Action! vs reWASD

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.

reWASD is Windows controller remapping software that lets players reassign buttons, sticks, and triggers on Xbox, PlayStation, Switch Pro, and other gamepads to keyboard keys, mouse movement, or entirely custom macros. It supports over 100 controller models, including special handling for Xbox Elite paddles and DualSense/DualShock touchpad zones. Beyond simple remapping, reWASD offers multi-layer profiles that stack up to four configurations on one controller, turbo and toggle button behavior, and a radial menu system for quick input switching mid-game, making it popular with players who want console controllers to work like a full PC input device in games that lack native gamepad support.

• 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

• Extremely deep customization beyond stock Windows controller support
• Works with a huge range of controller brands and models
• One-time purchase option in addition to subscription
• Xbox Elite paddle and touchpad support most rivals lack

• 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

• Windows only, no native Mac or Linux client
• Interface and profile logic can overwhelm first-time users
• Some advanced features are gated behind paid tiers, not the trial