10 Best Screen Recording Software in 2025 (Free & Paid)

Whether you're creating tutorials, recording gameplay, conducting remote training, or documenting software bugs, a reliable screen recording software is essential in 2025. The landscape has evolved significantly with AI-powered features, cloud integration, and professional-grade editing capabilities becoming standard. Modern screen recorders now offer features like automatic captioning, smart cropping for vertical video, filler word removal, and instant cloud sharing. From free open-source tools to professional suites, there's a perfect solution for every need and budget. In this comprehensive guide, we've tested and reviewed the best screen recording software available in 2025, covering both free and paid options for Windows, Mac, and browser-based solutions.

10 Best Screen Recording Software in 2025

1. OBS Studio – Best Free & Open Source

OBS Studio remains the gold standard for free screen recording software in 2025. This open-source powerhouse is available on Windows, Linux, and Mac, offering professional-grade features typically found only in expensive premium tools. Key Features:

• Record at up to 4K resolution with customizable frame rates
• Multiple audio track support with noise reduction
• Scene transitions and source mixing
• New Plugin Manager for easy extension installation
• Hybrid MP4/MOV support for crash-resistant recordings
• Built-in streaming to Twitch, YouTube, and other platforms

The latest version includes NVIDIA RTX filter optimizations, improved crash handling, and increased default streaming bitrate from 2500 to 6000 kbps. Perfect for gamers and content creators who need granular control. Price: Free Platform: Windows, Mac, Linux Visit OBS Studio

2. Camtasia – Best Professional Suite

Camtasia 2025 from TechSmith is the complete screen recording and video editing solution for professionals. It combines powerful capture capabilities with a full-featured editor. Key Features:

• AI-powered background removal
• Camtasia Audiate for AI script generation and voice transcription
• Automatic caption and translation support
• Extensive library of royalty-free assets
• AI image generation with no limits or credits
• Professional annotations, transitions, and effects

Camtasia Rev streamlines the workflow, allowing you to record, refine, and share videos in minutes. The learning curve is manageable, and the results are broadcast-quality. Price: One-time purchase or subscription Platform: Windows, Mac Visit Camtasia

3. Loom – Best for Remote Teams

Loom excels in quick screen recording and instant sharing, making it the go-to choice for remote teams and async communication in 2025. Key Features:

• Record screen and webcam simultaneously
• Automatic AI-generated captions and summaries
• Instant link sharing with viewer analytics
• Comments and reactions on videos
• Browser extension for quick captures
• Team workspace with organized video library

Loom prioritizes speed and simplicity over production sophistication. You can record and share faster than any other tool, making it ideal for quick explanations and feedback. Price: Free plan available; Premium from $12.50/month Platform: Windows, Mac, Chrome, iOS, Android Visit Loom

4. ScreenFlow – Best for Mac Users

ScreenFlow is a premium screen recording and video editing app designed specifically for macOS. It's a significant upgrade over Apple's built-in tools. Key Features:

• Record multiple screens and iOS devices simultaneously
• Advanced video editing with crop, pan, and zoom
• Motion graphics and annotations
• Multi-channel audio mixing
• Stock media library included
• Direct publishing to YouTube, Vimeo, and more

ScreenFlow is one of the most intuitive video editors available, making complex edits feel simple while delivering professional results. Price: $169 one-time purchase Platform: Mac only Visit ScreenFlow

5. ShareX – Best Free for Power Users

ShareX is a free, open-source tool packed with features that rivals many paid options. It's perfect for tech-savvy users who want maximum functionality. Key Features:

• Full-screen, window, region, and scrolling capture
• Screen recording to MP4 or GIF
• Built-in image editor with annotations
• Upload to 80+ cloud destinations
• OCR text recognition
• Customizable workflows and hotkeys

While ShareX has a steeper learning curve, its feature set is unmatched in the free tier. The lightweight application runs without impacting system performance. Price: Free Platform: Windows only Visit ShareX

6. Xbox Game Bar – Best Built-in for Windows

Xbox Game Bar comes pre-installed on Windows 10 and 11, offering instant screen recording without any downloads or configuration. Key Features:

• Press Win+G to open instantly
• Background recording captures last 30 seconds
• Record system audio and microphone
• Performance monitoring overlay
• Screenshot capture with annotations
• Integration with Xbox social features

Perfect for quick recordings and game captures, Xbox Game Bar is the most convenient option for Windows users who need no-fuss screen recording. Price: Free (built into Windows) Platform: Windows 10/11

7. NVIDIA ShadowPlay – Best for Gaming

NVIDIA ShadowPlay (via GeForce Experience) offers hardware-accelerated recording with minimal performance impact, ideal for gamers with NVIDIA graphics cards. Key Features:

• Instant Replay saves last 30 seconds automatically
• Record up to 8K HDR at 30fps or 4K HDR at 120fps
• AV1 codec support on RTX 40-series
• NVIDIA Highlights auto-captures key moments
• Real-time FPS and performance stats
• Minimal frame rate impact during recording

By leveraging dedicated GPU encoding hardware, ShadowPlay delivers smooth performance that other software recorders can't match. Price: Free (requires NVIDIA GPU) Platform: Windows Visit NVIDIA ShadowPlay

8. ScreenPal (formerly Screencast-O-Matic) – Best Budget Option

ScreenPal offers an excellent balance of features and affordability, making it popular for education and budget-conscious users. Key Features:

• Screen and webcam recording
• Built-in video editor
• Script creation and teleprompter
• Stock library access
• Works on Windows, Mac, and Chromebook
• Easy sharing and hosting

The free version has a 15-minute limit and watermark, but paid plans starting at $2.50/month remove all restrictions. Price: Free (limited); from $2.50/month Platform: Windows, Mac, Chromebook, iOS, Android Visit ScreenPal

9. Snagit – Best for Documentation

Snagit 2025 from TechSmith focuses on quick captures and professional documentation, with powerful image annotation tools. Key Features:

• Screen and webcam recording
• Scrolling capture for long pages
• AI-powered tools in 2025 version
• Professional annotation templates
• Integration with Slack, Teams, Google Drive
• GIF creation from recordings

Snagit is the tool of choice for creating step-by-step guides, technical documentation, and quick how-to content. Price: $39/year or one-time purchase Platform: Windows, Mac Visit Snagit

10. Microsoft Clipchamp – Best Browser-Based

Microsoft Clipchamp integrates screen recording with a full video editor directly in your browser, built into Windows 11. Key Features:

• Browser-based, no installation needed
• Record screen, webcam, or both
• Full video editor with effects and transitions
• Export up to 1080p without watermark (free)
• Stock media library
• Works on any platform with a browser

Clipchamp is an excellent all-in-one solution for users who want quick editing without installing software. Price: Free (basic); Premium with Microsoft 365 Platform: Web browser, Windows 11 Visit Clipchamp

Screen Recording Software Comparison Table

Software	Price	Platform	Best For	Max Resolution	Key Feature
OBS Studio	Free	Win/Mac/Linux	Streaming & Gaming	4K+	Open-source, highly customizable
Camtasia	Paid	Win/Mac	Professional videos	4K	AI editing & full video suite
Loom	Freemium	All platforms	Remote teams	4K (paid)	Instant sharing & analytics
ScreenFlow	$169	Mac only	Mac content creators	4K	Intuitive editing
ShareX	Free	Windows	Power users	4K	80+ upload destinations
Xbox Game Bar	Free	Windows	Quick captures	1080p/4K	Built-in, no install
NVIDIA ShadowPlay	Free	Windows	Gaming	8K HDR	Hardware encoding
ScreenPal	Freemium	All platforms	Education/Budget	1080p	Teleprompter & scripts
Snagit	$39/year	Win/Mac	Documentation	1080p	Scrolling capture
Clipchamp	Freemium	Web/Win 11	Quick edits	1080p (free)	Browser-based editor

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best free screen recorder in 2025?

OBS Studio is the best free screen recorder overall, offering professional features without any watermarks or time limits. For Windows users who want simplicity, Xbox Game Bar is pre-installed and works instantly. ShareX is ideal for power users who need advanced features and customization.

Can I record my screen without a watermark?

Yes, several free screen recorders offer watermark-free recording: OBS Studio, ShareX, Xbox Game Bar, and NVIDIA ShadowPlay. Paid tools like Camtasia, ScreenFlow, and Snagit also produce watermark-free videos.

What screen recorder do professional YouTubers use?

Professional YouTubers typically use OBS Studio for streaming and recording, Camtasia for tutorials with editing, or ScreenFlow on Mac. Many also use NVIDIA ShadowPlay for gaming content due to its minimal performance impact.

How do I record my screen with audio?

Most modern screen recorders capture both system audio and microphone input. In OBS Studio, you add audio sources in the mixer. Xbox Game Bar automatically captures game audio, and Loom lets you toggle audio sources before recording. Ensure your audio devices are selected in the recorder's settings.

What is the best screen recorder for gaming?

For gaming, NVIDIA ShadowPlay offers the best performance with hardware encoding (up to 8K HDR). OBS Studio is the best free alternative with extensive customization. Xbox Game Bar provides the easiest setup for casual game recording.

Can I record my screen on a Chromebook?

Yes, Chromebooks have a built-in screen recorder (press Ctrl+Shift+Show Windows). For more features, ScreenPal and Loom offer Chrome extensions and web-based recording that work well on Chromebooks.

What's the difference between screen recording and screencasting?

Screen recording captures video of your screen, while screencasting typically refers to recording with narration for educational or tutorial purposes. Tools like Camtasia and ScreenFlow are designed specifically for screencasting with their built-in editing and annotation features.

How much storage do screen recordings use?

Storage depends on resolution, frame rate, and codec. A 1080p 30fps recording typically uses 100-200 MB per minute with standard compression. 4K recordings use significantly more. Using efficient codecs like H.265/HEVC or AV1 reduces file sizes by 30-50% compared to H.264.

Can I edit my screen recording after capture?

Yes, many screen recorders include built-in editors: Camtasia, ScreenFlow, Clipchamp, ScreenPal, and Snagit all offer editing tools. OBS Studio and ShareX focus on capture, so you'll need separate editing software like DaVinci Resolve or Adobe Premiere.

What screen recorder works best for remote work?

Loom is specifically designed for remote work communication with its quick recording, instant sharing, and viewer analytics. ScreenPal is great for training videos, and Snagit works well for technical documentation and support.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right screen recording software depends on your specific needs. For free professional-grade recording, OBS Studio remains unbeatable. Teams and remote workers benefit most from Loom's sharing features. Content creators and educators should consider Camtasia for its powerful editing capabilities. Gamers with NVIDIA cards can't go wrong with ShadowPlay, while Mac users should explore ScreenFlow. Whatever your choice, 2025's screen recorders offer more powerful features than ever, with AI assistance becoming a standard feature across premium options.