Action! vs Origin
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.
Origin was a digital distribution platform created by Electronic Arts to allow users to purchase and play video games on personal computers and mobile devices. The client featured social functionalities such as profile management, networking with friends via chat and direct joining, and cloud game saving. Over time, Electronic Arts transitioned its focus on PC gaming back to the EA app, deprecating the Origin client while migrating user libraries. During its operational years, it served as the primary storefront for major EA franchises like Battlefield, FIFA, and The Sims.
- 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
- Clean and modern user interface
- Reliable cloud save integration
- Frequent digital sales and promotions
- Integrated social and chat features
- 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
- Required background service for some titles
- Frequent software transitions to the EA app
- Limited game catalog outside of EA publications
