NVIDIA AppNVIDIA’s GPU app, for NVIDIA graphics cards1
Average FPS vs no recorder2Measured in our July 2026 test (Flashback 0.6.22)
Flashback−5.9%
NVIDIA App−28.4%
To be fair: the NVIDIA App doesn’t need an account to record either; sign-in is optional1. “None documented” means we found no statement about ads either way.
Numbered notes link to the sources at the end of this page. Apps change. If something here is out of date, tell us and we’ll fix it.
Measured
Same PC. Same game. Same settings.
We ran Flashback and NVIDIA ShadowPlay back to back in the same Cyberpunk 2077 benchmark, and we publish every metric, including any where ShadowPlay comes out ahead.
Measured July 23, 2026 · controlled 1080p test
Flashback vs NVIDIA ShadowPlay
Both ran on the same Ryzen 7 9800X3D and GeForce RTX 5070 in Cyberpunk 2077’s repeatable built-in benchmark, with matched settings: 1920×1080 · H.264 · 60 FPS · 60-second replay · 20 Mbps.
PresentMon + game results
−5.9%Average FPS vs recorder offShadowPlay −28.4%
−0.9%1% low FPS vs recorder offShadowPlay −24.4%
238.9 MiBResident memoryShadowPlay’s listed processes used 2.1× as much
Average game FPSHigher is better
Flashback−5.86% vs recorder off
140.92
ShadowPlay−28.40% vs recorder off
107.18
Recorder off: 149.69 FPS
Resident memoryLower is better
FlashbackLowest measured footprint
238.9 MiB
ShadowPlay2.1× Flashback
500.2 MiB
ShadowPlay’s figure covers only its listed processes; NVIDIA’s driver and overlay do part of its work.
What the CPU figure leaves out
ShadowPlay’s listed processes show less CPU (0.01% vs Flashback’s 0.59%), but that isn’t a full total, because part of its work runs in other components.
The recorder-off baseline, Medal, and ShadowPlay figures are three-run means. Flashback is the final measured 0.6.22 optimization pass; earlier Flashback development runs were excluded because the capture engine changed between them. Hardware, drivers, game updates, and capture settings can change results, so these numbers describe this PC and workload rather than every system.
Today’s Flashback 0.8.1 uses a newer capture path that hasn’t been through this comparison yet.
Flashback keeps instant replay waiting quietly in the tray and puts the tools around it in one app. Each tool loads when you open it and steps aside when you’re done.
01
Light on your FPS
In our July 2026 Cyberpunk 2077 test, Flashback 0.6.22 cost 5.9% of average FPS; NVIDIA ShadowPlay cost 28.4%2.
02
Free, with no account or ads
Recording, screenshots, editing and the library are free. Cloud sharing is an optional paid plan. Recording and editing need no account, and the app carries no third-party ad or analytics code.
03
Clip with your voice
Say “Flashback, clip that” or “Flashback, screenshot this.” Commands are recognized offline on your PC, and they’re off until you turn them on.
04
Trim and make montages
Set exact start and end points in the built-in editor. Montage mode joins 2 to 20 clips into one video up to 30 minutes long, with music if you want it.
05
Discord-ready copies
Make a copy that fits Discord’s upload limit: 20 MB free, 50 MB with Nitro Basic, 100 MB in a Level 3 boosted server, or 1 GB with Nitro.
06
Filed before you look
Recognized games get their own folder and a clear filename, even when the game runs on a second monitor.
Questions
Before you switch.
How much FPS does Flashback cost compared with ShadowPlay?
In our July 2026 Cyberpunk 2077 test on one PC with a GeForce RTX 5070, Flashback 0.6.22 cost 5.9% of average FPS and NVIDIA ShadowPlay cost 28.4%. Your result depends on the game, settings and hardware, and newer versions haven’t been through the comparison yet.
What do I need to run Flashback?
Windows 11 (64-bit) and a hardware video encoder that Windows Media Foundation can use; Flashback has no software capture path. Our published measurements ran on a GeForce RTX 5070. Flashback installs for your Windows account from one setup file.
What does Flashback do besides instant replay?
It takes screenshots with their own shortcut, saves clips by voice command, trims clips in its built-in editor, joins 2 to 20 clips into a montage, and makes copies that fit Discord’s upload limit. Each tool loads when you open it.
Is Flashback free?
Yes. Recording, screenshots, editing and the library are free and need no account. Cloud sharing is an optional paid plan for share links.
Our benchmark: Flashback 0.6.22 and NVIDIA ShadowPlay 11.0.8.299 in Cyberpunk 2077 at 1080p on one PC, July 23, 2026. It measures the change in average FPS against the same PC with no recorder running. The no-recorder baseline and ShadowPlay figures are three-run means; Flashback’s is its final 0.6.22 pass. Full method →
Medal, Outplayed, Overwolf, NVIDIA, ShadowPlay and GeForce are trademarks of their owners. Flashback isn’t affiliated with or endorsed by them.
Free, with no account and no ads. Install once, press Ctrl+Shift+F10, and the last 30 seconds save to your PC as an MP4. Cloud sharing is an optional paid plan, and nothing uploads unless you choose it.
