Best GoPro alternative 2023: capable action cameras that won't let you down

GoPro has led the action-camera market for several years now, but there are plenty of other great cameras out there, of all shapes and sizes, and if you're looking for the best GoPro alternative, you've come to the right place.

Today's best GoPros are feature-rich and massively capable, and continue to dominate the top half of our best action camera ranking. That said, GoPro is far from your only brand in this arena. There are great action camera options out there for almost every occasion, and in some cases, a GoPro alternative might suit your needs better. Of these, the Askaso Brave 7 is an excellent example of a GoPro in all-but price, while the Insta360 One R 1-inch edition offers modular power and astonishing image quality, but at a premium. Read on for the very best GoPro alternatives available today...

Note: we've listed our top choices at any price point here. If you're avoiding GoPro because it's too pricey, you'd be better off consulting our best cheap action camera guide instead, or checking out these GoPro deals.  

 How to choose the best Best GoPro alternative for you 

Probably the easiest question to ask when seeking the Best GoPro Alternative for you is about performance. Many older action camera models offer fantastic savings over the latest and best, and pretty decent video quality, but if you need that peak performance, then that narrows the field significantly. That said, there are other differentiators baked into the equation - the budget friendly Brave 7 can shoot 4k at 30fps, but lacks the image stabilisation abilities of the spendier cameras, for example. Equally, while software stabilisation is pretty darn good in the higher end models, there's nothing that can beat physical stabilisation like a gimbal. 

Form factor is of course a key question – several of our list are designed to fit neatly into some of life’s niches, where the mighty GoPro finds itself either overkill and/or physically a little bit on the large side.

Similarly, battery life is a key area to consider, and especially at the resolution you ant, which can be a bit of a lottery. While many cameras offer better-than-4K capture options, they often struggle to keep temperatures down and battery life up, making those flagship, highest-res settings impractical for longer clips, or where cameras are mounted out of reach, etc.  

 The best GoPro alternative you can buy right now 

The Insta360 One RS is the best GoPro alternative around. With a strong feature list in both hardware and software, plus impressive (GoPro-beating, in some areas) specs, it delivers on all fronts. While GoPro takes and all-in-one approach that's completely faff-free, Insta360 opts for a different route, with an interlocking, interchangeable modular design that is as fun as it is effective. In fact, we like it so much we awarded it a full five stars in our Insta360 One RS review.

There are interchangeable lenses and a screen that can be flipped from back to front for different shooting situations, all supported by excellent, robust build quality. Natural faffers beware though: this cam encourages fiddling around, so you might find you're spending too much time tinkering and too little actually shooting. The pricing also puts in on a par with the HERO10, if not more expensive, so if you're after a budget option, head down the list (note that the older One R is also excellent and the modules are backwards compatible, so that could be a way of getting the Insta360 experience at a lower price). For a more in-depth comparison, head to our GoPro HERO 10 Black vs Insta360 ONE RS showdown. 

Tiny but technically potent, tough but innovative, there’s plenty of adjectives you can use to sum up the DJI Action 2. As a GoPro Alternative it’s one of the best, assuming you’re ruling out the premium attractions of the Insta360 One R 1-inch edition. The DJI Action 2 wows with it’s modular system, ingenious magnetic mounting trickery and solid image stabilisation, as well as an impressive ultra-wide 155º FOV. Extra modules mean you can boost battery life and add a front-facing touchscreen, if that’s a dealbreaker, while still retaining the minimalist overall lines. Head to our DJI Action 2 review to find out more.

The Akaso Brave 7 looks uncannily like a GoPro, and costs about half the price. It delivers an experience that punches well above its weight though, making it a strong contender for anyone watching their wallet. You get a pretty reasonable 4K30fps video resolution, and 20MP stills, front and back screens, IPX8 waterproofing, and about two hours recording 4K, although mileage will vary significantly. A wide range of accessories is included in the package to boot, including an excellent dual battery charger and a variety of practical mounts. Although image stabilisation isn’t up to the standard of the big boys, this is a robust deal that’s well worth considering if you don’t need top-end resolution at top end prices. Although the current Akaso Brave 8 might be the more obvious GoPro alternative on paper, we think this is a much better buy. Find out more in our full Akaso Brave 7 review. 

 The Insta360 Go2 looks very different to the run-of-the-mill boxy action cameras you might be familiar with. The tiny little pod camera can be mounted almost anywhere, thanks to a magnetic plate and a clip-style gripper mount. The charging case not only charges the camera, but also unfolds into an ingenious tripod, and protects the tiny camera lens if thrown casually into a pocket. The downsides are a lack of 4k resolution, relatively low battery life, and no preview screen to make composition easier. However, as a tiny, lightweight action camera that will go wherever you do, this is a winner. Check out our full Insta360 Go 2 review for more.

The fact is that even the latest GoPro Hero 10 Black can look and feel a little clunky when strapped to the top of a monopod camera grip, a problem that the DJI Pocket 2 picks up and solves resoundingly. Not only is this unit selfie-ready out of the box, but the 3-axis motorized gimbal baked into it means there’s no need for battery-sapping software stabilisation, it’s buttery smooth from the off. The control buttons and screen are both immediately to hand too, giving you complete control of the action, and the face tracking is second to none. Essentially, if you’re vlogging on-the-move, this is arguably the best tool for the job available today, bar none.  

Akaso makes some of the best GoPro alternatives around, and if you're on a really tight budget the Akaso Brave 7 LE is worth a look. This compact cam feels sturdy and good quality, and boasts a number of attractive features. You've got a front-facing screen for composing selfie shots, alongside voice control, time-lapse and six-axis image stabilisation. The overall package is also impressively complete, with two batteries, a remote control, and a wide range of mounts and a waterproof housing all bundled in as standard. Head to our Akaso Brave 7 LE action camera review for more information.