The best software to record your desktop depends on what you do with the video. OBS Studio is the best free all-rounder, ShareX is the best free Windows option for quick captures, Camtasia suits tutorials you want to edit, and Loom suits fast messages for a team. Windows and macOS also ship with a basic recorder, which may be all you need.
This guide covers eleven screen recorders, what each one is for, and where each one falls short. It ends with a table and a short checklist for choosing.
What to look for in a screen recorder
Most recorders capture the screen. The differences show up in how they handle everything around it. Before you install anything, decide which of these matter to you:
- Platform. Some tools run on Windows only, others on Windows, macOS and Linux.
- Audio. Check whether it records system sound, your microphone, or both on separate tracks.
- Webcam overlay. Useful for lessons and walkthroughs where viewers want to see you.
- Editing. A built-in editor saves a round trip to another app. Without one, you trim in a separate video editor.
- Watermarks and limits. Free tiers sometimes add a watermark or cap the length of a clip.
- Sharing. Some tools upload to the cloud and give you a link, while others just save a file.
- System load. Recording games or long sessions needs a tool that does not slow your computer.
Built-in options you may already have
You may not need to install anything. On Windows, the Xbox Game Bar records the active app, and the Snipping Tool can capture video of a screen area on current versions of Windows 11. On a Mac, the screenshot toolbar opens with Shift, Command and 5 and records the full screen or a selected portion, and QuickTime Player can record the screen too.
These tools have no frills. They suit a quick recording of a bug or a short demo. If you need annotations, a webcam bubble or a proper editor, pick one of the tools below.
1. OBS Studio: free and very flexible
OBS Studio is free, open-source software for recording and live streaming. It runs on Windows, macOS and Linux and has no watermark or time limit.
- Good for: long recordings, gameplay, streaming and layouts that mix a screen, a webcam and several audio sources.
- Strengths: scenes and sources let you switch layouts mid-recording, and a large plugin ecosystem adds features.
- Watch out for: the interface has a learning curve, and it has no editor, so you trim in another app.
2. ShareX: free and fast on Windows
ShareX is a free, open-source capture tool for Windows. It records the screen or a region, saves GIFs, takes screenshots and can send the result to many upload destinations after capture.
- Good for: quick captures, short GIFs and people who record often and want hotkeys.
- Strengths: automation. You can set what happens after each capture, such as copy, upload or annotate.
- Watch out for: Windows only, and the number of settings is overwhelming at first.
3. Camtasia: recording and editing in one app
Camtasia from TechSmith records your screen, camera and audio as separate layers and includes a full editor. It runs on Windows and macOS. Its editor includes callouts, zoom effects, captions and a stock asset library.
- Good for: tutorials, training videos and product demos you want to polish.
- Strengths: separate layers mean you can fix audio or move your webcam after recording.
- Watch out for: it is a paid product. You can try the editor, but exports from the free version carry a watermark.
4. Loom: quick video messages
Loom records your screen and camera and gives you a share link as soon as you stop. It is now part of Atlassian, and it works as a desktop app, a Chrome extension and a mobile app.
- Good for: explaining something to a colleague or client instead of writing a long message or booking a call.
- Strengths: instant sharing, viewer comments and AI helpers for titles and summaries.
- Watch out for: it is built for short messages and cloud sharing, not for heavily edited videos. Free plan limits apply, so check them before you rely on it.
5. ScreenPal: recorder, editor and hosting
ScreenPal, formerly Screencast-O-Matic, records the screen and webcam on Windows, Mac, iOS, Android and Chromebook. It adds an editor, captions and cloud hosting, with a free option available.
- Good for: teachers, trainers and anyone who wants one account across several devices.
- Strengths: a simple editor, captions and optional quizzes and polls inside videos.
- Watch out for: some of the more useful features sit behind paid plans.
6. ScreenRec: free recording with a share link
ScreenRec records video and takes annotated screenshots on Windows, macOS and Linux. The maker describes it as free, and recordings can be shared through a link that is copied as soon as you finish.
- Good for: support replies, bug reports and quick walkthroughs.
- Strengths: one click sharing and viewing analytics.
- Watch out for: it has less to offer for polished video than Camtasia or OBS Studio.
7. Movavi Screen Recorder: simple and beginner friendly
Movavi Screen Recorder runs on Windows and macOS. It records the full screen or a custom area with system audio and a microphone, lets you overlay a webcam and draw while recording, and can schedule a recording to start and stop on its own.
- Good for: beginners who want a clean interface and a few extras, like cursor highlights and keystroke display.
- Strengths: scheduled recordings, noise reduction and scrolling screenshots.
- Watch out for: the trial adds a watermark, and Movavi says it is not meant for game recording or copy-protected streams.
8. Icecream Screen Recorder: lightweight and tidy
Icecream Screen Recorder runs on Windows, Mac and Android. It captures the screen or a selected area with audio and a webcam overlay, adds annotations and can trim clips and schedule recordings.
- Good for: short tutorials and presentations.
- Strengths: easy interface, logo watermarking and quick screenshots.
- Watch out for: the free version has limitations, so read the upgrade page before building a workflow on it.
9. Free Cam: a free Windows recorder with an editor
Free Cam from iSpring is a screen recorder for Windows with a built-in audio and video editor. It lets you narrate, highlight mouse clicks and clean up audio noise.
- Good for: teachers and trainers on Windows who want a free tool with no time limit.
- Strengths: simple editing and noise removal in one app.
- Watch out for: Windows only, and reviewers note that exports are limited to WMV, so you may need a converter for other formats.
10. FlashBack Express: free Windows recorder from Blueberry
FlashBack Express is a Windows recorder with a free version. It records the screen, webcam and microphone, and Blueberry Software, the maker, has developed it since 2004.
- Good for: Windows users who want a free recorder without time limits.
- Strengths: screen, webcam and audio capture in one tool.
- Watch out for: editing in the free version is limited, and it does not run on a Mac.
11. Snagit: screenshots first, short video too
Snagit is TechSmith’s capture tool, aimed mostly at images and step-by-step guides, with features like scrolling capture and step capture. It also records short screen videos.
- Good for: documentation, help articles and annotated screenshots with the odd short clip.
- Strengths: annotation tools and quick guides.
- Watch out for: it is not a replacement for Camtasia if you want to edit long videos.
Comparison table
| Tool | Platforms | Free option | Built-in editor | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OBS Studio | Windows, Mac, Linux | Yes, fully free | No | Long recordings and streaming |
| ShareX | Windows | Yes, fully free | No | Quick captures and GIFs |
| Camtasia | Windows, Mac | Watermarked export | Yes | Polished tutorials |
| Loom | Windows, Mac, mobile | Yes, with limits | Light trimming | Video messages |
| ScreenPal | Windows, Mac, mobile, Chromebook | Yes, with limits | Yes | Teaching and hosting |
| ScreenRec | Windows, Mac, Linux | Yes | No | Share links |
| Movavi Screen Recorder | Windows, Mac | Trial only | Basic | Beginners |
| Icecream Screen Recorder | Windows, Mac, Android | Yes, with limits | Basic | Short tutorials |
| Free Cam | Windows | Yes | Yes | Free lessons |
| FlashBack Express | Windows | Yes | Limited | Free Windows recording |
| Snagit | Windows, Mac | Trial | Images first | Documentation |
Which one should you pick?
- You want free and powerful: OBS Studio.
- You are on Windows and record often: ShareX.
- You make tutorials or courses: Camtasia, or ScreenPal if you also want hosting.
- You send quick explanations to people: Loom or ScreenRec.
- You write help articles: Snagit.
- You just need a one-off clip: the recorder already built into your system.
Tips for better desktop recordings
- Close notifications and clear the desktop before you start, so private details do not appear in the video.
- Record at the resolution your viewers will watch. A smaller capture area is easier to read on a phone.
- Use a separate microphone if you can. Poor audio loses viewers faster than poor video.
- Do a thirty second test, then play it back to check the sound and the cursor.
- Script the main points. You do not need every word, but a plan avoids long pauses.
- Zoom in on small interface details when you edit, so they are readable.
Where to put your recordings
Once you have a recording, you need somewhere to show it. Course creators can build lessons from screen recordings and host them with Learnomy, a free course plugin that Reign styles without an add-on. If you are looking at other software for your PC, see our best software for PC guide, and for cleaner visuals try our list of AI background removal tools or AI audio editing tools.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best free screen recording software?
OBS Studio is the best free choice for most people because it has no watermark or time limit and runs on Windows, macOS and Linux. On Windows, ShareX is a lighter free option for quick captures.
What is the best PC screen recorder?
For a Windows PC, OBS Studio and ShareX are the strongest free picks, and Camtasia is the stronger paid pick if you want to edit. The Xbox Game Bar is already installed and handles simple recordings.
Can I record my screen without installing software?
Yes. Windows includes the Xbox Game Bar and a screen recording feature in the Snipping Tool, and macOS has a screenshot toolbar and QuickTime Player. Browser-based and extension recorders also work, though they have fewer features.
Does screen recording software slow down my computer?
It can, because encoding video takes processing power. Lower the frame rate, record a smaller area or use hardware encoding if your tool supports it. OBS Studio lets you change these settings in detail.
How do I record system audio and my voice together?
Choose a recorder that captures both system audio and a microphone, and check the audio settings before you start. OBS Studio, Camtasia and Movavi all support both sources. Test with a short clip first.
Which screen recorder has no watermark?
OBS Studio and ShareX add no watermark. Others vary by plan, and several add a watermark on exports from a free version or trial, so check the plan before you commit to a project.
What is the best screen recorder for online courses?
Camtasia and ScreenPal are common choices because they combine recording with editing, captions and annotations. Record your lessons, then upload them to your course platform.
Next step
If you record lessons to teach or sell, see how a course site looks in practice. Try the live Reign demos and follow the course community build guide.