I've been regularly testing out the best free screen recorders for several years. Now, I've rounded up my top free software for streaming, webinars, product demonstrations, and more.
If you're serious about screen capture, OBS Studio stands out as the best pick for everyone. It's not as simple to set-up as some, but it's packed with all the tools you'll need for professional presentations and live-streaming. Personally, I'd rank it the one of the best screen recorders and the best screenshot tools for Mac around, even against paid alternatives.
You can check out my full thoughts and review below, alongside my favorite choices for capturing screens, windows, and webcams completely free. I've tested each app in this guide, and even recently re-tested some to make sure they're still worth a download. As part of my tests, I've compared capture options, format support, features like editing, and overall results across PC and Mac.
Best free screen recorder overall
OBS Studio is a multi-platform app that's incredibly full featured, especially when you consider how free it is. But within all its options, is the ability to quickly and simply record your screen. Easily the best for streaming and just about every other reason for capturing what's on your monitor.
It’s also possible to grab audio from your external microphone, but should you need to also capture your computer’s audio, you’ll have to download additional software to enable that function within OBS.
Now, it’s true, there are so many additional tools there, that if you only need OBS to do some screen recording, it could feel a bit intimidating, but it shouldn’t take long for you to find your way around.
OBS has its own particular way of working which you have to adapt to, but once you do, you’ll be zooming, preparing your recording environment, adding text and watermarks, setting up transitions, effortlessly switching between your webcam and other footage you have lined up, really to roll.
You’ll find the available options quite extensive, and best of all, as it’s available for Windows, Macs and Linux, you don’t have to move away from your platform of choice in order to take full advantage of it. Easily the best for streaming
Read our full OBS Studio review
Best free screen recorder for video & images
ShareX is a PC-only open source screenshot software that delivers more than most. It won’t cost you a penny to download and install, and once you learn your way around its sparse interface, you’ll find a plethora of features, designed to give you as much power and control over your screen capture. You get to choose the frames per second, and various sources to customize your actions as much as possible.
ShareX also comes with numerous options to take screenshots. Essentially, with it, you won’t need an image compositor as you can do pretty much everything in-house, which is a big plus, and saves you from having to open multiple apps to perform a string of actions.
There’s even the ability to customize the app’s many keyboard shortcuts. ShareX is a very powerful tool that’s worth checking out if you take a lot of screenshots and screen captures.
Read our full ShareX review
Best free screen recorder for beginners
NCH Software has a multi-platform video capture tool named ‘Debut’. You can purchase either the Home or Pro versions from $35.
But hold on, isn’t this article supposed to highlight the best free screen recording apps? Well spotted. And Debut is included in the list as you can also download a free version (but be warned, there are limitations).
Even though it’s had a lick of paint, the interface still feels somewhat antiquated from the last time we explored it, but you’ve got many options, features and parameters you can alter to mitigate its looks.
Recording was fluid, easy, and worked well on a PC. Despite numerous attempts, we couldn’t get the Mac’s onboard audio to record. It’s a glitch that doesn’t happen with other similar software, and it’s a real shame, as Debut is a very good screen capture tool… just not for the Mac. We would liked to see editing tools added in a future update, too.
Read our full NCH Software Debut Video Capture review
Best free screen recorder for editing
ScreenPal (formerly Screen-O-Matic) is a screen recorder for Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows.A large chunk of its features are actually available for free - as long as you don’t mind having a ScreenPal-branded outro added to the end of your exported project, as well as enduring a few other restrictions.
You’ll find the interface is very sparse yet full featured. You have numerous options for recording your screen and your webcam, along with being able to bring up callouts (text boxes, shapes, etc) during your recording.
Even better, the editing features have been thoroughly beefed up since we last explored this app, giving you a rich array of tools to fine tune your project, complete with transitions, overlays, additional narration and audio effects.
Most definitely worth checking out if you’re in the market for a (mostly) free multi-platform screen recorder. For those who want to unlock all its tools, you have a choice of subscription tiers, starting from $4 a month.
Read our full ScreenPal review
Best free screen recorder for business
EaseUS RecExperts is an excellent app for Windows and Mac. It’s quick, it’s easy to use, and it’s full to the brim with professional screen-capture features.
When we tested out the software, we were impressed that RecExperts effortlessly captures your screen, webcam, system sounds, and audio from built-in and USB microphones. And it’s simple to select what you’re recording during set-up.
Offering up to 4K/60fps captures, the free screen recorder has plenty of utility for delivering webinars, presentations, and even recording games.
However, while we highly rated the features and tools, we found the editing abilities were lacking. Once you’ve recorded your clip, basic options include trimming and watermarking clips, and adding intros and outros. In this area, it’s not unlike FlashBack Express. Better, then, for webinars or content that requires next to no post-production work.
The big issue is the limitation imposed on the free version. Without a subscription ($20 monthly or $50 yearly) or perpetual license ($80), RecExperts recordings are capped at one minute. Useful tools like the excellent recording scheduler are locked behind that paywall. As useful as this is for trialling or demonstrating video screen capture for free, but the tool really opens up when you pay.
Read our full EaseUS RecExperts review
Best free screen recorder for webinars
FlashBack Express offers PC users a free screen recorder without a watermark. We found the tools work exactly as you’d expect. The interface is pared back and easy to understand, with a big ‘Start Recording’ button when you’re ready to begin.
You can also record your webcam at the same time as your screen, including external audio. You even have the ability to crop what you’d like to record, or just choose a specific window.
There are limitations (it is free, after all), such as the recording size (only 720p), and your post-editing capabilities are practically non-existent: all you can do is trim the start and end of your video. After going back to the software since our last review, we’ve noticed that the “editing” feature of FlashBack Express has been renamed to a more realistic and accurate “Video Trimmer”.
When it comes to exporting, in addition to saving your file to your computer, you’ll find some online storage options such as Google Drive and DropBox, as well as the ability to upload straight to YouTube.
If you need to record something quickly and don’t mind the lack of bells and whistles, we found FlashBack Express is a great choice. Should you wish to unlock all features, you can subscribe for $13 a month or $27 a year, or grab yourself a perpetual licence for $45.
Read our full FlashBack Express review.
Best free screen recorder for Mac
While plenty (although not all) of the best free screen recorders we recommend run on macOS, what’s better than an app that’s already installed on your computer?
Despite the fact Apple’s QuickTime Player app is being slowly forgotten, if you feel the need to do a quick bout of screen recording, you should probably take a gander in its direction: some of its not-so-hidden features transform this simple player into a highly useful casual screen recorder.
Go to the MenuBar, click on File and the first three options are all designed to either record straight from your Mac’s built-in webcam, grab some audio through your Mac’s built-in microphone, or capture your screen. You have the choice of recording your entire screen, or selecting a chosen portion. You can record as long as you need, but there’s a pretty big caveat: no audio is captured, neither system sounds nor from a connected microphone.
There’s also a complete lack of editing capabilities (aside from trimming tools), although you can always bring the recording into iMovie, another free app for your Mac. Despite those pretty big limitations, if you need to quickly record something that’s happening on your screen, don’t need any audio, nor editing tools, it’s pretty much ideal.
Best free screen recorder FAQs
How to choose the best free screen recorder for you
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When choosing which free screen recorder is best, make sure to look out for:
+ Easy experience - make sure the video recording software is straightforward to set up and use, no matter how advanced. Don’t let it get in the way of your workflow.
+ Resolution - the best free screen recorder software will output in high-definition.
+ Recording - not all screen recorders are equal. For example, the best free streaming software for gaming might not work as the best video conferencing tools.
+ Editing - if you need more post-production polish, some free screen recorders have video editor capabilities, and even the best video editing software for beginners like Clipchamp include built-in screen recorders.
+ Output - even free screen recorders should offer a range of file formats, like MP4, MOV, and GIFs.
Start by understanding what it is you’re going to capture. Is it a professional video capture for meetings, a screen recorder for YouTube, or even streaming via game recording software?
Decide if you need proper, professional-grade software, like OBS Studio, or whether recording from your browser will suffice. Next, consider what devices you’re capturing from - you’ll find loads of screen recorders for Windows and Mac, but also Android and iOS apps. Some of the best free screen recorders effortlessly capture webcam footage, too. Ideal for streamers and webinar hosts.
Finally, think about long-term use. If you’re likely to outgrow free options, it might be worth choosing a package that lets you upgrade to a screen recorder without watermarks, like FlashBack Express or Debut Video Capture.
What is the best free screen recorder?
OBS Studio is our pick for best free screen recorder and streaming software overall. After testing, we found not only can the open-source software record everything happening on your desktop, but also capture footage from your webcam and use it for picture-in-picture video, and even record audio from a microphone. This free screen recording software gives you the option to save captures in a format of your choice, or stream them via the service of your choice.
For a long time, it’s been one of the best free screen recorders for Windows 10 - and it’s also available on macOS and Windows 11, through the redesigned Microsoft Store. While OBS Studio is an ideal choice for professionals and gamers alike, however, it’s worth exploring which other free screen capture tool is best for your needs. So, let’s say you only need to capture a few minutes of footage - more straightforward free screen recorder software might serve you just as well.
Whether you're making an on-screen tutorial, recording a Let's Play video, or capturing a video conference call, there are solutions for everyone.
How we tested the best free screen recorders
Our team of expert reviewers have tested hundreds of productivity and video production tools, including the best video editing software and best free video editing software for content creation.
When we review the best free screen recorders out there, we evaluate the user experience, the performance, the output, and the audience and use.
Even if the learning curve is steep, it should be clear how users can start recording their screens - with additional support if necessary. Upon export, we test the quality of outputs, reviewing the video resolution, file formats, and overall quality for lags or stuttering.
Free screen recording software must be unambiguously free. Users shouldn’t have to navigate complex charges and hidden fees.
The very best screen recorders are versatile tools, letting you capture and record everything from meetings to gaming. However, we recognize that individual screen recording apps may be built for specific purposes, and judge these tools on how well they deliver for, say, professionals in a business environment or YouTube creators and streamers.
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