Introduction to Free Screen Recorders
Screen recording technology has come a long way in the last decade. Quality software like TechSmith’s Camtasia can come with a hefty price tag in the hundreds of dollars. Thankfully, there are free options available that offer the same comprehensive range of features. Finding one that does not automatically include a visible watermark is a little bit tricky, so we have done the hard work for you. This article will go over the top seven options for free screen recorders supported by Windows 10 that have no watermark.
Common Features
Despite their names, these programs can do a lot more than simply record your screen. They can also record straight audio either from your device’s camera or from your desktop. There will also be varying degrees of editing available once your recording is complete, enabling you to resize it, save it as a preferred file type, increase or decrease definition, and even spice together multiple recorded files. Some free software comes with an entire editing suite attached, while others only have the bare minimum.
Other standard free screen recorder features include:
- Ability to control which area of the screen is recorded (e.g., only one section or the whole screen).
- Video and audio sharing options for third parties.
- Hardware enhancement options.
Most Popular Free Screen Recorders With No Watermarks
Several apps can be used interchangeably between your smart devices and desktop computer, which means you could record something on your computer and then edit it on your smartphone or vice versa. This can be an attractive quality to look for if you often switch between different devices during video calls or online classes.
Some of the most popular names in free screen recorders, specifically those that do not have watermarks in the finished product, include the following.
- QuickTime Player
- Icecream Screen Recorder
- Aiseesoft Screen Recorder
- Active Presenter
- OBS Studio
- Screencast-O-Matic
- TinyTake
- AceThinker Screen Recorder
- ActivePresenter
- VSDC Screen Recorder
We will be giving comprehensive summaries for the seven best out of those ten programs in our comparison guide section.
Uses for a Screen Recorder
*Work
Now, more than ever, workplaces are turning to online options for training and group meetings. Whether you are a remote worker or not, chances are your workplace has adapted to do more tasks over video. Having a way to record those interactions is useful.
*Sharing With Family and Friends
Skype and other video calling software sometimes come with their own recording options, but if you find yourself on a video call app or site that does not have this ability, then being able to record independently is a plus.
*Game Live Streaming
Live streaming is a massive genre at the moment, and there are entire sites dedicated to it (e.g., Twitch, YouTube Gaming, etc.) where you can have inclusive gaming sessions with your followers.
*School
Now that a lot of colleges and trade schools are turning to remote learning, it is essential to be able to record lectures and instructional chats. You can create a catalog for each class over the year to ensure that you never miss any vital information.
What Your Free Screen Recorder Will Need
Easy setup and intuitive controls are useful when you are new to screen recording. Some of the best options take a little bit more time to get comfortable with (e.g., OBS Studio) before you are able to utilize all the available tools. In addition, most free screen recorders with no watermark can be used for multiple purposes, from uploading live recording streams to editing completed videos.
What to look for will depend on your needs. If all you want is a way to record your screen, then even the most basic free software will work perfectly. Windows 10 even comes with a built-in screen recorder for gaming. However, but if you intend to do anything with the footage, then you might want to look for one that includes editing and sharing options.
If you are recording for educational or game streaming, then you might want to get software that allows for your web camera to show up within a specified area of the live recording box on your screen.
Comparison Guide for the Best Screen Recorder for Windows 10
We have combed through all the available software to narrow down the best screen recorder for Windows 10, and they are listed below. All information was taken directly from the product sites to ensure accuracy.
1. Screencast-O-Matic – “Offers teams video creation solutions for faster, clearer communication. “
This screen recorder is widely used in the education sector. Support flipped classroom video creation, two-way student assessment, lecture capture, and student video assignments.
Features:
- Records either screen or webcam
- Area selection for the specific space you want to be recorded
- Ability to zoom in while actively recording
- Basic video editing tools (e.g., trim, captions, etc.)
- Save to desktop option
- Ability to share quickly between supported sites (Facebook, Twitter, Classroom, Screencast-O-Matic, and YouTube)
- 30 free music tracks included
System Requirements: Not Listed
Supported Windows OS: Windows 10
Supported File Outputs: Mp4, Avi, or Flv video file.
Screencast-O-Matic has a website where you can save your videos for free with password protection. It also offers Google sign in so you can access your content from any smart device. This is a good one for easy classroom or personal videos, but it only comes with basic tools for recording, editing, and sharing. One downside is it needs Java downloaded to work correctly, and the free version only allows for 15 minutes per recording.
2. Aiseesoft Screen Recorder – Best Screen Recorder software to record any activity on your Windows 10 PC
Aiseesoft screen recorder is a perfect video and audio recording tool. You can set the recording region, lock or exclude a specific program window, record audio from the system/microphone separately or simultaneously. These features are very useful especially when you are making a video tutorial or Powerpoint presentation.
Features:
- Includes an internal audio-only option
- Full range of video editing tools
- Schedule a recording task
- Area selection for the specific space you want to be recorded
- Hotkeys and one-click shortcuts
- Mouse capture recording
- Window lock recording
- Original sound and video quality without watermark
System Requirements:
- Minimum dual-core CPU, at least 2.0GHz
- At least 4G RAM
- Intel i3 (or better) multicore processor, at least 2GHz
- NVIDIA GeForce 8 (and above) or AMD HD 3800 (and above)
Supported Windows OS: Windows 10, 8, and 7
Supported File Outputs: MP4, WOV, MMV, AVI, TS, F4V, M4V, GIF
This is one of the best all-around free screen recorders available for Windows 10. It has a whole list of unique features and intuitive controls that promise a seamless recording experience. With this professional screen recorder, you can easily make a gameplay recording, presentation with audio, webinar, Skype chat, or video tutorial.
Aiseesoftware also comes with built-in editing tools with advanced editing features.
3. OBS Studio – Specialize in gameplay recording
Features:
- Teal time recording and video/audio mixing
- Premium list of editing tools
- Live streaming capabilities
- Low impact frame rate
System Requirements:
- AMD FX series or Intel i5 2000-series processor (dual or 4-core) or higher DirectX 10 graphics card
- At least 4 GB RAM (recommended)
Supported Windows OS: Windows 10
Supported File Outputs: Flv, Mkv or Mp4
This is a top tier free screen recording and editing program, but it has a significant downside in that it is complicated and not easy to learn when starting. Even for more experienced editors, it can be a bit overwhelming and requires a lot of time to master. It is open-source software, so there are a lot of online walkthroughs and tutorials.
4. TinyTake – An efficient screen capture and recording solution that helps to share your desktop with someone else 
Features:
- Records either screen or webcam
- Basic video editing tools
- Capable of capturing screenshots
- Area selection for the specific space you want to record
- Drag-and-drop images into the video to share
- Annotation toolset
- Can record up to 120 minutes
- Direct YouTube upload enabled
System Requirements: At least 4 GB RAM (recommended)
Supported Windows OS: Windows 7, 8, 8.1 or 10
Supported File Outputs: Not Listed
One real drawback of TinyTake is that there is no way to pause the recording and then restart it. Any interruptions will need to be edited out manually after the recording is complete.
5. Icecream Screen Recorder – “Perfect screen recording tool for individuals and small business recording videos, webcam,games and Skype call, etc.”
Features:
- Record window or selected area
- Audio and webcam recording options
- Basic editing tools
- Logo insertion tool
- Easy uploads for Google, YouTube, and Dropbox
System Requirements:
- 2.66Ghz Intel, AMD or other compatible processors
- 1GB of RAM (4GB recommended)
- 150MB to 5GB free disk space
Supported Windows OS: Windows 7, 10, 8.1, 8 and Vista
Supported File Outputs: WebM, Mp4, Avi, and Mov.
This is a basic recorder that is ideal for anyone new to this kind of software. It works great for school, tutorials, and sharing content among friends. There is a basic editing tool package included.
6. AceThinker Screen Recorder – Free & lightweight screen recorder
Features:
- Unlimited recording your screen
- Real-time editing
System Requirements: Not Listed
Supported Windows OS: Windows 10
Supported File Outputs: Mp4
This is easily the most bare-bones option. You open up the app or web page, click the “start recording” button, and then record your screen until you push “stop.” Then you can upload your video or save it to your computer. This requires an internet connection to function.
7. ActivePresenter – “A complete E-learning authoring software”
Features:
- PowerPoint insertion enabled
- Flexbox tool allows you to resize as needed while recording
- Full presenter tools
- Basic video editing tools
- Flexible recording
- Able to capture audio video and webcam
System Requirements: Not Listed
Supported Windows OS: Windows 10
Supported File Outputs: Mp4, Avi, Wmv, WebM, and Mkv
This is an ideal recorder for students and teachers. It is a hybrid screen recorder and presenter.
Our Favorite Free Screen Recorder
Our top pick is the Aiseesoft Screen Recorder. This software comes with fully customizable editing tools and can be used for recording everything from YouTube videos to Skype calls. It also can lock onto a particular window for recording so that you can move through different windows without disrupting the recording. It is one of the few screen recorders that can focus on your mouse, making it ideal for recording tutorials.
Out of all the free software options, it is one of the most intuitive to use. With easy upload capabilities, you can create professional-looking screen captures or recordings and quickly share them with anyone.