Whether you need software to record high-quality gameplay or an educational tutorial, Bandicam screen recorder is likely to be recommended to you.
In fact, it is quite popular among gamers and content creators who use this software for recording 4k videos and video overlays. But is that the case? Is Bandicam safe and beneficial? And is there any software better than Bandicam?
In this article, we are to review Bandicam in detail.
Table of Content
Bandicam Software Overview
So, What is Bandicam? It is a screen capture software that allows you to record high-resolution videos, especially for gaming and other professional purposes. It comes with a user-friendly interface.
Apart from screen recording and game capturing, it can also be used for webcam recording. Further, it comes with several video customization options that make your recording experience worth it.
For a detailed review, we will start by evaluating its UI design and features.
Understanding the Interface Design
The best part about Bandicam's user interface is its unified view. The single-pane-of-glass displays all of its primary features in an organized manner.
For instance, the main features, such as screen recording modes (full-screen custom region), are easily accessible.
Also, each tab in this software's interface is denoted with an apt icon, ensuring simplicity in understanding and navigation. All these make the UI 4.5/5 stars.
Recording Features
Coming to the screen recording features, you can see a recording option in the top left corner. It offers three options: recording a specific part of the screen, full screen recording, and recording around a mouse pointer.
All you have to do is select your preferred dimension and hit record. The simplicity of these options is one of the reasons why we rate them 4.5/5.
Overall rating: 
4.5/5
Screen Recording
By clicking on any of the 3 recording options, you will get access to a drop-down menu and pick any screen size. You can choose the screen size that fits your requirements and start recording there. Getting started with screen recording with Bandicam is easy and quick.
Even though using this tool is relatively easy, it is to be noted that it has limited functionalities and a lot of scope for improvement in terms of technology. Bandicam is good enough for basic recording only. But you cannot edit your videos using sophisticated tools and features like other video recording software.
Game Capture
The next tab on this user interface is the game capturing tab, denoted with a game console icon. It allows you to record both PC and mobile games. Once you click on this tab, it asks you for permissions in "User Account Control." Once you start recording, you can see a green timer FPS in the top left corner.
In the case of mobile game recording, you must have Bluestack enabled. So, is Bandicam good for recording games? Yes, it is.
However, there are some limitations to its gameplay recording, too. For instance, you cannot record your video using virtual avatars in Bandicam. However, these advanced functionalities are offered by recording software like DemoCreator.
Overall rating: 
4/5
Webcam and Video Proc Amp Features
Bandicam's webcam recording is another feature worth testing. Here, you can easily adjust the webcam and settings such as brightness, contrast, hue, saturation, sharpness, gamma, and white balance.
As you have control over these features, you can easily ensure that the video you are recording looks good.
The software also comes with a couple of additional features like backlight compensation and gain adjustments to ensure you don't have to make many adjustments by yourself while recording.
However, Bandicam needs to be updated in terms of advanced webcam recording features. For example, it lacks the virtual background and AI teleprompter support required for recording a quality video. However, you can get these features in some of these features in modern recording tools.
Due to these features and limitations, Bandicam's Webcam and Video Proc Amp Features get 4/5 stars.
Overall rating: 4/5
Testing the Overlay Features
The Bandicam review also discusses the overlay feature, which could be important for online courses and gameplay recorders.
The software comes with features to overlay the logo on the screen with a couple of customization options. For instance, you may increase or decrease the opacity of the logo.
Plus, its position can be easily adjusted. Online teachers can easily use this feature to make sure there's always enough room for them to write and display their content.
It can be further customized with text overlays. Settings like size, color, font style, and alignment can easily be tweaked. Hence, this feature gets a solid 5 out of 5.
Overall rating: 
5/5
Customization Options for Mouse Cursor
Cursor size selection is important in video recording. Bandicam allows you to easily choose the size of your mouse cursor and make a couple of tweaks to it.
For example, if you create troubleshooting tutorials, you need to clearly distinguish between left- and right-clicks.
Here, you can do it by picking the color options for your mouse so that the audience can understand it fully.
Additionally, If you check the 'Add mouse highlight effect' option, a yellow circle will be added around the mouse cursor. In mouse cursor optimization, Bandicam can be rated 4 out of 5.
Overall rating: 4/5
Is It Easy to Use Bandicam Drawing and Editing Tools?
Now, a feature that tutorial creators actively look for in a screen recorder is a drawing and editing tool. Luckily, Bandicam comes with these easy-to-use tools, which are easily customizable, too.
When searching for tools available during recording for annotation, you will find:
- Pen tool: This tool allows you to draw custom shapes or write. You can also easily change the pen color to match your requirements.
- Highlighter: You get access to the highlighting tool as well. If there are some sections you want to emphasize, this could be your go-to tool.
- Arrow tool: For instructional videos, you can use an arrow, box, numbering tools, etc. This could be useful in making flowcharts in corporate training tutorials.
- Text tool: You can customize any text on the screen using these tools. Just change the font, color, size, etc, and that's all.
However, Bandicam is limited to only basic drawing and editing tools. Some of the advanced recorders like Democreator offer way more diverse and useful drawing features such as:
Wondershare Democreator's drawing and editing tools:
- Magnify effect: With Democreator, you can see a magnified display area adjacent to the mouse cursor upon clicking.
- Cursor effects: Democreator allows you to customize your cursor's effects and colors, which is important for creating a quality video tutorial. You can simply edit colors for both right and left clicks to ensure a better viewing experience for the viewers. Further, you can add dynamic visual effects at the mouse-click location.
- Whiteboard: Here, you get access to the whiteboard tool, which allows you to draw shapes, write important notes, and communicate with your audience effectively.
- Snipping tool: Democreator allows you to take scrolling screenshots and copy protected text on different web browsers.
- Erase/clean drawing: You can erase specific or all the markings on your screen with one click. You can even undo the changes as needed.
Advanced Features in Bandicam
The abovementioned features are enough to create inch-perfect 4k resolution videos. Still, Bandicam's miscellaneous features make your user experience even better. Let us discuss them one by one:
Recording Scheduler
With Bandicam's recording scheduler, you have the flexibility to choose from many options. For example, you can easily schedule recordings at specific times and dates.
Moreover, if you are a daily streamer or content creator, you will have the option of making daily or weekly recurring recordings. With further customization, it can capture regions and post-recording actions like shutdown and exit. It is one of Bandicam's best settings.
FPS and Hotkeys
But what if you don't have a high-end PC? Would Bandicam still work flawlessly? Let's find out.
You can simply adjust the FPS rate with Bandicam to manage the speed and load on your PC.
Moreover, Bandicam system requirements are pretty manageable for a decent system.
Additionally, you can customize the hotkeys to enhance your convenience when using Bandicam.
You may choose any key to control settings such as start, stop, and even pause. It is one of Bandicam's best settings.
Testing the Miscellaneous Bandicam Features
Last but not least, Bandicam comes with additional features beyond those mentioned above. This software can also record YouTube videos. You can easily download audio from a given video using its audio-only mode.
When tested for sharing, Bandicam was found to be limited to traditional sharing platforms like YouTube. Moreover, the software does not integrate with cloud storage.
Related: Fix Bandicam audio not recording
Verdict
Still wondering,"Is Bandicam a good screen recorder?"
Well, Bandicam is powerful software for both screen recording and video editing. Whether it's providing 4 K video recording features or recording mobile games in high quality, you can easily use it in these scenarios.
Overall, Bandicam is a reliable tool for screen recording and basic editing. Additionally, it works well with low-end systems, although you may need to configure the Bandicam settings for a low-end PC. Consequently, this software can be a suitable choice for both gamers and educators.
Bandicam Free vs. Paid Comparison
Now, the question arises: Is Bandicam really free?
All of the abovementioned functionalities are available in both free and paid versions. But how do you know whether you should buy a premium subscription or use the free one? Let's find out the difference between these versions.
Free Version of Bandicam
This version of Bandicam is only limited to 10 minutes for free usage. However, it can easily record for more than 24 hours. Plus, you can not download a video without a watermark in the free subscription. Moreover, you can't use the premium features such as the recording scheduler.
Paid Version of Bandicam
With Bandicam's paid version, you can record without any limits. All the important features will be accessible. This software is available in 3 different plans, which are as follows:
- Annual Package: $33.36
- Bandicam+Bandicut (Personal): $49.97
- Lifetime: $44.96
Bandicam User Reviews
| Platform | Rating |
| G2 | 4.4 based on 41 reviews |
| Trustpilot | 4.1 based on 39 reviews |
| Capterra | 4.5 based on 116 reviews |
Online reviews can be very helpful in grading software in terms of usage and functionalities. When we searched for the online reviews by Bandicam on different platforms like Capterra, we mostly found positive comments. Here's what the users say about Bandicam:
I would highly recommend it as a daily driver for small to medium-scale businesses having a limited budget. Test the software in trial, and if it meets your company's requirements, then it would definitely be worth switching to paid software to receive a full-fledged benefit. For beginners as well as professionals, it is a great choice for making high-quality tutorials and gameplay videos, which can be easily shared on social media platforms.
-Mr. Mir Fida N, Web Designer
Bandicam Screen Recorder is far more fun to use for my client interview needs than Screenflow. It's lightweight so it doesn't slow your PC down, and there are a ton of file size reduction options so you don't have to deal with massive files, if you don't require ultra high quality. It takes maybe 7 minutes to learn. It also has a free version if you want to avoid paying. However, I would buy it for business use to get all of the benefits.
-Joshua V, Copywriter
The only problem I had with the software was that the file directories were a bit confusing to use.
-Anonymous
Pros and Cons of Bandicam Pros
Let us take a look at some benefits and challenges associated with Bandicam:
Best Alternative Wondershare Filmora for Video Recorder
As discussed above, Bandicam lacks several important functionalities and even has a 10-minute video limit for free users. This may not be a viable option for every user seeking more sophisticated features. So, is there anything you can do about it?
Well, in such cases, you may switch to an alternative that ranks high in functionalities and provides more reliable features at lower costs. Wondershare Filmora meets all these requirements.
Let's discuss this tool in detail.
Filmora is a reliable AI-powered video editor with a screen recorder that can capture everything on your screen. Moreover, it can record the screen, webcam, and audio in separate tracks so users can easily edit them. It is mostly preferred for maintaining high-quality videos in product demos, lectures, and gameplays. It comes with an advanced editor that helps you edit videos with built-in tools.
In addition to this, Wondershare Filmora is packed with AI capabilities like AI Copilot Editing, AI Text-Based Editing, AI Music Generator, AI Text-to-Video, BG Remover, AI Video Translation, and much more. All of these tools can simplify your video editing process and help you improve engagement to a great extent.
Wrapping Up
So far in the Bandicam screen recorder review, we have discussed Bandicam, particularly what Bandicam is used for and even some of its premium video recording features. Its easy FPS adjustment and compatibility with PC and mobile games make it stand out.
However, Bandicam has a time limit per file. You'd have to get a premium subscription if you edit longer videos. Plus, you won't find any cloud storage integration with this tool, so you may consider some alternatives.
When compared to more feature-rich competitors like Wondershare Filmora, Wondershare Filmora is the best alternative to Bandicam, especially in terms of user-friendliness, features, and resources.
Read more:
FAQs About Bandicam
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What are better alternatives to Bandicam?
Several alternatives to Bandicam offer similar or even better features for screen recording and video capturing. Some of these are Filmora, Camtasia, Movavi Screen Recorder, and OBS Studio. -
Is Bandicam easy to use?
Yes, it is. It has a straightforward interface and intuitive controls, making it accessible for beginners. Users can quickly set up recordings and start capturing their screen or gameplay. -
Is Bandicam free?
The company offers a free version, but you can only record 10 minutes for free. Hence, to remove these restrictions, you need to purchase the full version. -
How safe is Bandicam?
Yes, as long as it is obtained from the official website or trusted sources, Bandicam is safe to use. With any software, it is important to avoid downloading from unofficial or suspicious websites to prevent malware or other security issues. -
How to remove the Bandicam watermark?
A free version does not allow you to remove the watermark. To make your videos without worrying about watermarks, you can buy any of the flexible subscription plans shared above.
