Best Free Screen Recorder: 7 Options Worth Using

If you need the best free screen recorder, the best choice varies based on your needs. In case you want to capture something more advanced, the best choice is OBS Studio. On the other hand, Windows Snipping Tool and macOS Screenshot are better suited for quick and basic captures without installing additional software.

Which Free Screen Recorder Should You Choose

Choose OBS Studio if you want the most control over video quality, audio sources, scenes, webcams, and streaming.

Choose Windows Snipping Tool if you're on Windows and just need to record part of your screen quickly.

Choose macOS Screenshot if you're on a Mac and don't need advanced editing or streaming features.

Choose ShareX if you want a highly customizable Windows capture tool and don't mind a more technical interface.

Choose Loom if your priority is recording something and sending it to another person rather than producing a polished video file.

The important distinction is that "free" doesn't mean the same thing for every recorder. Some tools are completely free and open source, some are free because the operating system includes them, and others offer a free tier with restrictions.

1. OBS Studio — best overall free screen recorder

OBS Studio is the best choice when you need more than a basic screen capture.

It can combine your display, individual windows, webcam, microphone, system audio, images, and other sources into a single recording. Its scene system also makes it useful for tutorials, gaming videos, presentations, and livestreams.

Best for: creators, gamers, educators, and advanced users.

Why choose it: You get professional-level control without paying for the recording software.

Trade-off: OBS has a steeper learning curve than a basic built-in recorder. If you only need a 30-second screen capture, its extensive controls can be unnecessary.

2. Windows Snipping Tool — best for quick Windows recordings

For simple recordings on Windows, the built-in Snipping Tool is often the easiest answer.

You can select an area of the screen and record it without installing another application. That makes it particularly useful for showing someone how to reproduce a problem, documenting a software issue, or creating a quick instructional clip.

Best for: quick screen recordings on Windows.

Why choose it: No separate recorder is necessary.

Trade-off: It is designed for straightforward capture rather than complex production.

3. macOS Screenshot — best built-in option for Mac

Mac users already have a capable screen-recording tool built into macOS.

The macOS Screenshot app can record the entire screen or a selected portion, making it a convenient option for demonstrations, troubleshooting, and quick videos. Apple also provides screen-recording controls through the Screenshot toolbar.

Best for: Mac users who want a simple recorder with no installation.

Why choose it: It's integrated into the operating system and has a very low learning curve.

Trade-off: Users who need scenes, advanced audio routing, or sophisticated production controls will likely prefer OBS Studio.

4. ShareX — best free screen recorder for Windows power users

ShareX is more than a screen recorder. It is a broad Windows capture and automation utility with extensive customization.

The official ShareX site describes it as a free, open-source Windows tool with screen capture, screen recording, file sharing, and productivity features.

Best for: technical users and people who want extensive customization.

Why choose it: It offers a large collection of capture tools without requiring a paid license.

Trade-off: Its large feature set can make it less approachable than a basic built-in recorder.

5. Loom — best for recording and sharing

Loom takes a different approach from traditional desktop recording software. Its focus is communicating through video rather than simply producing a local video file.

Loom's official site supports screen and camera recording, editing, and instant sharing, making it particularly suited to tutorials, demonstrations, feedback, and asynchronous communication.

Best for: people who want to record and share quickly.

Why choose it: The recording-to-sharing workflow is the main attraction.

Trade-off: Its free plan has limits. For example, Loom currently states that its free Starter plan is limited to 25 videos per member, so check the current plan restrictions if you expect to record frequently.

6. ScreenPal — best for simple tutorials

ScreenPal is aimed at users who want recording and basic editing in one relatively accessible workflow.

ScreenPal provides a free recorder as well as tools for editing recordings and screenshots. Its official support documentation explains that users can launch the free recorder from its screen-recorder page, desktop applications, or browser extension.

Best for: tutorials, demonstrations, and straightforward educational recordings.

Why choose it: The workflow is designed around creating usable instructional videos rather than just capturing raw footage.

Trade-off: Free-tier capabilities can differ from paid features, so verify the current limitations if you need specific export or editing functionality.

7. VLC Media Player — useful for basic capture

VLC Media Player is primarily a media player, but it can also be used for screen capture.

It can make sense if VLC is already part of your software toolkit and you only occasionally need basic recording.

Best for: existing VLC users who need occasional capture.

Why choose it: You may not need another dedicated application.

Trade-off: VLC isn't designed to provide the polished recording workflow or production controls found in dedicated screen-recording software.

Free Screen Recorder Comparison

What to check before choosing a free screen recorder

Don't compare screen recorders solely by whether they cost $0. The more useful questions are:

Does it record the whole screen or a selected area?

If you're making a tutorial, recording only the relevant application or browser window can produce a cleaner result than capturing your entire desktop.

Can it capture microphone and system audio?

This matters for tutorials, gameplay, presentations, and demonstrations. Check whether the recorder can capture the audio sources you actually need.

Can it record your webcam?

If you want a face-cam presentation or walkthrough, make sure webcam input is supported and that you can position it where you want.

What happens to the recording afterward?

A recorder may be excellent at capturing video but inconvenient when you need to edit, export, compress, or share it.

Are there free-plan restrictions?

This is especially important with freemium tools. A product can advertise free recording while limiting resolution, recording length, storage, exports, or other capabilities.