1. Apowersoft Screen Capture Software
2. Apowersoft Mac Screen Recorder Software
3. Apowersoft Screen Recorder Pro

In addition to saving the screenshot to local disk and uploading to free cloud space, this online, free screen capture software also enables you to copy the screenshot to the clipboard, email it or share it. Apowersoft Free Online Screen Recorder is a fantastic screen recording tool that is simple to use and has an impressive variety of customizations for a free app. There is no time limit for the length of your video and the program does not add any ugly watermarks to your video.

They say there is no free lunch and, more often than not, that’s the rule. Screen recording software, though, is a delightful exception — there are heaps of free tools out there.
To help you find the best free screen recorder, we have created a shortlist of the best free screen recorders in 2021 that are free. Ideal for communicating your ideas and feedback faster, recorder video tutorials, explainer videos, report bugs, etc.

Contents

What Is Screen Recording Software?

Screen recording software captures what is on your computer screen. You can either record in full screen or capture a specific area. Most of these apps can record your microphone (audio narration) and the best desktop recording software can also record your computer screen with audio (the system sound).

However, this is where the similarities end. Not all such programs are HD screen recorders. Some screen recording tools can save the recording in various file formats or export it to social media websites like YouTube. Top screen recorders, though, can upload your screen captures to the cloud in real-time and give you a sharing link instantly (much more effective).

Apowersoft Screen Capture Pro is an amazing application for you to capture screenshot, edit images, capture screen into video preserve or share them on web effortlessly. Unlike other iPhone screen recorders which require phone jailbreak for screencast, Apowersoft iPhone/iPad Recorder makes use of iOS's AirPlay mirroring function to stream videos, photos, music, documents and any other data from iPhone/iPad to computer.

So, before you set your mind on a free screen recording software, it’s best to evaluate your own recording needs. Maybe you don’t need to upload your videos to social media or maybe you don’t need to record in HD.

How we reviewed the top screen video recorders

We took information about each of the best desktop recorders directly from their official website. In addition, we gathered insights from independent reviews published on G2Crowd and tested each tool ourselves.

What is a good screen recorder?

While our picks range from desktop apps to browser plug-ins, each one meets the following basic criteria:

• User-friendly interface
• Can record the entire screen or a specific area
• Captures both system and microphone audio
• Built-in video sharing and/or convenient exporting options

See this video for more information.

Here Are The Best Free Screen Recording Software In 2021

1. Screenrec

Click. Record. Share instantly. If you’re looking for the quickest and easiest possible way to capture your computer screen and share the recording with someone else, this is it. No ads and limitations. You not only get a screen recorder for free but you also get business video hosting for free.

Pros:

• Record computer audio
• Record your computer screen in HD
• Capture and annotate screenshots
• 2Gb of free video hosting included
• Cloud recording. Your video capture is uploaded on the fly to a secure video hosting platform — StreamingVideoProvider.
• Files are saved in the .MP4 format which can be played on any device (free MP4 screen recorder)
• Instant private sharing. Once the recording is complete you get a private sharing link that you can send to anyone online.
• Extremely lightweight
• Video CMS to manage your recordings, e.g. tag, add descriptions, organize in folders and playlists
• Video encryption. No one can download your videos without your explicit permission.
• Video analytics
• Unlimited recording time
• No ads

Cons:

• There are no video editing tools at this point
• You can’t record your webcam

Free Download For:

• Windows, Mac and Linux: https://screenrec.com/download-screenrec/

2. iSpring Free Cam

iSpring Free Cam made our list of the best screen recorders because it’s easy-to-use, without ads and time limitations. It only works on Windows which can potentially be an issue but, otherwise, it’s got all the chops to help you capture the full screen or a specific area of your desktop.

Pros:

• Record your microphone and system sounds
• Highlight your mouse
• Basic video editing tools, e.g. delete selection, remove background noise.
• Webcam recording is available but only in the Pro version
• You can upload your screencast to YouTube
• No ads
• No time limits

Cons:

• Only works on Windows. No support for Linux or Mac.
• Screen captures are saved in .WMV format (OK if you’re using a Windows PC but might not play on other platforms)
• Uploading large videos might take quite some time because there is no cloud recording option. The file is compressed and uploaded after recording.
• You can’t take screenshots
• Some users report high CPU usage

Available for:

• Windows

3. Apowersoft Free Online Screen Recorder

A nice online screen recorder with basic video editing capabilities. This free screen capture software runs in your browser (Mac or Windows) and requires an internet connection. The Apowersoft Free Online Screen Recorder might be a good choice if you’re looking for a one-time solution.

Pros:

• Record your webcam
• Add annotations within the video
• Capture computer audio
• Crop your video (no other editing tools, though)
• Works on Windows and Mac but not on Linux
• After recording, you can save the video file to your computer or upload it to YouTube, Vimeo, Dropbox, Google Drive, etc.
• You can save the file in a number of different formats (This can also be a con if you don’t know what you’re doing)

Cons:

• Requires a browser plugin to run which may slow your browser down. There is a “Download desktop version” button on the website but this is actually the Pro version, not the free one.
• No cloud recording option. If you want to share your screencast, you will have to wait for the video to render and, then, you will have to wait for it to upload.
• Time limits and watermarks (removed when you create a free account)
• Not suitable for game recording because you can’t hide the recording widget
• Users report that it takes quite a lot of time to view the replay
• You must be online to use it

Available for:

• Windows and Mac

4. Screencast-O-Matic

The free version of Screencast-O-Matic is another browser-based screen recording tool. It should work for you if you don’t need to record computer audio and you only want to make very short videos.

Pros:

• Narrate the video (record your computer microphone)
• Record your webcam
• After recording the video, you can upload it to YouTube or the Screencast-o-matic hosting service
• Highlight your mouse

Cons:

• 15-minute recording limit
• There is a watermark
• You can’t record computer audio in the free version
• No screenshot tool
• The free version can only run in the browser which can slow your computer down
• Ads on your screencasts
• Requires Java to run
• Some users report that it crashes their browsers and slows down their computers
• No cloud recording option. If you want to share your screencast, you will have to wait for the video to render and, then, you will have to wait for it to upload.

Available for:

• Windows and Mac

5. Ezvid

Ezvid is on our best screen recording software list because it has some cool features like the ability to draw while recording or synthesize human speech from text. Like iSpring Free Cam, it only works on Windows and saves screencasts in the bulky WMV format.

Pros:

• HD video capture
• Include computer narration with your video
• Trim videos
• Insert images and videos in your screencast
• Draw while recording
• Facecam recording
• No watermarks
• No ads

Cons:

• Works on Windows only
• Recording limit — depends on how much free space you have on your hard drive
• Delayed replay — you have to wait until your video is rendered
• Some users report that it slows down their computers
• Screen captures are saved in .WMV format (OK if you’re using a Windows PC but the video might not play on other platforms)

Available for:

• Windows

6. Prezi Video

Prezi Video gives you the opportunity to record a presentation from your Prezi slideshow using the desktop app. This app lets you record, edit, and download your presentations and even stream them to conference apps.

Pros:

• Connects with Prezi or other Powerpoint presentations.
• Powerful editing right within the app
• Offers templates to customize videos
• Have the option to show either webcam with presentation in background or just the presentation content
• Downloads in mp4 format
• Can live stream to Zoom, Webex, and GoToWebinar
• Can pause and resume recording

Cons:

• 15 minute recording limit
• Only records up to 720p

Available for:

• Windows, Mac and Chrom

7. Veed

Veed is an online screen recorder and video editor. If you can’t install new apps on your computer, this may be a good solution. Works on Windows and Mac, no software download or plugin required.

Pros:

• Screen capture with a click
• Unique layout options
• Fast and simple review
• Full video editing
• Auto-generated subtitles
• 2 GB of free storage
• No need for downloading

Cons:

• Has watermark
• 10-minute recording limit
• No customer support

Available for:

• Windows and Mac

Apowersoft Screen Capture Software

What Is a Good Screen Recorder?

There are two important points to consider when looking for the best free screen recorder in 2021.

1. File Format & Compression

A file format is a particular way of organizing the data within the file. There are many video file formats and some screen recording tools support more than one. However, most of the time, it goes down to MP4 vs. WMV.

MP4 or WMV for screen capture?

The WMV format is a product of Microsoft. Back in the day, it was created to allow professional videos to be recorded in high quality, e.g. on DVD, Bluray. The biggest issue here is that Mac users often have trouble viewing WMV files.

MP4, on the other hand, helps you produce video files that can be opened on any platform. And, when it comes to video quality, MP4 is actually better than WMV.

So,MP4 is more suitable for publishing your screen captures on the web and sharing them with others. The best free video capture software allows you to save your videos in MP4.

2. Video Hosting & Uploading

When looking for a screen capture software, you’d probably look at the recording features like — recording time, ability to record the computer audio, and so on.

But what happens after you record your screencast?

Most of the time, video files are very big and can’t be attached to emails. This means that, to share a video, you have to upload it somewhere in the cloud. In other words, you need video hosting.

This is a book-worthy topic but here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Hosting on YouTube. Some screen recorders allow you to post your videos on YouTube. That’s great when you want to share your videos publicly but not recommended if the screencast contains sensitive information.
• Proprietary video hosting. Some screen recorders like Screenrec, Apowersoft Free Online Screen Recorder and Screencast-O-Matic come with video hosting. When storing your videos on these platforms, it would be wise to research if the platform is free and what level of security it offers.
• Cloud Recording. If there is no Cloud Recording option, you will have to wait for the video to upload until you can share it. The best free screen capture tools come with this option.

Conclusion

Even the best free screen recording software has advantages and disadvantages. At the end of the day, the recording features — what you can do with the tool, are just as important as the effectiveness — how quickly you can record your computer screen and share it with others.

So, before you set your mind on a free screen recording software, it’s best to evaluate your own recording needs. Maybe you don’t need to upload your videos to social media or maybe you don’t need to record in HD.

Based on this criteria, the top screen recording software for us is the free screen recorder by ScreenRec. The final decision is, of course, yours to make.

What's the difference between a desktop screen recorder vs. online screen recorder?

As the names suggest, the biggest difference is that a desktop screen recorder can capture your screen while you're offline or on a poor internet connection. An online screen recorder requires stable Internet. For this reason, an online screen recorder isn't the best option when it comes to game capture. It may be a viable option when you're recording a tutorial, though.

What is the best alternative to Screencast-O-Matic?

Screencast-O-Matic is a popular screencasting tool. Many people use it to record tutorials, training videos and other educational content. The biggest advantage of Screencast-O-Matic is, perhaps, the ability to share the recording to a number of platforms like Vimeo, YouTube and Screencast-o-Matic's own video hosting platform. One downside, however, is the fact that you have to wait for the recording to upload and, if you've been recording for, say, 1 hour, this can be a huge pain. That's why, as an alternative, we'll suggest ScreenRec. It's quick and lightweight, allows you to capture both your computer audio and microphone audio and, finally, it's got instant private sharing--your screen recordings are uploaded in real time which means that you never have to wait. You get a sharing link as soon as you press 'Stop'.

How do I record my computer screen?

It depends on the screen capture tool you're using and your platform (Windows, Mac, Linux, etc). With ScreenRec, for example, you have to press Alt + S to start recording your desktop. This works on all platforms.

References & Further Reading

Parents will always worry about what their children watch on the internet through their computers. Most teenagers are sneaky and could continuously watch harmful content without their parents' knowledge, which later affects their behavior due to psychological disturbances. However, there is a way to turn around such scenarios or problems to benefit such adolescents by redirecting their paths in life through screen recording with the free screen capture software.

PC screen recording is quite entertaining because your children and family members can record presentations and educational videos that they can watch later to correct their behavior, and share with you as soon as you live work, as well as age mates. Similarly, you may run into a non-downloadable motivational clip while away for business or seminar and record it to share with them, to inspire them to do better in life. To achieve this, you need the best screen capture software for Windows 10 in 2020. There are multiple such tools including Camtasia and Movavi. Unfortunately, these are costly and unfavorable for purchase during tough financial times. This article will inform you of the best free screen capture software, which does not require spending and that you can acquire at any moment.

1. Free Cam

This is one of the best free screen capture software that you will find quite helpful when it comes to recording your screen. The software is quite easy to download, and the developers will not ask you to provide any irrelevant details to reach the download link. The interface is also quite intuitive, and you will find all the features very easily accessible.

As soon as you open the app, a dialogue box will appear up providing you with the option of New Recording or Browse to open an old recording for some tweaks. When you click New Recording, it will give you a screen selector that you can drag according to the area that you want to capture.

You will also get to set the screen resolution, and you can record up to 1080p. The video quality that you will get will be crisp, and you will also get to set the keyboard shortcuts to start/stop the recording. The software will also allow you to record the cursor movements along with the clicks.

Features

1. There will be no watermarks or ads throughout the recording.
2. The video recording will not have any time limit.
3. The system rounds and mic input will be recorded.
4. The video quality will go all the way up to full HD.
5. You can export video to your storage or upload it to YouTube right from the interface.
6. Also gives you the option to reduce background noise.
7. There is also a long list of audio effects to choose from.

2. Screencast-O-Matic

Screencast-O-Matic is one of the most reliable free screen capture software since it allows people to speed up their footage. It also comes with a built-in video editor, which enables you to modify recordings to make them more attractive and entertaining. Editing features like the addition of music are great options where the video's audio has no use. Similarly, incorporating blurs in the clips ensure that you help viewers focus and understand the most important aspects. Most professionals or entertainment fans prefer using this tool because it further allows users to share videos on YouTube, without necessarily downloading it.

Pros

• It is compatible with Mac and Windows computers
• It has varieties of editing options, such as adding images, blurs, titles, and music
• It compresses clips to desired sizes
• It stores the clips in a range of formats
• It exports screen capture to various cloud platforms like Google Drive and sites like YouTube quickly.
• It does a webcam recording too.

Cons

• It limits your screen recording time to a maximum of 15 minutes
• The quality of the video captured is always lower.
• The free version puts a watermark on your captured videos
• The free version does not allow adjustment of the higher and lower quality recording

3. OBS Studio

This powerful and free video capture software makes screencasting intuitive and so it is among the most reliable tools for Windows 10. Open Broadcaster Software has a clean and easy to read interface that enables the addition of images and sources, specific windows and capture cards, among other items. It also has interesting features like real-time audio and video mixing. The easy to use audio mixer ensures that you can exclude noises through suppression. Additionally, it allows streaming to websites like Facebook Live, YouTube Live, Hitbox, and Twitch. When screen capturing, the software allows you to select your monitor's resolution.

Pros

• It is an open-source and free cross-platform
• It allows users to do real-time video streaming from majorities of the streaming video platforms
• It enhances functionality through over 20 plugins
• It supports multiple filters
• It gives users the freedom to video record, without time limitations, making it perfect for long-time recording
• It syncs webcam

Cons

• It is dysfunctional in Windows XP
• It is impossible to link the audio file as a source.
• It is not suitable for beginners since it requires some technical knowledge
• It is slow and the streaming quality is quite disappointing.
• It can drop out if the internet becomes weak.

4. Debut Video Capture

Debut Video Capture is among the best free screen capture software that allows you to record all Windows 10 happenings. It has the ability to capture microphone sound, allowing you to make demonstration clips without audio recording. Despite having an odd interface, it is user friendly as the elements are well labelled so that new users can navigate them easily. This tool gives you unlimited recording time and does not apply watermarks to your clips. Additionally, it provides Windows screen recording options; you can use the entire virtual desktop, draw a rectangle of the recording area, or select under the cursor.

Pros

• It is compatible with several formats like LLV, MP4, MOV, WMV, and 3GP
• It gives users unlimited recording time
• It is effective in security systems since it also records from external cameras
• It enables users to schedule their recording
• The quality of the clips remains intact having not been compromised
• It is customizable and easy to work with

Cons

• It does not edit recording due to lack of editing features
• It cannot upload clips to platforms like YouTube for sharing
• The interface appears outdates, making it unattractive
• It is a slow software considering that uploading videos take a while

5. ShareX

Professionals consider ShareX as one of the best screen capture software for Windows because it is a small-installation based program, making it a lightweight. Therefore, this open-source free screen capture software frees the space in your PC, enabling you to use it constructively with other matters. It has multiple capture modes feature that diversify how you quickly take screenshots of any region, window or the entire screen. Additionally, it records your screen in two forms, GIF and video. With the built-in image editor, you can make your screenshots interesting before using the automatic upload feature to upload them online instantly.

Pros

• It comes with editing tools
• It does video recording in high-quality
• All features, which are useful and important, are freely available
• It allows you to record screen video and audio and take screenshots on more than one monitor.
• It perfectly facilitates quick sharing of videos, GIFs, and screenshots through the auto-upload feature, which uploads them to your server
• It allows customization of the shortcut key to bind your command

Cons

• It is impossible for Instagram users to sync it with the site.
• The Customization of the recording settings is quite cumbersome.
• It is complicated and thus not recommended for beginners

6. Apowersoft

Apowersoft, a free screen capture software, allows you to capture your Windows 10 screen without challenges. To begin with, it does not need the installation of computer software since it is a web-based free video capture software. It has a cheerful and clear interface that is quite easy to understand, making it appropriate for beginners and learning children. Due to its multiple capabilities and tools, this software offers numerous editing and capturing features, such as timed video screen recording. The ability to share the screen in Facebook and Twitter posts and also email image files helps users in sharing crucial entertaining content.

Pros

• It does not have recording time limitations
• It supports webcam as well as screen video recording
• There are multiple video exporting options
• It allows usage of FHD and HD output formats
• It handles full image editing. You can include shapes, arrows, and text, apply effects such as pixelate, sharpen and blur, and rotate, resize, crop, and add borders.
• It allows users to share screen recordings in Facebook and Twitter, and email attached image file

Cons

• It demands a very stable internet connection
• It is not beneficial to game players since it is not appropriate for game recording
• It cannot capture on a secondary monitor

7. CamStudio

If you are looking for a free screen capture software windows 10 that can provide you with the basic functionality and you don't have to dig in the features to find something, CamStudio can be one of the choices that you can make. It's not very bulky software, and you can install it with some very simple steps.

The software is also quite needed by the users who aren't going to edit their videos intensely. Like some previous ones on this list, CamStudio is also an opensource application, and you will get all the features free.

As you will open the application, the dialogue box will show you all the options right up front. If you are looking for a screen recorder that can also provide editing capabilities, this one is not for you.

There is one thing that you need to take care of, and it's that before the setup file is downloaded, it will ask you for some surveys, you should deny everything as it may download some malware on your system.

Features

1. The videos that you are created will primarily be in AVI format. However, later you can convert them into SWF.
2. This software will allow you to record screen-in-screen video.
3. The files/videos that you will render using CamStudio can be saved in small sizes.
4. You will also get to set a custom cursor/pointer, and it will be very helpful in recording tutorials.
5. The animation/transition effects are present but are very limited.
6. You will also get to record your audio.

8. ScreenRec

The screen recording can't get simpler than this. The interface that ScreenRec is offering you will be very intuitive, and you will get to understand all of it without any problem easily. It is also free software, and you will not need to pay a single penny to access all the features.

There will be no ads or restricted access, and you will get to record the screen quite easily. If you are looking for a recorder for your professional needs, i.e., to host business meetings, this one offers that functionality as well. You should note one thing that ScreenRec doesn't offer you any editing tools whatsoever.

The recorder will also allow you to add separate audio input so that you can add crisp voice-overs for the tutorial or presentation that you are recording. ScreenRec will be available for all the operating systems, including Linux. Apart from not providing any editing tools, you will also not be able to record your webcam footage.

Features

1. The video that will be recorded will be in full HD, providing you with all the details intact.
2. You will also be able to take the screenshots and annotate them to clear what you are saying.
3. The format will be MP4, and it will allow you to play the footage on any device.
4. System sounds will also be recorded along with the mic.
5. The application will also allow you to share the video with your team by creating a link. You will also get 2GB of cloud storage included.
6. The recorder is free, and you will also not get any ads using any feature.

9. Ezvid

It is also one of the applications that come with a very user-friendly interface, and all the features are easily accessible. If you are wondering if it’s supported on your operating system, we are sorry to disappoint you, but it’s supported only on Windows. The features that are offered here will allow you to record & upload videos in no time, and it’s the reason that Ezvid is quite popular among gamers and YouTube creators.

The feature set this application has to offer will allow you to draw while you are recording. It will be a very helpful feature for all the teachers out there.

The final video will be exported in the WMV format, which will be a bit bulkier, but you will get to maintain the original quality that you have recorded. Before you ask, yes, this one is also absolutely free, and you will not need to spend a single penny to access all the features.

Features

1. The video can be captured up to 1080p.
2. The interface is designed in a very sleek design that you will be able to understand quite easily.
3. The application also includes a wide range of audio tracks.
4. You can increase or decrease the speed of the recorded footage.
5. The editor will also allow you to add videos & pictures from your device to the recorded video.
6. There will be no watermark or ads, and you will also get to record the webcam footage.

From the above analysis of the 5 best screen capture software for Windows, the most basic similarities are that they are all free for use and need a reliable internet connection for full functionality. So, you do not have to spend money to use them so long as you have good internet. Four of the 5 free video capture software, namely Screencast-O-Matic, OBS, Debut Video Capture, and Apowersoft, sync webcam and screen recording allowing users to make webcam recordings as well. However, they lack recommendable built-in editors and limit users' recording time, making them unsuitable for game recording and professional use by teachers and office personnel. Eventually, the only best free screen capture software that you should consider is Wondershare DemoCreator.

DemoCreator Highlights Introduction

DemoCreator Software is considered the best screen capture software for Windows 10 in 2020 because it is designed to record any desktop activities, including motivational and educational videos, and presentations. Once it captures that media content it saves the videos in various formats, making them suitable for playback in multiple players.

DemoCreator stands out because it is suitable for professionals and beginners and comes with pleasant beneficial features. The most interesting feature is the powerful built-in editor that helps with the manipulation of recordings to makes them attractive. The editing tools include changeable cursor effects that allow adjustment of cursor size, shape, and color. The annotations enable the addition of multiple elements such as texts. With the tutorial features, you can draw circles or use arrows to explain your recording content.

Apowersoft Mac Screen Recorder Software

Recording simultaneously through 2 devices, the webcam, and the camera, is also interesting. You can also perfectly record fast-paced games using this free video capture software, due to 15-120 FPS in Windows and up to 60FPS when using Mac. Using the picture in picture feature, you can include a second video or image, such as a gaming facecam, to your footage. DemoCreator further gives you the option to record part or all of the screen. You may also export your recording to multiple formats such that sharing on social media and with friends will not be a problem.

To enjoy all the above features unlimitedly, DemoCreator will cost some money. However, this should not discourage you because the price is pocket friendly and gives you access to all corners of the software, as well as the privilege of acquiring a non-watermarked clip. These features are very important for screen recording as well as office use. Generally, getting DemoCreator will benefit you both at home and at work.

Apowersoft Screen Recorder Pro

Conclusion

Screencast-O-Matic, Open Broadcaster Software, Debut Video Capture, ShareX, and Apowersoft may be the best free screen capture software that your kids need to screen record important clips. However, DemoCreator is the ultimate best screen capture software for Windows 10 in 2020 because it screen records fast-paced games as well, provides a full editing suite, allows webcam recording that enables you to use the picture in picture feature effectively, and exports in multiple formats to facilitate sharing. The small price that you pay for it will hardly bother you as soon as you begin using DemoCreator at home and work.