The 16 Best Screen Recorders for Windows PCs: Free & Paid

Screen recorder, screen recording software, screencasting software, and screen capture software are different names for the same tool that allows you to record a computer screen’s output. 

If you’re using the Windows 10 operating system, you already have an internal screen recorder called Xbox Game Bar.

If needed, you can find a brief guide on how to screen record on Windows 10 at the end of this article. But keep in mind that the built-in tool has quite limited capabilities; more specifically, it doesn’t allow you to record the entire desktop or File Manager. 

For those who are looking for a more robust tool, we’ve compiled the 16 best screen recorders for Windows that differ in price and functionality: 

We’ve also prepared a screen recording software buyer’s guide that explains how to choose a tool that will meet your specific needs. 

But if you don’t have a lot of time to read and want to avoid the lengthy process of choosing software, you can simply download iSpring Suite. It will let you create videos like a pro — even if you’ve never done it before.

How We Tested the Best Screen Recorders

To prepare this detailed review, we installed each screen capture software on the computer and test-drove it to see how well it performed. We expected to see that the best screen recording software would run smoothly on the PC and the videos we created would play perfectly.

We also explored the functionality of each tool and compared their capabilities, assessed the user interface, whether the screen recorder is easy to use, and evaluated how closely each option meets the needs of its target audience.

Free Screen Recorders that Save Money

Whether you’ve paid for numerous software after using trial versions and received nowhere close to the bang for your buck that was anticipated, or you’re looking to save some money, there are plenty of free screen recorders that can get the job done with satisfying results without emptying your pocket. A word of caution though: some vendors may require you to buy a paid version after you download their “free” software so you can get full access to its functionality. 

We compiled the nine best free screen recorders in 2023 that successfully compete with the best paid screen recording tools:

1. Free Cam — Ideal screen capturing software for making WMV screen captures
2. DVDVideoSoft’s Free Screen Video Recorder — The best screen capture software for recording Skype video calls
3. ShareX — The best screen recording tool for PC for those who need to share screen recordings online
4. CamStudio — A great free screen recorder for creating AVI video files
5. Ezvid — A perfect screen recording tool for making quick video clips and sharing them on YouTube
6. TinyTake — The best free screen recorder with a native cloud-based gallery for storing and sharing videos
7. OBS (Open Broadcaster Software) — The best free screen recorder for capturing gameplays
8. Debut Video Capture — Great video recording software for creating demonstrations and streaming video games
9. Loom — The best free screen recording software for video messaging

1. Free Cam

Ideal screen capturing software for making WMV screen captures

OS: Microsoft Windows 7/8/10/11 (32- and 64-bit)
Size: 22.1 MB
Output: WMV

Free Cam is a very simple free screen recording software with a built-in audio and video editor. Its attractive and intuitive interface lets you record either the entire computer screen or a portion of the screen — you can adjust the size of the area you need to capture. What we most like is that even though this screen recorder is free, it doesn’t place any watermark and is ad free. Besides, it has no time limits — you can record videos that are as long as desired.

Pros

• No watermark, time limits, or ads
• Records the entire screen, a selected area of the screen, or a single window
• Records voice-overs and computer audio
• High-quality resolution
• Users can save videos as WMV (720p) 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:

Download Free Cam now →

2. DVDVideoSoft’s Free Screen Video Recorder

The best screen capture software for recording Skype video calls

OS: Windows XP SP3 / 7 / 8 / 10 / 11
Size: 34.68 MB 
Output: MP4, BMP, JPEG, PNG

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 meetings and online conference calls. Also, different Windows applications can be singled out and captured as discrete elements. We considered the user-friendly image editor that turned out to be surprisingly helpful for attaining a polished look particularly praiseworthy.

Pros

• Offers a convenient screenshot feature
• Different modes for recording your 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 audio 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 capture software for PC for those who need to share screen recordings online

OS: Windows 7 and above
Size: 7.15 MB
Output: AVI, MP4, GIF

ShareX is one of the best free screen recorders, as it boasts almost as many advanced features as some paid competitors. But we can’t affirm that it will be a good fit for anyone. The average user might get lost in the many advanced tools and editors, so ShareX is mostly targeted toward developers and power users.

Pros

• Records whole 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 and productivity tools
• No advertisements

Cons

• Low video quality of game recordings
• 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

A great free screen recorder for creating AVI video files

OS: Windows XP & above
Size: 10.9 MB
Output: AVI, SWF

CamStudio is a free desktop app that’s a good choice for onetime 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. The screen recorder also has minimal editing features, so you might need to have an additional video editing tool.

Pros

• Records the entire screen or a selected area of the screen
• Creates a screen-in-screen video
• Allows you to create small-sized files
• Custom cursor
• Quality options available for output video

Cons

• 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 recorder for making quick video clips and sharing them on YouTube

OS: Windows XP SP3 / Vista / 7 / 8 / 8.1 / 10
Size:  981 KB
Output: WMV

Ezvid is a free screen recording program 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 the YouTube platform 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

The best free screen recorder with a native cloud-based gallery for storing and sharing videos

OS: Windows 7 & above / Mac OS X 10.13 & above
Size: 53.6 MB
Output: MP4

TinyTake by MangoApps is a sophisticated desktop screen recording software for Windows or Mac that lets you capture images and videos from your computer screen, add comments, and share them with others within minutes. It is particularly indicated for those looking for compound tools that come 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
• Directly uploads video captures to YouTube
• Video player is compatible with mobile devices

Cons

• Free version has a 5-minute video recording limit and 2 GB of storage
• Video files are saved as MP4 only
• Ads / Promotions
• Limited editing tools

Here’s a video on how to use TinyTake to create screen recordings:

7. OBS (Open Broadcaster Software)

The best free screen recorder for capturing gameplays

OS: Windows 10 and 11, Mac, Linux
Size: 117 MB
Output: LV, MP4, MOV, MKV, TS, HLS

OBS Studio is among the best free screen recorders for livestreaming on Twitch (or any platform). You can create scenes composed with multiple sources: images, texts, window captures, browser windows, webcams, capture cards, and more, and then switch between them seamlessly via custom transitions. Unlike many other free competitors, it’s an advanced screen recording software that includes a lot of features and settings. But all this can seem overkill for those who are looking for the quickest and easiest way to shoot a video. Besides, you should be ready to spend hours learning to use this recorder.

Pros

• Records the entire screen or any selected area
• Allows you to set up multiple scenes and use various sources
• Includes a built-in audio mixer with per-source filters
• Provides advanced configuration options
• Does not add watermarks
• Has no recording limit
• Supports multiple streaming services

Cons

• Some users find the interface quite clunky
• Learning curve is steep for non-techs 
• Reported to crash quite often
• Not suited for quick screen recordings

Watch this video on OBS Studio and instructions on how to screen record with it:

8. Debut Video Capture

Great video recording software for creating demonstrations and streaming video games

OS: Windows (all) on 64 bit / macOS 10.5 or above
Size: 3.15 MB
Output: AVI, WMV, FLV, MPG, MP4, MOV

Debut is among the best free screen recorders for Windows. It lets you make videos for almost any task, as well as stream videos on YouTube. The Debut interface seemed slightly odd and old-fashioned to us but it offers advanced functionality. For example, you can make mouse highlighting spotlights, show keystrokes, replace the background with images, video, or color, add a logo or watermark to your video capture, and even schedule a recording.

Pros

• Can capture from a network IP camera and other devices
• Records screen, webcam, and audio
• Unlimited recording time
• Robust editing options
• A variety of output formats
• Green Screen tool 
• Time-lapse video recording

Cons

• Limited editing features
• Outdated interface
• No interactive or animation features
• Reported to slow down when uploading videos

Here’s a video on how to screen record with Debut:

9. Loom

The best screen recording software for video messaging

OS: Mac, Windows, iOS, and Android
Size: 125 MB
Output: MOV, MP4, AVI, WMV, WebM

Loom is a cool software for PCs that allows you to record quick video messages to send to your team. Thus, it’s a great alternative to emails, instant messaging, and web meetings. However, the free version has some limitations. For example, it allows the creation of a maximum of 25 videos per person and restricts the duration to five minutes. Besides, it has limited editing capabilities, which means you need to use other apps to edit and share recorded messages.

Pros

• Can record screen and webcam, as well as capturing audio
• No watermark or ads
• Has a team workspace for storing and sharing videos
• Allows you to see who viewed the video
• Can be integrated with other tools: Jira, Confluence, etc.
• Video interaction capabilities like emoji reactions and comments
• Has an extension for Google Chrome

Cons:

• Very limited editing functionality
• Only 25 videos per one user
• Video duration is limited to 5 minutes

Take a look at this brief video tutorial on how to use LOOM:

Comparison Chart of Free Screen Recorders

Paid Screen Recording Tools We Love

As the Internet provides a bountiful supply of screen recording programs, one is certain to find free and low-cost options. However, when searching for high-quality performance, elaborate presentation, and expert technical support, many users are ready to invest their money in paid software.

Here are seven paid desktop screen recorders that have gained customers’ and reviewers’ trust and continue to expand their presence in the market:

1. iSpring Suite — A perfect solution for creating screencasts, software tutorials, and complete video courses
2. Camtasia — A robust screen recording software with quiz and interactivity options
3. Filmora Scrn — The best screen capture software for streaming and game recording
4. Movavi Screen Recorder — The best screen recording software for capturing video calls, webinars, and other online events
5. My Screen Recorder Pro — Good screencasting software for those who need to distribute videos to their website
6. FlashBack — A simple paid screen recording software with basic editing features
7. ScreenPal — A reliable video capture tool with a built-in stock library and secure video hosting

10. iSpring Suite

A perfect solution for creating screencasts, software tutorials, and complete video courses

OS: Windows
Size: 6.16 MB
Output: MP4, HTML5

iSpring Suite is an extremely easy-to-use tool that lets you make screencasts with voiceovers, instructional videos with annotations, and screencasts complemented with a presenter video. After a screen capture is recorded, you can edit it effortlessly: remove noise, trim a clip, insert media objects and annotations, and add transition effects. The tool is also perfectly suited for those who want to create software tutorials as you can set it to automatically capture keystrokes and clicks and add hints for the actions.

Pros

• Can record two videos at the same time easily: a screencast and a webcam video
• Records a narration
• Includes an entire set of video editing tools
• Has a multi-track timeline for video editing
• Adds images, visual hints, infographics, and captions
• Creates smooth scene transitions
• No time limits for recording

Cons

• Only mp4 video format is available
• Few interactive and animation features

More than just a screen recorder!

With iSpring Suite, you can also create online courses, quizzes, role-plays, interactions, and other eLearning content. No experience or tech skills are required. 

Take a feature tour →

To get a complete sense of iSpring Suite and its options, watch this video:

Price: $970/year for the entire toolkit.  Free 14-day trial → (no credit card required)

11. Camtasia

A robust screen recording software with quiz and interactivity options

OS: Windows and Mac
Size: 293 MB
Output: MP4, HTML5, WMV, AVI, PNG, JPEG, GIF, BMP, WAV, MP3, MP4

Camtasia is a feature-packed tool for detail-oriented enthusiasts. It allows you to record video and audio one after another, combining the results afterward. What we liked most about Camtasia is that it is quite flexible in terms of using animations and video effects and adding overlays. Another great thing is that this tool constantly releases updates and receives new features on a regular basis.

Pros

• Incorporates a webcam
• Audio, video, and cursor tracks can be edited separately
• Imports existing videos, music, photos, and PowerPoint slides
• Adds captions, callouts, and quizzes to your videos
• Frame-by-frame editing
• Has a library of royalty-free music and sound effects

Cons

• One of the most expensive screen capture tools
• Reported to slow down on large and heavy projects
• Busy multi-track interface

Here’s a brief overview of Camtasia:

Price: $299. Free 30-day trial.

12. Filmora Scrn

The best screen capture software for streaming and game recording

OS: Windows and Mac
Size: 1.91 MB
Output: MP4, WMV, AVI, MOV, MP3, GIF, etc.

Filmora Scrn is a trustworthy video recording software that is especially loved by gamers. It lets you capture fast-paced scenes (up to 60 fps for Mac) while simultaneously recording a webcam video. It also has a basic video editing tool that allows you to improve the look of the video, as well as tutorial features, which can help direct attention to the key items on the screen.

Pros

• Can record from your computer and webcam simultaneously
• Imports over 50 file formats and exports in multiple formats
• Picture-in-picture mode
• Frame rate from 15 to 120 FPS
• HD and even 4k recording are supported

Cons

• Lacks advanced editing features
• Noticeable performance impact in games
• Reported to lag and freeze when editing

Watch this video tutorial on how to use Filmora Scrn:

Price: $49.99 for 1 year or $79.99 for a lifetime license. Free trial.

13. Movavi Screen Recorder 

The best screen recording software for capturing video calls, webinars, and other online events

OS: Windows and Mac
Size: 1.81 MB
Output: MP4, AVI, MOV, MKV, GIF, MP3, PNG, BMP, JPG

Movavi Screen Recorder is an easy-to-use screen capture tool that allows you to perform desktop recording, capture the webcam, record audio, save recordings as high-quality videos and GIFs, and take screenshots. You can upload your final video file to YouTube or Google Drive and share them with your audience via social media. When we installed it on our computer, it worked well but some users report that it crashes periodically.

Pros

• Incorporates webcam
• Can record screen and audio simultaneously or separately
• Saves video in HD and supports multiple formats: AVI, MP4, MOV, and MKV
• Takes screenshots and edits them
• Allows scheduled recording
• Mouse display in the recording

Cons

• Very few video editing tools
• Trial version limits recording time to 5 minutes
• Reported to have periodic crash issues

See how to create screen recordings with the Movavi screen recorder in this video:

Price: $42.95 for 1 PC. Free 7-day trial.

14. My Screen Recorder Pro

Good screencasting software for those who need to distribute videos to their website

OS: Windows

My Screen Recorder Pro is a feature-packed screen capture tool that enables you to record a specific area of the computer screen, including the entire desktop, menus, cursors, and video with sound. It also lets you record your webcam or the screen of your mobile device in high-definition quality simultaneously with the desktop screen. Besides the industry-standard AVI, WMV, and MP4, this screen recording software can save the video in WebM, which is perfect for distribution or uploading to your website or blog.

Pros

• Can record webcam or mobile screen, along with desktop screen recording
• Video output to AVI, WMV, MP4, and WebM formats
• Allows scheduled recording
• Auto-upload recordings to any FTP account
• Can securely monitor the screen in hide mode

Cons

• Has limited editing options
• No animations and transitions

To learn more about this software’s options and settings, watch this video:

Price: $129.95. Free feature limited trial.

15. FlashBack

Simple screen recording software with basic editing features

OS: Windows
Size: 50.5 MB
Output: MP4, AVI, GIF

FlashBack is a full-motion-based screen capture software with a simple, handy interface. You can create video recordings by capturing your computer screen, along with webcam and mic. Once the video is recorded, you can improve it with a built-in video editor to add captions, arrows, images, and highlights.

Pros

• Records multiple monitors
• Incorporates webcam
• Allows you to add distinctive and custom watermarks
• Quick upload to Youtube, FlashBack Connect or export as MP4, GIF, WMV, QuickTime, AVI, and Flash
• Can zoom in/out and add blurs

Cons

• Difficult to modify existing demos
• Import files only in FBR format
• Does not track the movement of windows in use

Price: $49 for 1 PC. Free 30-day trial.

16. ScreenPal (formerly Screencast-O-Matic) 

A reliable video capture tool with a built-in stock library and secure video hosting

OS: Windows, Mac and iOS, Android, and Chromebook
Size: 411 KB
Output: MP4, AVI, FLV

ScreenPal is considered to be one of the best screen recording tools that can be installed on different devices, including PCs, laptops, tablets, and smartphones. It’s fast, fairly easy to use, and comes with a video editor that lets you personalize screen recordings and make them more attractive and entertaining. 

Unlike many other screen recording software solutions, it comes with a built-in stock library full of videos, images, and music tracks. It also provides cloud hosting for storing and sharing videos, and even collaboration and team management tools. However, this advanced functionality is available only for premium plan users. It lets you upload your videos to YouTube, Google Drive, Vimeo, and Dropbox. What we liked most is that it has a mobile app for both Android and iOS.

Pros

• Does webcam and audio narration recordings
• Comprehensive video-editing options
• Automated Speech-to-Text option
• Built-in stock library
• Secure and private online backup
• Collaborative video management tools

Cons

• The free version embeds a watermark in videos
• The free version limits screen recording time to 15 minutes

Get more details about Screencast-O-Matic from this video:

Price: Pricing starts at $4.00/month. There’s also a free version with limited functionality.

Comparison Chart of Paid Screen Recorders

Honorable Mentions

In addition to paid and free screen recorders for Windows, there’s a variety of screen capture software for Mac, as well as web-based screen recording platforms. Here are a few solutions we consider worth mentioning. 

Zappy

The best screen recorder for Mac designed for remote teams

OS: Mac
Size: 1.81 MB

Zappy is software produced by Zapier, a company that provides workflows to automate the use of web applications together, specifically to improve communication and productivity within the company. This screen recorder for Mac allows employees to create screencasts, screenshots, and GIFs easily, upload files to the cloud, and share each file with colleagues by embedding a link to Google Workspace tools, Slack, and other services. The screen recorder doesn’t have a video editor but lets you place colorful text, add arrows, or draw, so you can communicate with your peers visually.

Pros

• Makes screencasts, screenshots, and GIFs quickly
• Allows you to make annotations instantly
• Enables you to add audios and a selfie view
• Free cloud hosting with a paid Zapier account
• You can highlight what’s important with an annotation or drawing

Cons

• No animations and effects
• Only available on macOS
• In the early access phase
• Uploading captures to the cloud is a paid feature

Watch this 20-second video on how this tool works:

Price: Free for paid Zapier users

Apowersoft’s Free Online Screen Recorder

Free screen recording software that doesn’t require installation

OS: any
Size: 16 MB

The Apowersoft free screen recorder is one of the few online screen recorders that exist. It uses a robust cloud technology and lets you record your screen and combine it with audio and webcam video footage online. While recording, you can add shapes, notes, colors, and icons to your videos and then export them to various formats. When you’re done with the screencast, you can save the video to a local drive or upload it to RecCloud.

Pros

• Doesn’t require installation on a computer
• Simple interface
• Webcam and audio recording
• Unlimited recordings without watermarks
• Support for live annotations 
• Multiple output formats

Cons

• Demands a stable internet connection
• No animations or transitions

To learn more about the Apowersoft screen recorder and see how to use it, check out this comprehensive video guide:

Price: free

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Section

We’ve put together a list of common questions about screen capture software to take a deeper dive into the topic.

What is screen recording?

Screen recording, also known as screen capture, refers to recording anything that’s happening on your screen. It can be used for different purposes. For example, learning professionals can demonstrate to their employees how to use the software they need to perform their job. Software development companies can record videos on how to use their tool for their customers, and gamers can share their gameplay with the whole world.

How to record your screen in Windows 10

Would you like to use an internal screen recorder? Here’s how you can do that, step by step:

1. Open the program you wish to record.

2. Press the Windows key and G at the same time.

3. You’ll now see the Xbox Game Bar menu. Click on Start Recording at the upper left-hand corner of your screen. You can also capture your voice by clicking on the Microphone button.

4. Once you’ve finished recording, open the menu again and click on Stop Recording.

Congratulations! You’ve made your screen recording. You can find it in the Captures subfolder of the Videos folder.

What is the best free screen recorder for PC?

As we have seen, free screen recording apps have limited functionality and clunky interfaces, for the most part. But among all the abovementioned free screen recorders, we would single out Debut. It offers advanced functionality and allows you to create videos for almost any task. So, if an old-fashioned interface doesn’t bother you, it could be a good choice. 

What is the best paid screen recording software for PC?

With so many solid options on the market, it’s fairly difficult to answer this question. But your choice should definitely depend on your tasks. For details, check out the buyer’s guide below. 

Screen Recording Software Buyer’s Guide 

What do you really need from a screener recorder? Here, you’ll learn how to confidently select a solution that will help you meet your vital goals.

How to choose the best screen recorder? 

Both free and paid tools can be effective ways to capture the work-related or entertainment activities on your PC. But depending on your specific needs, your choice may vary. 

Here’s a list of things you need to consider when selecting a screen recorder:

• How comprehensive it is. Do you want to shoot fairly simple video clips or are you going to create, let’s say, scenes composed with content from multiple sources?
• How easy it is to use. Are you a tech geek who can work with complex software or are you looking for a handy tool that will let you perform all the necessary tasks easily?
• If it records your webcam. Are you planning to record presenter videos and picture-in-picture screencasts as well?
• Which editing capabilities it provides. Would you like to add other visuals, annotations, and mix tracks, or is it sufficient for the tool to remove noise and unwanted fragments?
• What formats it supports. Do you need to create professional HD videos and save them as MP4 files or will WMV videos work for your needs?

Finding the best screen recording software

Now let’s return to the idea about the nature of your tasks. The best solution is the one that will help you perform them completely. Professionals working on an eLearning video project and looking to make video tutorials may benefit the most from iSpring Suite. Experienced users with advanced technical skills might select the free ShareX screen recording tool. Those looking for a simple and reliable screen recording app for simpler tasks might be satisfied with Free Cam.

Did you like this article or have something to add to our review? Feel free to share your personal feedback and ask questions in the comment section. 

Further Reading

Here are some more articles on this topic that you might find useful:

• How to Make a How-To Video in a Breeze
• How to Make a Tutorial Video: A Complete Guide
• The 38 Best Training Video Software for 2023
• The 21 Best Video Tutorial Software: Free and Paid
• How to Create an Employee Training Video
• A Complete Guide to Creating Talking Head Videos
• The 20 Best Explainer Video Software for Every Budget
• How to Make a Screencast: Tips and Tricks
• A Complete Guide on How to Create an Instructional Video