Best Free Screen Recording Software for PC & Mac
Last Updated on October 31, 2025 by Rhea Cabalida
Screen recording has become an essential part of content creation, and saving footage of online meetings, seminars, and lectures. It can also be used to create copies of movies and songs.
The usage of screen recording software is endless, which is why there are a lot of people searching for free screen recording software to use on various tasks.
Well, there are a lot of programs out there that claim to be free, but in truth, they're just false advertisements. If you want to know the best screen recording tools that are 100% free, then keep reading.
In this guide, we review the latest and most reliable free screen recorders for Windows and Mac. You’ll learn their key features, pros and cons, and see which one fits your needs best. Read on!
In this Article:
What to Look For in a Free Screen Recorder
Aside from it being free, there are also important features that a free screen capture software should have. These features will help in producing high-quality outputs and giving a seamless recording experience.
✅ Ease of Use: A screen recorder should be easily operated with a user-friendly design and an accessible interface.
✅ Recording Quality: It should at least offer 1080p resolution to have a clear video quality.
✅ Audio Capture: If you’re planning to do voiceovers or record videos with audio, the free screen recorder software should support mic recording and system sound.
✅ Editing Tools: You may want to add some text or trim your videos, then make sure to pick a program that offers at least basic editing tools.
✅ Export Options: To have flexibility after recording, choose a screen recorder software that offers various output formats.
✅ Watermark: This can be rare, but it would be better if you use a program that doesn't add watermarks to your recordings. This will make the clips look clean and professional-looking.
Keeping these in mind helps you find the best free screen recording software that matches your workflow.
OBS Studio
Operating System: Windows, Mac, Linux
OBS Studio is one of the most popular free screen recording software on the web. It offers screen and audio recording. It can also be used to stream on Twitch and various platforms. What’s great about OBS is that you can use all its features at the same time. You do a live stream while recording it, including audio.
✔️ Pros
- No watermark
- High-quality output
- Multi-purpose
- Open-source
❌ Cons
- Steep learning curve
- No built-in editors (plugins required)
💡For the full guide on how to record your screen via OBS, read this: OBS Screen Recorder: How to Record Your Screen Like a Pro
ShareX
Operating System: Windows
Another free screen capture software that is worth trying is ShareX. This tool has been around for years and is popular for its screen recording features.
For those who are on the go, you can easily start recording by using shortcuts. It can also capture full or any portion of your screen. You also have the choice to upload the recording to over 80 online destinations like Google Drive, Imgur, Dropbox, and more!
✔️ Pros
- Open-source
- Wide range of sharing options
- Annotation tools
- No watermark
- Wide support for formats and codecs
❌ Cons
- Confusing interface
- Lacks advanced editing tools
VLC Media Player
Operating System: Windows, Mac, Linux
A lot of us already have VLC installed on our computers. What people don’t know is that, aside from being a media manager, this tool is also a free screen recording software. VLC is known for having a simple and easy-to-operate interface, plus its settings tab allows users to adjust and set output preferences.
✔️ Pros
- Cross-platform
- No watermark
- Wide format and codec support
❌ Cons
- Lacks video editing tools
- Lacks audio mixing options
- Prone to system errors
💡 For the full guide on how to use VLC to record your screen, check out this guide: How to Capture Screen with VLC Media Player
QuickTime Player
Operating System: Mac
For Mac users, QuickTime Player is also a good free screen recording option. This pre-installed application offers a basic screen and audio recording. It also offers editing tools and can record audio through a microphone.
✔️ Pros
- Pre-installed
- No watermark
- Easy to access
❌ Cons
- Does not support internal audio recording
- Basic editing tools only
- Only carries the MOV format
💡 To learn how to use QuickTime for screen recording, read this: How to Screen Record on Mac Using QuickTime (Step-by-Step Guide)
Loom
Operating System: Windows, Mac, Chrome
Loom is another popular free screen recording tool. It is a combination of screen and webcam recording, making it a perfect tool for creating online tutorials and quick guides.
One of Loom’s best features is quick sharing. After recording, your video is automatically uploaded to the cloud, and you receive a shareable link right away. It makes sharing easier as users won’t have to deal with bulky videos.
✔️ Pros
- Clean interface
- Advanced sharing options
- Editing and annotation tools
- Multi-platform
- Records screen, webcam, and microphone
❌ Cons
- Free plan is limited
- Requires an internet connection
- Limited features for free users
💡 Loom also has a Chrome extension version. If you're interested in Chrome extension screen recorders, we recommend reading this: The Top Chrome Screen Recorder Extensions
ScreenRec
Operating System: Windows, Mac, Linux
For those who prefer a lightweight yet powerful free screen capture software, check out ScreenRec. It's a full-blown screen recording program that focuses on simplicity. It can record screens, audio, and system sound in just a few clicks.
Once you finish recording, ScreenRec automatically uploads your video to secure cloud storage and provides an instant shareable link. It's a great tool for making tutorials, walkthroughs, and even quick clips for personal projects.
✔️ Pros
- No watermark
- No ads
- Lightweight
- Secure online sharing with private access links
❌ Cons
- No built-in video editor
- Requires account login to use cloud features
Limitations of Free Screen Recording Tools
While free screen recording tools are great, we can’t deny that their limitations can affect our tasks. Here are the common drawbacks that you might encounter:
👎 Watermarks and recording limits
👎 Low video quality
👎 Limited editing capabilities
👎 Few customization options
👎 No advanced audio settings
If you want to skip these setbacks, we recommend using a paid alternative that offers all the features you need.
The All-in-One Screen Recorder - WidsMob Capture
To be able to record your screen without drawbacks, we highly recommend using WidsMob Capture.
This amazing tool provides professional-grade recording with smooth performance and crisp output. It can be used for various recording purposes such as video tutorials, gameplay, online meetings, and live streams. It supports internal audio recording and captures webcam feeds.
Aside from that, WidsMob also offers customizable settings such as frame rate adjustment, video codecs, hotkeys, and task scheduling. You can also annotate your recording in real-time. How cool is that?
It has a clean interface that is perfect for both professionals and beginners. And if you don’t want to spend a dime, don’t worry, WidsMob offers a free trial! Try it now!
Final Thoughts
Each of the tools mentioned above is different from the others, but if you’re a bit confused about which one to pick, here is a quick guide:
➡️ For full control and optimization, OBS Studio is the obvious choice.
➡️ If you prefer a simple program with no installation needed, choose Xbox Game Bar or QuickTime Player.
➡️ For fast sharing and cloud use, Loom or ScreenRec are great picks.
➡️ For recording short clips, we suggest VLC.
If ever you need more features, consider using the paid alternative we recommended: WidsMob Capture. It has everything you’ll ever need and is definitely worth the shot.