Best Screen Recorders for Windows PCs
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 a built-in screen recorder called Xbox Game Bar. 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 limited recording capabilities: it doesn’t allow you to capture the entire desktop or File Manager.
So if you’re are looking for a more robust tool, we’ve compiled the 16 best screen recorders for Windows that differ in price and functionality:
| Best Free Screen Recorders | Best Paid Screen Recorders |
| Free Cam | iSpring Suite |
| Free Screen Video Recorder | Camtasia |
| ShareX | Filmora Scrn |
| CamStudio | Movavi Screen Recorder |
| Ezvid | My Screen Recorder Pro |
| TinyTake | FlashBack |
| OBS Studio | ScreenPal |
| Debut | |
| Loom |
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.
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 whether the screen recorder is easy to use, and evaluated how closely each option meets the needs of its target audience.
Whether you’ve paid for numerous tools and received subpar quality, or you’re looking to save some money, there are plenty of free screen recorders that can get the job done with satisfying results. A word of caution though: some vendors may ask you to buy a paid version after you download their “free” software so you can get full access to its functionality.
We compiled the 9 best free screen recorders in 2023 that successfully compete with paid screen capture apps:
OS: Microsoft Windows 7/8/10/11 (32- and 64-bit)
Size: 22.1 MB
Output: WMV
Free Cam is a 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. You can also record audio narration through a microphone and system sounds. Even though this screen recorder is free, it doesn’t place any watermark on your videos and is ad free. Besides, it has no time limits — the recording session may last as long as you want.
Pros
Cons
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 for PC. It can record Skype conversations with no limitations – a feature useful for Skype business meetings and video conferencing. You can also single out and capture different Windows applications as discrete elements. The user-friendly image editor that turned out to be helpful for attaining a polished look is especially praiseworthy.
Pros
Cons
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. Yet, it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. An average user might get lost in the many advanced recording features, so ShareX is mostly targeted toward developers and power users.
Pros
Cons
OS: Windows XP & above
Size: 10.9 MB
Output: AVI, SWF
CamStudio is a free desktop app that’s a good choice for one-time or occasional users. If you need to record your screen and don’t require advanced editing options, it will fit. 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 might need further development and increased technical support. The screen recorder also has minimal editing features, so you might need to have an additional video editing and audio editing software.
Pros
Cons
OS: Windows XP SP3 / Vista / 7 / 8 / 8.1 / 10 / 11
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 record your screen and upload videos directly to YouTube in a matter of minutes. That’s why this tool is popular among gamers and movie fans who want to make YouTube videos quickly and easily.
Pros
Cons
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. It lets you capture images and videos from your computer screen, add comments, and share them within minutes. It is especially useful 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
Cons
OS: Windows 10 and 11, MacOS, 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 streaming 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. However, the extended feature set can be too much for those who are looking for the quickest and easiest way to shoot a video. Besides, this recorder takes a lot of time to fully master.
Pros
Cons
OS: Windows (all) on 64 bit / macOS 10.5 or above
Size: 3.15 MB
Output: AVI, WMV, FLV, MPG, MP4, MOV
Debut is another best free screen recorder for Windows 10 that lets you make videos for almost any task, as well as live stream videos on YouTube. The Debut interface may seem a bit odd and old-fashioned but it offers advanced recording functionality. For example, you can record mouse clicks and 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
Cons
OS: Mac, Windows, iOS, and Android
Size: 125 MB
Output: MOV, MP4, AVI, WMV, WebM
Loom is a great tool for PCs that allows you to record quick video messages to send to your team and streamline your workflow. It’s an interactive alternative to emails, instant messaging, and web meetings. However, the free version has some limitations. For example, it allows you to create a maximum of 25 videos per person and restricts the recording length to five minutes. Besides, it has limited editing capabilities, which means you need to use other apps to edit and share recorded messages.
Pros
Cons
| Product name | Webcam recording | Audio recording | Video editing | Output |
| 1. Free Cam | No | Yes | Yes | WMV |
| 2. DVDVideoSoft’s Free Screen Video Recorder | No | Yes | No | MP4, BMP, JPEG, PNG |
| 3. ShareX | No | Yes | No | AVI, MP4, GIF |
| 4. CamStudio | No | Yes | No | AVI, SWF |
| 5. Ezvid | No | Yes | Yes | WMV |
| 6. TinyTake | Yes | Yes | No | MP4 |
| 7. OBS | No | Yes | No | LV, MP4, MOV, MKV, TS, HLS |
| 8. Debut | Yes | Yes | Yes | AVI, WMV, FLV, MPG, MP4, MOV |
| 9. Loom | Yes | Yes | Yes | MOV, MP4, AVI, WMV, WebM |
The Internet offers numerous screen recording programs so you’re sure to find free and low-cost options. However, when searching for high-quality performance, elaborate presentation, and expert technical support, you might want to invest in paid software.
Here are 7 paid desktop screen recorders that have gained customers’ and reviewers’ trust and continue to expand their presence in the market:
OS: Windows 7 / 8 / 10 / 11
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. The recorder can capture interface, record keystrokes and clicks and add hints for the actions automatically.
Pros
Cons
With iSpring Suite, you can not only record videos, but also produce great eLearning content: online courses, quizzes, role-plays, interactions, and other educational materials. No experience or tech skills are required for content creation.
Price: $970/year for the entire toolkit.
Free 14-day trial → (no credit card required)
OS: Windows (all versions) and Mac
Size: 293 MB
Output: MP4, HTML5, WMV, AVI, PNG, JPEG, GIF, BMP, WAV, MP3, MP4
Camtasia is a feature-packed software for screen recording that is preferred by detail-oriented enthusiasts. It allows you to record video and audio one after another, combining the results afterward. Many users consider Camtasia the best screen recorder for PC as 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
Cons
Price: $299. Free 30-day trial.
OS: Windows (up to 11 version) 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 (all this is important for game recording). 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
Cons
Price: $49.99 for 1 year or $79.99 for a lifetime license. Free trial.
OS: Windows (including 10 & 11) 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 record webinars and other videos. You can 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 Movavi Screen Recorder on our computer, it worked well but some users report that it crashes periodically.
Pros
Cons
Price: $42.95 for 1 PC. Free 7-day trial.
OS: Windows 7/ 8 / 8.1 / 10
Size: 39.49 MB
Output: AVI, WMV, WebM, EXE
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
Cons
Price: $129.95. Free feature limited trial.
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 professional video recordings by capturing your computer screen, along with a webcam and mic. To take full advantage of the tool, you can use a built-in video editor and add captions, arrows, images, and highlights.
Pros
Cons
Price: $49 for 1 PC. Free 30-day trial.
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 built-in 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 customizable videos, images, and music tracks. It also provides cloud storage 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
Cons
Price: Pricing starts at $4.00/month. There’s also a free version with limited functionality.
| Product name | Webcam recording | Audio recording | Video editing | Output |
| 10. iSpring Suite | Yes | Yes | Yes | MP4, HTML5 |
| 11. Camtasia | Yes | Yes | Yes | MP4, HTML5, WMV, AVI, PNG, JPEG, GIF, BMP, WAV, MP3, MP4 |
| 12. Filmora Scrn | Yes | Yes | Yes | MP4, WMV, AVI, MOV, MP3, GIF, etc. |
| 13. Movavi | Yes | Yes | Yes | MP4, AVI, MOV, MKV, GIF, MP3, PNG, BMP, JPG |
| 14. My Screen Recorder Pro | Yes | Yes | Yes | AVI, WMV, and WebM |
| 15. FlashBack | Yes | Yes | Yes | MP4, AVI, GIF, etc. |
| 16. ScreenPal | Yes | Yes | Yes | MP4, AVI, FLV |
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.
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
Cons
Price: Free for paid Zapier users
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 computer 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
Cons
Price: free
We’ve put together a list of common questions about screen capture software to take a deeper dive into the topic.
Screen recording, also known as screen capture, refers to recording anything that’s happening on your screen, including the interface of opened apps, notifications, and any actions you make. 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.
Would you like to use an internal Windows screen recorder? Here’s how you can do that,
step by step:
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.
To start recording screencasts, you need:
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 refers to advanced recording tools that offer rich functionality and allow you to create videos for almost any task. So, if an old-fashioned interface doesn’t bother you, it could be a great choice.
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.
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.
Both free and paid screen recording software can be effective tools to record your screen. 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 for PC:
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. Content creators working on an eLearning video project and looking to make video tutorials may benefit the most from iSpring Suite. Experienced video editors 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.
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