8 Best Screen Recording Tools for Windows and Mac
Screen recording software often falls into two categories. One option gives you plenty of features but takes hours to configure. Another starts recording in seconds but adds a watermark unless you pay. Fortunately, you can avoid both problems with the right tool.
This guide compares eight of the best screen recording tools for Windows and Mac in 2026. Some are completely free, while others offer useful free plans with optional paid upgrades. In addition, several options come built into Windows or mac, so you do not need to install anything.
Each tool has a different strength. For example, OBS Studio is ideal for advanced users who want maximum control, while Loom focuses on quick sharing. Similarly, Xbox Game Bar and QuickTime Player are excellent choices when you want a simple recording without installing extra software.
The list below focuses on recording quality, ease of use, available features, pricing, and watermark restrictions. Therefore, you can quickly find the option that fits your needs.
What to Look for in a Screen Recording Tool
Six factors matter most when you compare screen recording software.
No watermark on the free tier: A watermark can make a recording look unprofessional. Check this feature first if you plan to publish videos.
System audio and microphone support: Good screen recorders should capture both sources at the same time. As a result, you can create tutorials, presentations, and demonstrations without recording the audio separately.
At least 1080p export: Full HD video provides enough detail for most tutorials and online content. Therefore, avoid tools that limit free users to low-resolution exports.
Webcam overlay: A webcam option is useful when you want to add your face to tutorials, presentations, or software demonstrations.
Basic editing tools: Look for simple features such as cutting, trimming, and removing unwanted sections. This approach saves you from opening another video editor for minor changes.
Fast setup: Finally, choose software that lets you start recording quickly. A complicated setup can waste more time than the recording itself.
8 Best Screen Recording Tools for Windows and Mac in 2026
1. OBS Studio – best overall free screen recorder
If you want a free screen recorder that’s powerful and gives you tons of flexibility, this is your top pick. This open-source software is free, doesn’t have any watermarks, time constraints, output limits, or, best of all, ads, and it’s available on Windows, Mac, and Linux.
You can record in MP4 or MKV formats, mix and match different sources (screen, webcam, mic, system sound), and tweak output settings until you’re happy. However, OBS Studio’s extensive features can make it difficult for beginners. It was originally built for streaming and retains that design in its recording processes, and you’ll have to spend a couple of hours getting used to it.
Key features:
⦁ No watermarks, no time limits, no output caps — ever
⦁ Multi-source recording: screen, webcam, audio sources simultaneously
⦁ Scene switching for multi-layout recordings
Best for: Content creators, streamers, and anyone comfortable with a technical setup who wants a free tool with no restrictions Platform: Windows, Mac, Linux Price: Free, open-source
2. Loom — best for async team communication
Loom solves a very specific pain. You need to explain something to a colleague or client – a typed response would be a five-paragraph essay, a meeting would be 30 mins, and what you really want is to just screen record for 90 seconds and send a link. There’s no other tool on the list that does this faster.
You record your screen, your webcam, or both. Once you stop, Loom produces an immediate sharable link, and viewers can watch without any download, add timestamped comments, or express themselves with emoji. No export, no uploading, no file transfer – just, boom, done. For async team communication and client communication, it’s demonstrably faster than the other options here.
For example, the free tier allows 25 videos at 5 minutes apiece (this was trimmed down from unlimited in 2023); if you plan on creating videos frequently, Loom Business at $12.50 a month per person ditches those caps.
Key features:
⦁ Instant shareable link generated on recording completion
⦁ Viewer commenting, reactions, and call-to-action buttons
⦁ Chrome extension, desktop app, iOS, and Android
Best for: Remote teams, freelancers communicating with clients, and anyone who sends explainer videos regularly Platform: Windows, Mac, browser, iOS, Android Free tier: 25 videos, 5 minutes each Paid: $12.50/month per user (Business)
3. Xbox Game Bar — best built-in recorder for Windows 11
Windows 11 already includes a simple screen recorder called Xbox Game Bar. Press Windows + G to open the Game Bar, then select the Record button to capture your screen and audio. Best of all, you do not need to install additional software or create an account.
Although Microsoft designed Xbox Game Bar primarily for gaming, it can also record many other applications. For example, you can capture a browser window while demonstrating a website or explaining a software feature.
However, the tool has some limitations. It cannot record multiple windows or screens simultaneously, so users with more complex recording needs may prefer OBS Studio or ShareX.
Your recordings are saved automatically as MP4 files in the Videos/Captures folder. Therefore, you can start recording without dealing with an additional export process.
Key features:
- Zero setup — already installed on Windows 11
- Records screen, microphone, and supported system audio
- Saves recordings automatically as MP4
- No watermark or separate export step
Best for: Windows 11 users who need quick single-window screen recording
Platform: Windows 11
Price: Free — built-in
How to use: Press Win + G, open the Capture widget, and select Record
4. QuickTime Player — best built-in recorder for Mac
Mac users already have a free screen recorder through QuickTime Player. Open QuickTime Player, select File > New Screen Recording, and choose whether you want to capture the entire screen or a specific area.
The tool can also record microphone narration, which makes it useful for simple tutorials and demonstrations. In addition, QuickTime does not add a watermark to your recordings, and the resulting video uses the common MOV format.
However, QuickTime has an important limitation: it cannot capture system audio by itself. You need a third-party audio solution, such as BlackHole, if you want to record sounds coming directly from your Mac.
Editing features are also limited. You can perform basic trimming, but you will need another video editor for more advanced changes. Therefore, QuickTime works best when you want a fast and simple recording rather than a complete production workflow.
Key features:
- Already installed on Macs
- Full-screen or selected-area recording
- Microphone narration
- No watermark or recording time limit
Best for: Mac users who need quick, basic screen recording
Platform: Mac
Price: Free — built into macOS
Note: System audio requires a third-party audio solution such as BlackHole
5. ShareX — best free Windows screen recorder with no watermark
For all the bells and whistles, it’s difficult to beat ShareX as a free screen-capture and recording tool on Windows. It not only enables watermark-free screen recordings and image captures-it can also generate GIFs, upload images or video files to more than 80 file-hosting sites, and it has an integrated OCR utility for extracting text from captured screens. Best of all, ShareX is open source, free, and completely unsupported.
You’re on your own when it comes to its dense interface.
Although power users may appreciate the controls, beginners may prefer naming, format, upload locations, and annotation tools may appreciate all the settings, anyone who just needs to record his or her screen should find more straightforward alternatives.
Key features:
⦁ No watermarks, no time limits, fully open-source
⦁ Screenshot, screen recording, GIF creation, and file sharing in one tool
⦁ Annotation tools: arrows, text, blur, highlights
Best for: Windows power users who want a comprehensive free capture tool without any restrictions Platform: Windows only Price: Free, open-source
6. Camtasia — best all-in-one screen recorder and editor
Camtasia is actually two powerful tools combined: a screen recorder and a video editor. You can screen record, then start editing straight away -no need to send to another tool, even using callouts, animated arrows, zooming in on your video, transitions, chapter markers, and adding captions in real time. This makes creating educational videos that much faster for tutors and online lecturers: -However, price may be the deciding factor.
CAMTASIA is priced as a lifetime purchase for $299.99 or can be used as annual software for $179.00 yearly.
Full CAMTASIA video recording and editing features are available for each purchase. A free 30-day trial is offered (unrestricted access), which will give you time to see if the advantages of its built-in editing features justify the price of CAMTASIA, over free software such as OBS and separate video editing software.
Key features:
⦁ Full video editor built in — no separate editing software needed
⦁ Annotations, zoom effects, chapter markers, and captions inside the tool
⦁ TechSmith Assets library of music, templates, and effects
Best for: Tutorial creators, course producers, and anyone who edits screen recordings regularly and wants one tool for both tasks Platform: Windows and Mac Price: $299.99 one-time or $179/year. 30-day free trial available.
7. ScreenFlow — best paid option for Mac users
ScreenFlow is the definitive tool championed by Mac video makers. This Mac-exclusive screen recording and video editing software is optimized for your Mac and can also record from any USB-connected iPhone or other iOS device, making it ideal for app demonstrations or mobile tutorials. It offers all the expected features like animations, multi-track editing, callouts, and effects, similar to Camtasia but at a lower one-time cost of $169. Its single-system operation also gives it an advantage on Apple hardware.
Key features:
⦁ iOS device recording via USB — unique to ScreenFlow among tools on this list
⦁ Multi-track editing with animations and professional effects
⦁ One-time purchase — no annual subscription required
Best for: Mac-based tutorial creators, app developers recording iOS demos, and creators who want a native Mac editing suite Platform: Mac only Price: $169 one-time purchase. Trial available.
8. VEED.IO — best browser-based recorder with AI editing tools
VEED.IO is a web-based, in-browser screen recorder and video editing tool that requires no installation, making it ideal for Chromebooks, shared computers, or users who prefer not to install software. It offers features like AI transcription, background removal, AI captions, and one-click background music removal. A paid subscription, starting at $18 per month, removes VEED branding from downloaded videos
Key features:
⦁ No installation — works in any browser on Windows or Mac
⦁ AI subtitle generation, background removal, and audio cleaning
⦁ Record and edit in the same browser session
Best for: Chromebook users, people who work across multiple devices, and creators who want AI editing without installing software Platform: Browser-based — Windows and Mac via Chrome, Firefox, Edge Free tier: Available but adds watermark to exports Paid: $18/month (Basic — removes watermark, adds 4K export)
Quick Comparison: Which Screen Recorder Should You Choose?
| Tool | Platform | Free tier | No watermark | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OBS Studio | Win / Mac / Linux | Unlimited | Yes | Advanced users, streamers |
| Loom | Win / Mac / Mobile | 25 videos, 5 min | Yes | Async team communication |
| Xbox Game Bar | Windows 11 only | Built-in | Yes | Quick single-window capture |
| QuickTime Player | Mac only | Built-in | Yes | Simple Mac recordings |
| ShareX | Windows only | Unlimited | Yes | Windows power users |
| Camtasia | Win / Mac | 30-day trial | Trial only | Tutorials and course content |
| ScreenFlow | Mac only | Trial | Trial only | Mac-based video creators |
| VEED.IO | Browser (all) | Limited | No (paid only) | AI editing, no install |
If you are on Windows and want free forever: start with ShareX or OBS Studio. If you need to share recordings instantly with a link: Loom. If you want professional editing built into the recording tool: Camtasia on Windows and Mac, ScreenFlow on Mac. If you want zero installation: VEED.IO.
Free vs Paid Screen Recorders: When the Upgrade Is Worth It
Free tools like OBS, ShareX, Xbox Game Bar, and QuickTime offer comprehensive recording capabilities including full-screen capture, audio, webcam overlays, and MP4/MOV export without watermarks, ideal for solo creators making standalone tutorials.
Paid tools become necessary for specific needs: Loom for instant shareable links and cloud storage; Camtasia or ScreenFlow for integrated video editing; VEED’s paid tier for automatic captions or audio cleanup; and ScreenFlow for iOS device recording from a Mac.
As a result, many creators start with free tools and upgrade later.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best free screen recorder with no watermark?
OBS Studio and ShareX are both completely free with no watermarks or time limits. OBS works on Windows, Mac, and Linux. ShareX only works on Windows.
Similarly, Mac users can use QuickTime Player built in and available for free.
For a quick single-window recording, Windows 11 users can use Xbox Game Bar. which you don’t need to download. Every option on this list is clean and legitimate for exporting screen recordings at no cost.
Does Windows have a free screen recording?
Windows 11 features a built-in Xbox Game Bar (Win + G) for recording single windows. It captures audio from your microphone or system, saving MP4s to your Videos/Captures folder without extra installation. For more complex recordings, like multiple monitors, consider ShareX or OBS Studio.
What do YouTubers use to record?
OBS Studio is a free, cross-platform choice for tutorials and gaming videos, offering high-quality broadcasts. Camtasia is favored by educators for its built-in editing, while Loom is popular among YouTube creators for simple async explanations, though it limits quality to a single screen.
Can I record my screen on Mac without purchasing anything?
Mac computers include QuickTime Player, a free, pre-installed application capable of recording your entire screen or a specific area, along with microphone input, without watermarks. However, it cannot capture computer audio output without a third-party application like BlackHole, which is suitable for tutorial-style recordings that only require audio.
Which software is simplest to record my computer screen?
Does OBS record audio from the computer?
OBS records computer and microphone audio simultaneously. Windows users can add “Desktop Audio” as a new source in OBS’s Audio Mixer. Mac users need a third-party virtual audio device, like the free BlackHole app, to record computer audio.
Wrap Up:
To record on Windows: start with your Xbox Game Bar to capture quickly, or download ShareX for a powerful, free recorder. Move to Loom if you want instant shareable links, or buy into Camtasia for editing within your recording tool. To record on a Mac: start with QuickTime Player.
Move to ScreenFlow to record and edit on a Mac, plus capture from iOS, or to Loom for easy, instantly shareable asynchronous communication.
If you’re across both operating systems and need an easy way to share your recorded files. Try Loom’s free option,n which allows you 25 video recordings. It will be enough for you to try out if that pipeline will be sustainable for your usage before purchasing the Business plan.
Related reading:
7 best free video editing software for beginners (2026)
10 best productivity apps for Windows in 2026
Loom review: is it worth paying for in 2026?