Screen recording software has really come a long way over the years, and today, we are going to look at some of the best screen recorders for PC. These tools are not just for gamers or savvy users – -screen recorders can be used by anyone who wants to capture their screen without having to deal with any complicated hardware or cumbersome setup process. On top of that, in this day and age when most people interact with computers via a touch screen, it also makes sense to have a screen recorder build into your smart phone .
The visually appealing nature of computers and laptops has made video recording a common practice among many these days. Whether we want to make a demo video or record a song being created with the help of a computer, software is used in almost all such cases. It is easy to create on Windows or Mac with the use of the right screen recorder application. This article will look at various screen recording tools that you can use to make videos on your computer. The top screen recording apps will be looked at as well as their features, cost and user satisfaction aspects.
There are many opportunities to learn new skills and share what you already know with others. When you are trying to communicate an idea or instructions, use a screen recorder software to create a tutorial or a training course. Remember that the professional quality of your video will make the difference between people who ignore your content and those who watch it.
There is a huge number of applications available for screen recording. They come with a broad range of features to capture the screen and saves it in the format that you want. There are options available for both Pc and Mac operating systems. But many of them are not totally free as they give trial versions only. Here we have given a list of best free screen recording software for Windows 10/8/7.
What is Screen Recording Software?
A Screen Recording software is an application or a tool that helps you to record your Computer and Laptop screen and save the recorded video file in different formats like MOV, MP4, GIF, etc. Some Screen Recording softwares also allow you to record audio while recording the screen.
ShareX
The best screen recorder for PC for those who need to share screen captures online
OS: Windows
ShareX is an open-source ad-free tool that boasts almost as many custom features as some paid software screen recorders. ShareX is mostly targeted toward developers and power users, so an average customer might get lost in the many advanced tools and editors.
Pros
- Records full screen, window, monitor, region, freehand, or scrolling
- Incorporates hotkeys for easier and quicker navigation
- Supports many URL sharing services
- Imports existing videos, music, or photos
- Allows custom watermarks and color effects
- A variety of export options
Cons
- Low quality of game recording
- Complicated for the average user
- No webcam recording
- Reported to fail while uploading large files
- No video editor
CamStudio
The best free screen recorder for creating AVI video files
OS: Windows
CamStudio is a good choice for one-time or occasional users with minimal editing needs. This lightweight, open-source screen recording software creates videos in AVI format that can later be converted to SWF. While its compactness appeals to some, others call for further development and increased technical support.
Pros
- Creates a screen-in-screen video
- Allows you to create small-sized files
- Custom cursor
- Quality options available for output video
Cons
- Reported to spread harmful viruses and malware
- Outputs only to AVI with a conversion to Flash
- Output is incompatible with certain browsers
- Audio falls out of sync
- Lack of interactive and animation features
Ezvid
A perfect screen recording tool for making quick video clips and sharing them on YouTube
OS: Windows
Ezvid is free screen recording software that claims to be the world’s tool, and that may not be too far from the truth. Ezvid’s clarity is enhanced by the product’s speed: specifically designed to save users’ time, it will help you produce and upload videos directly to YouTube in a matter of minutes. And that’s why this tool enjoys notoriety among gamers and movie fans who are interested in making YouTube videos frequently and as quickly as possible.
Pros
- Offers computer-generated speech for narrative purposes
- Automatic high-quality resolution (1280 x 720p HD)
- Speed control over output videos
- Sleek and modern interface
- Instantaneous upload to YouTube
- Selection of popular music tracks included
Cons
- Reviewers report extraneous noise
- Minor bugs and inconsistencies
- Fullscreen game is not available
Free Cam
This is one of the best free screen capture software with audio that you will find quite helpful when it comes to recording your screen. The software is quite easy to download, and the developers will not ask you to provide any irrelevant details to reach the download link. The interface is also quite intuitive, and you will find all the features very easily accessible.
As soon as you open the app, a dialogue box will appear up providing you with the option of New Recording or Browse to open an old recording for some tweaks. When you click New Recording, it will give you a screen selector that you can drag according to the area that you want to capture.
You will also get to set the screen resolution, and you can record up to 1080p. The video quality that you will get will be crisp, and you will also get to set the keyboard shortcuts to start/stop the recording. The software will also allow you to record the cursor movements along with the clicks.
Features
- There will be no watermarks or ads throughout the recording.
- The video recording will not have any time limit.
- The system rounds and mic input will be recorded.
- The video quality will go all the way up to full HD.
- You can export video to your storage or upload it to YouTube right from the interface.
- Also gives you the option to reduce background noise.
- There is also a long list of audio effects to choose from.
Screencast-O-Matic
Screencast-O-Matic is one of the most reliable best free screen capture tool for Windows and mac since it allows people to speed up their footage. It also comes with a built-in video editor, which enables you to modify recordings to make them more attractive and entertaining. Editing features like the addition of music are great options where the video’s audio has no use. Similarly, incorporating blurs in the clips ensure that you help viewers focus and understand the most important aspects. Most professionals or entertainment fans prefer using this tool because it further allows users to share videos on YouTube, without necessarily downloading it.
Pros
- It is compatible with Mac and Windows computers
- It has varieties of editing options, such as adding images, blurs, titles, and music
- It compresses clips to desired sizes
- It stores the clips in a range of formats
- It exports screen capture to various cloud platforms like Google Drive and sites like YouTube quickly.
- It does a webcam recording too.
Cons
- It limits your screen recording time to a maximum of 15 minutes
- The quality of the video captured is always lower.
- The free version puts a watermark on your captured videos
- The free version does not allow adjustment of the higher and lower quality recording
OBS Studio
This powerful and free screen video recorder with audio makes screencasting intuitive and so it is among the most reliable tools for Windows 10. Open Broadcaster Software has a clean and easy to read interface that enables the addition of images and sources, specific windows and capture cards, among other items. It also has interesting features like real-time audio and video mixing. The easy to use audio mixer ensures that you can exclude noises through suppression. Additionally, it allows streaming to websites like Facebook Live, YouTube Live, Hitbox, and Twitch. When screen capturing, the software allows you to select your monitor’s resolution.
Pros
- It is an open-source and free cross-platform
- It allows users to do real-time video streaming from majorities of the streaming video platforms
- It enhances functionality through over 20 plugins
- It supports multiple filters
- It gives users the freedom to video record, without time limitations, making it perfect for long-time recording
- It syncs webcam
Cons
- It is dysfunctional in Windows XP
- It is impossible to link the audio file as a source.
- It is not suitable for beginners since it requires some technical knowledge
- It is slow and the streaming quality is quite disappointing.
- It can drop out if the internet becomes weak.
FonePaw Screen Recorder
FonePaw Screen Recorder is a versatile screen recorder that records video, audio, webcam, live stream, online class, gameplay, and more. Besides, you can even use it to capture the screen and add text during the recording.
Pros:
- No watermarks for both free trial and full versions.
- Allows users to check the system sound and microphone before recording.
- The Microphone noise cancellation and Microphone enhancement enable users to record a noise-free video/audio.
- The canceled or unsaved recordings can be restored.
- Offers multiple output formats like GIF, WMV, MP4, AVI, MOV, etc.
- Allows users to record screen and webcam at the same time.
- Easily set the record length and the exact time to begin the record task.
Cons:
- Free version allows users to save only 3 minutes of the recording.
- No technical support for the free version.
- Some functions are limited on the free version.
VideoSolo Screen Recorder
VideoSolo Screen Recorder becomes one of the top screen recording software recommendations because it provides different screen recording modes for you to select in just one click. Whether you want to record the video, audio, gameplay, webcam, or even take a snapshot, you can spot the feature immediately and easily enjoy making high-quality recordings.
Pros:
- Supports 4 screen recording modes and taking snapshots.
- Records videos at up to 60 fps without watermark.
- Provides 7 video output formats, 5 screenshot formats, and 4 audio formats.
- Offers video editing and previewing features.
- Able to set record length or schedule a record.
- Able to retrieve the last recording settings.
Cons:
- Free users can only save a 3-min recording.
- Doesn’t allow to trim videos in free version.
VEED Screen and Webcam Recorder + Editor
The best all-in-one tool to record, edit, and share your videos.
Pros
- Record your screen and audio for as long as you want for free
- Choose from multiple recording layouts
- Rainbow pen to annotate your video
- Add sticky notes to your videos
- Add a touch of magical confetti with the magic button
- Option to import into the VEED video editor (free and paid plans)
Cons
- Not yet able to customize the color of the sticky notes or pen color
- Not yet available for mobile
Price: Free (Includes Paid Plans for Video Editing)
Supported OS: Chrome Browser onWindows or Mac
VEED came in clutch with this extremely powerful screen recorder, even though it’s just a chrome extension.
The VEED screen and webcam recorder is a new tool on the block, but it’s already ahead in terms of features. You can record an unlimited number of videos for as long as you want. And, users also have the option to record their microphones and webcams at the same time.
For those of you who are artistic or prone to pointing out crucial points in your videos, you can also draw on top of your video. The sticky note feature is a great way to keep track of everything you’ve explained. You can even use it as a digital outline to talk to your viewers.
Which factors should you consider while selecting the best Screen Recorder?
While selecting the best Screen Recorder software, you should consider the following factors:
- Ease of using
- Editing functionalities
- Screen Capturing Options
- Is it Free or Paid
- Hardware/Software requirements of the Screen recording software
- Support and Update policy of the Screen recorder tool
- Reviews of the Screen Recorder software provider company
Conclusion
Screen recording software is the best tool for capturing your computer screen. It captures your desktop activity and allows you to present your own video content. There are many types and brands of this software available on the Internet. Most of them are paid, but there are also some freeware alternatives.
There are many opportunities to learn new skills and share what you already know with others. When you are trying to communicate an idea or instructions, use a screen recorder software to create a tutorial or a training course. Remember that the professional quality of your video will make the difference between people who ignore your content and those who watch it.