16 Best Free Desktop Recorders [2024]

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16 Best Free Desktop Recorders [2024] – Movavi

November 12, 2024

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If you are interested in finding the best desktop recorder, you’ve come to the right place! Here, you’ll find useful information that’ll help you find the best free desktop recorder. We’ve reviewed screen-recording software, built-in tools, online services, and browser extensions.

Our goal is to provide you with only verified information. To ensure this, Movavi Content Team does the following:

When selecting products to include in our reviews, we research both demand and popularity.
The team tests all the products mentioned in this article.
When testing, we compare the key characteristics of the products, which include selecting capture area, schedule recording, showing keystrokes and mouse, and other significant features.
We study user reviews from popular review platforms and make use of this information when writing our product reviews.
We collect feedback from our users and analyze their opinions of Movavi software as well as products from other companies.

Special pick: Movavi Screen Recorder

Download for Free

A special mention must go to the Movavi Screen Recorder for Windows 7/8/10, which is easily mastered thanks to its intuitive interface. It is the perfect tool for recording good quality webinars, meetings, video calls, live or streaming videos or online tutorials, and then downloading or sharing to online platforms, such as YouTube. You can record audio and video or take simple screenshots and then take advantage of the suite of editing tools. The free trial will give you access to most features, so you can test it out for yourself.

Best desktop recording software

Choosing high-quality software to record your desktop video has its ups and downs. While having a program on your PC can benefit you by providing you with the full version and working offline, it can also take up a lot of space on your computer, depending on the specific software.

Movavi Screen Recorder

Download for Free

OS: Windows, Mac

Best for: capturing streaming videos, webinars, and online calls

G2 rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars, 41 good reviews out of 44

Capture webinars, record video instructions, and grab streaming or online videos directly from your screen with Movavi Screen Recorder. You can quickly make a desktop video capture by hitting the record button.

Main features:

Show mouse movements and keystrokes during recording
Save your screencasts in HD and 4K
Draw on screenshots and videos in real time
Use the program’s intuitive interface to capture screen and webcam on the go
Upload the recordings to YouTube and Google Drive right from the app to streamline your work environment

Pros:

Record footage and customize videos on the go
Record external and internal audio separately in high quality
Draw notes, shapes, and figures on videos in real time for easier explanations

Cons:

Full version doesn’t limit your creative freedom

Movavi Screen Recorder

The perfect way to record anything from your screen

Download for Free About the Windows version

Download for Free About the Mac version

Disclaimer: Please be aware that Movavi Screen Recorder does not allow capture of copy-protected video and audio streams.

OBS Studio

OS: Windows 10, macOS, and Linux

Best for: making professional video clips

G2 rating: 4.4 out of 5 stars, 41 good review out of 44

Equipped with a powerful API, OBS Studio allows you to customize functionality to your specific needs. Native plugins to preview scenes and adjust them before you save your final recording. Switch between the scenes with custom transitions.

Main features:

Open-source freeware
Fast
Full of features
High-quality video and audio recording

You can download OBS Studio by following the link below:

Go to the program’s official website

Pros:

Works seamlessly with Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows 10
Understandable user interface
Built-in audio mixer

Cons:

Requires additional plugins to customize effects and edits
High on RAM consumption

Screencast-O-Matic

OS: Windows, Mac and iOS, Android, Chromebook

Best for: screen recording and clip mixing

G2 rating: 4 out of 5 stars, 34 good reviews out of 40

Allowing you to communicate while you record, this program is some of the best desktop recording software on the market. You can capture your screen, add a webcam, and narrate your recordings to create a high-quality video.

Main features:

User-friendly
Low cost
Packed with customizable features

You can download Screencast-O-Matic by following the link below:

Go to the program’s official website

Pros:

Robust video editor to overlay text, shapes, and images
Built-in stock program for all of your imaging needs
Cloud hosting so you can share your content

Cons:

Limited fonts and backgrounds
Time-consuming to build your personal content library

OBS Studio

Editor's rating

4.7/5

Editor’s choice

Movavi Screen Recorder

Editor's rating

4.8/5

Download for Free

Screencast-O-Matic

Editor's rating

4.6/5

OS: Windows, Mac, Android

Best for: HD screen recording

G2 rating: 4.1 out of 5 stars, 18 good reviews out of 21

Record apps, video tutorials, webinars, live streams, Skype or Zoom calls, and much more with the IceCream Screen Recorder. Hotkeys are visible for you while recording but will not show up in the video, making adjustments like the frame of speed easy.

Main features:

Free version
Simple interface
Fast

You can download Icecream Screen Recorder by following the link below:

Go to the program’s official website

Pros:

Possibility to select a previous recording area to automate parameters
Possibility to convert the format of the recorded videos easily

Cons:

Not all codecs are supported
Limited editing tools with the free download

ActivePresenter

OS: Windows, Mac

Best for: demos and educational tutorials

Capterra rating: 4.8 out of 5 stars

Going above and beyond for those looking to create tutorials or guidelines, ActivePresenter is an eLearning Authoring Software that combines desktop screen recording software for Windows 10 with many other tools.

Main features:

Free
Good selection of editing tools
High-quality video
User-friendly

You can download ActivePresenter by following the link below:

Go to the program’s official website

Pros:

Intuitive and responsive design
Interactive variables with full-motion recording

Cons:

Limited effects
Only videos created with ActivePresenter can be imported

Flashback Express

OS: Windows, Linux

Best for: unlimited game capture

TechRadar rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Capture your PC screen without limits on movie length, add audio commentary while you record, and easily share the file by uploading it to YouTube with this Windows desktop recorder with the free download. Need to do some fine-tuning and share the result later? That's okay. Keep it for yourself by saving it directly to your desktop.

Main features:

Free version and a free trial of the paid version
Screen capture and recording
Editing tools included

You can download Flashback Express by following the link below:

Go to the program’s official website

Pros:

No time limit on screen recording
Records both audio and video
Watermark-free

Cons:

Very simple in nature compared to other free desktop recording software
You can't edit your recorded file via the free program

Built-in free desktop screen recorders

Like desktop software, using the built-in tools that come with your device can provide you with advantages and disadvantages when you're looking to record content from your desktop with sound. Firstly, built-in tools save you time, don't always require a download, and they're made to be compatible with your specific device so that you have the best software. The downside to this style of Windows desktop recorders is that they can be limiting if you want features that aren't included in their programming.

Game Bar

Editor's rating

4.5/5

Editor’s choice

Movavi Screen Recorder

Editor's rating

4.8/5

Download for Free

QuickTime

Editor's rating

4.4/5

OS: Windows

Best for: gameplay recording

PCWorld rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Xbox's Game Bar was crafted to improve workflow with Windows 10 devices. The desktop video recording software allows you to capture videos and screenshots while playing PC games. You can stream, record, and share without having to leave the comfort of your game.

Main features:

Free, built-in
User-friendly
Customizable gaming overlay

You can download Xbox Game Bar by following the link below:

Go to the program’s official website

Pros:

DVR feature in Xbox app allows you to choose the duration of your video
Game Mode settings so that you can optimize video quality
Fluid recording and internal editing

Cons:

Without a video card that supports AMD VCE, Intel Quick Sync H.260, or Nvidia NVENC encoders, the app may not work
You can only record a single app, not the entire desktop

QuickTime

OS: Mac

Best for: macOS users

MacUpdate rating: 3.6 out of 5 stars

Mac users lucked up with having QuickTime bundled with macOS. Unlike other options, it can play iTunes files and allows you to edit them through the pro subscription. However, it is not functional as a free desktop recorder for Windows 10 or any other version of Windows, even though you can download it.

Main features:

Pre-installed Apple app
User-friendly
Good selection of editing tools

You can download QuickTime by following the link below:

Go to the program’s official website

Pros:

Automatically included with macOS
Simple interface
Full-screen recording

Cons:

Single source, macOS only
Only supports MOV file format

Desktop video recorders to use online

Online desktop capture programs make it easy to record your screen without taking up a surplus of room on your computer. You can rely on them to bring you some of the most updated features while simultaneously being able to upload content directly to your favorite platforms through many of them. The biggest con to online screen recording services is that they typically function online only, which means that you can’t utilize them if you don't have Internet access.

Screencapture.com

Editor's rating

4.6/5

Editor’s choice

Movavi Screen Recorder

Editor's rating

4.8/5

Download for Free

Apowersoft Online Recorder

Editor's rating

4.6/5

OS: Online

Best for: quick no-download recording

Trustpilot rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars

Capture your desktop and save a video in HD without any trouble. Movavi's Screen Capture solution brings you cutting-edge service so that you can capture your screen in just a few clicks. No installation is needed, and you can record sound and video without having to switch between multiple tabs.

Main features:

Professional quality of audio and video
User-friendly
Eliminates background noise

You can access Screencapture.com by following the link below:

Go to the program’s official website

Pros:

Record both screen and webcam simultaneously
Ability to add your voice while recording internal audio as needed
Supported by all major browsers

Cons:

Watermarks video
Limited features until you download the app

Apowersoft Online Recorder

OS: Online

Best for: unlimited screen recording

TechRadar rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

As a smart screen recorder for a desktop, this web-based app allows you to capture video and audio without having to download screencast software. One-click recording and adjustable parameters ensure you can record anything on your screen without limitations. Additionally, you can add your webcam to the screen for tutorials, streaming, and more.

Main features:

Free
Easy-to-use
Easy to share or save

You can access Apowersoft Online Recorder by following the link below:

Go to the program’s official website

Pros:

Record both audio and video simultaneously
Edit in real-time
Cloud-based, so you never lose content again

Cons:

Download required before you can access all editing features
Cannot record on a second monitor

Screenapp.io

OS: Online

Best for: instant screen recording

Want to know how to record audio and video of your desktop? Record instantly with this online screen recorder. Features include quick recording so that you never have to install extensions or download heavy programming, the ability to record your entire screen with multiple windows, and more.

Main features:

Free version
Quick, easy to download recordings
Integrated storage solution

You can access Screenapp.io by following the link below:

Go to the program’s official website

Pros:

No registration, sign up, or installation
Minimal learning curve
Works with various platforms

Cons:

Cloud storage is not included
Editing features are minimal

Browser screen recorders for a desktop

Looking for new ways on how to record a video with sound? Browser extensions allow you a best of both worlds opportunity. Depending on which browser you use, you can quickly begin recording without the hefty fallback of using all of your PC's storage. However, when you're away from an internet connection, or you only use one specific browser, your desktop recorder with audio could be limited in use or not usable at all.

Loom

Editor's rating

4.7/5

Editor’s choice

Movavi Screen Recorder

Editor's rating

4.8/5

Download for Free

Screencastify

Editor's rating

4.6/5

OS: Chrome browser extension

Best for: educational tutorials

Chrome web store rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars

Created as an extension that provides video messaging, Loom allows you to record your screen quickly and share the video with others via a link. You can trim and edit your recordings, as well as track who watches your videos and see when they watched them.

Main features:

User-friendly
Feature-rich
Professional quality results

Add Loom

Pros:

Quickshare videos and recordings
Fast processing
Notifications when somebody views your video

Cons:

Disruptive recording if you lose internet
Limit of 5 minutes recording time without the full version

Screencastify

OS: Chrome browser extension

Best for: HD screen recording

Chrome web store rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Designed to be simple, Screencastify allows you to record, edit and share HD videos without hassle. The Chrome extension automatically syncs with your Google Drive and uploads your content so that you never lose your recordings.

Main features:

Free
User-friendly
Good quality audio and video production

Add Screencastify

Pros:

Syncs with Google Drive
Ability to record a single tab or your entire screen
Live screen options

Cons:

Can't add a webcam while recording
Limited to Google Chrome

Movavi Screen Recorder for Chrome

OS: Chrome browser extension

Best for: recording all screen activity with minimal effort

Chrome web store rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

This is another user-friendly software offering from Movavi. The intuitive interface of this desktop video recorder makes it simple and quick to capture screen activity with professional audio and video results. Create slick demos or webinars by recording full screen, selecting areas of the screen, using the webcam, via a microphone, or the computer’s audio. You don’t need to be an expert to record and edit your video production using the built-in editing tools. All experience levels can take advantage of the features to create quick, quality screen recordings.

Main features:

Record all desktop activity including websites, Zoom calls, webinars, podcasts, etc.
Can record audio only

Pros:

Intuitive interface
Lightweight
Built-in video editor
Fast

Cons:

Free trial lacks full functionality
Webcam options are limited

Nimbus Screenshot & Screen Video Recorder

OS: Chrome browser extension

Best for: making screencasts and educational demos

Chrome web store rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars

For full webpage compatibility, you can use Nimbus to capture, screenshot, edit, and annotate video conveniently.

Main features:

Easy-to-use
Good selection of editing tools
Easy sharing across platforms

Add Nimbus Screenshot & Screen Video Recorder

Pros:

Record desktop screen, voiceover, and webcam all at once
Interactive interface
Integrates directly with Google Drive

Cons:

Limited to browser
You must review updated notes in the extension before using new tools

Awesome Screenshot & Screen Recorder

OS: Chrome/Edge browser extension

Best for: product demo or how-to tutorials

Chrome web store rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars

Compared to other Google Chrome extensions, this screen recorder is loaded with powerful tools and even allows you to edit content while offline. The browser extension will enable you to choose video dimensions, share or save content files, and annotate recordings with ease.

Main features:

Free for personal use
Annotation tools
Instant sharing of screenshots and videos

Add Awesome Screenshot & Screen Recorder

Pros:

Runs offline
Quick switch between screen capture and screen recording features
Instantly sharable content

Cons:

Limited to recording your desktop, current tab, or camera only
Not cross-platform supported

What to look for in a screen recorder

It can be tricky choosing the best screen recorder to fit your individual needs when you are starting out. Here are some important points to keep in mind while doing your research and before you make your ultimate selection.

User-friendly or not: you don’t want to spend too long mastering your software, so check out how intuitive the interface is.
Free or paid: either opt for free software or a program with a free trial, so you can try before you buy to avoid any nasty surprises.
Ability to easily share or download and save: consider how you want to use your video creations – share them on online platforms, via email, or download and store them on your computer.
User reviews: do your research online and find user feedback.
Customer/technical support: make sure someone is available to answer your questions.

Software

Best for

Download

Movavi Screen Recorder

Capturing streaming videos on Windows and Mac

Download

Game Bar

Gameplay recording on Windows 10

Screencapture.com

Quick no-download online recording

Start Recording

Loom

Educational tutorials with a Chrome extension

OBS Studio

Making professional video clips on Windows, Mac, and Linux

Screencast-O-Matic

Screen recording and clip mixing on Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android

Icecream Screen Recorder

HD screen recording on Windows, Mac, and Android

ActivePresenter

Demos and educational tutorials on Windows and Mac

Flashback Express

Unlimited game capture on Windows and Linux

QuickTime

macOS users

Apowersoft Online Recorder

Unlimited online screen recording

Screenapp.io

Instant online screen recording

Screencastify

HD screen recording with a Chrome extension

Nimbus Screenshot & Screen Video Recorder

Making screencasts and educational demos with a Chrome extension

Awesome Screenshot & Screen Recorder

Product demo or how-to tutorials with a Chrome extension

Movavi Screen Recorder for Chrome

Recording all screen activity with minimal effort with a Chrome extension

Step 1. Download and install Movavi Screen Recorder

Download Movavi Screen Recorder on your PC or Mac for free and launch the installation file. Just follow the on-screen instructions to install the program, it will open automatically once the process is complete.

Download for Free

Step 2. Tweak your recording settings

Click Start recording and specify the area you want to capture. You can record your entire screen, a window, or a portion of the screen.

Once this is done, make sure the settings for the Webcam, Microphone, and System audio are right for you and hit the REC button.

Step 3. Edit the video

When you’re ready to finish recording, click the Stop button. Use the Cut and Delete tools if you want to cut out unwanted parts from the video.

Step 4. Save the result

The video will be saved to your computer in the MKV format by default, but you can convert it to MP4 in just a few clicks right away. Just click Export, select the desired format from the drop-down list, then hit Save.

Best free desktop recorders

Movavi Screen Recorder – best for video and audio capture
Game Bar – best for users who want to record gameplay videos
Screencapture.com – simple online capture
Loom – suitable for sharing and commenting using a browser extension
OBS Studio – suitable for live broadcasting on Windows/Mac/Linux
Screencast-O-Matic – suitable for beginners working on a Windows PC or Mac
Icecream Screen Recorder – best for simple navigation on Mac or Windows
ActivePresenter – best for recording educational content
Flashback Express – free screen recordings
QuickTime – best for Apple fans
Apowersoft Online Recorder – editing screencast while recording
Screenapp.io – recording short clips
Screencastify – best for video and audio capture, video editing
Nimbus Screenshot & Screen Video Recorder – online educational demos
Awesome Screenshot & Screen Recorder – product demo or how-to tutorials with a Chrome extension
Movavi Screen Recorder for Chrome – capturing any screen

Conclusion

In this article, we’ve reviewed several solutions for recording a video of your desktop, their features and pros and cons. We hope it’s been helpful in your choice of an ideal screen recorder for your personal needs.

Movavi Screen Recorder

The perfect way to record anything from your screen

Download for Free About the Windows version

Download for Free About the Mac version

Disclaimer: Please be aware that Movavi Screen Recorder does not allow capture of copy-protected video and audio streams.

Frequently asked questions

Which is the best desktop recording software?

Does Windows 10 have a desktop recorder?

References

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16 Best Free Desktop Recorders [2024]

Special pick: Movavi Screen Recorder

Best desktop recording software

Movavi Screen Recorder

OBS Studio

Screencast-O-Matic

Icecream Screen Recorder

ActivePresenter

Flashback Express

Built-in free desktop screen recorders

Game Bar

QuickTime

Desktop video recorders to use online

Screencapture.com

Apowersoft Online Recorder

Screenapp.io

Browser screen recorders for a desktop

Loom

Screencastify

Movavi Screen Recorder for Chrome

Nimbus Screenshot & Screen Video Recorder

Awesome Screenshot & Screen Recorder

What to look for in a screen recorder

How to record your desktop screen with audio

Step 1. Download and install Movavi Screen Recorder

Step 2. Tweak your recording settings

Step 3. Edit the video

Step 4. Save the result

Best free desktop recorders

Conclusion

Frequently asked questions

Which is the best desktop recording software?

Does Windows 10 have a desktop recorder?