15 Best Screen Recording Software for Windows in 2024

Whether you’re a student or a gamer, you appreciate Screen Recording and the tools that help you record your screen in great quality. There are tons of great screen recorders out there but choosing the right one for your needs can be a tough job. Hence, in order to save you the trouble of scouring the internet andSubredditsand lengthy discussions on online communities, we have compiled a list of the 15 best screen recording software for Windows. This list includes both paid and free options for you to find the perfect match. Although, if you’re searching for a screen recorder to record on Chrome, you could use these usefulChrome screen recording extensions.

1. OBS Studio

High-quality screen recording? Check. Multi-platform streaming? Check. Pro-level editing and control tools? Check. OBS Studio is one of themost decked-out screen recording softwarein the domain. It brings a vast set of video editing tools to the table, which is what makes it a favorite among the gaming community and professionals who know their way around the software.

Unlike a host of other options in the domain, OBSdoes not impose a restriction on the length of videosone can record or stream, despite being absolutely free and open source. You can choose from various resolutions (HD, FullHD, etc.) and video formats (flv, mp4, mkv, etc.) and stream them onpopular streaming platforms like Twitch, YouTube, Facebook Live, and DailyMotion to name just a few.

And yes, OBS Studio canstream gamesin full-screenmode and record videos atframe rates of up to 60FPS. All in all, you won’t be left wanting more options if you jump on the OBS Studio bandwagon, provided you manage to ace its UI.

The sheer diversity of tools available in OBS Studio makes it an intimidating option for newbies, not to mention the fact that it takes a lot of time to customize and tweak the settings to one’s liking and comfort. Having said all of that, OBS Studio still remains the best screen recorder for PC.

Download OBS Studio(Free)

2. ShareX

Sure, OBS Studio is feature-packed and has lots of add-ons and utilities, but it’s not for everyone. General users might find it overwhelming. That’s why we bring you the bestscreen recording software for Windows 10 that is easy to use, lightweight, open-source, and completely free. ShareX is one of thepopular screenshot tools on Windows 10, but not many are aware that it can also record your screen on Windows 10.

It has a simple UI/UX, just press Shift+Print Screen to start and stop screen recording. The best part is that it alsosupports audio recording. Move to Task Settings -> Screen Recorder under Capture -> Screen Recording Options -> choose your microphone as the audio source. That’s it. What’s more, you can alsocreate a GIF quicklyusing its dedicated tool. I find ShareX exceptionally good at what it does and you must use it for both screen recording and taking screenshots on Windows 10.ProsConsFree and open-sourceNoneRecords in 60fpsLightweight and easy to useSupports intelligent regional captureSupports GIF and other popular media formats

Download ShareX(Free)

3. ScreenToGIF

If you are someone who wants tocreate a high-quality GIFfrom a screen recording on Windows 10 then let me present you the ScreentoGIF tool. It’s simply an indispensable tool on Windows 10 which works flawlessly well. The app isentirely freeand open-source and does not show any ads either. Just choose your region and click on the Record button to get started. Within seconds, you can save the recording as a high-quality GIF without any reduction in resolution.

In case, you want tosave screen recording in MP4, AVI, MOV, MKV, WEBM, and more, you can do that as well. Apart from that, it also supports a lot of popular encoders which is great. Not to mention, the lightweight 3.5MB tool comes with a GIF editor as well where you can add your own watermark, change the background, add webcam recording, board recording, media, and annotate as well. Basically, you are getting an advanced yet simple-to-use screen recording software for Windows 10 — all for free. What more can you ask for?ProsConsBest tool to create high-quality GIFsNoneFree and open-sourceSimple and easy to useSupports multiple frame ratesSupports multiple media formats

Download ScreenToGIF(Free)

4. Free Cam

Yes, the name is pretty generic but believe me, Free Cam is one of the mostsimple screen recording software for Windows 10. It’s free, does not feature any kind of ads, has a lightweight profile, and works superbly well. The UI is particularly clean which makes things even better for general users. You canselect a window, full screen, a partial region and start recordingthe screen with audio support.

Do note that Free Camdoes not support webcams and MP4 formatin the free version. If you want this flexibility then you will have to get Cam Pro which starts at $227 per year which is very expensive. I would not suggest you get the Pro version of this software. If you want basic software for screen recording then Free Cam is more than enough. Apart from that, I must mention that Free Cam comes with abuilt-in editorwhich is surprisingly good. It also has the option toremove background noisefrom the audio recording. I think Free Cam offers plenty enough and you should give it a shot.ProsConsFree and easy to use with no adsSaves in WMV and not MP4Support for audio recordingNo webcam supportBuilt-in editorPremium version is too expensiveRecords up to 720P

Download Free Cam(Free, Premium version starts at $227 per year)

5. Screencast-O-Matic

Screencast-O-Matic is a new screen recorder that has gotten quite popular for its feature set. It offers screen and partial window recording andscreen + webcam recording along with the audioas well. You can alsotrim the videowith its basic editor, and change the file format from the Settings page. Overall, it’s a simple screen recorder that does the job well.

That said, Screencast-O-Matic requires you to sign up for a free account. In addition, the free versiononly lets you record the screen for 15 minutes. If you want no restrictions then you can opt for the Deluxe plan that starts with $1.65 per month. I think, its free version will suffice many users’ needs. So if you are looking for a screen recording app on Windows 10 that supportswebcam, sound effects, drawing, captions, etc. then Screencast-O-Matic is a good choice.ProsConsEasy to useRequires sign upWebcam and audio supported15 minute restriction for free usersCaptions availableBuilt-in editor to edit recordings on the flySound effects available

Download Screencast-O-Matic(Free, Paid plan starts at $1.65 per month)

6. Bandicam

Bandicam is one of the most popular screen recorders for Windows PC that has a slew of features yet it’s pretty easy to use. The software has a great ability to record screens athigh bitrates and frames. In fact, it doubles up as a great screen recording software for games as well. You can record videos at customizable frame rates and 4K Ultra HD resolution too.

Even at such a high-quality capture configuration, it offers small-size video recordings due to itsbuilt-in compression featurethat makes sure there is no sacrifice on quality and you get the smallest file size. The recordings can be adjusted for the current window, whole desktop, capture area, and more. To sum up, Bandicam is among the best screen recorders for PC and you must give it a try.

Download Bandicam(Free, $39.95 for 1 license)

7. TinyTake

TinyTake is to screen recording what MS Paint is to draw. The way MS Paint lets you perform basic image editing tasks like cropping and adding a splash of color, TinyTake will let you record short videos and capture screenshots with the same level of ease.

If you want asimple tool to record your screen activitythat won’t confuse you with a complicated UI, loads of commands and hidden tools, TinyTake is the ideal option for you. The software isreally fastwhen it comes to recording screen activity and taking screenshots.

Moreover, all the necessary tools are neatly laid out on the software’s home screen, from where you can choose to capture a still or record the complete screen’s activity (or just a section of it by manually adjusting the focus area). Furthermore, you also have the option to save them locally or on the2GB free cloud storagethat comes bundled with the free version.

While basic editing options like annotations and text addition are available for screenshots, you can not do the same with videos. All you can do isrecord videos of up to 5 minutes in the free version,which essentially means recording a gaming session is far beyond its reach.

In order to use the software’s video editing tools and enable direct YouTube upload, you have to shell out$29.95/year, which also brings facilities like an increased video recording limit, more cloud storage, etc.ProsConsBest for basic usersExpensiveChoose your capture windowFree version is limited to 5 minutes of recordingAnnotation supportCloud storageWebcam integration

Download TinyTake (Free version, Premium version starts at $29.95/year)

8. Active Presenter

Active Presenter is a screen recording software tailor-made for folks who want tocreate content like software tutorials, video demonstrations,and training videosto name a few. Aside from that, Active Presenter is quite easy to use with an easily navigable UI and a host of tools to edit the captured screenshots and videos.

When it comes to making software simulations, Active Presenter transforms the daunting task into a breeze, as it automatically segregates the video into multiple slides, much like MS PowerPoint.If you seek to record reaction videos, shoot live commentary videos, etc., then Active Presenter can prove to be one of the better options.

Its sheer ease of recording such videos and the wide selection of editing tools likeSmart Capture, Audio/Video Overlay, multi-format export, andobject highlightamong others. And the best thing is, there isno time limiton the length of videos you can record.

Active Presenter appears to have been designed with a niche audience in mind, and as such, it isnot a particularly good option for gamersto record their virtual action and dope combos.

Also, the controls and editing tools can be quite confusing for folks who want to use the tool just for basic screen recording tasks. Moreover, the majority of editing tools, especially for videos, are exclusive to the software’s premium versions.ProsConsBest for recording tutorialsEditing tools are limited to premium usersMulti-window recordingIntegrated office appsNo time limit for recordingsSupport for multiple file formats

Download Active Presenter(Free version, Premium version starts at $199)

9. Camtasia

One of the most popular screen recorder software out there, Camtasia lives up to its name with a huge set of editing tools neatly arranged in an interface that makes it relatively easy to find and use. Annotations, transitions, animations, you name it, Camtasia has it.

One of the most appealing aspects of Camtasia is the placement of beautification tools in its UI, which are easy to locate and even easier to use as they follow a simpledrag-and-drop mechanism to apply them.

The software has virtually every tool in the book (custom dimension, caption effects, cursor effects, timeline quizzes, etc.)  to help you make that perfect video which can be shared on platforms like Vimeo and YouTube.

Moreover, you can choose to save the edited videos either locally or on Google Drive straight from Camtasia. Despite being free, there isno time limit on the lengthof videos one can record, which is a huge bonus.

The rich array of goodies offered by Camtasia places it in a class of its own, but they come at asteep price. Even though you get a free trial period of one month, you’ll have to shell out$99.50 just to upgradeand $199 to purchase a single-user license of Camtasia’s Mac and Windows versions in a single bundle.

So, unless you are deeply invested in the ecosystem and can fully utilize its vast toolkit, going for the app’s premium version won’t be a good idea, as there are other options available that are free. And also, Camtasia takes a lot of time (and apparently, resources too) to load, so if you install the software on a not-so-powerful system, be patient.ProsConsBuilt-in editing featuresExpensiveOnline backupNot intended for basic usersResizable capture areaMulti-window recordingCustomizable

Download Camtasia(Free trial for 30 days, Full version at $249.99)

10. Movavi Screen Capture Studio

The Movavi Screen Capture Studio is a relatively lesser-known screen recording software for Windows. But don’t let its obscurity in the domain mislead you, as the Movavi offering is packed with all the core screen recording andvideo editing tools. Movavi Screen Capture Studio is equipped with some of the best video editing tools that are rarely found bundled with any other software in the segment.

First things first, there isno time limiton the length of videos you can record with Movavi Screen Capture Studio. Aside from the core editing tools, the software also brings some novel beautification tools to the table such asmosaic, noise reduction, focus adjustment lenses, artistic blur tools, scenic filters, and stickersto name just a few.

Text addition in various styles, stabilization, pan/zoom, and frame-by-frame editing are some other options that make this software truly unique and totally worth a try.

Although Movavi Screen Capture Studio’s UI is pretty clean and is loaded with features, the shortfree trial period of just 7 daysis a bummer, plus, theexported videos have a big watermarkslapped on them.

Furthermore, whatever audio is recorded by users, only half of each audio file is saved in the trial mode. So, like it or not, if you want to use Movavi Screen Capture Studio for the long term, buying a premium version is the only option.

Download Movavi Screen Capture Studio(Free trial for 7 days, Premium version starts at $34.95 per year)

11. Screen Capture Recorder

Screen Capture Recorder is a free and open-source screen recorder that works very well. For starters, it requires you to have Java installed, or else will guide you to the installation page and the process. Once Java’s installed, launching the software will open the command prompt and the overlay where you can start recording.

As for the recording options and settings, the app comes with options to choose audio and video devices, configure screen recorder bounds, allow you to configure the window size before recording, an option to configure the FPS (max 30), where the recordings are saved, and streaming on a URL. You can also change the scaling resolution. All in all, for a free and open-source screen recorder, the Screen Capture Recorder does a decent job.ProsConsDecent UIRequires you to separately install JavaEasy to use and setupA bit too basic and UI needs workBest for basic usersCan only record in up to 30 fpsFree and open sourceSupport for streaming via url

DownloadScreen Capture Recorderfor free

12. Xbox Game Bar (Windows’ Built-in Screen Recorder)

If you are looking for a free screen recorder for PC then you are better off with the native one that comes pre-installed on Windows 10. To record games on Windows 10, Microsoft has brought the screen recording feature as part of theXbox Game Bar.

The best part is that this feature has beenextended to all appsand it’s no longer just limited to games. It basically means that now you can record any app or window on Windows 10 without any external software. The built-screen recorder on Windows 10 has support for audio recording, high bitrate, resolution, and more.

So, if you want to record the screen on Windows 10, just hitWindows + Alt + Rand screen recording will start then and there. You will find the recorded video under User Profile -> Videos -> Captures.

And if you want to customize all sorts of video capture settings then move to WindowsSettings -> Gaming -> Captures. That’s it. Having said that, bear in mind, the built-in screen recorder does not record the desktop or file explorer. But apart from that, it’s a solid way to record the screen on Windows 10.ProsConsBuilt-in recorderDoes not record desktop and file explorerEasy to useSupports microphone recordingHigh bitrate and resolutionFree to use

Comes pre-installed on Windows 10

13. Fluent Screen Recorder

Fluent Screen Recorder markets itself as a minimalistic screen recorder for Windows and that’s true to all extent. The app is free and open-source and can be downloaded from GitHub and Microsoft Store. It gets a lot of things right, such as giving users the ability to select the framerate, bitrate, resolution, and window that they want to record.

Besides, users can also choose if they want to record their screens with audio and microphones. It also has a quick shortcut to select a microphone you want to record with and to set an overlay for recordings. Overall, Fluent may not be the most feature-rich screen recorder for Windows (because it was never intended to be), but is a great nifty screen recording application.ProsConsMinimalistic yet packed with decent amount of featuresA bit too basic for intermediate and advanced usersRecords in 60fps and high bitrateBest for beginnersMinimalistic yet packed with a decent amount of featuresCan record a particular Window

DownloadFluent Screen Recorderfor free

14. Samsung Screen Recorder

Yes, we couldn’t believe it when we first saw this app on the Windows store. If you remember, Samsung still sells Windows notebooks in the form of Galaxy Books, and the Samsung Screen Recorder is specifically made for them. However, since it’s published on the Windows store, you can try it out on any PC and it should work.

The app itself isn’t very futuristic but basic at best. It doesn’t take much space, the overlay is decent. There’s an option to record yourself which makes it easy to record lectures and presentations with you on the camera. If you have multiple monitors, you could select which screen to record from the settings, which webcam or microphone to use, and more importantly, set the resolution at which you want to record. The fps is set to 60 by default but you could move it to 30 using the low fps toggle. As you begin the recording, you could also annotate, and use markup tools. Overall, it’s a pretty good screen recorder, especially great if you’re a student or a lecturer.ProsConsGood overall packageA bit too basicRecords in 60fps and can also record your faceDoesn’t support window recordingBest for beginnersNo streaming supportAnnotations via text and handFree on the Microsoft Store

DownloadSamsung Screen Recorderfor free

15. Simple Screen Recorder

Simple Screen Recorder is also an open-source app that can easily capture your screen without any issues. It’s a fairly simple tool that doesn’t require much knowledge or experience using screen recorders and works out of the box without any tweaks.

It’s a basic tool and can only record your entire screen and not app windows, but it does allow you to choose which screen to record if you have multiple displays. The tool records at 60fps by default but you could bring it down to 30 if you want to. Besides, it also allows you to choose which mic and speaker to use to record and playback the recording. Overall, it’s a decent option if all you want to do is record your entire screen for gameplay.ProsConsFree and open-sourceNoneRecords in 60fpsBest for beginners and intermediate usersChoose mic and speakers for input and output

DownloadSimple Screen Recorder for free

What makes a Good Screen Recorder?

Regardless of if you’re an advanced or basic user, a good screen recorder should have a hotkey for quick access. It should also give you quick toggles to activate voice recording, annotation tools, the option to zoom in/out, and more. On top of that, screen recorders should offer you the ability to change the frame rate, resolution, bitrate, output file format, etc., for added flexibility

It’s an added bonus if a screen recorder comes with a small set ofvideo editing toolslike cropping and trimming. Not to mention, the ability to convert video recordings to GIF (so you can use it with your favoriteGIF keyboards) or other file formats would be nice. However, it’s hard to find all these features in one room, but there are a few apps that try to bring most of them together.

There is no one-stop answer for everyone, but I would recommend OBS Studio to advanced users and ShareX to general users.

You can use any of the screen recording software from the above list or go through our detailed article onhow to record the screen on Windows.

Press Windows + Alt + R and then enable the toggle for the microphone in the top-right corner. Now, it will start recording the screen with your audio as well. In case, you are using a third-party program then look for Audio Capture under the Settings page.

Beebom Staff

Bringing the latest in technology, gaming, and entertainment is our superhero team of staff writers. They have a keen eye for latest stories, happenings, and even memes for tech enthusiasts.

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