Top 20 Best Free Screen Recording Software -As a Youtuber or content creator, you often have the need to record your laptop screen. For many people, including teachers or anyone who uses computers, screen recording features are a necessity.
Graphic designers who need to record every step of their design process or freelancers who offer video services are in need of quality software. Some of the most important and most used softwares include video editing and screen recording softwares.
With the number of quality free screen recording softwares in the market, it would be a huge mistake to go for premium ones straight away.
When trying to get a free screen recording software to use on your PC, starting with free softwares that can be extended to premium versions is the most ideal option. There are more than twenty screen recording softwares that are free and provide enough features and qualities as premium screen recorders.
The interesting part is that these free software allow users to subscribe to premium plans for more features and the plans can be canceled within certain durations should the users get dissatisfied.
This article has been written to thoroughly explain how to identify the best screen recording software and which ones are considered the best currently.
Best Free Screen Recording Software
- VEED Screen and Webcam Recorder + Editor
- Bandicam
- Screencastify
- AnyMP4 Screen Recorder
- Loom
- Screencast-O-Matic
- FlexClip’s Screen Recorder
- Movavi Screen Recorder
- Icecream Screen Recorder
- ClickUp
- Camtasia
- Captivate
- IFun Screen Recorder
- Snagit
- ScreenFlow
- ActivePresenter
- AceThinker
- ApowerREC
- Gilisoft Video Recorder
- FlashBack Pro
Before explaining the features of these screen recording software, the next part of this article will talk about the features to look out for in a good screen recorder.
A screen recording software is designed to record and make videos of what is happening on your device screen. Perhaps the most important feature a good screen recorder must possess is not to interfere with the system speed or activities while you record.
With the help of quality screen recording software, you can choose to make a screen record of your entire computer screen, laptop or monitor screen or just a section of your screen. All of these are done without any interference with your computer system activities and speed.
The recording software also record the sound your device makes or your own voice itself. Any software that falls short of the above qualities is no more than average.
Screen recording software are very important for content creators especially PC gamers. This is why there is a variety of options to choose from. The free software usually provide recording quality of up to 720p for free, while a subscription is required to get 1020p recordings.
There are also free screen recording software that provide screen recording of 1020p but a watermark is included.
Here are important features to look out for when selecting the best screen recording software:
- Simplicity
- Optimization
- High Quality Video Exports
- Low cost (For premium features)
- Quality livestream recording
Best Free Screen Recording Software
1. VEED Screen and Webcam Recorder
Veed is one quality screen recorder that works in simple ways but gives out refined high quality screen videos. It can compete with premium screen recording softwares, despite being a free recorder.
Users are allowed to make screen records for as long as they wish. There are also other features including the ability to select different screen recording layouts and annotation feature. This software also doubles as an editing software, considering that you can add texts and other edits to your screen record.
Using the free version of VEED is very enjoyable with high quality exports and features. Users who wish to upgrade can get access to more video editing features and high-quality exports.
One of the problems users have with VEED is that the sticky texts cannot be edited, meaning you cannot change the default color. It is available for use on only computers, as there is no mobile version of the software yet.
Some users are also concerned with the fact that the software cannot be downloaded and is like a browser extension only. However, the quality of the features provided overshadows the cons. Users can also record using the microphone and webcam of the computer while making a record, a rare feature.
The UI is designed such that user experience is great even for beginners. All of these features combine to make VEED one of the best free screen recording softwares. Some other features provided include buttons to add subtitles and translate them, add music and a whole lot of other classy video editing features.
2. Bandicam
If you just started a Youtube channel or a livestreaming channel, Bandicam is one screen recording software you want to try.
Bandicam is made with features that are perfect for beginner livestreamers. Every control is really simple to use and the finished videos are great as well. The software shoots at 480 frames and the videos are in 4k.
Since most users will use the free version, there is a watermark but it is quite small, very different from the large watermarks that ruin the video products of some screenrecorders. A good thing is that you do not need to sign up for an account before using Bandicam.
Unfortunately, it has a recording limit of ten minutes. The software also saves the videos locally, which is an advantage for many people but a disadvantage for others.
The free version has enough qualities, but the paid version as some more and the best part is that it is not a subscription plan. One payment gives you lifetime access to Bandicam on one computer.
3. Screencastify
Screencastify is another screen recording software that is of high quality and is best suited to gamers. After making screen records, you can make simple edits using emojis, shapes, and annotation pens.
There is a neat video editor that is very accessible. Users can also save the edits directly to their Google drive. However, there is a 5 minutes recording limit which is really small and users need to sign up for an account.
This software has been in the market since 2013 so they provide really good services considering their experience.
4. Loom
Loom is considered one of the best screen recording softwares because of various reasons, with the first one being that it works either as an app or as an extension.
The free version is full of incredible features that would be enough for anyone unless you are working on a big project that needs more features.
Users can export different sizes of their webcam videos and just need to sign up to use all of the features, although some people do not like this.
5. AnyMP4 Screen Recorder
This screen recorder has a free version which does not offer so much to the users. There is only three minutes of recording time allowed. The quality is very high so if you need to make only small videos, this would be very suitable.
If you need to create longer videos, the premium version only needs a one-time payment for you to use all the exquisite features.
There are also various presets to choose from and you can select the quality of your videos.
6. Screencast-O-Matic
Screencast-O-Matic is one of the oldest screen recording softwares that appeared on the desktop market. It is very affordable and being one of the oldest in the industry, the recording software has advanced gradually, providing some of the best features you will ever see on a screen recording software.
Unfortunately, there is a fifteen minutes recording limit on the free version. This number is higher than the average number of recording minutes provided by most recorders, but is still not enough for many people. The video exports are in high quality, slightly making up for what the software lacks in terms of recording limits.
The premium plan is quite affordable and there are several options to share the videos you create instantly. In order to use Screencast, users do not have to sign up for any account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are frequently asked questions and answers about the best free screen recording software:
Yes. Veed is one quality screen recorder that works in simple ways but gives out refined high quality screen videos. It can compete with premium screen recording softwares, despite being a free recorder. Users are allowed to make screen records for as long as they wish. There are also other features including the ability to select different screen recording layouts and annotation feature. This software also doubles as an editing software, considering that you can add texts and other edits to your screen record.
Here is a list of some of the best free screen recording softwares:
- VEED Screen and Webcam Recorder + Editor
- Bandicam
- Screencastify
- AnyMP4 Screen Recorder
- Loom
- Screencast-O-Matic
- FlexClip’s Screen Recorder
Here are important features to look out for when selecting the best screen recording software:
- Simplicity
- Optimization
- High Quality Video Exports
- Low cost (For premium features)
- Quality livestream recording
Conclusion
Screen recording has become an important part of content creation and is often used when you have to show your friends or followers how you did something. Recording your screen is easier on smaller gadgets but this is not the case with computers.
Only a few screen recording software allow computer users to create high quality screen records. This article mentions the top 20 best free screen recording software.
References
Veed.io: 7 Best Screen Recorders
Techradar.com: Best Free Screen Recorders of 2022
Ispringsolutions.com: 16 Best Screen Recorders