You’re using an older browser version. Update to the latest version of Google Chrome, Safari, Mozilla Firefox, or Microsoft Edge for the best site experience.

The 6 Best Screen Recorders for Windows PC in 2024

28 minutes
5086363 views
Best screen recording software

Table of Contents

Authoring tool with a handy video screen recorder
Explore iSpring Suite

There are many screen recorders on the market, and trying to find the best one can be overwhelming. Which one will be the best depends on your needs. Once you define them, you’ll have a better idea of which screen recording software you’re looking for.

Read our buyer’s guide to get an in-depth look at the selection process.

We identified 6 different use cases and, through thorough testing, came up with our best pick for each category.

Whatever your desired use is, we have selected six of the best screen recorders currently available, and we are confident that at least one will appeal to you.

The best screen recorders for different use cases:

What Makes a Good Screen Recorder? 

While finding the best screen recorder will depend on your needs, there are definitely some aspects and features that define a good screen recorder. No matter what you need the software for, you should keep an eye out for the following:

  • The ability to record your entire screen, single window, or area of your screen.
  • Webcam, system audio, and microphone audio recording.
  • Useful presenting tools such as cursor highlighter, annotations, or captions.
  • High-quality recordings.
  • No watermarks.
  • Suitable export or sharing options, such as MP4.
  • User-friendly interface.
  • Value for money.

While some of these factors may be non-negotiable for you, and some others are just a nice bonus, all screen capture apps should strive to deliver on the above features. 

All of our picks deliver on these features and aspects.

There are other criteria that might be important for your choice of screen recorder, especially if you’re planning to make professional-quality videos. For example, you may need to consider the frame rate of your recording or the file size of your exports.

If you’re going to get creative with your editing, then you may wish to use a virtual green screen effect that’s available in some capture software.

Lastly, you should consider the performance of your system and the program you wish to record. If your computer is old or lacking in performance, you might experience performance issues when trying to record programs such as video games.

How We Tested the Best Screen Recorders

In order to get useful insights into the screen recorders, we had to try out all of the features available to us. For the paid apps, we were limited to the free trials, but this didn’t limit our access to their list of features. For the free apps, we gave ourselves plenty of time to experiment with them.

We made sure to test the basic functionality of each option’s screen capture software.

Here, we looked at how easy they are to set up and use, how straightforward the recording process is, and how easy or difficult it is to maneuver through the various settings.

We recorded some footage of our screen and webcam, including system sounds and microphone. Then we explored the post-recording options, such as editing capabilities (if present).

Finally, we made sure to check the exporting and sharing processes, and, of course, we assessed the quality of our final products.

The 6 Best Screen Recording Software
in 2024 – At a Glance

Best for

Screen Recorder

Standout Features

Pricing / Free Trial

Making instructional videos

iSpring Suite

Integrated instructional course designer

$970/year

14-day free trial

Streaming and gamingOBS StudioPowerful and highly customizable recordingFree
Post-recording editing featuresCamtasiaPowerful recording and feature-rich editing

$180/year

3-day free trial

Sharing screen capturesLoomSimple and accessible capture-sharing service

Free version

$150/year

Web-based recordingApowerSoftNo download neededFree
AffordabilityScreenPalCan record and edit$36/year

The Best Screen Recorder for Making Instructional Videos

iSpring Suite

iSpring Suite

iSpring Suite is a powerful eLearning authoring toolkit for designing courses, delivering instructional videos, and creating eLearning content on a massive scale. But one of the standout features of this product is the excellent video making tool.

We love the feature-rich screen recorder that iSpring Suite provides for educators and instructional designers. It delivers excellent video quality and a range of effects, including slow motion.

One of our favorite aspects of the software is its simplicity.

It is incredibly simple to use and offers a decent level of customization through its editing app and annotation features. We found it especially good for creating video lectures with minimal effort.

This built-in screen capture tool is designed to make recording and editing instructional videos simple and easy. Even if you have no experience in video production, presenting, or screencasting, you will still be able to create professional tutorial videos with this platform. 

We tried out iSpring Suite to design lessons and instructional videos, create a product demo, and record a webinar. On every count, iSpring Suite met our expectations and felt well-designed and user-friendly.

We found the annotation and transition features to be incredibly useful and naturally intuitive, really enhancing the overall end product of the recording.

iSpring Suite is more than just a screen recorder. 

Perhaps the best thing about iSpring Suite is that it’s not just a screen recorder, but actually a comprehensive instructional design solution packed full of features.

Moreover, you can take advantage of iSpring’s library of assets to further enhance your course creation process and benefit from their templates and tutorials.

Pros

  • Comprehensive suite of features
  • Easy to use
  • High-quality end product

Cons

  • Specific users in mind

Pricing

  • $970/year

Who it is best for 

  • Educators
  • Instructional designers

The Best Screen Recording Software for Streaming and Gaming

OBS Studio

OBS Studio

OBS Studio is one of the most widely used video recording and streaming apps. It’s most popular with streamers and YouTubers who need to record or stream their screens and webcams simultaneously. 

We found OBS to be one of the most high-performing screen recorders available.

OBS Studio is capable of producing high-quality video with minimal effort. Once we took the time to learn the basics and get used to some of the more complicated features, OBS was a joy to use.

This is probably the main drawback of OBS Studio; it can require a significant investment of time to get the most out of the software, but once you do, it really does stand out.

The main draw of OBS is that once you have it set up, it’s a breeze to record or stream on the go. This is what makes it so popular with streamers, the ability to customize the experience for the audience mid-stream.

We tested this and found that the overall functionality and user experience were great.

Having said that, it did take us some time to get a handle on all the buttons and features that OBS comes with.

Another drawback of the studio is the lack of editing provisions. If you want to use the software to record a video, then you need to be very prepared for your recording session because OBS doesn’t provide any editing functionality.

The app is designed for streamers or video makers who only need one take.

In fact, many professionals who use OBS Studio will also have a favorite video editing software that they use. So, if you already have a favorite video editor, OBS is probably the perfect screen recorder for you.

And last of all, OBS is entirely free.

Despite being feature-rich and the mainstay of professional casters, content creators, and video producers, OBS Studio is open source and thus completely free to use.

Pros

  • High-performance
  • Customization
  • Free

Cons

  • Steep learning curve

Pricing

  • Free

Who it is best for 

  • Gamers and streamers
  • Tech-savvy users
  • Those who already have video editing software

The Best Screen Recorder for Post-production Editing

Camtasia

Camtasia

If you’re looking for an app that will let you record your screen and then freely edit your recordings, then Camtasia is the app for you. 

Camtasia is one of the most widely used recording software for Windows or Mac. Despite its cost, it’s easy to see what makes it so popular.

The video capture software element of Camtasia is easy to use, straightforward, and effective.

We experimented with recording the entire screen, different windows, and also a custom area. We like the simplicity and probably the best cursor effects of any app we’ve tested.

While the screen recorder is simple to use, Camtasia really shows its colors in the editing studio.

Once we played around with the recorder and had some footage to review, we spent hours in the Camtasia video editor trying out the many features available for creating intricate videos to a professional standard.

Some of our favorite features included the easy addition of captions and text overlays, complete with beautiful animations. We also loved the huge asset library that you have access to with clips, images, and audio.

Despite being so feature-rich, Camtasia doesn’t feel intimidating or overwhelming. Instead, it has an intuitive interface and an awesome collection of tutorials and how-to guides that you can follow.

Camtasia isn’t just for pros.

Whereas a professional video producer or content creator might relish all the creative features of Camtasia, a beginner is unlikely to feel out of place, as the software manages to be a great option for all levels of ability.

We tried out the Camtasia 3-day free trial, which gave us plenty of time to assess its features. The full version of Camtasia is, however, quite expensive. Camtasia is priced at just under $180 for a yearly subscription, making it quite pricey for a screen recording program, although affordable for a video editor.

So, as to whether Camtasia represents value for money, it really depends on your use case.

If you have your heart set on a single app that will provide all your screen recording and editing needs and you have the available funds, then Camtasia will not disappoint.

Pros

  • Simple and effective recorder
  • Unrivaled editing features
  • Intuitive and tutorial access

Cons

  • Upfront cost

Pricing

  • $180/year

Who it is best for 

  • Beginners and professionals
  • Professionals and enthusiasts

The Best Screen Recorder for Easy Video Sharing

Loom

Loom

Loom is a really interesting screen recorder.

Not being just desktop recording software, Loom is more of a video communication app that allows you to not only create your screen captures but also edit and share them instantly. We recommend it for creating short videos for quick explanations that need feedback.

Loom is an app that can be used on your PC, Mac, phone, or tablet and works like any other screen recorder. It has a simple and friendly UI with obvious controls and features. Videos can be recorded at up to 720p quality with system sounds and even virtual backgrounds for your webcam.

Where Loom steps away from the herd, however, is when you finish making your video. 

First of all, the simple editing capabilities are slightly ahead of most other free screen recorders but aren’t winning any awards. Loom is intended not for creating video content for publishing but rather for sharing.

Once we made our video, we copied the link and shared it.

With this link, other people can view, react, and respond to the content. Loom has integration with various workflow platforms such as Slack, the concept being that you can quickly record, edit, and share videos with your colleagues to get their responses.

Loom is easy to use and is, for the most part, free.

With the free version of Loom, you can use the main features of the service, but are limited to making 25 videos per person and a total video length of just 5 minutes. This might seem short, but Loom is designed for shorter videos.

5 minutes is actually loads of time to quickly explain a workflow, design feature, single task, or highlight some code for a desperate colleague. Again, whether or not Loom is a useful app depends on your intended use case.

Whereas Loom is mostly free, it does offer a paid version for $12.50 a month per user.

With the Business version, the key benefits are unlimited videos and access to Loom’s AI and Transcript features. The auto transcript creator and editor sound like very useful features but are not exclusive to Loom, and it seems as though Loom AI is yet to develop its most useful features.

Overall, Loom is a very nice app and is a great way to share videos with your colleagues, but we didn’t find it to be indispensable, as any screen recording can be uploaded or shared by other means, removing the need for a dedicated app.

Pros

  • Easy to use
  • Intuitive design
  • Sharing capabilities

Cons

  • Video limitations
  • Requires a dedicated app

Pricing

  • Free version 
  • $150/year for unlimited videos and AI features

Who it is best for 

  • Corporate communications using videos

The Best Web-based Screen Recorder

Apowersoft

Apowersoft

Apowersoft is our pick for the best web-based screen recorder.

If you don’t want to download an app, or you regularly use different computers for your work, then this solution may fit your needs exactly. It is also completely free.

It’s pretty hard to fault this screen recorder on the grounds of its simplicity.

As explained on the website, you simply click on “Start Recording,” then select the screen you want to record, and away you go. This makes Apowersoft one of the quickest ways to screen record on Windows or Mac if you haven’t used one before.

You can also choose to include your webcam in the recording to overlay on top of the screen, and you can include both the system sounds and microphone. 

We found the platform to be exceptionally straightforward to use; the recording was of good quality and downloadable as an MP4 file. Although it certainly isn’t full of features. There is no cursor highlighter, no annotations, and no editing options.

It was more useful for demonstrating more mundane tasks or showcasing websites. 

We would recommend against using the recorder to capture gameplay, not least because you need a web browser tab open, limiting your system performance.

While Apowersoft may not be feature-rich, you can choose to download their app, which allows you to record a custom area, record offline, schedule recordings, add a watermark, and add a drawing tool.

However, the key benefit of Apowersoft is the fact that you don’t need to download anything.

While it may not be everyone’s use case, a screen recorder that works from your internet browser can be a helpful tool, especially in a pinch. We appreciated the simplicity and the foolproof web design, meaning that this may be the best screencaster for technophobes.

You really can’t go wrong with this one.

If you’re dead set against investing your time, money, or disk space into a screen recorder, then this is a great pick.

Pros

  • No download required
  • Quick to get going
  • No skills required
  • No video limitations

Cons

  • Limited features
  • Limited video quality

Pricing

  • Free

Who it is best for 

  • Those who use multiple computers
  • Those working on restricted systems
  • Onetime screen recorders

The Best Screen Recorder in Terms of Affordability

Screenpal

ScreenPal

ScreenPal, formerly known as Screencast-O-Matic, is our pick for the best budget screen recorder.

While there are a number of totally free screen recorders, regardless of whether they are simple apps, web-based programs, or open-source studios, most of them have some sort of limitation. 

If you are looking for a simple, no-nonsense, and professional-looking screen recorder with a generous choice of features that comes at an affordable price, then ScreenPal should be on your radar.

We found ScreenPal to be extremely easy to set up and use.

If you have used free or paid screen recorders in the past, then ScreenPal works exactly as you would expect. ScreenPal records your screen, webcam, system audio, and microphone. It records in HD and exports in MP4.

What separates ScreenPal from free screen recorders is its wealth of features. 

ScreenPal has most of the features that the more expensive options boast, with decent editing options, annotations, drawing tools, zooming, and custom dimensions. There is no free screen recorder that gives you anywhere near this array of features.

The free version of ScreenPal isn’t really worthwhile because it doesn’t allow you to record system sounds, a fairly standard feature of most free screen recorders. 

ScreenPal fits most screen recording needs at a fraction of its competitors’ costs.

We wouldn’t go so far as to say that ScreenPal is all you could ever need from a screen recorder, as other apps offer more ease of use, features, or customization, but are other options as much as 10 times better? We aren’t so sure.

We like ScreenPal very much, and for most use cases, it is probably the right choice for you too.

Pros

  • Simple
  • Plenty of features
  • No video limitations

Cons

  • No features that stand out

Pricing

  • $36/year

Who it is best for 

  • Anyone

Common Screen Recorder Problems and Solutions

We compiled some of the most common problems with screen recording software and provided a handy solution for each.

The recording has a watermark

A typical problem with free screen recorders is that they add a watermark to the recording that you can’t get rid of. Luckily, all the options we picked do not include a watermark on your recording, even with the free versions.

Background noise when recording audio

This can be a common problem. The best way to deal with it is to ensure that you have a good-quality microphone and are recording your voice in a quiet room. If that’s not possible, some screen capture apps have a nifty background noise remover, so keep an eye out for those options.

The export file is the wrong type

Not all screen recording software exports the end result in the format that you need it to be in. Either you need to be sure that the app you are using will have the appropriate export file available for your needs, or you can use a recorder that also includes a file converter.

The screen recorder can’t find the webcam

Make sure your webcam is connected properly and works (you can use another app to check this). You also need to make sure that your computer is giving the app permission to use its devices. Lastly, make sure that no other apps are already using the webcam.

Finding the Best Screen Recording Software

Finding the best screen recorder is a matter of personal preference.

So, if you are an educator or instructional designer and need a long-term solution to not just screen recording but also all of your learning design needs, then despite the initial investment, iSpring Suite is the obvious choice.

If you have a powerful PC, value customization, and want to record or stream gameplay, then look no further than OBS. Just remember that if you want to edit your videos, you’ll need a separate app.

If you are new to screencasting and video production but definitely want to do some post-recording editing, then Camtasia is the only one for you. 

For those looking for a free-to-use video screen capture and sharing app to speed up their workflow, we recommend Loom.

If you need a quick solution to record your screen or want to avoid downloads, then Apowersoft is your friend.

And lastly, if you want value for money, or you don’t fit any of the above descriptions, then you can’t go wrong with ScreenPal.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

We have gathered and answered some of the most commonly asked questions about Mac or PC video recording software.

What is screen recording?

Screen recording, or screen capture, means creating a video recording of exactly what your screen is showing. This can include the sounds that your computer is making too. 

Most recording software options will also give you the choice of recording your webcam and your microphone in order to create a single video recording of the two combined. There are many computer video recorders available, and some come with these functionalities built in.

You can also find screen recording programs for your phone or tablet.

Software to record screens is incredibly useful for showing people what you are doing as you do it, or for recording a tutorial, educational video, or displaying a product. Screen recording is also a great way to communicate important information in certain situations.

Lastly, desktop recording software has become an incredibly popular way of making entertaining videos to share online.

How can you record your screen in Windows 10?

Windows 10 now comes with two built-in screen recording tools that you may not have heard of. These are the Windows Game Bar and the Snippet Tool. We will walk you through how to use both of these screen capture tools.

Game Bar

1. Start by pressing the Windows key and G key at the same time – this will launch the game bar.

2. Once the game bar overlay appears on your screen, you can select Capture from the options at the top of the screen.

Capture option in Game bar

3. The Capture window will open, and you can select Start Recording.

Start recording button in Game bar

4. While recording, a window will open with a button that allows you to stop recording.

Stop recording option in Game bar

5. After you finish your recording, a window will appear on the screen. Click on it to view your recordings.

Game bar

Snipping Tool

1. Start by opening the Snipping Tool; you can find it by searching for it in the Windows Start menu.

2. By default, the Snipping Tool is set to take a screenshot. Select the record tab.

Record tab in Snipping tool

3. Select your recording window, and click on Start Recording.

Start recording option in Snipping tool

4. After you finish your recording, click on the stop recording button, and then you can view your video.

Snipping tool

5. Windows will then give you the option to edit your video in the built-in editor.

Please note that both of these Windows recording software only record your screen and do not record your webcam. They both come installed on all Windows systems and are used to take screenshots.

What equipment do I need for screencasting?

The answer is not a lot.

To simply record your screen, all you need is the computer itself, as many computers will have built-in screen recording apps. 

If you want to include a video of yourself with the recording, then you need a webcam. If you also want to record your own voice, you’ll need a microphone. Luckily, almost every laptop and many desktops will come with both of these as standard.

Lastly, you just need an app to do the actual recording, so check our list out.

What is the best free screen recorder for PC?

The best free screen recorder for PC is probably OBS – but that depends on what we mean by ‘best’.

If you are planning to make a lot of recordings and are happy to learn how to get the most out of your recording app, then OBS is definitely the best. Also, if you’re willing to purchase a really good video editing app, then you have circumvented OBS Studio’s only shortfall.

If you only intend to make a one-off recording, then we recommend using Apowersoft, because it’s not only free to use but is also the fastest way to get your recording ready to go.

What is the best paid screen recorder for PC?

Once again, this depends on what we mean by ‘best’.

If you’re creating instructional material, then we highly recommend iSpring Suite for its huge array of instructional design features.

If you want an all-round recorder with amazing and easy-to-use editing tools and can afford the $180 price tag, then we suggest Camtasia.

For everyone else, we highly recommend ScreenPal.

Not only does it have just about all the features you are likely to want from a screen recorder, but it is also so reasonably priced that it makes other paid screen capture tools look very expensive.

Screen Recording Software Buyer’s Guide

In this handy guide, we will go through the steps you should take when choosing your ideal screen recording app for PC or Mac.

How can I choose the best screen recording software?

Here are some steps to help you choose the best video recorder for your computer screen.

Identify your use case

  • What do you need your screen recorder for?
  • How often will you use it?
  • Is it just for you, or for an entire team of people?

These are just some of the questions you need to ask in order to understand what you need your computer video recorder for.

Decide which features are a must

All video capture software come with many standard features, but some miss out on specific features, whereas others boast unique ones. You need to decide which features are non-negotiable for you.

Ease of Use

Understand your limitations. If you aren’t the best with technology, then you might find some options overwhelming, and you won’t be able to get the desired result, let alone make the most of the available features.

Editing capabilities

Some recorders give you the tools to edit your recordings, while others don’t. This is something you need to decide early on. Perhaps you don’t need to edit your videos, maybe you already have a video editor. Unless either of these is true, you need a recorder with some editing power.

Your budget

Sometimes budget is the easiest way to narrow down a choice.

If you absolutely need a free recorder, then that makes your choice a lot easier. If price is of little concern to you, then you have some good options in the higher price range. But value for money is the determining factor, then it won’t take you long to decide.

Export options

This last one is very important.

Depending on what you need to do with your end product, you will need your video to be in a certain format. These days, MP4 is the gold standard, and HD videos are the norm. Check your requirements, and then use this information to narrow down your choices.

iSpring Suite

Fast course authoring toolkit

Create online courses and assessments in record time.

Fast course authoring toolkit