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Top 10 Free Screen Recorders for Windows 11/10/8/7 (Pros & Cons)

As the number of screen recording scenarios increases, you may need to find a better Windows screen recorder for free to use. Whether you are recording a video conference, an online course, a game tutorial, or some of your favorite online videos, you can't do it without a good video recording tool. Today, recording a screen will not be a big challenge for you! Because you can learn about 10 free but professional screen capturing software for Windows 11/10 and earlier versions from this article. Whether it's the pros or cons, you can learn about these tools in detail. Read more from now on.

Free Screen Recorder Windows

Part 1: Top 10 Free Screen Recorders for Windows 11/10/8/7

Top 1: Apeaksoft Free Online Screen Recorder

It is an online screen recorder that can record video with all system and microphone audio sources. If you want to download online streaming video and use it to record a voice over for audio files, you can use the free screen recorder online on Windows to get offline playback.

  • PROS
  • Record and save video and music from all streaming sites as MP4 or WMV format.
  • Adjust the output video quality from high, middle, low or lowest.
  • Set the video recording frame rate as 20 fps or 24 fps.
  • CONS
  • The free screen recorder has watermark attached in the output file.
  • Cannot edit while recording screen video.
Apeaksoft Free Online Screen recorder

How to Record Screen Video with Audio on Windows for Free?

If you are using Apeaksoft Free Online Screen Recorder for the first time, these steps below can help you record videos quickly. Now read the following steps!

Step 1. Visit the online free screen recorder with any browser on Windows. Click Start Recoding to install a small launcher to activate it.

Activate Online Screen Recorder

Step 2. When you enter the main interface of the online software, click REC to start your recording.

Starte Rcording Screen

Step 3. Once you click the Stop button, the Windows free screen recorder will automatically save the recording video like MP4 or WMV.

Stop Recording Screen

Besides, this recorder is also a great HD screen recorder that can help you capture any videos with the best quality.

Top 2: OBS Studio

OBS Studio is a well-known free and open source screen recorder for Windows 10/8/7. It is completely free to use. After installing OBS Studio for Windows, you can record desktop video and audio with no watermark.

  • PROS
  • Record video with full screen, window or custom region.
  • The Windows 10 free screen recorder has no watermark or time limit.
  • CONS
  • OBS Studio may run into glitches occasionally. After all, it is an open source screen recorder for Windows 10/8/7 free to use.
  • Lack the built-in video editor.
OBS Studio

Top 3: Screencast-O-Matic

Screencast-O-Matic is a free screencast software. If you want to record a short video no more than 15 minutes, Screencast-O-Matic can be your free screen recording tool for Windows and other platforms. You can upload the recording video from Screencast-O-Matic local service to YouTube and more directly.

  • PROS
  • Record video from both desktop screen and webcam on Windows.
  • Get an ad-free and clean interface.
  • CONS
  • Need to pay to unlock all advanced screen video recording and editing functions.
  • The screen recorder Windows free version makes the watermark visible in your file.
Screencast-0-Matic

Top 4: ShareX

ShareX is also an open source and free screen recorder for Windows PC and laptop. Different from other lightweight screen recorders, there are lots of options in ShareX. So beginners may get lost in ShareX.

  • PROS
  • The free screen recorder Windows 7/8/10 offers shortcut preferences for recording.
  • Share the recording file via URL.
  • CONS
  • ShareX is not proper to record gameplay due to the low output quality.
  • No webcam recording support.
ShareX

Top 5: TinyTake

TinyTake Basic is totally free for personal use. You can use the free Windows screen recording software to record activities less than 5 minutes. The free storage space reaches to 2GB.

  • PROS
  • Screen record on Windows for free and save as MP4 format.
  • Get the built-in file viewer to browse videos, images and documents online.
  • CONS
  • The maximum 5-minutes limit is not enough.
  • The free version of TinyTake is extremely limited.
TinyTake

Top 6: Screencastify

Screencastify is a screen recording app works with Google Chrome. You can record, share and edit video in Chrome for free. It is easy to record screen free on Windows Chrome of browser, desktop and webcam.

  • PROS
  • Record desktop or browser screen video with microphone audio.
  • No watermark in the output video recording file.
  • CONS
  • The screen recorder for Windows free version allows users to record video no more than 5 minutes.
  • Limited output formats and options.
Screencastify

Top 7: Windows 10 Game Bar

Game bar is the built-in feature for Windows 10 users. The free screen recorder for Windows 10 is no need to download or install. You can record gameplay with your voice, system and mouse sounds at the same time.

  • PROS
  • Use hotkeys to bring up the screen recorder, audio recorder and webcam recorder.
  • Record and save screen video in HD format.
  • CONS
  • No further video editing filters.
  • Windows 10 Game bar cannot record screen video on desktop or file explorer.
Windows 10 Game Bar

Top 8: Free Cam

Free Cam is a good tool to record webcam and screen video. You can add annotations and hotkey hints within the free screen recorder Windows 10. There is also a built-in video trimmer you can use.

  • PROS
  • Remove noise and adjust volume to improve the audio recording quality.
  • Upload the video recording to YouTube directly.
  • CONS
  • WMV is the only output format for the free screen recorder for Windows.
  • The maximum video recording quality is 720p.
Free Cam.jpg

Top 9: CamStudio

CamStudio is a member of open source screen recorders for Windows users. It is supported to create a screen-in-screen video for free. Moreover, you can convert AVI to flash with the built-in SWF producer.

  • PROS
  • Free record streaming video and audio on Windows.
  • Create small-sized video recording files.
  • CONS
  • CamStudio may be reported as malware or spread viruses, which are harmful to your computer.
  • All recording video files can be saved as AVI format only.
CamStudio

Top 10 Free Screen Recorders for Windows 10/8/7

You may not know that VLC can screen record on Windows 10/8/7 as well. You can get basic screen recording and editing tools in VLC. By the way, it is also supported to play your recorded video or audio within VLC.

  • PROS
  • Record video and convert to any format for free on Windows.
  • Get the direct playback in VLC.
  • CONS
  • It is complicated to start a screen recording via VLC.
  • VLC screen recording is only for basic recording purposes.
VLC Media Player

Part 2: Apeaksoft Screen Recorder- Highly Recommended!

Apeaksoft Screen Recorder is the best free screen recording software for windows 11/10 to capture any video or audio in real time. The free screen video and audio recorder can support 6 recording modes for your different needs, including Video Recorder, Audio Recorder, Game Recorder, Windows Recorder, Webcam Recorder, and Phone Recorder. Every mode can allow you to customize various recording parameters easily. You can make a great effect on your video and audio files with this converter! Free download the screen recorder on windows 10 now.

  • PROS
  • With 6 build-in recording modes.
  • With 5 easy-to-use editing tools.
  • With ultra-complete output formats.
  • With picture-in-picture video recording.
  • CONS
  • Premium features require payment.
Box

4,000,000+ Downloads

Record any video/audio and capture screen on Windows10/8/7.

Capture many kinds of music including system audio and microphone voice.

Set the output format, video quality, frame rate and other options, etc.

Get the screenshot with various editing tools, like text, watermark, cursor, etc.

Part 3: FAQs of Free Screen Recorder for Windows

Is free screen recorder safe?

Yes. If you download free screen recording software from its official site, your computer will be free from virus attack. Though some programs may add bundled software in the installation package.

How to record video with a voiceover?

Just make sure the built-in microphone in your computer works well, and the free screen recorder can record microphone sound. Or you can use an external microphone to get the better audio quality. Later, you can record a high-quality video voiceover as usual.

Is it legal to record streaming video or music?

It’s okay if you record online videos and songs for personal use. But if you try to make money by recording and downloading media files from online sites, it is absolutely illegal to do so.These top 10 free screen recorders are for Windows 11/10/8/7 you can download. Some video and audio recorders are completely free for screen recording, while some only offer free trials. Read and check what you can get from the above free Windows screen recording software review.

Conclusion

These top 10 free screen recorders are for Windows 11/10/8/7 you can download. Some video and audio recorders are completely free for screen recording, while some only offer free trials. Read and check what you can get from the above free Windows screen recording software review. Moreover, you can find some free screen recorders for Mac if you are in need.

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