The 5 Best Free Screen Recording Software Tools in 2024

Are you looking for reliable, free screen recording software but don’t know where to start?  Read on as we bring you our comprehensive guide to the best screen recording software on the market today that won’t cost you a penny.

Using free screen recording software can often be tricky. For instance, most providers offer only limited features for free, or there are hidden fees, watermarks on recordings, and other limitations.

However, wanting to find a free screen recording tool shouldn’t stop you from producing high-quality video content.needn’t be a barrier to producing high-quality video content. With so many options on the market, we’ve done the hard work for you by finding the best tools that solve these pain points without having to pay hidden charges to access excellent features.

The best free screen recording software tools: Compared

The 5 best free screen recording software tools for 2024

1. Dadan

Dadan is a free screen recorder with a generous free plan, so you don’t have to pay a monthly subscription to begin creating excellent video content. Dadan allows users to record their screen, webcam, system audio, and mic before saving recordings locally or in the cloud.

Videos can be shared directly via a URL, meaning the recipient doesn’t whoever you’re sharing content with doesn’t need to have Dadan to be able to view or comment on the content. This enables remote teams in a business setting to work on the same project asynchronously and allows educators to interact with students similarly in schools, universities, and colleges.

Unlike many leading screen recording tools, Dadan has a generous stack of features with its free plan.

Dadan Features

• Record your screen
• Webcam capture
• Records system audio
• Records your microphone
• Up to 25 videos
• 5-minute video duration
• 20GB storage
• Up to 720p video quality
• Offline recording
• Save videos to a computer or cloud
• Cursor highlighting and tracking for accessibility
• Screen drawing and annotation
• Password protected content
• Set expiry dates on content
• Video download to MP4 files
• Set a public profile
• Use emoji reactions
• Use of Dadan’s knowledge base library
• Customer support with live chat and email support
• Watermark-free videos
• Available on Microsoft Windows, macOS or as a Google Chrome extension

Dadan USP

Dadan is extremely easy to use, making it the ideal free screen recorder for anyone with technical expertise. It stands out with its excellent storage, watermark-free recordings, and a good range of free editing and security features that allow users to create high-quality content without paying for a subscription.

If you’d like to experience Dadan’s excellent free screen recording and editing capability, sign up for a free account now.

2. OBS Studio

OBS Studio is a 100% free, open-source screen recorder ideal for gamers who want to live stream or record their content for social media. Unlike other “free” screen recorders, OBS Studio allows users to use their entire functionality for free.

OBS Studio allows you to stream and record high-definition videos without restricting the number or length of the video. Its easy integration with Twitch and YouTube allows users to live stream their footage while seamlessly growing their fan community.

One minor drawback of OBS Studio is that despite its excellent range of features, the learning curve is much steeper than that of other tools, and the software takes a little time to set up.

OBS Studio features

• Real-time screen video capture
• Synchronized webcam recording
• Select which window you want to record
• Create an unlimited number of scenes from multiple sources
• Add images
• Add text
• Intuitive audio-mixer
• Reduce background noise with noise gate
• Powerful config options
• Rich editing suite to make your broadcast or recording crystal clear
• Customizable transitions between scenes
• Hot key functionality
• Powerful studio mode lets you preview before going live
• Multiview splits your monitor into 8 different scenes for easy editing

OBS Studio USP

Although OBS Studio is not as straightforward as other tools, once you get the hang of it, it’s a powerful tool with an excellent range of features that are all available for free. Its powerful streaming capability makes it the ideal choice for gamers wanting to share their content via a live stream or recorded for later use across social media.

3. ShareX

Another open-source screen recorder tool, ShareX, is Windows-based software offering simple but efficient screen capturing without hidden charges or subscriptions. While its UI is relatively rudimentary, it’s easy to use and does exactly what you need to capture good-quality video content.

ShareX is easy to set up, with downloads happening in seconds, before giving you a range of options for recording and customizing your content once it’s recorded. While it lacks some of the subtlety and depth of other free screen recording tools, it comes without adverts and interacts with over 80 different software tools seamlessly.

However, ShareX cannot record your device’s webcam, which means it’s less effective as a communication tool than some competitors.

ShareX Features

• Completely free and open-source
• No annoying adverts
• Designed for power users
• Fast screen capture sharing
• Record GIFs
• Integrates with over 80 software tools
• Customizable workflow system
• Record full screen, active window or active monitor
• Choose a section of your screen to record
• Create rectangle, ellipse, or freehand regions
• Auto capture capability
• Scrolling capture capability
• Add image effects
• Print images
• Save images and thumbnails
• Wide range of annotations, including cursor highlighting
• Cropping tool
• Share content with direct URLs
• Share content with a QR code
• OCR function extracts text from images

ShareX USP

ShareX is an easy-to-learn free screen recorder that stands out for its versatile range of capture methods. These include full screen, active windows, a customized region, scrolling capture, static capture, and even GIF creation. This versatility makes it stand out among free screen recording tools.

4. ScreenRec

ScreenRec is a free screen recorder with no watermark and employs one-click recording. With fast software download and instant setup, ScreenRec is free forever, and no credit card sign-up is required.

Among Screen Rec’s many features are audio and webcam recording and a picture overlay showing your website. In addition, there are no time limits on your recordings. The lightweight screen recorder ensures there’s no lag on your recordings, meaning they’re smooth and of the highest, crispest quality.

ScreenRec is highly secure and available for download on Windows (Windows 7 or above), LinuxOS, and MacOS. However, it lacks the range of editing tools available with other screen recorders.

Features

• Screen recording
• Webcam recording
• Captures system audio
• Add voiceover via your microphone
• Record offline.
• Captures saved as a local file
• Cloud saving
• Direct sharing URL link to share content
• All recordings are saved in MP4 format
• 1080p screen recording quality
• Full recording history
• No time limit on recordings
• Enterprise-grade security
• Business video hosting
• Excellent content management systems
• Password-protected access
• Analytics on who watches your videos and for how long

ScreenRec USP

What ScreenRec lacks in post-recording editing capability, it makes up for with its simple-to-use UI, instant content sharing, and dedication to security. With password-protected content and 128-bit encryption, Screen Rece is an excellent option for business users seeking an accessible and straightforward screen recording tool.

5. ScreenPal

ScreenPal, previously Screencast-O-Matic, is an excellent screen recorder that does exactly what you need by recording your screen, webcam, or both with a few clicks. In addition, callouts can be added live if you’re streaming for added interactivity and communication with your audience.

Although ScreenPal offers a couple of paid subscriptions, the free version provides casual or home users with all the functionality they’ll need to share high-quality videos.

The recorder is easy to use, with just a couple of clicks required to choose what you want to record. However, post-recording editing capability is minimal, and there can be some problems with exporting and saving your screen capture. In addition, all videos with the free version come with all videos being watermarked.

However, this shouldn’t be a problem for casual users.

Features

• Simple UI
• Screen recording
• Webcam capture
• System audio recording
• Voiceover via microphone
• Create videos of up to 15 minutes in length
• Trim your videos
• Add a music soundtrack from the free online library
• Share videos on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Google Drive, Dropbox, or Vimeo
• Host unlimited live videos via ScreenPal’s secure content management system
• Unlimited cloud storage
• Available on Windows, macOS and as a Google Chrome extension
• Zoom function while recording

ScreenPal USP

Although more limited than other screen recording tools, ScreenPal’s good quality, easy-to-use recorder makes excellent, engaging, and compelling content easy to share. This makes it ideal for small business users or those wanting to find a free screen recorder for casual use.

What to look for in free screen recording software

With these five free screen recording tools explained, what non-negotiables should you look for when searching for the right screen recorder for your needs?

Here are some of the critical things to consider and look for.

Quality

Any video content is only as good as the recording quality. 4K-quality recordings are only available with paid subscriptions, but the tools on this list all record high-quality video content.

Also, consider whether you need to capture your webcam to add commentary or voiceover to your content and what audio recording level you need. Look for lightweight recorders, as these reduce the likelihood of lag. If you’re recording a voiceover, consider using an external mic to minimize background noise.

Ease of use

Think about your technical proficiency when selecting your free screen recording tool. While most are easy to use, some require more background technical knowledge. If you plan to have multiple users using the software, this will be a larger consideration, as each user will have a different skill set.

Check out each tool’s UI to ensure you find one that technophobes and seasoned experts can use equally proficiently.

Editing options

The reviews of each tool in this article show that the editing options vary widely. While some include the option to annotate, resize, trim, and amend the audio on videos, others have a far more limited range of options.

Think about how much customization you need to add to your videos to get maximum engagement and whether those that “record and share” will deliver what you need. If not, find the tool that provides the level of editing tools to meet your requirements.

Supported platforms

Finding a screen recorder that works with your operating system is essential. For example, not all screen recording tools are compatible with every operating system. Some that work on Windows may not work on MacOS, and vice versa.

Check that your chosen tool works with your operating system before downloading it to ensure a seamless, efficient video content-creating experience.

Getting Started

Finding a screen recording tool that produces high-quality, engaging video content doesn’t require a paid subscription. Several on the market can meet your requirements without needing to pay monthly. Besides saving money, the best screen recorders provide high-quality content and allow you to record your webcam and audio for a comprehensive content creation experience.

While editing tools are often less extensive than paid versions, many free versions provide enough options to help edit, annotate, and elevate your video content to new levels, giving your audience depth, context, and engaging content to consume.

Dadan’s free plan has a comprehensive range of features that offer users a versatile screen recording experience. With high-quality visuals, synchronized audio and webcam capture, an excellent range of editing tools, and a dedication to security, Dadan is ideal for meeting a range of video content needs.

Whether in the workplace, for education, or personal social media and gaming use, Dadan’s free plan has everything you need without purchasing a monthly subscription or paying hidden costs.

So, why not try Dadan today for free and elevate your screen recording experience to the next level?

FAQs

Which screen recording software is completely free?

Some screen recording software, such as OBS Studio, ShareX, and ScreenRec, are 100% free. Others, such as Dadan, have a generous number of features with their free plan that don’t require upgrading to a paid subscription.

Do free screen recorders have watermarks?

Some free screen recorders add watermarks to their videos. Check each tool before downloading it.

Which is the best for gaming/school presentations?

OBS Studio is the best free screen recording tool, and it allows you to live stream via Twitch and YouTube. Dadan’s screen recorder is perfect for schools and educational environments.

Do free screen recorders have editing tools?

Free screen recording tools usually include some editing tools. However, some, like Dadan’s free plan, are more extensive than others.

Can I share recordings from a free screen recorder?

Yes, all free screen recording tools allow you to download and share your content or provide direct URL links to