Best Windows Screen
Capture Software

  • 1. Create annotated screen recordings.
  • 2. Record customized screen & audio and edit directly.
  • 3. Capture webcam video and export it to social media platforms.
democreator

[Latest] Top 10 Free Screen Capture Software for Windows

Oliva Eve
2024-03-01 21:38:23 • Filed to: Free & Online Recording Tools

Nowadays, people conduct remote meetings and watch live-streaming videos far more than ever, with the effect of the pandemic. Thus, screen capture software is becoming quite demanding now. As there is so much screen capture software on the market, users may find it hard to choose from. Here we provide the top ten free screen capture software for Windows and hope you find it helpful.

free screen capture on computer

In this article
  1. Wondershare DemoCreator ✬✬✬✬✬
  2. OBS Studio ✬✬✬✬
  3. Free Cam✬✬✬✬
  4. Screencast-O-Matic✬✬✬✬
  5. Debut Video Capture✬✬✬
  6. ShareX✬✬✬
  7. Apowersoft✬✬✬✬
  8. CamStudio✬✬✬
  9. ScreenRec✬✬✬
  10. Ezvid✬✬✬

1. Wondershare DemoCreator [Recommend]

Platforms: Windows, Mac

Rating: ✬✬✬✬✬

DemoCreator Recorder Software is a lightweight screen recorder software for Windows and Mac that can capture anything on your PC screen as high-quality video. Compared to the other screen captures software, DemoCreator performs better in screen recording and video editing, which allows you to record and edit in one tool. Whether you are an educator or marketer, you can use DemoCreator to make videos expressing ideas and sharing your knowledge. 

The Best Free Screen Capture Software

Record screen, audio, and webcam simultaneously, and edit them in different tracks.
Capture video demos, tutorials, presentations, and games and edit them quickly.
Customize screen recording and supports recording high FPS video.
A built-in library of editing templates and sound effects helps you enrich your videos.
Export to MP4, MOV, MKV, GIF, and multiple formats, and share your videos easily.
Free Download
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Screen recording, allows you to record screen, webcam, and microphone simultaneously and edit them in different tracks separately. Also, you can customize screen recording and record up to 120 FPS videos. While recording, the screen drawing tool helps you note and highlight the key points and express your ideas better. Moreover, You can also perfectly record fast-paced games using the specific game recording mode.

For video editing, numerous editing templates are supplied, and you can use the green screen and a facial recognition function. After you've finished the recording, you can edit your video recordings directly; no need to switch to another software. The built-in editor helps with the manipulation of recordings to make them attractive.

2. OBS Studio

Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux

Rating: ✬✬✬✬

This powerful and free screen video recorder with audio 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.

obs studio screen capture

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 the 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.

note The real user reviews from the G2

Like: "This software's UI (User Interface) is so easy and smooth. I also like the Live Streaming features. I can easily go live on YouTube. OBS is just such great software for me and my Windows and IOS versions. Also, it's an OPEN SOURCE software which is totally free."

Dislike: "Obs sometimes make your screen to get the hang, it might be possible due to so many features running at a time and a little bit of UI theme work needed, else everything is good"

Find more information at OBS Screen Recorder Review - All You Should Know about it

3. Free Cam

Platforms: Windows

Rating: ✬✬✬✬

This is one of the best free screen capture software with audio that you will find quite helpful in recording your screen. The software is relatively 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, 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. As soon as you open the app, a dialogue box will appear up.

You will also get to set the screen resolution, and you can record up to 1080p. The video quality 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 and the clicks.

free cam

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.

note The real user reviews from the G2

Like: "1. Easy to use and set up. 2. Freeware version is enough for most users. 3. Records Mic and system audio. 4. Has basic video editing feature for the output video file like trimming etc."

Dislike: "1. There is no option to reduce or increase the volume for the computer audio function while recording. 2. The editor does not have a precise tuner - it can only do 2-second increments."

Learn more about the detailed Free Cam review.

4. Screencast-O-Matic

Platforms: Windows, Mac

Rating: ✬✬✬✬

Screencast-O-Matic is one of the most reliable best free screen capture tools for Windows and Mac since it allows people to speed up their footage. It also comes with a built-in video editor, enabling you to modify recordings to make them more attractive and entertaining. Editing features like adding 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 essential aspects. Most professionals or entertainment fans prefer using this tool because it allows users to share videos on YouTube without necessarily downloading them.

screen o matic

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

note The real user reviews from the G2

Like: "1. Ease of use, can use several options (screen, camera, both), everything is self-explanatory. 2. Full HD recording is possible, and the audio capture ability is good as well."

Dislike: "1. It's hard to navigate at first and hard to save. 2. You need to constantly restarting the app."

Learn more about the detailed ScreenCast-O-Matic review.

5. Debut Video Capture

Platforms: Windows

Rating: ✬✬✬

Debut Video Capture is among the best free screen-capturing 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-labeled 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 choose to record the full screen of the desktop, selected an area, or opt under the cursor.

debut free screen capture software

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

note The real user reviews from the G2

Like: "Overall I like the fact that the software is there for anyone who wants to use it. There's no hassle to getting debut, and it's simple enough to navigate. It's pretty intuitive - you're off and running quickly, with little downtime."

Dislike: "I disliked that I wasn't able to do a complete video edit. I feel that the trial of the debut wasn't sufficient enough for the project that I used it for. Even though it did get the job done, I had to constantly switch computers and re-download the software because it was used for a team project."

Learn more about Debut Screen Recorder Software

6. ShareX

Platforms: Windows

Rating: ✬✬✬

Professionals consider ShareX as one of the best screen capture tools for Windows because it is a small-installation-based program, making it 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.

sharex

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 the 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

note The real user reviews from the G2

Like: "The simplicity! If I want to share a screen capture with a work colleague, all I have to do is press a button and I'm given a web link to copy and paste. Simple!"

Dislike: "Some settings, such as adding new audio sources, require plugins to be downloaded and installed. Furthermore, not all configuration menus are intuitive. "

More information about ShareX Screen Recorder

7. Apowersoft

Platforms: Windows, Mac

Rating: ✬✬✬✬

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 email image files helps users share crucial entertaining content.

apowersoft screen recorder

Pros:

  • It does not have recording time limitations
  • It supports a 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 on 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

Find more information about the software at Apowersoft Screen Recorder Review

8. CamStudio

Platforms: Windows

Rating: ✬✬✬

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 users who aren't going to edit their videos intensely. Like some previous ones on this list, CamStudio is also an open-source 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.

camstudio free screen capture software

Features:

  1. The videos that you are creating 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 videos.
  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.

Check CamStudio Download Free [Key Features & How-tos]  and get detailed guidance.

9. ScreenRec

Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux

Rating: ✬✬✬

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 operating systems, including Linux. Apart from not providing any editing tools, you will also not be able to record your webcam footage.

screenrec

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 screenshots and annotate them to clarify what you are saying.
  3. The format will be MP4, and it will allow you to play the footage on any device.
  4. The 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.

note The real user reviews from the G2

Like: "The ScreenRec workflow is so fluent, I can make videos to explain small configurations or show the power of some software, in a few minutes in silence or with microphone voice record."

Dislike: "I don't like, when, if you haven't a microphone and you select the whole screen area for the video, in the first seconds appears a pop-up, saying that you don't have any microphone."

Learn more at ScreenRec Screen Recorder Review

10. Ezvid

Platforms: Windows

Rating: ✬✬✬

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.

ezvid

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.

Learn more about the Ezvid detailed review.

Summary

From the above analysis of the above 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, below is a great screen capture software that you should consider Wondershare DemoCreator.


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 app for Windows 11 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.