Are you looking for the best free screen recording software? The software that will meet all your demands and leave you with no complaints? Before I get into finding the best free screen recording software, I will like to share a little about myself and my background. I have been a computer enthusiast for over a decade now, as well as being one of the most sought-after tech reviewers online. I have used some of the most powerful — not to mention expensive — software available on the market. I believe in complete customer satisfaction, so I will be sharing some information about free screen recording software that won’t let you down.
It can be hard to know what’s out there when you’re looking for a free screen recording software. There are hundreds of options and new ones being made every day. So you need to make sure your choice is up-to-date. By reading this article, by the time you’re done, you’ll know which is the best free screen recording software.
Screencasting is the art and technique of creating a video recording of computer screen output, usually containing audio narration. It is commonly used in software tutorials, to teach computer skills or how to use an application. While some free screen capture applications are available, you may prefer to try out the best free screen recording software compared in this guide. This comparison was created to help you evaluate which screen recording program would be best for your needs.
A screen recorder is an application that captures all or a defined region of what’s displayed on the computer screen and saves it for later viewing. It can be used as a simple video editor or to capture streaming video and audio. The best free screen recording software, also known as a screencasting tool, allows users to create demos, tutorials and software training videos using their work computer – with just a few clicks of the mouse. We’ll discuss the different types and features available in below.
What is screen recording software?
In simplest terms, a screen recording software takes a video of what happens on your screen. You can record the entire display of your monitor, a specific area of the screen, or a particular window. Screen recording generally includes your microphone and computer audio, too.
So, aside from just what happens on your display, the recording software will also capture the sound of your programs or microphone.
What mainly separates screen recorders from each other are the watermarks, features, and quality. Most programs generally need to be paid to work optimally, but there are a ton of options that provide exceptional value for free.
Some programs limit a 720p resolution recording, others allow up to 1080p but add watermarks. There’s a pro and con to every product here, but that only means these free screen recorders are diverse. The programs below are the best screen recording software for PCs like Windows and Mac.
What features to look for based on your needs
Before we recommend you anything, here’s a short breakdown of every key feature you need in your video recording software.
Simplicity
Recording your screen is surprisingly intimidating. There’s pressure to record efficiently. That means no spacing out, losing track of what you’re doing, or having a cursor that’s wandering around the screen aimlessly. A video recording with lots of filler content and pauses need to be trimmed with a video editor, which is its own challenge (not a problem with VEED though!).
A simple video editor should just record and save. Done. Worrying about how to use your screen capture software is the last thing you need.
Export High-Quality Videos
The export quality is where most free screen recorders limit their features. You shouldn’t need anything more than a 1080p recording, especially if your monitor doesn’t natively support a higher resolution. Most free screen recorders add watermarks when exporting at 1080p quality, so watch out for that.
Multiple Recording
Advanced screen recorders also offer the option of recording through your webcam, microphone, and computer audio. By computer audio, I’m talking about recording the sound from your speakers too. Recording all of these at the same time is a powerful way to increase the quality of your video clips, especially if you’re making YouTube videos.
Live Streaming
Having the best screen recording software is definitely a must for live streamers reading this. You’ll want to look for programs that let you adjust your volume on the fly, switch between recording screens or apps, and efficiently stream 1080p content.
Live streaming programs need to record multiple things at once, so a powerful desktop recorder is better. This doesn’t tax too much on the internet as well, if you don’t count the live video that’s being streamed.
Case in point, different users will need to look for different features. However, we’ve taken into account your varying needs with the selection of screen capture software below.
The difference between a desktop screen recorder vs online screen recorder
There are two types of screen records: desktop and online.
Desktop recorders
Desktop screen recorders are full programs that you have to download into your computer. These are more powerful and work locally through your system. This means that you can run them even if your internet is down.
Since these are full-on applications, you can expect them to have more features as well. The only bottleneck or limit for desktop recorders is pretty much the power and speed of your computer. So, if you have a complete powerhouse PC at home, then you’re more than equipped to run these types of programs.
These recorders are commonly used by streamers and gamers. You can also use this for video tutorials or instructional videos, but the process of exporting and editing will have to be moved to a different program altogether. With this caveat, online screen recorders like VEED come in.
Online recorders
For users who want something simple, convenient, and straightforward: online recorders are the easiest ones to use.
You can use these straight from your browser, only requiring a Chrome extension to download. These recorders rely on your internet, especially to upload the finished recording. Online recorders are also light, so you don’t need a beefy computer, and you can keep your recorded files stored online.
These recorders are perfect for video tutorials, in-browser guides, or instructional videos for your employees. The beauty of some online recorders is that they also offer video editing features. So, you can easily record your screen and then edit it immediately after you’re done. The process is quick, simple, and very intuitive.
1. Free Cam
Ideal screen recording software for making WMV screen captures
OS: Windows
Free Cam is a very simple free screen recorder with a built-in audio/video editor. The attractive and intuitive interface allows you to record both the whole screen and a portion of your screen. Even though this software is free, it doesn’t place any watermark and is ad free.
Pros
- No watermark, time limits, or ads
- Records voice-overs and computer sounds
- High-quality resolution
- Users can save videos as WMV or upload them directly to YouTube
- Easily deletes unwanted video fragments
- Removes background noise
- Wide selection of audio effects
Cons
- Saves recordings to WMV only
- No webcam recording
Watch this demo to see what you can do with Free Cam:
2. DVDVideoSoft’s Free Screen Video Recorder
The best screen capture software for recording Skype video calls
OS: Windows
Free Screen Video Recorder is a full-featured but lightweight free screen recorder from a developer known for its free conversion software. It can record Skype conversations with no limitations and is therefore useful for Skype interviews and online conference calls. Also, different Windows applications can be singled out and captured as discrete elements. Included is a basic user-friendly image editor that is surprisingly helpful for attaining a polished look.
Pros
- Offers a convenient screenshot feature
- Different modes for recording screen and video
- Suitable for recording Skype conversations
- Step-by-step instructions provided on the site
- Available in 10 languages
- Output formats include MP4, BMP, TGA, JPEG, PNG, and GIF
Cons
- Microphone sound recording only
- Excessive ads may interrupt your work
- Lacks coherent interface and built-in media player
- May install unwanted software during download
- Does not notify users if disconnection occurs
Here’s a video on how to capture your screen with Free Screen Video Recorder:
3. 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
Learn more about ShareX from this video:
4. 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
To explore how to use CamStudio, watch this video:
5. 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
6. TinyTake
A screen recorder with a native cloud-based gallery for storing and sharing videos
OS: Windows and Mac
TinyTake by MangoApps is a sophisticated free screen recorder for Windows and Mac that allows you to capture images and videos from your computer screen, add comments, and share them with others within minutes. TinyTake comes with an online cloud-based gallery where you can store all your screen captures and recorded videos.
Pros
- Bulk file sharing
- Public URL available for sharing
- Built-in online file viewer for images, videos, and documents
- Ability to create custom shortcut keys
- Video player is compatible with mobile devices
Cons
- Free version has a 5-minute limit for video recording
- Video files are saved as MP4 only
- Limited editing features
Here’s a video on how to use TinyTake for recording videos:
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
A screen recorder is an application that captures all or a defined region of what’s displayed on the computer screen and saves it for later viewing. It can be used as a simple video editor or to capture streaming video and audio. The best free screen recording software, also known as a screencasting tool, allows users to create demos, tutorials and software training videos using their work computer – with just a few clicks of the mouse.
If you are looking for best free screen recording software then you will be able to find some of the most awesome tools that are used for recording screen. After going through this article you would get to know about some of the best software that is freely available at no cost.