Screen recording software is designed to record educational videos, presentations, capture media content and save videos in various formats.
While default Windows и Mac screen recorders have rather limited functionality, there are many other feature-rich free screen recorders with no watermarks suitable for novices and experts. Using them, you can add captions and insert a cursor in your clips.
When determining the best free screen recording software, prioritize options that offer easy setup and a user-friendly interface. Ensure that the recording time provided in the free version is sufficient for your needs. Moreover, pay attention to resolution since top-notch programs should be able to produce high-definition output.
Besides, learn what the program is aimed at. For instance, the best YouTube streaming software for gaming isn’t a great option if you need a program capable of recording video conferences. If you also need efficient tools for post-production, you should consider this when making a choice.
Verdict: Premiere Rush offers handy tools for capturing, editing, and sharing online videos. With this free screen recorder, you can capture professional-quality videos and photos directly within the application through its integrated camera.
By enabling the Pro mode, you have 2 options – automatically capture videos in the highest quality or take full manual control, including settings like white balance. You can then edit your content seamlessly across various devices, such as a phone, tablet, Mac, or PC. Thanks to automatic synchronization, you'll always have access to the latest versions of your edits.
You can use a free version or choose premium features with Adobe Express for $9.99 per month or in combination with Premiere Pro for $20.99 per month. If you don’t want to waste time on editing, address your clips to a professional video editing service.
Verdict: Movavi Screen Recorder is a user-friendly screen capture tool that provides various features, including desktop recording, webcam capture, audio recording, saving recordings as high-quality videos and GIFs, and taking screenshots. Once your project is complete, you can output it to platforms like YouTube or Google Drive.
This recording software for low end PC offers the option of setting up scheduled recordings, making the process fully automated. While you can try the software for free, it is necessary to spend $42.95 per year to get rid of watermarks and other restrictions.
Verdict: With this free screen capture software, you can record all activities on your PC screen. Moreover, it offers several cool features like mouse highlighting and the option to display keystrokes in your screen recordings. Apart from capturing video of your computer screen, it is possible to record from webcams and security cameras. Moreover, the recording time is unlimited.
You can add various filters and watermarks to your footage. A very useful feature of this no lag screen recorder is that you can export video to the most common formats. There is a free version and the Pro one for $19.99.
Verdict: TweakShot is a great program for capturing a full screen, its part or a rectangular area, and save the result as a graphic file. If you want to modify the screenshot further, you can use cropping, highlighting, and resizing options, as well as basic editing features.
The program is also suitable for recording a screen. Thus, you can record your actions on the screen (how you use keys, mouse, scroll, etc.) or record the video that is currently playing. Moreover, TweakShot allows recording voice comments and webcam videos, which is amazing if you need to prepare various tutorials, webinars, online conferences, etc.
It is possible to test the software free of charge and then upgrade to a paid version with an annual subscription of $49.95.
Verdict: Vidmore Screen Recorder is a convenient and easy-to-use screen recording software that allows you to capture any part of your screen, record HD video and audio, and take screenshots any time you like.
Powered by industry-leading video improving tools, Vidmore Screen Recorder provides great convenience for YouTubers and vloggers to record and edit video materials before sharing. You can add text, arrows and shapes to your recording or screenshot, and add mouse click and mouse area effects. The program is available for free and by subscription for $19.95 per month.
Verdict: Apeaksoft Screen Recorder allows you to record the screen of your PC. You can record games, create tutorials, take screenshots, and capture videos from the webcam. Apeaksoft Screen Recorder allows you to record high-quality sound from system audio and microphone.
This laptop screen recorder enables you to use a text box and other tools for annotating clips. With this screen recorder, you can also record the lock window. If you are using multiple screens, you can choose which screen you want to capture. The program has a completely free version, but with limited functionality. The cost of the paid version is $12.45/mo.
Verdict: This is an excellent free and open-source software for screen recording or video streaming. Since OBS Studio can capture video directly from your PC, you can record games in full-screen mode using customizable hotkeys. The main advantage of this free screen recorder is that you can control the recording process without worrying about the length of the video.
With OBS Studio, you can quickly switch between scenes, as well as stream webcam or chat videos and use many other functions during the streaming. Also, it is possible to save the recorded video in MP4 format.
Verdict: If you are engaged in activities that require capturing videos, games, webinars, lectures, presentations, video calls, conferences, or webcam videos, you need Aiseesoft Screen Recorder. By utilizing this tool, you can highlight the cursor movement and easily track it.
Aiseesoft is powered by the “Blue-light” real-time HD video encoding technology that ensures impressive image and sound quality. Thanks to the lock window capture, you may record content in a selected window. You can save captured videos in MP4, WMV, MOV, AVI, GIF, TS formats, which makes it easier to share them. The full version of this HD screen recorder costs $12.50/month.
Verdict: iTop Screen Recorder is an easy-to-use tool for recording and online broadcasting your computer activity like games, lessons, etc. With iTop Screen Recorder you can schedule recordings, set up preferences, save videos in different formats, change video formats, edit them, and more.
Moreover, this screen recording app provides you with a user guide if you don't know how to use various features. iTop Screen Recorder is free, but if you want to get more advanced options, it is better to purchase the Pro version for $19.99/mo.
Verdict: Camtasia allows you to customize the size of the screen or window that you want to capture. It is also possible to adjust parameters for video recording.
You can record both audio and video from a desktop computer as well as add webcam footage to your recording. Camtasia features a built-in video editor that will allow you to add a distinct touch to your videos. Camtasia is free to test, but once the trial period is over, you have to pay $179.88/year to use the program.
Verdict: EaseUS RecExperts makes screen recording a breeze by capturing your screen, webcam, system sounds, and audio from both built-in and USB microphones. With support for up to 4K/60fps captures, this streaming video recorder is highly versatile and perfect for conducting webinars, presentations, and even recording gaming sessions.
After recording a clip with RecExperts, you can utilize essential functions such as trimming, watermarking, and incorporating intros and outros. However, without a subscription, RecExperts restricts recordings to one minute. Besides, advanced tools like the excellent recording scheduler are not available in the screen recording software free version. To get them, you have to pay $19.95 per month.
Verdict: ScreenPal, previously known as Screencast-O-Matic, stands out as one of the best free screen recording software that can be installed on a variety of devices, ranging from PCs and laptops to tablets and smartphones. Its speed and user-friendly interface make it easy to use, and the added benefit of a clip editor allows you to customize and personalize your screen recordings to your liking.
Unlike similar programs, ScreenPal has a built-in stock library replete with videos, images, and audio files. You can use the software for free, albeit with limited functionality. To access the full range of features, you have to pay $3 per month for the subscription (billed annually).
Verdict: It is easy-to-use software for quick video recording and file sharing. This free screen recorder allows you to record your camera and screen with audio and upload your clips on social media sites.
Loom is suitable for creating simple videos. Also, beginners can use this tool to practice working with video. The distinctive feature of this software is that it works on Windows, Mac OS and iOS. The program is free to use for quick video messages.
To access more advanced features, subscribe for $12.50/mo. If you need help with many raw clips you've recorded for your YouTube channel, you can address the vlog editing service.
Verdict: This freeware screen recorder has an open-source code. It allows you to capture screenshots and screen videos. ShareX is a rather user-friendly and convenient software due to its intuitive interface. All the main functions are located on the left panel.
One of the strongest benefits of this free snipping tool is the ability to send captured images and videos directly to social media. The downside of this free screen capture software is that it does not support recording games in full-screen mode.
Verdict: Using this YouTube recording software, you can perform more than simply capture a screen or webcam. You can also create a video for popular streaming platform since it is possible to edit footage in a special movie editor.
Due to its simple interface, FlashBack Express will be a great choice for beginners. Besides, testing the program is possible without paying anything. The license for 1 PC is $49.
Verdict: Apowersoft Free Online Screen Recorder will let you capture your PC screen activity without any hassle. Since it is a web-based free screen recorder, you can use it without installing the software on your computer.
All you need is one click of a button to capture the entire screen or its specific area. Also, Apowersoft has a feature that allows you to add your webcam into screen recording.
Verdict: Free Cam is a straightforward and free screen recording software equipped with a built-in video and audio editor. With a neat and understandable interface, you can record either the entire computer screen or a specific portion and adjust the size of the capture area as needed.
The best part is that despite being free, this screen recorder doesn’t add any watermarks. Moreover, you won’t be distracted by ads. Furthermore, there are no time limits, so you can record videos as long as you want.
Verdict: Using Icecream Screen Recorder, you can choose which part of the screen you need to capture as a screenshot or video. You can record games, video conferences or any other application and process. Another great feature of Icecream is that you can use keyboard shortcuts for different commands, including starting and pausing the recording.
This software possesses many features typically available in video editors for YouTube, such as drawing tools and real-time note-taking in a separate area of the screen. Users have access to both a free version and a Pro version priced at $29.95 per year.
Verdict: TinyTake enables you to capture videos from your computer screen, add comments and share them. The intuitive and simple interface of this free screen recorder allows you to achieve the desired result without much effort.
This software lets you record both the webcam and screen videos as well as edit images and footage. However, it offers only up to 5 minutes of video recording. Paying $29.95/year, you can increase the recording time to 15 minutes.
Verdict: DVDVideoSoft's Free Screen Video Recorder is an invaluable tool for Skype meetings and online conference calls as it allows unrestricted recording of conversations. Moreover, this free screen capture software allows you to isolate and capture specific elements of various Windows applications individually.
The video recordings are limited to MP4 format, but you have the option to save screenshot images. Furthermore, this Skype call recorder is exclusively available for PC users.
