You don't need to be a daredevil in a wingsuit to make use of an action camera. You also don't need to shell out top dollar for GoPro's latest devices.

There are plenty of cheap GoPro alternatives, many of which have comparable features. The footage you'll get from a GoPro knockoff won't be quite as good as the real thing, and you may have to sacrifice some usability, but your wallet will thank you.

For capturing your hobbies, vacations, and everyday wide angles, here are six unique action cameras that won't break the bank.

Our Picks for the Best Budget GoPro Alternatives in 2023

The DJI Action 2 is one of the better direct rivals to GoPro. While it isn’t exactly the most affordable alternative, the Power Combo iteration still beats the latest GoPro for cost quite easily. It measures 1.5 x 1.5 x 0.9 inches and features a 2-inch display. It weighs just 2oz and has a 12MP, 1/1.7-inch CMOS sensor with an f/2.8 155-degree FOV lens. This lens is wider than the GoPro Hero 12's, allowing you to capture more expansive backgrounds when snowboarding, surfing, or vlogging.

It’s waterproof to 33 feet, meaning you can record almost any aquatic activity. You can capture snorkeling and kayaking adventures, or you can even take it scuba diving if you buy additional housing. However, you should note that the extended battery module is not waterproof, so you will be limited to the camera’s integrated battery in the water.

Magnets connect the camera to the extended battery module, mounts, and other accessories. Fitting the camera to a tripod and turning off the stabilization will extend the battery life. Although you’ll unlikely get near the advertised 180 minutes.

Image quality is excellent; colors are vibrant and saturated, and the camera’s RockSteady 2.0 digital stabilization rivals the GoPro for effectiveness. You can record your adventures in 4K at up to 120FPS. However, like the GoPro, heat limits the recording of long videos. You will need to shoot at lower resolutions and frame rates for long-form movies.

This great little camera by AKASO is the V50X. It’s another budget-friendly alternative to the GoPro, but this one is an excellent choice for anyone starting out in the world of action cameras. It’s a simple-to-use device that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg and one that will get the most novice of noobs up to scratch on how to use an action camera.

Its user interface has a super simple layout and runs smoothly. You can navigate using the touchscreen or the physical buttons, and the options are basic and straightforward. You have easy access to settings while using the camera on the fly by pressing and holding the shutter button.

Video quality is good in 4K at 30FPS, and the camera features effective image stabilization. In fact, it probably has the best EIS of any action camera in this price range. You can record smooth footage while running, cycling, or whichever your action is. In 4K, you get a good amount of detail in your videos. However, once you stop down to 1080p, things start going slightly south. Video quality is substandard, and it’s recommended you stay at 4K.

The quality of stills is also good. You can’t adjust the color and contrast, but the colors produced are vibrant and bright, with enough detail to let you confidently upload your images to social media. You can even get acceptable results in low light. You might get some grain in your pictures, but they are presentable and pleasing for the price.

With the Dragon Touch Vision 3 4K Action Camera, you’re really moving into bang-for-your-buck territory. It’s another affordable GoPro alternative that’s great if you are starting out and are not quite ready to splash out on a premium device. This camera ships with all the accessories you will likely need and image quality that's difficult to complain about.

With its 170-degree wide-angle lens and 4x zoom, you can shoot good video in 4K at 30fps. If you prefer a higher frame rate, try 1080p at 60fps for perfectly decent quality. You can also take vibrant 20MP stills with good color saturation and contrast. As a beginner, you’ll appreciate the different shooting modes, from driving to timelapse. Additionally, the included underwater housing means you can take the camera to depths of 100 feet (30 meters).

You also get a handy wireless remote-control wristband with a 33-foot range. Additionally, the package contains bicycle and helmet mounts and two 1,050mAh batteries with an advertised life of up to 60 minutes of 4K recording for each.

All in all, you’re unlikely to set the art world on fire with this camera, but you will get satisfying photos and videos. You'll also get plenty of action-camera practice before making the jump up to a more premium device.

The WOLFGANG GA400 is one of the company’s better action cameras. While it isn’t going to trouble GoPro in terms of image quality and stabilization, as an affordable alternative, it has more than enough about it to satisfy any buyer.

At its price point, it beats most of its competitors for image and build quality, while it’s also one of the easiest to use right out of the box. It boasts a 170-degree wide-angle lens with a 2-inch touchscreen on the back. You can control the camera using this responsive touchscreen with intuitive on-screen menus or the accompanying iSmart DV2 app to adjust resolutions and other settings, such as exposure compensation and the EIS.

The Electronic Image Stabilization itself is pretty good for a camera at this price. While you won’t get anything like HyperSmooth 6.0 that the GoPro Hero 12 offers, it still smooths out your action videos reasonably well.

You get 4K video at 60FPS, which produces respectable results, plus there is a plethora of other resolution and frame-rate options. You can also achieve pleasing stills at up to 20MP with vibrant, natural color and good contrast and detail.

Finally, the camera is waterproof to 26 feet (8 meters), and scuba lovers can enjoy depths of just over 130 feet when using the included housing. The package also ships with two 1,350mAh batteries, providing around one hour of recording time.

The AKASO Brave 7 LE is a good, affordable alternative to the latest GoPro. It’s lightweight at just over 2.5oz, making it easy to travel with or even slip into a pocket. And with its front and back screens, it’s a decent budget option for vloggers.

However, it isn’t as waterproof as the GoPro. With its IPX7 rating, the AKASO Brave 7 LE is only water-resistant. It will repel a bit of inclement weather, and you can submerge it in shallow water for a short time.

But it does come with waterproof housing, which enables you to take it as deep as 131 feet (40 meters). However, you won't get outstanding image quality down in the murky depths because the camera doesn’t have the best low-light performance. But, at shallower depths with bright rays enhancing the color of fish and coral, you’ll get some pretty decent images.

Above water and with the sun shining, you can shoot surprisingly good 4K videos. Recording is in 4K at 30fps, with different options if you want higher frame rates. You can also shoot some decent stills in resolutions up to 20MP. Images are bright and detailed with good contrast.

The camera also has 6-axis electronic image stabilization that smoothens your footage somewhat. You can’t expect GoPro Hero levels here, but it makes some improvements nonetheless.

The AKASO EK7000 Pro comes in at a fraction of the cost of the latest GoPro Hero. And, at this price point, what can you honestly expect from an action camera? Well, the answer is more than you think.

You get up to 20MP stills of decent enough quality for Instagram with vibrant colors and sharp-enough detail, and you also get 4K at 30fps video. For smoother frame rates, you can film in Full HD at 60fps. The video quality is also pretty good, and there are a bunch of other resolutions and frame rates to choose from. It also sports acceptable image stabilization, although this can result in a buzzing sound during video playback.

The device ships with all the accessories you need an action camera to have, from a helmet mount to waterproof housing. This housing allows you to take it to depths of 131 feet (40 meters). It’s also small, lightweight, and easily transportable. For operation and menu navigation, you can use the touchscreen, physical buttons, or the simple remote control.

All in all, the AKASO EK7000 Pro is an absolute steal that more than merits its place in the ranks of affordable GoPro Hero alternatives.

Younger children learning to cycle, skateboard, or even swim will naturally want their endeavors recorded. However, you will unlikely want to risk an action camera worth several hundred dollars! Thankfully, there are alternative options for kids, including the PROGRACE Kids Camera. It’s suitable for children from three years old, and while the 5MP camera and 1080p/30fps videos won't be as impressive as other alternatives, the stills and movies recorded are more than adequate to satisfy young learners.

Kids can enjoy adding filters and frames to their photos and videos, and while shooting, they can experiment with 4x digital zoom, burst shooting, and timelapse mode. It also ships with all the accessories a child would need, including helmet mounts and underwater housing that allows you to take the camera down to a depth of 98 feet–more than enough for any child!

Choosing the Best GoPro Alternative on a Limited Budget

If you are on a limited budget and seek an alternative to pricey GoPros, your primary sacrifice is image quality. Nothing in the budget category can compare to what the GoPro can do. Once you start including things like 5.3K video, HyperSmooth Technology, and fantastic durability, giving in and splashing out can be tempting.

For seasoned action camera photographers, devices like the GoPro Hero 12 are unrivaled. However, it’s understandable that you might want something simpler and more affordable if you are a beginner to the hobby. An inexpensive action camera like the AKASO V50X or the WOLFGANG GA400 can still provide quality images and 4K video at a much more satisfying price point than the Hero 12. As a novice, you will also be happy to be free of any anxiety you might feel about starting out with expensive equipment.

However, there are even more affordable options than those two cameras that still offer good specs and performance. The Dragon Touch Vision 3 is another 4K action camera that offers unbeatable bang for your buck. With this affordable camera, you not only get 4K video, but it delivers surprisingly good-quality 20MP stills, too.

However, if you are keen to find a more affordable device that still comes somewhere close to the quality of a GoPro, then your best bet is the DJI Action 2 Power Combo. It’s still somewhat cheaper than the latest GoPro models and offers 4K at 120fps and a wider angle lens than the Hero 12. It also has excellent image stabilization that may not quite reach the Emmy Award-winning heights of the GoPro but does an excellent job nonetheless.