If you’re looking for a free screen recorder to create presentations for school or work, capture your gameplay for YouTube or Twitch, or just record walkthroughs and tutorials, you’re in luck. There are a number of excellent screen recording tools available that don’t slap on watermarks, run annoying ads, or cut you off after five minutes. In this guide, we’ll walk through some of the best free screen recording software available right now. Each of these options offers high-quality video capture without any frustrating limitations, and they work great whether you’re using Windows, macOS, or even Linux.
Let’s kick things off with the best of the best OBS Studio. This powerful open-source software is widely used by streamers, educators, and professionals across the globe. What makes OBS so impressive is its versatility: it lets you record in high resolution, switch between multiple scenes, and even stream live to platforms like Twitch, YouTube, or Facebook. There’s no time limit, no watermark, and no cost. The learning curve is a bit steep for beginners, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll appreciate the level of control it offers. OBS supports Windows, macOS, and Linux, and if your system has at least 4GB of RAM and a decent processor, it should run smoothly. You can download OBS Studio directly from their official site.
Next, if you have a gaming PC, you might already have a solid screen recording option built in. NVIDIA ShadowPlay, part of the GeForce Experience app, is perfect for users with GeForce GTX or RTX graphics cards. It can record up to 8K resolution, broadcast live, and capture highlights from your games with minimal performance impact. It’s free and easy to activate. just open the NVIDIA app, enable the overlay, and use the Alt + Z shortcut to start recording. You can get it from their official site.
On the AMD side, there’s Radeon ReLive, which offers very similar functionality for those with AMD Radeon GPUs. It’s integrated with the AMD Software suite, available at amd’s official site, and lets you record or stream with ease.
Coming in strong at number three is Screenity by iMobie. It’s a relatively new addition to the screen recording space but has already earned a reputation for being simple and intuitive. Screenity is designed for users who want a clean interface without too many technical settings getting in the way. You can record your full screen, a specific window, or a selected region. It also allows webcam recording, picture-in-picture mode, and can even record in 4K at 60 frames per second all with zero watermarks or time restrictions. The noise reduction feature helps clean up your audio, and multiple output formats are supported. It’s available for both Windows and macOS, and you can download it from imobie.com.
If you’re on Windows and want something light but feature-packed, check out ShareX. This open-source tool has been around for years and is a favorite among developers and productivity enthusiasts. It’s great for quick screen grabs and lightweight screen recordings. There’s no watermark, no time limit, and it consumes very little system resources perfect for older PCs or laptops. ShareX supports direct uploads to platforms like YouTube, Imgur, and more, but it’s worth noting that it doesn’t support full-screen game recording. To record, you’ll use keyboard shortcuts like Shift + Print Screen, or select options from the side menu. Audio recording needs to be manually enabled in the settings, so there’s a bit of setup required. But once it’s dialed in, ShareX is a dependable, no-nonsense option. You can get it from their official site.
Another underrated but powerful tool is Debut Video Capture from NCH Software. This one is ideal for users who need a combination of screen and device recording think webcams, security cams, or external capture sources. It supports a wide range of file formats, lets you record your screen and webcam simultaneously, and even allows you to add captions with its built-in text editor. There’s also mouse highlighting, which is perfect for tutorials. The interface is easy to learn, and your videos can be uploaded directly to YouTube, Vimeo, or Flickr. Debut is available for both Windows and macOS, and while there’s a paid version, the free version includes most of the core features. Just make sure to download it from the correct link on their official page look for the small text near the top that says “Download the free version”
Of course, not every screen recorder made our top list. So, There are a few bonus options that deserve a mention. Windows users now have a built-in screen recorder as part of the Snipping Tool in Windows 10 and 11. It’s useful for short clips, but anything over 10 minutes can lead to stability issues. There’s also iSpring Free Cam, which is user-friendly and has no watermark or time limit, but it only exports in 720p. If you’re doing professional work, the resolution may be a limiting factor. You can grab it their official site.
Another notable mention is ScreenPal (formerly Screen-O-Matic), which works across Windows, macOS, and Chrome OS. The free version is good, but sadly, it includes a watermark and limits recordings to 15 minutes.
Linux users may want to explore ScreenRec, a lightweight tool with no time limits or watermarks, but it also limits export resolution to 720p. However, it does work across platforms and supports both Intel and Apple Silicon on macOS.
Lastly, FlashBack Express, which used to be a favorite, now only offers a limited free trial. Still, the full version is affordable at around $45 if you want something simple and effective for Windows.
To wrap things up, your choice of screen recorder really depends on your specific needs. If you want a fully-featured professional tool that’s 100% free, OBS Studio is your best bet. For gaming, NVIDIA ShadowPlay or AMD ReLive are fantastic if your system supports them. And if simplicity is what you’re after, Screenity or Debut Video Capture are both excellent. No matter your choice, all of these options are free, watermark-free, and ready to help you create great content.
And if you found this guide helpful, feel free to share it with others who might need a solid, free screen recording solution.