DOR vs Steam Game Recording: Free Game Recorder Comparison (2026)
A side-by-side look at Steam's built-in Game Recording and DOR, the free game recording app.
Steam Game Recording is built into the Steam client and can record in the background any game that allows the Steam Overlay to run, including non-Steam titles, with a timeline for making clips on the spot. DOR starts recording automatically the moment you launch one of 130+ supported games, and in 7 games such as League of Legends and VALORANT it turns kills and other events into highlight clips for you. If you mostly play through Steam and just want rewind and clips with nothing extra to install, Steam Game Recording is enough. If you want automatic highlights, 9:16 vertical crops, in-browser editing and dor.gg share links in one place, DOR is the easier choice.
DOR vs Steam Game Recording at a glance
| Feature | DOR | Steam Game Recording |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free (no recording length limit, no watermark) | Free (built into the Steam client) |
| Install | Install the DOR app for Windows | Built into the Steam client, nothing extra to install |
| Games you can record | 130+ supported games, detected automatically | Any game that allows the Steam Overlay, including non-Steam titles (some older games may not work) |
| How recording starts | Starts automatically when you launch a game | Choose Record in background or Record on demand |
| Highlights | Automatic clips of kills and other events in 7 games | Event markers in timeline-enhanced games; you set clip ranges yourself |
| Recording outside games | Start/stop with a hotkey (F9 by default) | Not supported (does not record your desktop or other programs) |
| Editing | Trim to 16:9, 9:16 or 1:1, plus DOR Studio in the browser (merge, effect templates, text, background music) | Set clip start and end, then export to MP4 |
| Sharing | dor.gg links (viewers play in the browser, no app needed) and a public community | Share links that expire after 2 days, send to another device, copy to clipboard |
| Hardware encoding | NVENC by default on NVIDIA graphics cards | Uses NVIDIA and AMD GPU encoders; falls back to CPU without them |
| Platforms | Windows (no Mac) | Steam desktop client, Steam Deck |
— means we could not confirm the item in official sources. Compiled on October 11, 2026 from Steam's official Game Recording page, the Steam Support FAQ and DOR's official information; details may change with later updates.
When DOR is the better fit
- You want kill highlights handed to you as clips in League of Legends, VALORANT, PUBG, FC Online, Fortnite, Counter-Strike 2 or Overwatch, without scrubbing through footage.
- You want supported games to record automatically just by launching them, even if they are not in your Steam library.
- You want to cut 9:16 vertical clips for Shorts or Reels, merge clips and add text or music, all in the browser.
- You want to send a dor.gg link that friends can play right away in the browser without installing anything.
When Steam Game Recording is the better fit
- You mostly play through Steam and want recording and clips handled inside Steam with no extra program.
- You record on Steam Deck and want to send clips over to your PC.
- You play a game that is not on DOR's supported list but runs with the Steam Overlay, and you want background recording with a rewindable timeline.
- You want officially supported hardware encoding on an AMD graphics card.
How to switch from Steam Game Recording to DOR
Install DOR for free
Download the DOR app for Windows from clip.dor.gg. No record button, scenes or sources to set up.
Tidy up your Steam clips
Export any Steam clips you want to keep as MP4, then set Steam > Settings > Game Recording to Don't record (or keep it only for specific games) so you are not recording the same game twice.
Play as usual
Launch a supported game and DOR starts recording automatically. In 7 games, kills and other events become highlight clips on their own.
Trim and share
Trim to 16:9, 9:16 or 1:1 in your library or polish it in DOR Studio, then share with a dor.gg link.
Frequently asked questions
Does Steam Game Recording only record Steam games?
No. According to Steam, any game that allows the Steam Overlay to run can be recorded, including non-Steam titles. It records games played through the Steam client, so add a non-Steam game to your library and launch it from Steam. Some older games may not work.
Can Steam Game Recording capture my desktop or other apps?
No. Steam says it records your games, not your desktop or other programs. You can choose to include audio from other programs such as voice chat. DOR can record outside games with a hotkey (F9 by default).
How do I record games I don't play through Steam, like League of Legends?
DOR detects 130+ supported games when you launch them and records automatically, so there is nothing to add to a Steam library. League of Legends also gets automatic kill and event highlights.
How are the share links different?
Steam hosts your clip and gives you a share link that expires after 2 days. DOR shares through dor.gg links that viewers can play in the browser without the app.
Does DOR work on Mac?
No. DOR is a free Windows desktop app and does not support Mac.
More comparisons
Get highlights automatically with DOR
Install the free Windows app, launch your game, and recording starts on its own.