Bandicam is a Windows screen recorder used for gameplay clips, software tutorials and webcam videos. It is light on system resources and simple to learn, which is why it has stayed popular for years. It is not free, though: the free version stamps a watermark on your video and stops after a few minutes. This guide explains what it does, what the free version really allows, what a licence costs in September 2026, and which free tools cover the same ground.
What Bandicam records
- Screen recording: the whole screen or a rectangle you draw, for tutorials and meetings.
- Game recording: captures DirectX and OpenGL games with an on-screen frame-rate counter.
- Device recording: a webcam, a console or another device through a capture card.
- Extras: microphone and system audio, mouse-click effects, a webcam overlay and scheduled recording.
Free version vs paid licence
| Free | Paid | |
|---|---|---|
| Recording length | Limited to a few minutes per video (10 minutes in recent versions) | Unlimited |
| Watermark | Yes, on every recording | No |
| Features | Otherwise the same | Same, without the limits |
| Price | Free | About $37 a year or $50 once, per PC (September 2026) |
Check Bandicam’s website for the current limit and price before buying, because both have changed between versions. Editing is a separate product, so budget for a video editor if you need one.
How to record your screen with Bandicam
- Download Bandicam from the official site and install it.
- Choose a mode at the top: screen rectangle, full screen or game recording.
- In settings, pick your microphone, turn on system sound if you want it, and set the output folder.
- Set the video format to MP4 and the frame rate to 30 or 60 for smooth playback.
- Press REC or F12 to start and stop, then open the Home tab to find the file.
Free alternatives worth knowing
- Xbox Game Bar (Windows+G): built into Windows, records games and most apps with no install and no watermark.
- OBS Studio: free and open source, records and streams, more settings to learn.
- ShareX: free and open source, excellent for short clips and screenshots.
- PowerPoint: if you already have it, its screen recording is enough for a quick demo.
Which should you choose?
If you record often and want something that works without configuration, Bandicam’s licence is reasonable value. If you record occasionally, Game Bar or ShareX will do. If you also stream or need scenes and overlays, OBS Studio is the better free choice, and it costs nothing to try all three before paying.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bandicam safe to install?
Yes, from the official website. Avoid “cracked” copies and key generators, which are a well-known way to spread malware.
How do I remove the watermark?
Only by buying a licence and registering the program. Any tool promising to strip it from the free version is not worth the risk.
What settings give the best quality?
Record at the screen’s own resolution, choose 60 frames per second for games and 30 for tutorials, and raise the bitrate rather than the resolution if the video looks blocky. Recording to an SSD avoids dropped frames on long captures.
Does it work on a Mac?
No, Bandicam is Windows only. On macOS, press Shift+Command+5 for the built-in screen recorder, or use OBS Studio.
Bandicam remains a solid, lightweight recorder, as long as you know that a usable version costs money. Try the free build to see whether you like it, then decide between a licence and a free alternative such as OBS Studio or Game Bar. Whichever you choose, record a one-minute test first and watch it back: it is the quickest way to catch wrong audio inputs or a low frame rate before you record something that matters.