Whether you’re a content creator, coach, or gamer, using the right screen capture software is indispensable for creating high-quality screen recordings.

Because, let’s face it – sometimes, text in an email or words over a voice call won’t suffice, especially when you want to teach someone how to use a tool, explain a complicated subject, or give a product demo to an interested customer.

So, if you want to easily and quickly record your screen and edit that footage for hassle-free sharing, using one of the best screen recording software is the key.

This post shares the best free screen recorders to capture your screen video without needing complicated tools or software experts.

What Is Screen Recording Software?

A screen recording software or screen recorder is a tool to record your computer’s screen and save the recording for smooth sharing. With some platforms, like Wave.video, you can record your webcam video, capture screen online, or perform these tasks simultaneously.

There are several feature-loaded software that you can explore to make the most of your screen-capturing pursuits.

But before you begin using any screen recorder, let’s check out the factors you must consider to make the right choice.

Choosing A Free Screen Recorder

What makes your screen recordings “perfect” will depend on your requirements and audience. However, here are a few things you need to consider while picking software for capturing your screen.

Accessibility

Screen recordings should be accessible for everyone – no matter their video creation and editing skills. Your chosen tool should, thus, be easy to use and convenient for all users.

High-Quality Recordings

Another vital point to consider is the quality of recordings. You should be able to download your screen captures in different formats and sizes to meet your quality requirements. After all, low-quality screen recordings are just as ineffective as emails or phone calls are for tutorials.

Editing

Pick a tool that also lets you edit your screen captures. This is especially helpful if you require recordings in different content formats, such as vertical and short-form videos, with various features like layouts, backgrounds, captions, logos, etc.

Live Streaming

A powerful screen capture software would allow live streaming. It won’t put a lot of strain on your computer resources and the internet – while giving you the option to share a tutorial or explain a concept to a larger audience.

Desktop Vs. Web-Based Screen Recorders

This has a lot to do with your preferences. For example, a desktop tool will work well if you need a screen recorder that can work without an active internet connection. But that would mean a greater load on your computer and, maybe, relying on additional apps for video editing.

On the other hand, web-based screen recorders are convenient and easily accessible through any browser. Moreover, they are light and can save your recordings on the cloud, without requiring additional storage on your computer. So, if you have a stable internet connection and need a complete solution for editing and uploading your videos, an online screen recorder like Wave.video can be quick, straightforward, and intuitive.

14 Best Free Screen Recorders For 2023

1. Wave.video’s Free Online Screen and Video Recorder

Wave.video has paved the way for innovative and free screen capture software with options to edit, host, share, download, and even live stream your screen recordings – without leaving the platform.

You can also invite guests via a link and enhance your screen captures with custom backgrounds, layouts, or sound effects.

This web-based video recorder lets you easily record videos online using any browser from anywhere. No downloads or installs are required. Plus, you can get as creative with your screen captures as you want, thanks to Wave.video’s other tools like thumbnail maker, text-to-video converter, GIF maker, etc.

Thus, if you’re looking for an easy-to-use and one of the best screen recording software that doesn’t require special skills, you’ll love this all-in-one video solution!

2. Apowersoft Free Online Screen Recorder

Although featuring an archaic interface, Apowersoft free online screen recorder is a good option for unlimited screen recordings for free.

While it can record both screen and webcam, there’s also the option to add system sound and sync microphone & audio. So, if one-click screen recordings matter the most to you, this could be a worthy choice.

3. Bandicam

A desktop screen recorder, Bandicam lets you record from any video device like a webcam, smartphone, IPTV, and PlayStation/Xbox. Available for Windows, it can record snippets on a PC screen or capture a game using DirectX/OpenGL/Vulkan graphics technologies.

Go for it if you’re searching for a desktop screen recorder with a high compression ratio.

4. ShareX

An open-source and free screen capture software, ShareX is a lightweight pick for desktop software seekers. This tool provides several capture methods, including fullscreen, active window, custom region, scrolling capture, and auto-capture.

Besides quick screen capture sharing, it provides easy GIF recording and supports over 80 destinations. So, if you want a powerful desktop screen recorder, this is an excellent option.

5. Screencast-O-Matic

Screencast-O-Matic is another web-based screen recorder that manages to mark its presence in between some serious competition. You can capture a part of your screen, a full screen, or a window. There’s also an option to mark the recordings with text, arrows, highlights, etc.

Just like Wave.video, this one is also pretty easy to use and offers plenty of features like screencasting, adding a webcam, and editing the recordings. However, the downloading and exporting experience may not be as smooth as provided by some of its rivals.

6. FlashBack Express

Anyone who has ever used desktop-only software knows that a little snag can waste a lot of time. That’s why, choosing a tool that saves time and offers the basics without the bells and whistles could be a priority for some.

If that’s what you need too, FlashBack Express can be a splendid pick. This tool comes loaded with a video trimmer and offers no time limits or watermarks. On the flip side, you’d need to upgrade to use its full video editing suite, record HD/4K video, apply video effects, add text, and images, and save your recordings in all file formats.

7. Camtasia

Camtasia may be an expensive screen recorder, offering a free trial version for 30 days with watermarked videos. So, if you want to experience the power of one of the best screen recording software, download the trial.

Supporting both Windows and Mac, this desktop software is a great shout for anyone looking for the option to add captions, animations, video effects, overlays, and even quizzes to screen captures. It also lets you edit audio, video, and cursor tracks separately.

8. TinyTake

Tiny Take is another desktop-based screen recorder that delivers an impressive set of features to make screencasting and sharing absolutely simple. Available for Windows & Mac, TinyTake also lets you add comments and share them with others. You can also assign custom shortcut keys using this tool and zoom in and out of the video.

9. OBS Studio

OBS Studio is an open-source software trusted by many online gamers for capturing gameplay. Although a bit complicated to operate, this desktop screen capture software lets you create scenes from multiple sources like window captures, webcams, images, texts, browser windows, and capture cards. It also allows you to switch between the video capture devices seamlessly via custom transitions.

If you’re looking for a power-packed screen recorder for your desktop, this could be a good choice – but not for those looking for a quick way to record screens.

10. Free Cam

If you’re a Windows desktop user and are just starting with screen recording, Free Cam could be an awesome pick. It’s not complex and has all the essential features to get you moving. For example, you can create screencasts, edit them and upload them to YouTube without watermarks or time limits.

Although there’s no webcam capture, you can add voiceovers, customize the recording area, highlight on-screen interactions, and customize the audio.

11. Loom

A renowned choice for screencasting, Loom offers screen recording from any device using its desktop and mobile apps or Chrome extension. And once your screen capture is ready, share a link to the recorded video with your recipients without them needing to log in or create an account.

Loom also offers interactive elements like emoji reactions and time-stamped comments to make better screen recordings.

12. Screencastify

Screencastify is a Google Chrome extension that allows you to record your screen in its entirety or a tab only, capture your webcam, and add microphone narration. It also features annotation tools to keep your viewers focused on what matters the most. From highlighting to the drawing pen tool, and mouse spotlight, you can use all of it to make interactive screencasts.

The captured video is autosaved to your Google Drive. You can also upload it to YouTube and export it as an animated GIF, MP4, or MP3.

13. AnyMP4 Screen Recorder

AnyMP4 Screen Recorder is another desktop screen recorder with terrific features like HD recording of screen activities, webcam recording, taking screenshots, or capturing videos with different audio sources from system sounds, microphone or both.

Supported formats include MP4, WMV, MKV, MOV, AVI, FLV, and more. It also offers noise suppression to remove background noise while voice recording from the mic.

14. DVDVideoSoft’s Free Screen Video Recorder

DVDVideoSoft’s Free Screen Video Recorder is a fabulous Windows-only software to record screens. You can use it to record on-screen changes, audio from the microphone, and mouse movements.

In addition, you can capture multiple windows and objects with multi-level menus. Free from spyware and adware, this tool is safe to install and run. It can capture a full screen, a window, an object (such as an icon, a button, etc.), or an entire region. You can even highlight your cursor path for added clarity.

Ready To Record Your Screen?

So, there you have the ultimate list of the best screen recording software for 2023. Which one will you use for your screen recording needs? Let us know in the comment section below.

And, if you want to learn screen recording on a laptop along with some best practices, check out this fantastic resource: How to Record Your Screen on Windows PC or Mac.