Action! vs Uplay
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.
Uplay is Ubisoft's proprietary digital distribution, multiplayer, and communications service designed to enhance the gaming experience across various platforms. It serves as a centralized launcher where players can purchase, manage, and launch their Ubisoft game library while interacting with friends. Beyond basic game management, the platform integrates a rewarding loyalty program called Ubisoft Club, allowing users to earn units through gameplay achievements to unlock in-game items, wallpapers, and game discounts. It also synchronizes game save data across multiple devices using cloud storage.
- 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
- Centralized hub for all Ubisoft game titles
- Earn free rewards and discounts through gameplay achievements
- Seamless cloud save synchronization across devices
- Clean and straightforward user interface
- 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 launcher for playing Ubisoft games on Steam or Epic Games
- Can occasionally experience connectivity issues during major game launches
- Resource-intensive compared to standalone game executables
