lower my FPS?
No. Medal is lightweight, uses 100 to 400MB of RAM, and encodes on your GPU (NVENC on NVIDIA, AMF on AMD, Quick Sync on Intel), so it does not drop your frames, even on low-spec systems.
What resolution and frame rate does Medal record at?
In Medal you can customize your recording quality up to 4K resolution and 144fps, whether you are capturing full sessions or just highlights. 60fps is enabled by default and you can lower these settings at any time.
What format are Medal recordings saved in?
Medal saves files in MP4 (H.264 / H.265) format, locally and to the cloud. Download any clip as an MP4 from the Medal app, from its medal.tv link, or from the Medal mobile app. Full steps: how to download Medal clips.
Can I record a full session instead of clips?
Yes. Medal records full sessions as well as highlights, at the same quality settings. Press F8 for the last 15 seconds to 10 minutes, or start a full-session recording and stop it when the match is over.
Does Medal work on Windows 10?
Yes. Medal is compatible with all PCs running Windows 10 or later, and the recording settings are adjustable for lower-spec PCs.
Do I need an NVIDIA GPU to record gameplay?
No. Medal supports GPU acceleration on NVIDIA, AMD and Intel, as well as CPU-based recording, so an NVIDIA card is not required.
The must-have platform for PC gamers.
Replay buffer, auto-clipping, a built-in editor and medal.tv share links, on NVIDIA, AMD and Intel.
Download Medal