Once you have recording software, it’s time to start creating content. Depending on your goals, this content could be for your personal website or blog, for a product presentation, or for marketing materials. All of these needs require different types of recordings and editing software. And that’s where free tools come in! There are a number of great options out there, so make sure you investigate what would work best for your needs before making a purchase.
Screen Recording and Video Editing Software Free
OBS Studio
OBS Studio is unquestionably the greatest free screen recorder for you if you’re seeking for free game recording software. OBS Studio is open source and totally free to use without any limitations, unlike the immensely popular FRAPS (which only allows you to record for 30 seconds at a time unless you’ve purchased a license, and puts a watermark to the produced footage).
There are no limitations on the quantity or length of your works with OBS Studio, which allows both high definition streaming and recording. You can save projects and return to them later, stream live to Twitch or YouTube Gaming, or encode your video in FLV format and store it locally.
OBS Studio has customized hotkeys to control the recording and can record directly from your graphics card, allowing it to screen capture games that are running in full-screen mode (many other screen recorders can only record if the game is windowed). OBS Studio can record at 60FPS and fully utilize multi-core CPUs for better performance (or even higher).
All those wonderful features, though, come with a high learning curve. Newcomers could struggle with the frequently confusing UI. We encountered a few bugs and irritations when evaluating OBS Studio “and although it has a lot of options to support you in producing excellent content, it may feel a little overwhelming when you first use it. Simply get accustomed to the interface.” We suggest taking a look at Streamlabs for a more straightforward version of OBS Studio.
Debut Video Capture
One of the greatest free screen recorders, at least for home users, is NCH Software’s Debut Video Capture. Commercial customers will need to purchase a lifetime license or a subscription, which is at the lower end of the price range when compared to comparable products from competitors.
Debut is a cross-platform screen recording application that lets you record the display of your computer as well as other attached and compatible devices. And, for the most part, it provides the experience you would anticipate.
In our testing, we found that the screen recording program performed admirably, enabling users to easily record audio and video from a variety of sources.
Although the UI has a dated appearance, it has a ton of functions and customization possibilities. The screen recorder program records each of the specified devices separately, which makes editing much simpler afterward. But other than cutting, Debut doesn’t offer many editing features; you’ll need to use video editing software for that.
The device has a drawback. We regrettably ran into a significant problem on the Mac while testing Debut Video Capture—we couldn’t figure out how to directly record the system audio. Except for capturing it with a microphone, which produced far inferior quality, every option we explored was unsuccessful. On a PC, we did not run into this issue.
ShareX
You can record screens and take still screenshots using the open-source tool ShareX without worrying about watermarks or time limits, but because the user interface isn’t the most user-friendly in the world, keyboard shortcuts are the best option. For easy reference, pressing Shift + Print Screen will start a recording, and pressing Ctrl + Shift + Print Screen will stop it once more.
This free screen capture application also allows you to save your capture as a GIF rather than a video file, which is far more convenient for posting on message boards and social networking.
In addition to being one of the best free screen recorders, ShareX can also capture a whole scrolling webpage, extract text using OCR, and schedule screen captures.
The capability to instantly upload your grabbed images and videos to a file-sharing or social media website is another of its best features. You can go through a wide variety of possibilities on the project’s website.
EaseUS RecExperts
One of the top screen recorders for Windows and Mac is EaseUS RecExperts. It is quick, simple to use, and jam-packed with expert screen-capture tools.
The ease with which RecExperts collects your screen, webcam, system sounds, and audio from built-in and USB microphones wowed us when we evaluated the app. Additionally, choosing what to record is easy during setup.
The free screen recorder has a lot of uses, including capturing games, webinars, and presentations in up to 4K/60fps.
Although we gave the tools and features good marks, we thought the editing capabilities lacked. Basic options after recording your clip include cutting, watermarking, and adding intros and outros. It’s kind of like FlashBack Express here.
FlashBack Express
Users can download a watermark-free screen recorder for their PC for free from FlashBack Express. We discovered that the tools perform just as anticipated. When you’re ready to start recording, there is a large “Start Recording” button on the interface, which is simple and straightforward to comprehend.
Additionally, you have the option of simultaneously recording your webcam and screen as well as outside sounds. You can even crop the area you want to capture, or just select a certain window.
There are restrictions (after all, it’s free), such the recording size (it can only be 720p), and your post-editing options are essentially nonexistent; the only thing you can do is cut the beginning and finish of your movie.
We found this to be the software’s true weak point during our evaluation, stating that “calling that editing is a rather liberal way of referring to trimming. You can just trim the beginning and end of your recording, that’s correct. There are no other choices available to you. You can see why FlashBack Pro could seem like a good alternative at this stage.
When it comes to exporting, you may publish directly to YouTube in addition to using the typical online storage services like Google Drive and DropBox. The file can also be saved to your PC.
One of the top free screen recorders available is FlashBack Express if you need to capture something quickly and don’t mind the lack of bells and whistles.
Apowersoft Free Online Screen Recorder
The purpose of Apowersoft Free Online Screen Recorder is obvious. The program offers a unique way to record your computer’s screen: you may capture and manage recordings right from your browser. It includes the screen, webcam, microphone, and system audio. Theoretically, it makes sense and would turn this tool into a cross-platform one.
Sadly, in reality it doesn’t function as well. We ran into difficulty after problem while testing the free screen recorder online on both a Mac and a PC. We concluded from our review that “it records well when it works, but the file format causes issues.”
Absence of default. It’s fantastic in a pinch – if you can get it functioning – but we don’t think it’s ready for prime time because it’s too glitchy in its current incarnation. It has mp4 exports, no editing capabilities, and ultimately means. That’s unfortunate because its claim of being a simple internet screen recorder is intriguing.
ApowerREC, a screen recorder app for Mac and PC, is also provided by the business. Most of the issues we had with the online version are now resolved. However, the free trial only allows you to record one-minute films, just like EaseUS RecExperts.
You’ll need to purchase a lifetime license, sign up for a monthly or annual subscription, or both to create longer recordings. For frequent users, the lifetime license provides the best value because the one-time cost includes eternal free updates and technical support.
HitFilm Express
HitFilm, one of the greatest all-in-one free video editors accessible, may seem a little complicated at first if you don’t have much expertise with video editing—used it’s to create Hollywood-style films—but it’s worth the learning curve. When you download the software, HitFilm does request that you post a status update on social media, but it is a minor price to pay.
To save time when editing, HitFilm has animation capabilities that enable you to make and edit audio and video transitions without needing to make composite shots. Additionally, it provides engaging 3D effects for movies, music videos, and even YouTube videos, along with capabilities you’d find in a more expensive video editing program, such as 4K footage, 360-degree editing, and a special effects library.
Lightworks
Lightworks has an easy-to-use interface that makes it straightforward to learn. It is one of the more approachable and simple to learn Linux video editing software solutions on this list because it also provides a selection of comprehensive video tutorials.
Lightworks features a library of unique stock movies and audio clips that are authorized for use in any videos you edit using the platform, enabling you to give any marketing video a professional appearance.
iMovie
Mac OS includes iMovie, a well-known staple. iMovie is straightforward and offers a straightforward drag-and-drop interface to transfer files from your drive to your workstation, like many native Apple products do. It’s a simple approach to create effective films that can help your YouTube marketing efforts.
The fact that iMovie files are saved in Apple’s cloud allows you to work on your movie interchangeably on an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, which is a major benefit. Additionally, iMovie is regularly updated, so you can anticipate fresh additions and enhancements at all times.
VideoPad
Anyone who wants to make high-quality videos without paying any money should consider using VideoPad. With VideoPad, you may experiment with various video compositions and styles thanks to a variety of straightforward and user-friendly tools, including 3D video editing and a sound effects library.
As well as using color correction and sound effects, you may edit your movies with special effects, overlays, texts, and transitions. After that, export your finished video fast and easily to Google Drive, YouTube, Facebook, and other mobile platforms.
The only downside is that experienced video editors could find it too basic. Although it lacks some of the more sophisticated features included in some of the other free video editing programs on this list, the choices to add light effects, adjust colors, and overlay text and images are sufficient to make it worthwhile to download for free.
Screen Recorder
1. OBS Studio
OBS Studio is unquestionably the greatest free screen recorder for you if you’re seeking for free game recording software. OBS Studio is open source and totally free to use without any limitations, unlike the immensely popular FRAPS (which only allows you to record for 30 seconds at a time unless you’ve purchased a license, and puts a watermark to the produced footage).
There are no limitations on the quantity or length of your works with OBS Studio, which allows both high definition streaming and recording. You can save projects and return to them later, stream live to Twitch or YouTube Gaming, or encode your video in FLV format and store it locally.
OBS Studio has customized hotkeys to control the recording and can record directly from your graphics card, allowing it to screen capture games that are running in full-screen mode (many other screen recorders can only record if the game is windowed). OBS Studio can record at 60FPS and fully utilize multi-core CPUs for better performance (or even higher).
The most effective free screen recorder for gaming is the highly capable OBS Studio, albeit it may take some time to configure it exactly how you want.
2. FlashBack Express
Our preferred free screen recording program is OBS Studio, but Flashback Express is a close second. FlashBack Express is a free screen recorder for PCs that does not include a watermark, despite being a free version of a commercial product. It also won’t have a time limit.
The screen capture tool is loaded with capabilities and features that may compete with many expensive products. If you’ve never used a free screen recorder before, it’s a great option because its interface is less scary than OBS Studio’s.
You have the option of recording from your entire screen, a window, a chosen region, or a webcam. When you’re done, your recording will display in a straightforward editor where you may cut and crop it to your specifications before exporting it to YouTube, an FTP site, or your computer.
All of those features are quite typical for a screen recorder, but spend some time exploring Flashback’s additional options. You’ll discover a plethora of carefully thought-out settings that will give your desktop captures a truly professional appearance. The free screen recording software for PC has features like automated password obscuring, plain wallpaper replacement, hiding disorganized desktop icons, and highlighting the mouse cursor for easy navigation. Additionally, you can choose the number of frames recorded per second in a special gaming mode.
Unless you decide to establish one, there is no length restriction on your recordings, which is advantageous if there’s a possibility that you might forget to turn the recorder off. Long recordings can also be divided into smaller segments, which is a wonderful feature that prevents you from building up large, cumbersome files. Additionally, your recordings won’t be watermarked.
After a recent update, Flashback Express can now export in WMV, AVI, and MP4 formats, doing away with the need for a separate video converter. Additionally, it no longer needs a free license key to be activated; all you need to do is install the recording software to begin recording video.
Free game recording software FBX was also made available by FlashBack creator Blueberry Software (opens in new tab). This recorder records HD in-game video with hardware acceleration for Intel CPUs, AMD, and Nvidia processors.
3. Apowersoft Free Online Screen Recorder
Try out Apowersoft Free Online Screen Recorder if you wish to capture a presentation, software demo, or instruction. Although this browser-based application might not be appropriate for video games, it is the finest free screen recorder for all other purposes.
When using Apowersoft Free Online Screen Recorder for the first time, you will be asked to download a small launcher program. After that, a control panel with more choices than in other desktop screen recording programs will be presented to you. You can record audio from your computer, a microphone, both, or neither, as well as video from your desktop or a camera.
If you want to record a clip for YouTube, for example, and don’t want to use a separate video editor to resize it later, you can record the entire screen, choose a region manually, or select one of the preset resolutions.
Additionally, for simplicity and speed, Apowersoft Free Online Screen Recorder has programmable keyboard shortcuts. Choose from a variety of output formats, including MP4, WMV, AVI, MOV, and many more. You can decide whether or not to record the cursor. Even while screen recording, annotations can be added.
When you’re done, you may email the recording to Google Drive or Dropbox, upload it directly to YouTube or Vimeo, save it as a video file or GIF, or all of the above. The clip can also be edited. If you choose this option, Apowersoft Video Editor will be downloaded as an extra component, allowing you to make quick edits before exporting your video in the format of your choice. a tool of the highest caliber.
The “Download desktop version” button, it should be noted, directs users to Apowersoft Screen Recorder Pro. It has less features than Online Screen Recorder and is a trial version of a paid program.
Free Screen Recorder Windows 10
1. ActivePresenter
An all-in-one screen recorder and video editor is available in ActivePresenter by Atomi Systems. The people who use YouTube, make videos, are educators, trainers, and anyone else who needs step-by-step instructions and video demonstrations. Virtually all the functions and effects required to record the screen and edit films are available in ActivePresenter.
When using free features, ActivePresenter’s free edition is available without a watermark. Without any functional or temporal limitations, you can test out all of ActivePresenter’s capabilities. You have the option to edit your recording after it has been captured. You can modify the pace and loudness, add closed captions, notes, animations, and more. More sophisticated audio and video editing tools are available when you subscribe to the paid editions to produce stunning films and software.
2. Windows 10’s built-in Game bar
You might be shocked to learn that Windows 10 comes with a built-in Game bar for anyone who wants to take screenshots and video recordings of their games. Naturally, this Game bar can only be used to record programs; it is unable to record the entire screen or a specific area. Given that it is intended for gaming capture, this makes logical. Although the Game bar is available on every Windows 10 PC, your computer’s video cards must fulfill the hardware requirements in order to capture game clips and screen.
Recording your screen with the Game bar is easy by following these steps:
- Press WINDOWS+G to open the Game bar. If required, select the “Yes, this is a game.” check box.
- Press the Start/Stop Recording button to start and stop a recording. Use the Turn Microphone On/Off button to toggle microphone if you wish.
- After recording, trim your video or rename it in the Xbox app. Your video will be saved in the Captures folder, which by default is in your Videos folder.
3. OBS Studio
OBS Studio is a free application for video recording and live streaming without watermark or time limit. It is much preferred by hardcore gamers for broadcasting their live gameplay footage. Using OBS Studio, you can capture not only the entire display or a window but also from webcam and microphone. When it comes to streaming, the program lets you select which desktop applications and audio sources to be shared, as well as create layered videos for webcam.
While OBS Studio is a versatile app for capturing screen, it integrates no video editor. You need to employ another tool if you want to edit your recorded video. As a side note, as OBS Studio is an open-source program, you should be careful not to download the program from any website but the official site.
4. Flashback Express
Flashback Express is a at no cost app that can record screen, webcam, and sounds. It neither sets time limit on recording nor stamps watermark on the output videos. If you are running this software on a multi-monitor system, you can either record screens across multiple monitors or limit capturing to a single monitor. You can also make use of scheduled recordings to start and stop recording at scheduled times or when a specified application is launched.
Flashback Express is a free version of a paid application, Flashback Pro. While the two versions share the same recording features, the free version doesn’t include any video editing features, annotations, or effects. Regarding sharing, users can save videos as MP4, AVI, or WMV and directly upload videos to YouTube. Only paid users are entitled to save videos as Flash, QuickTime, GIF, or standalone EXE and set password protection for videos.
5. Camtasia
Developed by TechSmith, Camtasia is one of the highest-priced screen capture applications at present. It has over 14 million users worldwide and might never be absent in top screen recorder rankings. As an all-in-one screen recorder and video editor, Camtasia claims to “make it easy to record your screen and create polished, professional-looking videos.”
The newest version of Camtasia, Camtasia 2018, comes with a collection of brand-new video assets such as customizable intros, outros, and lower thirds. It also includes a number of themes to maintain a consistent look and feel across a series of videos. A 30-day free trial is available with watermark added.
Best Screen Capture Video Software
1. OBS Studio
OBS, also known as Open Broadcaster Software, is a free screen recorder that provides high definition recording and broadcasting with no time restrictions on your movies.
The desktop application gives you the ability to record the entire screen, but it also lets you select the area of the screen you want to capture.
You may generate videos with flawlessly recorded sound by using an audio mixer and customizable hotkeys to control the recording.
OBS has live-streaming functionality in addition to the user-friendly screencasting tools that you won’t find in the built-in screen recorders of most popular OS systems. You may save projects, convert your film to FLV format, and stream live on Twitch and YouTube Gaming.
Price: Free
Supported OS: Linux, Mac, Windows
Best for: Professional live streaming to Mixer, YouTube or Twitch
2. Apowersoft Unlimited
For Android, iOS, Mac, and Windows, there are screen recorders in this group of software programs.
Using the desktop recorder, you may concurrently record audio from your PC, mobile device, microphone, and computer’s webcam while wirelessly casting an Android or iPhone to your PC’s screen.
The desktop screen recorder provides a variety of recording options, such as full screen, custom region, and more, and it also enables users to make real-time annotations on the video. Without pausing, you can apply callouts, lines, text, and more.
All you need to do to start casting is connect your computer and smartphone to the same WiFi network and use the company’s simple, mobile-specific software.
Users of Macs and Windows can record desktop screen activity directly.
Price: $59.95 per year
Supported OS: Android, iOS, Windows, Mac
Best for: Demonstrating how to use software that has both a desktop and a mobile version
3. Screencast-O-Matic
Webcam and screen recordings are supported by the online video editor and screen recorder Screencast-O-Matic.
The application is perfect for recording and sharing short movies because it offers options to record in 800600, 640480, and other conventional qualities even though HD recording is not an option.
Additionally, it helps users zoom, sketch, and add overlays to the video files.
Additionally, you can upload the recording to YouTube without downloading any desktop software.
Additional features of Screencast-O-Matic include the ability to edit computer audio and sync recorded audio with video.
Remember that the premium edition of the program offers access to the majority of the editing features. However, you can submit content to YouTube using the free version.
Price: Free or $1.50 per month
Supported OS: Windows, Mac, Chromebook, iOS
Best for: Making quick tutorials to share with friends, customers or online communities
4. AceThinker
An easy to set up and use web-based laptop screen recorder is AceThinker.
You may use it to record a specific area of the screen or the entire screen, make in-the-moment edits for a compelling recording, and simultaneously record audio from your computer and microphone.
You can convert and store your recordings with the software in all popular video formats, including MP4, MOV, and API.
Additionally, you may directly submit your recordings using AceThinker to Dropbox, Google Drive, or YouTube.
The free version of the program includes all of these functions, but you can also upgrade to the PRO version to access many more features.
The PRO version’s unique ability to allow you plan tasks for screen recordings stands out among its features.
Install this screen capture program on your home computer, set a schedule, and let it record the screen automatically if you want to capture a live stream that is now playing in the afternoon but are unable to do so at work due to a lack of internet access.
Price: Free or $39.95
Supported OS: Mac, Windows
Best for: Recording soccer matches, stock trends, etc
5. ScreenFlow
You’d adore ScreenFlow if you’ve been looking for a Mac screen recorder with audio features.
Its capabilities include the ability to organize video elements and settings, record your Mac at retina resolution, and add background audio to the captured images.
You’d also adore the software’s included “Styles” and “Templates” utilities.
For a recorded segment, styles allows you to save the visual/auditory preferences for specific features like drop shadows or color filters.
On the other hand, templates allow users to plan out groups of annotations like text placeholders and outro segments in advance and arrange, insert, and modify them.
For usage in all of their videos, subscribers to ScreenFlow’s Super Pak edition (a more expensive plan) also have access to over 500,000 original images and audio clips.
Therefore, ScreenFlow is unlikely to let you down if your goal is to maximize the value of your screen recordings.
Price: $129
Supported OS: Mac, iOS
Best for: Making high-quality retina videos
6. Screencastify
Another screen recording tool that utilizes Google Chrome is called Screencastify.
Whether you’re an experienced or inexperienced video creator, Screencastify has all the necessary features.
You may narrate to your microphone while using it to record your camera, the entire screen, or just one tab.
Additionally, it offers you annotation capabilities that can be used to help viewers stay focused on what’s important. Included are click highlighting, the drawing pen tool, and mouse spotlight.
Additionally, Screencastify will save the movie to your Google Drive automatically when you have recorded the screen.
The finest screen recording software solutions, including Screencastify, allow you to export the recording as an animated GIF, MP3, or MP4 in addition to uploading it to YouTube.
Price: Free
Supported OS: Mac, Windows, Linux
Best for: Recording software demos and creating solution videos
7. Bandicam
A powerful screen recording program that supports both screen and gameplay capturing is Bandicam.
It uses a high compression ratio without sacrificing the quality of the video. 120 frames per second 4K ultra-high definition video may be recorded using Bandicam.
The device recording ability of Bandicam is another interesting feature. You can record videos from IPTV, HDTV, APPLE TV, smartphones, PlayStations, and Xboxes by purchasing a separate capture card.
Additionally, users of Bandicam can take screenshots in the JPEG, PNG, and BMP file formats.
Additionally, users of Bandicam can take screenshots in the JPEG, PNG, and BMP file formats.
Practically anything may be recorded using Bandicam, including your full computer screen, Excel spreadsheets, web browser, Powerpoint presentations, and more.
Its free version adds a watermark to the videos, so you must upgrade to a paid account to fully benefit from it.
Price: Free or $39.99
Supported OS: Windows
Best for: Balancing the depth of video recordings
8. Filmora Scrn
With no time restrictions, Filmora Scrn enables you to record gameplay, webcam, computer screen, and audio all at once.
You can choose to record at a frame rate between 15 and 120. For recording gaming with lots of motion, a higher FPS is ideal.
For your audience’s benefit, you may also add annotations like text using the software. Additionally, you can change your cursor’s size, color, and form to give it a distinctive appearance.
You don’t need a separate video editing program while using Filmora Scrn because it has a wealth of editing features built right in to help you perfect your video recordings.
It can import from more than 50 different file types, and you have the option to export your recordings in as many other formats as you need.
Price: Free or $29.99
Supported OS: Windows, Mac
Best for: Recording screen from two devices simultaneously
9. Camtasia
On your PC, you can easily record and produce professional-looking films with TechSmith’s Camtasia.
You can record audio and video from a desktop or iOS device, as well as your camera to give your recording a more unique touch.
Camtasia excels in its integrated video editing program. The tool’s sidebar has a good collection of stock photos as well as click-and-drag effects. By quickly placing them into their recordings, users can quickly construct outro and intro segments.
To improve the flow of your films, you may also add pan, zoom in, and zoom out animations to your footage as well as transitions between slides and scenes.
You can import or record PowerPoint documents directly into the environment of the screen recording software. Make your presentations stand out by including eye-catching titles, recordings, and other elements.
Price: Free or $249
Supported OS: Windows, Mac, iOS
Best for: Adding a professional touch to captured videos
10. ShareX
For recording videos, use this free screen recording program.
Your recordings are free from watermarks and time restrictions, and you have the option to save your clip as a GIF rather than a video.
ShareX’s major selling point is its ability to share video files, which makes it simple to publish recordings directly to websites like YouTube and others.
With this program, you can easily improve the screenshots that you take. You can completely alter still photographs with the built-in photo editor.
In addition to being an excellent screenshot and screen capture tool, it can also record an entire scrolling webpage, capture and expose text via OCR, and schedule screen captures.
Price: Free
Supported OS: Linux, Windows
Best for: Recording screens of Linux devices
Conclusion
Scrren recording and editing videos can be a great way to create professional-quality videos. However, it’s important to choose the right software for you and set up the recording and editing process correctly. By using free software to record and edit videos, you can save time and money while still achieving high quality results.