Action! vs Itch.io
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.
Action! by Mirillis is a Windows screen and gameplay recording tool built for capturing DirectX, OpenGL, and Vulkan games in high definition, alongside desktop activity, application windows, and web video. It supports live streaming directly to Twitch, YouTube, and Facebook, and can export finished recordings straight to YouTube or Facebook without a separate upload step. Recordings use hardware acceleration via NVIDIA NVENC, AMD APP, or Intel Quick Sync Video, along with Mirillis's own FICV codec, to keep capture performance smooth even during demanding gameplay. Additional features include a Greenscreen mode for removing webcam backgrounds, 120fps slow-motion capture, Time-Shift recording, and a companion Android remote-control app. It is sold as a single lifetime license rather than a subscription.
Itch.io is a marketplace and hosting service for independent video games, offering creators a flexible way to upload, price, and distribute their titles. Players can browse a vast library of indie games, often with pay‑what‑you‑want pricing, and play many directly in the browser. The platform provides developers with detailed analytics, customizable storefronts, and community tools such as forums and rating systems, making it a hub for both creators and gamers seeking fresh experiences.
- One-time lifetime license with free updates rather than a recurring subscription
- Strong hardware-acceleration support keeps recording overhead low during gameplay
- Built-in live streaming to major platforms without needing separate broadcasting software
- Greenscreen and Time-Shift modes are useful extras not found in every competing recorder
- Low barrier to entry for developers
- Flexible pricing models including pay‑what‑you‑want
- Strong community features and discoverability
- Supports both browser and downloadable games
- Windows-only, with no native Mac or Linux version
- Interface and workflow feel dated compared to newer competitors like OBS Studio or NVIDIA ShadowPlay
- OBS Studio offers comparable streaming/recording features for free, making Action!'s paid model a harder sell for budget-conscious users
- Revenue share can be higher than some competitors
- Limited built‑in marketing tools
- Platform UI can feel cluttered for new users
