📝 Quick summary: Whether you want to make a tutorial, save a video call or show a bug to a friend, you can do it without paying. This guide covers 8 pieces of free screen recording software, from simple built-in tools to powerful open source programs. For each one you will get a plain explanation, an at-a-glance table, honest pros and cons, and a practical tip.
Free plans change over time, so check the official site before you commit to a big project. Every tool below links to its own website.
🔍 What to Look For First
Most people choose a recorder by name. A better way is to start with what you need:
- ⏱️ Time limit. Some free plans stop at 5 or 15 minutes.
- 💧 Watermark. A logo on your video can look unprofessional.
- 🔊 System audio. Recording the sound from your computer is not always easy.
- 💻 Your computer. Windows, Mac, Linux and Chromebook all have different choices.
- ✂️ Editing. Do you need to trim the video, or is raw footage fine?
📊 Quick Comparison Table
| Tool | Free Limits | Works On | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| OBS Studio | No time limit, no watermark | Windows, Mac, Linux | Long recordings and streaming |
| ScreenPal | 15 minutes per recording | Windows, Mac, Chromebook, mobile | Short tutorials |
| Screenity | No limits, no watermark | Chrome browser | Browser tabs and quick demos |
| ShareX | No tiers, no watermark | Windows only | Screenshots plus GIFs |
| ActivePresenter | No time limit or watermark | Windows, Mac | Training videos |
| Loom | 5 minutes, 25 videos | Cloud and apps | Quick shareable links |
| macOS built-in | No limit | Mac | Simple Mac recordings |
| Windows built-in | No limit | Windows 11 | Simple Windows recordings |
🏆 The 8 Best Free Screen Recording Software Picks
1️⃣ OBS Studio
OBS Studio is the one most creators end up with. It is open source, so it is free forever. You can record the whole screen, one window, your webcam and your microphone all at once, and you can switch between “scenes” like a live TV show.
The first look can feel crowded, but the basics are easy once you set up one scene. After that, you can add extras like a logo, a second camera or a text banner whenever you want.
| 💰 Free plan | No time limit and no watermark, up to 4K at 60 frames per second if your computer can handle it |
| 🎯 Best for | Long tutorials, gaming and live streams |
| 💻 Works on | Windows 10/11, macOS 12 or newer, Linux |
| 👤 Account | Not needed |
- Totally free, with no limits
- Very powerful and flexible
- Records multiple sources at once
- Many buttons on the first screen
- Takes a short time to learn
- No built-in video editor
💡 Pro tip: Do a 30-second test recording first. Check your sound and the video file before you record something long.
2️⃣ ScreenPal
ScreenPal (once called Screencast-O-Matic) is friendlier than OBS. You pick the part of the screen, press record, and a basic editor is ready when you finish. You can add your webcam too, so students can see your face as you explain.
It is a popular choice with teachers because it is quick to learn. You can be recording within a minute of opening it.
| 💰 Free plan | Each recording can be up to 15 minutes, with no watermark |
| 🎯 Best for | Teachers and anyone who records short lessons |
| 💻 Works on | Windows, Mac, Chromebook, iOS and Android (no Linux desktop app) |
| 👤 Account | Not needed to start |
- Easy to learn
- Simple built-in editor
- Screen plus webcam
- 15-minute cap per recording
- Some extra tools are paid
💡 Pro tip: Break a long lesson into several short parts. It fits the limit and is easier for viewers to follow.
3️⃣ Screenity
Screenity is a free Chrome extension. You click its icon, choose a tab, an area or the full desktop, and start. There is nothing heavy to install, which makes it a fast option for quick jobs.
While you record, you can draw on the screen or highlight clicks, which is handy for explaining a process. When you finish, you can save the file as MP4, GIF or WebM.
| 💰 Free plan | No limits and no watermark on the free extension |
| 🎯 Best for | Quick demos and browser-based work |
| 💻 Works on | Chrome (including ChromeOS) |
| 📂 Open source | Yes (GPLv3) |
- Easy to start
- Drawing and highlight tools
- Exports to MP4, GIF and WebM
- Lives inside Chrome
- Not meant for heavy editing
💡 Pro tip: Export as a GIF when you only need to show a short action, like clicking through a setting.
4️⃣ ShareX
ShareX is a Windows tool that does far more than record. It takes screenshots, reads text from images, and can send your file to many places after you finish. A favorite trick is turning a small region of the screen into a GIF.
It looks busy at first, but most people only use a few features. Once you learn your two or three favorite shortcuts, it becomes very fast.
| 💰 Free plan | No paid tiers and no watermark |
| 🎯 Best for | Bloggers and support teams who need fast screenshots and GIFs |
| 💻 Works on | Windows only |
| 📂 Open source | Yes |
- Huge list of features
- Upload to 80+ destinations
- Text reading (OCR) built in
- Windows only
- Packed menus
- GIF capture has no sound
💡 Pro tip: Set up the automatic upload step once. After that, every screenshot can become a shareable link in seconds.
5️⃣ ActivePresenter
ActivePresenter feels like a small video studio. You record, then trim, add text boxes and arrows, and arrange several tracks on a timeline. It captures both your microphone and system sound.
This makes it a strong choice when you want your training video to look finished without opening a second program.
| 💰 Free plan | No watermark and no time limit in the free edition |
| 🎯 Best for | Training videos and software demos |
| 💻 Works on | Windows and macOS |
| 💳 Paid extras | Some advanced export options |
- Multi-track editor
- Records mic and system audio
- Good for step-by-step guides
- More to learn than a basic recorder
- Advanced exports are paid
💡 Pro tip: Use the arrows and text boxes to point at the exact button you are talking about. Viewers follow along much more easily.
6️⃣ Loom
Loom is built for speed. You record, and a link is ready almost at once, so you can paste it into a chat or an email. It connects with tools like Slack and Google Workspace.
It works well for short updates. Instead of writing a long message, you can show your screen for two minutes and send the link.
| 💰 Free plan | Recordings up to 5 minutes, and up to 25 videos per person |
| 🎯 Best for | Short work updates and quick explanations |
| 💻 Works on | Cloud based, with apps |
| 👤 Account | Required |
- Instant shareable links
- Very simple
- Slack and Google Workspace support
- Only 5 minutes per video
- Only 25 videos on the free plan
💡 Pro tip: Delete old videos you no longer need, so you do not use up your 25 video spots.
7️⃣ macOS Built-In Recorder
On a Mac, you already have a recorder. Press Command + Shift + 5, pick the whole screen or a part of it, and start. There is nothing to install and nothing to sign up for.
It is the best choice when you only need a quick clip and do not want to learn a new program.
| 💰 Free plan | No time limit or watermark |
| 🎯 Best for | Simple Mac recordings with your own voice |
| ⌨️ Shortcut | Command + Shift + 5 |
| 👤 Account | Not needed |
- Nothing to download
- Very quick
- No limits
- No sound from inside the computer
- No webcam overlay
💡 Pro tip: Choose your microphone in the options menu before you start. Otherwise your video may have no voice at all.
8️⃣ Windows Built-In Recorder
Windows 11 includes screen recording in the Snipping Tool, and the Xbox Game Bar can capture app clips. You can trim the video before you save it, so a small mistake at the start or end is easy to remove.
Like the Mac option, it is perfect for fast, no-fuss recordings.
| 💰 Free plan | No limits or watermark |
| 🎯 Best for | Quick clips without installing anything |
| 💻 Works on | Windows 11 |
| 🔊 Audio note | System audio needs version 24H2 or newer |
- Already on your PC
- Simple trim tool
- Captures mic and system sound
- Fewer options than a full program
- Needs a recent Windows update for system audio
💡 Pro tip: Use the trim tool right after recording. It saves you from needing a separate editor for small fixes.
🎬 Tips for Cleaner Recordings
| Tip | Why It Helps |
|---|---|
| 🧹 Close extra windows | Hides private tabs, emails and chat alerts. |
| 🔔 Turn on Do Not Disturb | A pop-up in the middle of a tutorial is hard to remove later. |
| 🎤 Test your sound first | Record ten seconds and listen back. |
| 🖱️ Move the mouse slowly | Fast movements are hard for viewers to follow. |
| 📝 Write a short script | A few bullet points keep you on track. |
A good free note-taking app is perfect for keeping your script. After recording, you may want to cut mistakes or add titles, and our list of free video editing software will help. If the file is too big to email, try one of these free file transfer tools.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Which free screen recording software has no watermark?
OBS Studio, Screenity, ShareX, ActivePresenter and ScreenPal’s free plan are all described as watermark-free. The built-in tools on Mac and Windows are also clean.
Can I record my screen and my voice at the same time?
Yes. Most of these tools let you choose a microphone. For sound that comes from the computer itself, OBS Studio and ActivePresenter are good choices.
What is the easiest option for a complete beginner?
Use the built-in recorder on your computer, or try ScreenPal. Both are simple to start and do not ask you to set up much.
Is it legal to record my screen?
For your own screen, yes. If you record a meeting or a call with other people, tell them first, because the rules differ by country and company.