15 Best Free Screen Recording Software in 2021
15 Best Free Screen Recording Software
Screen recording software is designed to record educational videos, presentations, capture media content and save videos in various formats. So, if you want to record any desktop activities, this list of the free screen recording software will come especially in handy.
1. OBS Studio
- Unlimited time for video recording
- Webcam sync
- Supports various filters
- Real-time video streaming
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Verdict: This is an excellent 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 video 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.
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2. Camtasia
- Large asset of tools
- Compatible with Windows and Mac OS
- Multiple tracks recording
- Exports videos at 60 frames per second
- Complicated UI
- Requires a lot of hard drive space
Verdict: Camtasia is one of the best free screen recorders available on the market. It 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.
- See more about how to get Camtasia free.
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.
3. Debut Video Capture
- Supports various video formats
- Can record from external cameras
- Unlimited video recording time
- Ability to add your own text captions
- No video editor
- Doesn’t have the ability to upload videos on YouTube or Facebook
Verdict: Using this free screen video capture software, you can record everything happening on the screen of your PC and use various interesting functions. 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 Debut Video Capture is that you can export video to the most common formats.
4. Screencast-O-Matic
- Easy to use
- Ability to quickly upload videos on YouTube
- Can save videos in various formats
- Features video editor
- Video loses its quality
- Maximum time to record is 15 minutes
Verdict: Screencast-O-Matic lets you record videos in lower resolutions, which makes it the best option for those who want to speed up their footage.
You can also use the built-in video editor to instantly tweak your recordings. The strong advantage of Screencast-O-Matic is that you can share your clips on YouTube without downloading the software on your computer.
5. AceThinker
- Intuitive interface
- Ability to quickly upload videos on YouTube
- Ability to choose the specific area of your screen you want to record
- Multiple output formats
- Videos can lose their quality
- For the Mac version, the output format is limited to MOV
Verdict: This is a convenient software that allows you to capture a computer screen using several modes. Moreover, it has the ability to instantly share the videos. With AceThinker, you can record sound from a microphone and computer simultaneously. Also, this free video screen recorder will allow you to save your footage in all popular formats.
The downside of AceThinker is the lack of a built-in video editor or filters. However, you can still get a high-quality video. I recommend you to use this software to record various sporting events.
6. Filmora Scrn
- No limitation in recording time
- Built-in video editor
- Windows and Mac OS compatibility
- Easy to use
- Has a watermark
- Requires a long time to load
Verdict: It is possible to use this software to record a webcam video, computer screen and audio simultaneously. You can produce unique videos without worrying about their duration.
- Learn how to get Filmora free.
This free screen video recorder has a built-in video editor with a wide range of tools that will help enhance your footage. Filmora Scrn is extremely user-friendly software, so even beginners will easily cope with all its features.
Complete Filmora Video Editor Review
7. FlashBack Express
- Ability to select the output format
- Webcam sync
- Intuitive interface
- Small file size
- Lacks some useful tool
- Requires a long time to load
Verdict: Using this screen recorder, you can not only capture a screen or webcam. You can also create a video for YouTube since it is possible to edit footage in a special video editor.
Due to its simple interface, FlashBack Express will be a great choice for beginners.
- Refer to our vlog video editing services if you need help with many raw clips you've recorded for your YouTube channel.
8. ShareX
- Open-source software
- Features tools for video editing
- High-quality video recording
- Hotkeys
- May seem difficult to customize recording settings
- Can’t sync with Instagram
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 ShareX is the ability to send captured images and videos directly to social media websites. The only downside of this software is that it does not support recording games in full-screen mode.
9. Apowersoft Free Online Screen Recorder
- No recording time limitations
- Webcam recording
- Various video exporting options
- HD and FHD output formats
- Not suitable for game recording
- Requires stable internet connection
Verdict: Apowersoft Free Online Screen Recorder will let you capture your PC screen activity without any hassle. Since it is a web-based 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.
10. Ezvid
- Built-in video editor
- Quick configurations
- YouTube sync
- Records videos in multiple formats
- Requires a lot of hard drive space
- Loads slowly
Verdict: Using this free screen recorder for PC, you can record high-resolution screen videos in a few clicks. Also, this software allows you to draw on the screen and capture its specific area.
- Check out the best free video editors for YouTube.
With the help of a built-in video editor, you can add various effects, sound and video to your footage. A great feature of Ezvid is the ability to upload files on YouTube.
11. Loom
- Can record both screen and webcam videos
- High-quality video
- Ability to export videos in different formats
- Compatible with all operating systems
- Lacks video editor
- Can’t capture a specific screen area
Verdict: It is easy to use software for quick video recording and file sharing. This screen capture tool 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.
12. Bandicam Screen Recorder
- Saves videos in AVI and MP4
- Offers real-time voice recording
- Ability to add drawings while recording
- Simple interface
- Impossible to remove a watermark
- Lacks video editor
Verdict: This screen recorder for Windows lets you record everything that is happening on the screen. Moreover, it produces high-quality video.
I recommend using this software to record fast games or interesting videos. Bandicam Screen Recorder has several modes, such as Screen Recording, Game Recording and Device Recording. To improve your videos, you can draw or add your own logo in real-time.
13. Icecream Screen Recorder
- User-friendly interface
- Records videos from a webcam
- Ability to zoom in the video during the screen capture process
- Has a timer
- Video recording lasts no more than 10 minutes
- Free version has limited editing options
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 boasts many important and useful features, such as drawing and the ability to make notes in a separate area of the screen in real-time.
14. Tinytake
- Customizable hotkeys
- Easy to use
- The ability to choose screen area for recording
- Supports creating custom keys
- Offers only 5 minutes of recording
- Lacks video editing tools
Verdict: This is a good free screen recorder with rich functionality. TinyTake enables you to capture videos from your computer screen, add comments and share them. The intuitive and simple interface 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.
15. Screenpresso
- Ability to change formats
- Records audio and webcam videos
- Video editing capabilities
- Ability to adjust recording areas
- Recording time is limited to 3 minutes
- Impossible to remove a watermark
Verdict: With Screenpresso, you can record and capture the screen fully or partially. The software allows you to record a screen video in high resolution and save it in MP4, WMV, WebM, OGG and HTML5 formats.
- Also read about the best free video converters.
Also, Screenpresso features video editing capabilities, so you can easily add a unique touch to your footage.
Ann Young
Hi there, I'm Ann Young - a professional blogger, read more
