Freedom251 › Game recording software
Fraps
What Fraps is
Fraps is a Windows application for games using DirectX or OpenGL. It records game audio and video at resolutions up to 7680x4800, with custom frame rates from 1 to 120 frames per second, and supports instant replay. Registered recording removes duration limits and allows full-size video without watermarks. Fraps also displays frames per second, benchmarks between two points, and saves detailed CSV results containing frame times plus minimum, maximum, and average rates. A hotkey captures automatically named and timestamped screenshots in BMP, JPG, PNG, or TGA format. The free download has limits on recording duration and full-size, watermark-free recording. Registered options are $37 a month or 37.00 USD once, each including free updates. The listed release is version 3.5.99 for Windows XP, Windows 2003, Windows Vista, and Windows 7, with administrator rights required. Recording can affect game performance, and captured video files can be large.
Who it suits
Fraps suits Windows users recording or benchmarking DirectX and OpenGL games. It is also useful for users who want timestamped screenshots and CSV performance results.
What it does well
- Capture up to 7680x4800
- Custom rates from 1 to 120 FPS
- Instant replay support
- CSV benchmark statistics
- Watermark-free registered recording
What to know first
- Windows-only platform support
- Free download limits recording features
- Recording can affect game performance
- Captured video files can be large
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Registered version | Unlimited recording duration · Full-size recording · No watermark on movies · Free updates | $37 a month |
| Fraps registered full version | record as long as you like · full-size recording without watermarks · free updates | $37, paid once |
As fraps.com lists them, read 20 Sept 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
Fraps combines game recording, screenshots, and frame-rate benchmarking in a Windows application. Buyers should note the old listed operating-system support, free-version limits, and possible performance and file-size costs.
Facts from Fraps's own pages
- Benchmarking
- It displays frames per second, can benchmark between two points, and saves benchmark statistics to disk. · fraps.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Benchmark output
- Detailed benchmark statistics can be saved as CSV files containing FPS, frame times, and minimum, maximum, and average frame rates. · fraps.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Capture resolution
- 8k · fraps.com, 20 Sept 2026
- Current listed release
- The download page lists Fraps 3.5.99 for Windows XP, 2003, Vista, and Windows 7, and says administrator rights are required. · fraps.com, 7 Oct 2026
- File size
- The FAQ says captured video files can be large and recommends converting clips with a video editing program to reduce file size. · fraps.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Free plan
- No · fraps.com, 20 Sept 2026
- Free version limit
- The site offers a free download, while registration allows recording for as long as desired and full-size recording without watermarks. · fraps.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Instant replay
- Yes · fraps.com, 20 Sept 2026
- Latest release date
- The website identifies version 3.5.99, released February 26, 2013, as the latest release. · fraps.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Payment
- The purchase page says PayPal processes transactions and payment can be made from a PayPal account or by credit card. · fraps.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Product
- Fraps is a Windows application for games using DirectX or OpenGL. · fraps.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Recording impact
- The FAQ says recording can noticeably affect game performance because video data must be saved to disk. · fraps.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Recording modes
- multi-mode · fraps.com, 20 Sept 2026
- Screen capture
- It takes automatically named and timestamped screenshots with a hotkey. · fraps.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Screenshot formats
- Screenshots can be saved as BMP, JPG, PNG, or TGA files. · fraps.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Site licenses
- The site lists multi-computer company licenses and asks companies to specify one contact for update notifications and support. · fraps.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Paid from
- 37 · fraps.com, 20 Sept 2026
- Support
- The contact page directs technical questions to the News and Support pages first and provides a secure contact form. · fraps.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Supported platforms
- Windows XP, Windows 2003, Windows Vista, Windows 7 · fraps.com, 20 Sept 2026
- System requirement
- Fraps 3.5 requires a CPU with SSE2 instructions, such as a Pentium 4 or above, and Windows XP or higher. · fraps.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Video capture
- It captures game audio and video at resolutions up to 7680x4800, with custom frame rates from 1 to 120 frames per second. · fraps.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Watermark-free video
- Yes · fraps.com, 20 Sept 2026
Where Fraps stands on Freedom251
- Game recording software#23 of 30