A free version of Debut video capture software is available for non-commercial use only. If you will be using Debut at home you can download the free version here. Record and capture video from almost any source – your computer screen, webcam or even VHS tapes. Free Screen Video Recorder. Rounding off the list is Free Screen Video Recorder, a screen recorder software for Windows 10 that, while not being the most feature loaded, does manage to pack in enough goodies to hold up its own. It lets you not only record the desktop activity, but also take screenshots. Here is a list of the top 10 video screen capture software. DVD VideoSoft’s Free Screen Video Recorder. Free Screen Video Recorder allows you to capture anything on your monitor, including multiple windows, objects, menus and other screen activities. There is a comprehensive, step-by-step instruction page with graphics to help you create. Best Screen Recording Software For Windows 10, 7, 8 And Other Versions 1. TweakShot is one of the fastest way to take screenshots. Ashampoo Snap 10. Ashampoo Snap 10 is one of the best screen capturing software which makes. Balesio ALLCapture. Balesio ALLCapture is one of the. Jing is a further totally free tool by TechSmith and editor method for efficiently taking entire screens, particular windows or areas, and also record a short video of screens. Then you can also transfer photos and video clip recording to Screencast.com or share them to social networks. The hidden inbuilt free screen recorder on Windows 10 is under the Game DVR feature inside the Xbox app in Windows. Even though Microsoft designed this screen capture software for recording game-play, you can use this as a free screen recorder to capture windows screen.
MobiPicksTop 10 Best Screen Recording Software for Windows PC
Understanding Computers is not everyone’s thing. And if you have to teach someone a thing or two about computer then it’s like the scene from the “Battle Of Bastards” where after a heroic start you soon realize you are in deep s**t and find yourself praying for it all to get over quickly (sighs). I for one use screen recording software to teach a person how to perform some action on Windows PC. It saves me from frequent calls and attending to super long threads on a how to article. Even when I am stuck with some new software, generally I YouTube its tutorial video and save me from hanging myself from the mouse chord. If you too are in a similar situation, it will be a smart move to download and install one of the best screen recording software on your Windows PC.
Screen recording software is also essential if you are looking for some side income from YouTube. If you have a great understanding of computer software, coding, cracking(shh!), etc., and you want to share the same with the world then I advise you must own one of these best screen recording software. Also, you may, from time to time, require screen recorder software to share your awesomeness and some WTF moments from favorite video games online.
Contents
- 1 Best Screen Recording Software
Best Screen Recording Software
If you are finding it difficult to select the right screen recorder for Windows, I might be of some help for you in choosing the best screen recording software suiting your particular needs.
We have put together top ten best paid as well as free screen recording software for Windows 10, 8, 7, and other older Windows versions. Let’s check out the list below-
1. CamStudio (Free)
What better choice can be to start a list of best screen recording software with one which is open-source and free to use. CamStudio is one of the most popular screen recorders in the community. It can record anything running on your screen along with its audio in .avi format. You can also change the sound of your recorded file with any other audio file of your choice. CamStudio also allows you to remove the cursor from the screen recording. It can also convert the recorded AVI videos into SWF. Other features of CamStudio include adding captions to video and recording picture in picture with your webcam along with recording your Windows PC’s screen.
In spite of these many features, you will find that the interface is straightforward to use. And if you can’t understand a feature then you can always look at the help files. CamStudio also claims that its recorded videos are comparatively smaller in sizes than other similar screen recording software.
2. Icecream Screen Recorder
If you are using older versions of Windows like Windows 2000, Icecream Screen Recorder is the best screen recording software for you. It can run smoothly even on the Windows 8 and 10. Its User Interface is one of the simplest you will ever find on any screen recorder. It supports hotkeys for you to turn on/off audio during screen recording. You can even record a live video conversation on Skype or other messaging websites with Icecream Screen Recorder. In addition to these features, it supports hotkeys, screenshots, timer, clipboard, history, video game recordings, etc. Icecream Screen Recorder also allows you to become creative by adding drawings, text, arrows, and editing the frame and size of the captured video and screenshots. You can also zoom in to focus on a particular part of the screen during the recording.
There are two versions of Icecream Screen Recorder– free and paid. With the free recording software, you can only record videos for ten minutes, and the recordings get stored in only WebM format. Of course, you can always convert WebM to MP4 online as well as using video converter software. On the other hand, the paid version of Icecream Screen recorder offers you exciting features like recording in various popular formats and without any time bar. The paid version also allows you to add your customized watermark to the recordings.
Pricing: Free with limited features and the Paid version is available for USD 29.95 with unlocked features.
3. Camtasia Studio
Camtasia Studio is one of the best screen recording software with features like Green-Screen effects and in-video captions. Now about that green-screen effect, you can add your video into the recorded video to make it look like as if you are the part of the whole thing. There is only one word to describe its user surprisingly simplified interface– Professional. Camtasia can also perform cross-platform screen recording, and it offers integration with Google Drive. With Camtasia Studio you can add an external HD video into your screen recordings and generate YouTube like annotations for different contents. You can also import external video and audio files in the video from your webcam into your recordings.
Pricing: Free trial for the first 30 days after which you will be required to pay USD 299 to purchase the license.
Pro Tip: Check out the best video editing software to give a professional touch to your recorded videos.
4. ActivePresenter
ActivePresenter is a multilingual screencasting and eLearning program developed by Atomi Systems. It is probably the best screen recorder for tutorial and education related videos. You can do anything on your screen with ActivePresenter ranging from PowerPoint presentations to online videos. It can make learning an interactive activity by adding annotations, voiceovers, and callouts to a recorded video. So when you click on an annotation during the presentation, it will redirect you to a different content which can be an explanation to a point in the video or an annexation to a step in a tutorial video.
ActivePresentor is the best screen recording software for a corporate firm because of its support for SCORM. It can record videos in WMV, AVI, and other video formats. It has three different editions viz., free, standard, and professional. The free version of ActivePresentor is barred by watermarked video, signaling that it can’t be used for commercial purposes.
Pricing: Available for Free(with non-removable company watermark), two other paid editions– Standard Edition is available for USD 149, and Professional Edition is available for USD 299.
5. Snagit
Snagit is developed by TechSmith which has also created Camtasia. But both the screen recording software have different and distinct features. Snagit is known by its users for its simplified UI, which comes with hotkeys for shortcut commands. Snagit allows you to set the capture area on your screen and take screenshots and record whatever runs on your screen. With Snagit, you can edit your videos by trimming and enhancing its quality. It allows you to focus on what you want to show people by in video focused zooming. The thing that makes it a part of this list of best screen recording software is that you can make GIFs out of your recorded videos. Other features include panoramic screenshots and scrolling captures, which lets you take the screen shot of whole page instead of the portion that fits in the window.
Pricing: Free Trial, the full version is available for USD 49.
Pro Tip: If screen recorded videos do not play in default Windows media player, try out the best and free video players from third-parties.
6. Ezvid (Free)
Ezvid, as the name suggests, is easy to use screen editor. It is also one of the best screen recording software which is open sourced and is available for free. Ezvid is a software that can do both viz., record your screen and instantly edit the video to make it upload ready. Most of the beginner YouTube channels use Ezvid for creating their video. A video recorded with Ezvid can directly be uploaded to YouTube. It allows you to control the speed of your video and audio. Ezvid uses the processing power of the computer to speedily sum up the whole process.
7. Screencast-O-Matic
If you are compiling a list of best screen recording software then it is impossible to leave Screencast-O-Matic out of it. It is the personal favourite of millions of the budding YouTubers. You can record your screen and share directly your recordings to YouTube or even share it on a website hosted by Screencast-O-Matic. The free version of Screencast-O-Matic can record videos of up to 15 minutes only and contains company’s watermark. On the other hand, the paid version can record longer videos and comes with fully unlocked video editing tools. You can also add audio commentary to your recordings in the paid version and share it directly to Vimeo, Dropbox, Google Drive, etc.
Pricing: Free with locked features. Unlock all features for USD 15/year.
8. ScreenFlow by Telestream
If I tell you that you can record everything possible from your Windows PC at a time by using just one screen recorder, would you believe it? Well, you have to because this is what ScreenFlow does. Also, you would immediately click the download button when I tell you that ScreenFlow comes with an integrated video editor. Hold your horses; these are not the only thing; you can also share your videos directly to YouTube and other social networking platforms.
ScreenFlow also claims that videos recorded from it when watched through Retina Displays can yield one of the best video qualities. Other important features of ScreenFlow include Video Captioning, different video formats, and no time limit of recordings. If you are using the free version of ScreenFlow, then all videos will come watermarked with Screenflow’s logo. So if you want to use it for commercial purposes, it’s best advised that you buy the paid version.
Pricing: Free (watermarked videos) and USD 99 for paid version without any watermark videos.
9. SmartPixel
SmartPixel is one of those best screen recording software dedicated to recording gameplay videos. SmartPixel is one of the best screen recorder featuring 720p(HD) video recording. However, you can also use it for recording anything running on your PC’s screen. So, it will suit you even if you are not interested in video games. Even though videos can be recorded in HD quality, it won’t end up leaving you hunting for more memory on your disk. The company claims to use a minimum of the space due to heavily compressed video sizes. You can also edit videos post recording and it allows you to instantly share or upload videos directly to YouTube and other Social Media platforms. Another thing that I liked the most about this particular screen recorder is that it can also add subtitles to the recorded videos and you can also dub the audio.
Pricing: Free with limited function. Pro with unlocked features like a personalized definition, higher frame rate and without watermarked videos is available for USD 15.90/year.
10. Bandicam Screen Recorder
Bandicam Screen recorder allows you to record specific areas of the screen. You can record games, videos and virtually anything on your screen. Videos can be saved in either .avi or .mp4 formats. Along with your screen, you can record from your webcam and audio from your microphone in the real-time. The paid version also allows you to add your watermark. However, the free version videos will always have Bandicam’s watermark. You can also highlight a point on your screen with a mouse click effect during the recording. With Bandicam, you can also add animations and add your mouse drawn shapes to your video. The free version can only record videos up to 10 minutes. Bandicam can also optimize recording through hardware acceleration (if your processor supports it) allowing you to finish recording and processing with a faster speed.
Pricing: Free with limited features. Paid and unlocked version is available for USD 39.
Conclusion
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Well, these were the top ten best screen recording software according to my personal opinion. However, if you think that I have left any popular screen recorder and it’s worthy of this list, then you can always comment below. Do note that some of these software are paid while others are completely free. If you are looking for the best screen recorder with profit earning motives, then I will suggest you go with the paid versions because they come with unlocked features. Also, it is advised that you should have a good video editor to add professional level touch to your recorded videos before publishing it.
Try as I might, sometimes I can’t avoid surfing the Twitterverse after a newsworthy moment to see the reactions.
Thousands of memes, GIFs and snippets from around the world churned out in a matter of seconds ... “What wizardry is this?” I often ask myself.
It takes a certain spark of creativity and motivation (not to mention free time) to generate this endless content waterfall. But it also takes the right tools. Modern screen recording software empowers anyone and everyone to turn what’s happening on the computer screen into entertaining or informational content to be shared how the user sees fit. And the possibilities extend far past learning how to take a screenshot on Windows, a Mac, or your Android phone. Not to mention the possibilities that come from meme template creation for the masses.
Here is the list of the best free screen capture software in 2018:
Product | Reviews | Star Rating | Users | Video Recording |
CloudApp | 310 | 4.7 | 1 | 15-second limit |
Droplr | 366 | 4.5 | Unlimited | Not in free version |
Greenshot | 70 | 4.7 | Unlimited | None |
Loom | 12 | 4.8 | Unlimited | Unlimited |
Screencastify | 10 | 4.8 | Unlimited | 10-minute limit, 50 videos/month |
ShareX | 28 | 4.8 | Unlimited | Unlimited |
Open Broadcaster Software | 7 | 4.6 | Unlimited | Unlimited |
Professionals can take advantage of this technology in a variety of ways. Screen and video capture tools are terrific for making process tutorials, resolving IT dilemmas and injecting meetings with relevant visual aids. (You can also share embarrassing email exchanges with colleagues … but I didn’t tell you that.) Whatever your end goals are, these solutions can quickly become invaluable tools for your business. Best yet, you can nab some of the best-reviewed products in the space without spending a dime.
Free solutions can be an excellent point of entry for small teams or independent contractors wondering how screen capture platforms can benefit their mission. Despite the common stigma, free software doesn’t always come at the expense of quality. Some of the products in this space with zero-cost offerings stand toe-to-toe within the field, according to feedback from verified reviewers on G2.
Using reviews from real users, our list of free screen and video capture software is ordered by highest user satisfaction as of May 29, 2018.
The list we’ve outlined here includes any screen capture solution with some free offering. This does not include products that are free temporarily or offer free trials. They may only support one user or one project, but they’re truly free offerings. Scaling, however, will often require full investments.
These products alone have more than 700 validated user reviews on G2 and only represent a portion of the 30-plus screen and video capture software offerings listed on our platform. The products are ranked by user satisfaction score as of May 29, 2018, and must have at least five reviews.
1. CloudApp Screen Recorder
Image courtesy of CloudApp
CloudApp is the second-most reviewed product in this category with more than 300 reviews. It is used by more than two million people, according to the CloudApp website, with clients that include Uber, Facebook and Airbnb. The self-described “visual communication tools” offered by CloudApp can help streamline multiple avenues of dialogue within your organization.
Features available across all CloudApp user plans are screenshot, annotation/drawing and full text search functionalities. Video and webcam recording, as well as GIF capture, can be performed in 15-second increments within the free version, with increased capabilities for paid users. The platform’s myriad other features, along with its allotment for each level of membership, are detailed on the CloudApp pricing page.
The free version of CloudApp gives individual users access to the tool’s “pro” features for 14 days, after which they can utilize a limited version indefinitely. The Pro Plan starts at $8 per month for individual users (with an annual agreement) and $9 per user per month for teams (with an annual agreement). Larger teams can benefit from advanced security and other additional features for $17 per user per month (annual agreement).
What users say
“I have used SO many screen capture apps and this is the best among all the free ones I have tried. It annotates easily and even allows me to move arrows around as well as text. It captures easily with a hotkey. It captures video easily and uses a microphone to record along with the screencapture. It stores my captures for later retrieval and sharing. I struggle to think of something it can't do well!”
— CloudApp review from Joseph D.
“I have used SO many screen capture apps and this is the best among all the free ones I have tried. It annotates easily and even allows me to move arrows around as well as text. It captures easily with a hotkey. It captures video easily and uses a microphone to record along with the screencapture. It stores my captures for later retrieval and sharing. I struggle to think of something it can't do well!”
— CloudApp review from Joseph D.
2. Droplr Video Capture
Image courtesy of Droplr
Founded in 2012, Oregon-based Droplr has since earned the trust of mammoth brands such as Intel, Target and Pixar. The simple app allows users to easily capture screenshots and generate shareable links for the containing content; you can also upload external files and turn them into shareable links just as well.
Droplr desktop software is offered for both Mac and Windows users — read about different releases here — and the vendor offers a Chrome extension to assist with browser-based screen grabs. The free offering goes by the name “Droplr Lite” and comes packaged with the core toolset of screenshot capture and sharing, instant share URLs and Slack integration.
The Pro version expands the functionality with video capture, notes/annotations, full file history and other features. Droplr Pro is available for $3 per user per month, billed annually. Droplr Enterprise, the product’s largest offering, is marketed as a powerful, cloud-based collaboration solution for content-driven teams, with added security and user access features to ensure content stays safe and in the right hands. For a pricing quote on Droplr Enterprise, inquire with the vendor.
What users say
“Droplr is fast, simple and easy to use. The shortcut and snipping tools are very useful for a production environment where information, images and files have to be shared. It's also great that Droplr has the annotation option for taken screenshots, as well as the new addition of the blur tool. This is great when trying to hide some information such as sensitive data from certain clients.”
— Droplr review from Kacper J.
“Droplr is fast, simple and easy to use. The shortcut and snipping tools are very useful for a production environment where information, images and files have to be shared. It's also great that Droplr has the annotation option for taken screenshots, as well as the new addition of the blur tool. This is great when trying to hide some information such as sensitive data from certain clients.”
— Droplr review from Kacper J.
3. Greenshot Screen Capture
Image courtesy of Greenshot
Greenshot is a modest tool with a glowing reputation among G2 users — it’s currently averaging 4.7 out of 5 stars after 70 reviews, showing that it’s not to be taken lightly. This free, open-source and lightweight software provides Windows users with an easy way to create screenshots from specific regions or entire desktop windows, including full scrolling websites viewed in Internet Explorer. Once files are generated, users can “annotate, highlight or obfuscate parts of the screenshot” with handy tools and then export, print, email or upload the finished project without breaking a sweat.
To keep Greenshot free and readily available, while tweaking and improving it along the way, the development team invites members to donate through the Greenshot website. One of these crowdfunded improvements was an OSX release of the software, made available in early 2017. Unlike the free, all-inclusive Windows version, Greenshot for Mac is closed source and costs $1.99 in the Mac App Store.
What users say
“Greenshot is an easy-to-use screenshot tool that also allows for simple annotating (drawing) on the screenshot. There are many ways to customize the tool. Drawing arrows, text, boxes, etc. are all very easy. After you are done, you can easily copy to clipboard or send to Outlook or several other tools. Also nice that this is a free open-source tool so you don’t have to worry about a license if you want to share it with a friend.”
— Greenshot review from Alan J.
“Greenshot is an easy-to-use screenshot tool that also allows for simple annotating (drawing) on the screenshot. There are many ways to customize the tool. Drawing arrows, text, boxes, etc. are all very easy. After you are done, you can easily copy to clipboard or send to Outlook or several other tools. Also nice that this is a free open-source tool so you don’t have to worry about a license if you want to share it with a friend.”
— Greenshot review from Alan J.
4. Loom
Image courtesy of Loom
Built specially for Google Chrome, Loom leans into the “video” aspect of screen and video capture, with a quick “click, record and share” solution for video capture. Loom boasts a customer portfolio with members in 170 countries and brands such as Google and Dropbox.
In addition to grabbing video clips from web streams or video conferences, users can conveniently save and share personal webcam recordings to be used as training materials or meeting contributions. It also can be used as a helpful personal reference tool for professionals in any context. The full Loom extension is completely free and currently rated 5.0/5.0 stars in the Chrome Store (and a not-too-shabby 4.8 stars on G2).
What users say
“I love how Loom provides an easy way to capture video of my screen. It's perfect for quickly capturing a workflow within my company's product and allows me to connect with customers over email in a whole new way! Loom is great for speeding up your email replies while still keeping them in-depth and thorough. Gone are the days of sending multiple screenshots to try and direct a customer through a unique set of steps. It adds a personal touch to every support interaction and is a must for any support team!”
— Loom review from Dillon G.
“I love how Loom provides an easy way to capture video of my screen. It's perfect for quickly capturing a workflow within my company's product and allows me to connect with customers over email in a whole new way! Loom is great for speeding up your email replies while still keeping them in-depth and thorough. Gone are the days of sending multiple screenshots to try and direct a customer through a unique set of steps. It adds a personal touch to every support interaction and is a must for any support team!”
— Loom review from Dillon G.
5. Screencastify
Image courtesy of Screencastify
Much like Loom, Screencastify is a dedicated Chrome extension for recording content viewed within the browser. The small Chicago-based team launched the product in 2013 and claims to the be the first of its kind available in the Chrome Web Store. Just recently, the self-proclaimed “mother of all screencasting extensions” was released with a major UI update to reduce clutter and provide a smoother, cleaner experience.
Screencastify provides fast and reliable recording for browser tabs, desktop activity and webcams. In addition to its application in a professional setting, Screencastify promotes itself as a great tool for teachers to create more personalized learning experiences, with tools for structuring video lessons or lectures in an easy-to-use dashboard.
The “Lite” version of Screencastify is free forever, with some basic limitations such as 10-minute video length limits and a max of 50 videos per month, as well as a watermark on video files. The software’s premium offering allows for unlimited videos and recording lengths, increased exporting and editing options, and finished files free of the Screencastify watermark.
What users say
“As a G Suite and Chrome browser user, it took me about a minute to set up and start recording. The product is FREE (with limitations) but I am considering [upgrading] since the product is a lot cheaper than competing products. The user interface is very intuitive and easy to use.”
— Screencastify review from Tomi B.
“As a G Suite and Chrome browser user, it took me about a minute to set up and start recording. The product is FREE (with limitations) but I am considering [upgrading] since the product is a lot cheaper than competing products. The user interface is very intuitive and easy to use.”
— Screencastify review from Tomi B.
6. ShareX
Image courtesy of ShareX
The long list of options and tools in this free, open-source productivity tool is displayed in full on the ShareX homepage. In active development since 2007, this software is one of the most tenured in the screen capture category, and its 4.8 star rating after 28 reviews on G2 proves that is has the goods to back up its decade-plus run.
Complementing its complete screen capture and recording capabilities is a bevy of practical editing and uploading tools. ShareX also supports more than 80 destinations where users can deploy their captured and finalized content files. Much like Greenshot earlier on this list, ShareX encourages donations to keep the software up and running for new users around the world.
What users say
“The best thing about ShareX is the open-ended versatility the program offers over the competition. In addition to taking screenshots of any windows, and any size, that functionality is enhanced by being able to screen record in that same manner. On top of that, you have the option to export your media in multiple video formats, including export as GIF. ShareX also comes with a built-in color picker, OCR, auto-upload to a source of your choice and other tools to better convenience your line of work, or your computer experience.”
— ShareX review from Leo H.
“The best thing about ShareX is the open-ended versatility the program offers over the competition. In addition to taking screenshots of any windows, and any size, that functionality is enhanced by being able to screen record in that same manner. On top of that, you have the option to export your media in multiple video formats, including export as GIF. ShareX also comes with a built-in color picker, OCR, auto-upload to a source of your choice and other tools to better convenience your line of work, or your computer experience.”
— ShareX review from Leo H.
7. Open Broadcaster Software
Image courtesy of Open Broadcaster Software
In addition to reliable, high-quality video captures, Open Broadcaster Software (OBS) provides the necessary tools for live streaming one’s video content. This is an increasingly relevant function for vloggers, YouTube channel operators and game streamers on platforms such as Twitch.
OBS Studio — the current supported release of the software — is free and open source, available for Windows, Mac and Linux. Files can be manipulated as desired by the user with a deep set of mixing and configuration tools included with the standard download. The OBS website also hosts a community forum with general guides and discussions on various topics.
OBS Studio — the current supported release of the software — is free and open source, available for Windows, Mac and Linux. Files can be manipulated as desired by the user with a deep set of mixing and configuration tools included with the standard download. The OBS website also hosts a community forum with general guides and discussions on various topics.
What users say
“Completely intuitive and user-friendly. OBS is a fantastic utility for any screen capture needs, whether for crafting tutorials, recording webcam or external camera video with overlay, multi-source recording or capture. Scene management/profiles are life-saving. Plugins, tools and scripts add a ton of utility. OBS also has excellent guides available in the website forum, an incredibly helpful community on a whole.”
— Open Broadcaster Software review from Jaime K.
“Completely intuitive and user-friendly. OBS is a fantastic utility for any screen capture needs, whether for crafting tutorials, recording webcam or external camera video with overlay, multi-source recording or capture. Scene management/profiles are life-saving. Plugins, tools and scripts add a ton of utility. OBS also has excellent guides available in the website forum, an incredibly helpful community on a whole.”
— Open Broadcaster Software review from Jaime K.
Next steps for selecting the best free screen capture software
Visit our Screen Capture Software category to find more free or commercial options and determine the desktop media capture solution to fit your company’s needs. Reviews can be tailored to view specific ratings, company sizes, user roles, user industries and additional categories to help determine which product will work best for your unique business
Microsoft Screen Recorder
Want more free tools? Check out our list of the best free office software.
* Please note: Reviews may have been edited for spelling and grammar.