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Best Free Screen Recording Tools in 2026

The 15 best free screen recording tools we track: 1 completely free and 14 with a free plan alongside paid tiers. No credit card needed to start.

free tools screened
84
free tools screened
100% free
1
100% free
free plan + paid
14
free plan + paid

Ranked by public user ratings (G2, Capterra, Trustpilot), not vendor pitches. Every rating shows its date.

As featured in
  • TechCrunch
  • Forbes
  • Bloomberg
  • The Verge
  • Business Insider
Key Takeaways
  • LogRocket is our free pick for screen recording in 2026, and our overall pick.
  • We evaluated 84 screen recording tools to create this ranking.
  • 15 tools offer free plans, perfect for getting started.

Top 5 free screen recording tools at a glance

Top 5 free screen recording tools: free plan type, user rating and best use, as of October 2026
ToolTypeRatingBest for
LogRocketFree plan4.7 (2,463) as of Sep 2026
Session replay & error tracking
LoomFree plan4.7 (2,944) as of Sep 2026
Record screen and camera for async video messages
VEEDFree plan4.6 (2,328) as of Sep 2026
Create pro-level videos online with AI-powered editing tools for individuals and teams.
OBS Studio100% free4.7 (1,212) as of Sep 2026
Record and stream video with powerful, free, open-source software
ScreenrecFree plan4.7 (1,357) as of Sep 2026
Communicate faster with instant video messages and annotated screenshots.

Ratings from G2, Capterra, and other public review sites. Each cell shows the snapshot date so a cited number is never an undated one.

Toolradar data

The screen recording tools market in numbers

Toolradar data: Toolradar tracks 108 screen recording tools as of October 12, 2026. 78% of the screen recording tools on Toolradar are free, freemium or open source. The median cheapest paid plan for screen recording tools is $10/mo, across the 35 that publish a price. Toolradar re-checked the pricing of 83% of screen recording tools in the last 90 days. Toolradar aggregates 35,099 public user reviews (G2, Capterra, Trustpilot and other review sites) across 67 rated screen recording tools. The most cross-shopped screen recording tool is Loom, listed as an alternative to 64 other tools on Toolradar. The most compared screen recording tool on Toolradar over the last 90 days is Shotcut, with 549 side-by-side comparisons. Computed from the Toolradar catalog and on-site activity.

  • 108 screen recording tools tracked
  • 78% are free, freemium or open source
  • $10/mo median cheapest paid plan, across the 35 screen recording tools that publish one
  • 83% of prices re-checked in the last 90 days
  • 35,099 public user reviews aggregated across 67 rated tools
Most cross-shopped screen recording tools on Toolradar, as of October 2026 Listed as an alternative to the most other tools on Toolradar
Rank Tool Listed as an alternative to
1 Loom 64 tools
2 Clipchamp 35 tools
3 CleanShot X 34 tools
Most compared screen recording tools on Toolradar, last 90 days to October 2026 Side-by-side comparisons by visitors, last 90 days
Rank Tool Comparisons
1 Shotcut 549
2 OBS Studio 402
3 Loom 380

Source and method: live screen recording tools statistics · Toolradar Research report

Free tier limits compared

The quotas, length caps and watermark policies vendor pricing pages often hide. 7 of 15 screen recording tools verified.

Free tier limits of screen recording tools, from vendor pricing pages
ToolFree quotaMax lengthMax resolutionWatermark
LogRocket1,000 Sessions / Month1 month data retentionn/aNo
Loom25 videos/person, 5 min per video5 min per video720pYes
VEED10 min/month10 min720pYes
Zight1 GB storage, 5 min recording length, 15s GIF5 min1080PNo
CloudApp1 GB storage, 5 min recording length, 15s GIF5 min1080PNo
Supademo5 guided interactive demos, 50 video recordings (4K)n/a1080pYes
Mouseflow500 sessions/month1 month data retentionn/aNo
LogRocket logo
1.

LogRocket

Free plan

Session replay & error tracking

4.7/5 across G2 and Capterra · 2,463 ratings, Sep 2026

LogRocket is a session replay and product analytics platform with pixel-perfect recordings, JavaScript error reporting, and AI-powered struggle detection for understanding user behavior.

Loom logo
2.

Loom

Free plan

Record screen and camera for async video messages

4.7/5 across G2 and Capterra · 2,944 ratings, Sep 2026

Loom is a video messaging platform that lets you record your screen, camera, or both to create quick videos for async communication and collaboration.

VEED logo
3.

VEED

Free plan

Create pro-level videos online with AI-powered editing tools for individuals and teams.

4.6/5 across G2 and Capterra · 2,328 ratings, Sep 2026

VEED is an online video editor designed to help individuals and teams create professional-looking videos quickly and easily. It offers a comprehensive suite of tools for video creation, editing, and publishing, all accessible directly in the browser. The platform is ideal for marketers, educators, sales professionals, and internal communication teams looking to produce engaging content without complex software. Key features include AI-powered editing (like auto subtitles, text-to-video, AI avatars, eye contact correction, and magic cut), screen recording, a royalty-free stock library, and collaboration tools. VEED aims to streamline the video production process, enabling users to create various video types, from product demos and marketing campaigns to educational content and internal communications, while maintaining brand consistency with features like Brand Kit and custom templates.

OBS Studio logo
4.

OBS Studio

100% free

Record and stream video with powerful, free, open-source software

4.7/5 across G2 and Capterra · 1,212 ratings, Sep 2026

OBS Studio is free, open-source software for video recording and live streaming. Powerful mixing handles multiple sources including cameras, displays, and media. Scenes and transitions create professional broadcasts. Filters add visual and audio processing in real-time. Plugins extend functionality endlessly. The streaming software that powers most streamers on Twitch, YouTube, and beyond - completely free.

Screenrec logo
5.

Screenrec

Free plan

Communicate faster with instant video messages and annotated screenshots.

4.7/5 across G2 and Trustpilot · 1,357 ratings, Sep 2026

ScreenRec is a screen recording and screenshot tool designed to streamline communication and boost productivity by enabling users to quickly capture and share visual information. It allows for recording of the screen, microphone, audio, and webcam, as well as taking annotated screenshots. The tool aims to reduce the need for lengthy text explanations and meetings by providing a clear, visual way to convey messages. ScreenRec is suitable for a wide range of professionals and teams, including developers for code reviews and bug reporting, customer support for resolving issues, designers for feedback, sales for personalized demos, and project managers for assigning tasks. It emphasizes instant sharing with a link copied to the clipboard, content encryption for privacy, and analytics to track video engagement. The platform is built on a business video platform, offering advanced features like content security and management.

Vimeo logo
6.

Vimeo

Free plan

Ad-free video hosting, editing, and live streaming for creators

4.5/5 across G2 and Capterra · 1,775 ratings, Sep 2026

Vimeo is a professional video platform for creators and businesses. Ad-free hosting with customizable player. Live streaming and webinar capabilities. Screen recording and video editing built-in. Team collaboration and review tools. Where serious video creators host their work.

Zight logo
7.

Zight

Free plan

Capture, annotate, and share visual communication instantly.

4.6/5 across G2 and Capterra · 1,419 ratings, Sep 2026

Zight (formerly CloudApp) is a versatile visual communication tool designed to streamline workflows through quick screen recordings, GIFs, and annotated screenshots. It empowers users to clearly convey ideas, provide feedback, and create tutorials without the need for lengthy text explanations or live meetings. It's particularly useful for remote teams, product managers, designers, support staff, and anyone who needs to communicate visually and asynchronously. The platform integrates seamlessly into daily work, allowing users to capture content with a few clicks, add annotations like arrows, text, and highlights, and then instantly share a link to the content. This reduces communication overhead, accelerates feedback loops, and improves clarity in technical and creative discussions. Zight aims to replace long emails and unnecessary meetings with efficient visual messages.

CloudApp logo
8.

CloudApp

Free plan

Capture, annotate, and share visual content instantly for faster communication.

4.6/5 on G2 · 1,228 ratings, Sep 2026

CloudApp is a visual communication tool designed to streamline workflows by enabling users to quickly capture screenshots, record screen videos, and create GIFs. It's particularly useful for remote teams, product managers, designers, and customer support professionals who need to convey information visually and efficiently. The platform provides instant sharing capabilities through unique, short links, making it easy to embed content or share it across various communication channels. Beyond basic capture, CloudApp offers annotation tools for screenshots and video trimming for recordings, allowing users to highlight key areas, add text, and refine their visual messages before sharing. All captured content is stored in the cloud, providing easy access and organization. This focus on speed and visual clarity helps reduce miscommunication and accelerates feedback loops, ultimately improving productivity for individuals and teams.

Smartlook logo
9.

Smartlook

Free plan

Session recordings and behavior analytics

4.6/5 on G2 · 874 ratings, Sep 2026

Smartlook provides session recording and analytics. User behavior insight through recordings-understand what users actually do. The recordings show behavior. The events add context. The integration covers platforms. Product teams wanting behavior insight use Smartlook for session recording.

Supademo logo
10.

Supademo

Free plan

Create AI-powered interactive product demos and guides in minutes to accelerate sales and onboarding.

4.8/5 across SourceForge, G2 and Capterra · 649 ratings, Sep 2026

Supademo is an AI-powered platform designed to rapidly create interactive product demos and guides. It allows users to record their product interactions, which are then transformed into step-by-step interactive experiences. The platform supports various recording methods, including HTML demos, guided screenshot demos, mobile apps, desktop apps, and uploads, making it versatile for different product types. Supademo is ideal for sales, marketing, and customer success teams looking to streamline their product demonstration processes. It helps sales teams close more deals with personalized demos, enables marketing to qualify leads with high-converting product tours, and empowers customer success to drive adoption through interactive onboarding and support documentation. The platform emphasizes speed, personalization, and trackability, offering features like AI text and voiceover generation, dynamic variables, conditional branching, and advanced analytics to measure engagement and drop-off rates. Key benefits include significantly reduced demo creation time, improved conversion rates, and enhanced customer understanding and adoption. Supademo aims to replace traditional, passive demo videos with engaging, self-paced, and easily maintainable interactive content that can be shared across multiple channels.

Soapbox logo
11.

Soapbox

Free plan

Capture high-quality videos and screen recordings directly from your browser, with built-in editing and AI tools.

4.4/5 on G2 · 1,165 ratings, Sep 2026

Soapbox, by Wistia, is a browser-based video recording tool designed for businesses to easily create professional-looking videos. It allows users to record themselves, their screen, or both simultaneously, offering dynamic layouts to highlight key content. The tool includes a built-in teleprompter with AI script generation to help users deliver polished presentations, product demos, talking head videos, and even group interviews or podcasts. Beyond recording, Soapbox integrates seamlessly with the broader Wistia platform, providing in-browser editing capabilities to trim footage, enhance audio, switch layouts, and add custom branding. It also leverages AI to create social clips and offers comprehensive video management, hosting, and marketing features, making it a versatile solution for content creators, marketers, and sales teams looking to produce and leverage video content efficiently.

Mouseflow logo
12.

Mouseflow

Free plan

Session replay and behavior analytics

4.6/5 across G2 and Capterra · 813 ratings, Sep 2026

Mouseflow is a behavior analytics platform that provides session replay, heatmaps, conversion funnels, form analytics, and friction detection to help optimize website user experience.

Lucky Orange logo
13.

Lucky Orange

Free plan

Website analytics with heatmaps and recordings

4.6/5 across G2 and Capterra · 651 ratings, Sep 2026

Lucky Orange shows how visitors use your website. Heatmaps, recordings, and surveys-user behavior insight for conversion optimization. The heatmaps are clear. The recordings reveal behavior. The price is accessible. Site owners wanting to understand user behavior use Lucky Orange for affordable behavior analytics.

Clipchamp logo
14.

Clipchamp

Free plan

Browser-based video editor by Microsoft

3.5/5 across Trustpilot, G2 and Capterra · 5,150 ratings, Sep 2026

Clipchamp is Microsoft's video editor built into Windows and available online. Intuitive timeline editing for quick video creation. Stock library, text-to-speech, and screen recording included. Export directly to YouTube, TikTok, and OneDrive. Professional features like green screen and audio editing. The video editor that comes with Windows, capable enough for most content creators.

Hippo Video logo
15.

Hippo Video

Free plan

Video platform for sales and marketing

4.4/5 across TrustRadius and G2 · 738 ratings, Sep 2026

Hippo Video is a video platform that helps sales and marketing teams create, share, and track video content. Features screen recording, video emails, and analytics.

Related

Why choose free screen recording tools?

Free screen recording tools are an excellent way to get started without financial commitment. Whether you're a startup, freelancer, or small business, these tools offer essential features at no cost.

What to look for in free screen recording tools

  • Feature limitations: Understand what's included in the free tier vs paid plans
  • Usage limits: Check for restrictions on users, storage, or API calls
  • Data ownership: Ensure you own your data and can export it
  • Support: Free tiers often have community-only support
  • Upgrade path: Consider future needs if you outgrow the free tier

Free vs Freemium: what's the difference?

100% free 100% free, no payment ever

Completely free with no paid upgrades available. Best for simple, focused workflows that don't require advanced features.

Free plan Free tier + paid upgrades

Generous free tier with optional paid plans that unlock advanced features, higher limits, or team collaboration.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best free screen recording tool in 2026?

LogRocket is our free screen recording pick in 2026. LogRocket offers a free plan alongside paid plans: Session replay & error tracking.

Is LogRocket really free forever?

LogRocket uses a freemium model: there is a permanent free tier you can use without a credit card, plus optional paid plans that unlock higher usage limits and advanced features. The free tier itself does not expire.

What does the free tier of screen recording tools typically include?

Free screen recording tools typically include the core workflow features needed to evaluate the product. Paid plans usually unlock higher usage limits, team collaboration, advanced analytics, integrations, and priority support. The specific cap differs per tool; see the "Free tier limits compared" table above for verified numbers.

When should I upgrade from a free screen recording tool?

Upgrade when you hit one of the free tier ceilings: usage quota (output count, storage, contacts, projects), team size, or a paid-only feature your workflow depends on.

Are there screen recording tools that are 100% free, not just freemium?

Yes. We found 1 completely free screen recording tool (no paid upgrade path) and 14 tools with a permanent free tier alongside paid plans. OBS Studio is 100% free.

Are free screen recording tools good enough for business use?

Yes, for most startups, freelancers, and small teams. LogRocket and Loom both offer free tiers robust enough for production workflows. Larger teams typically upgrade when they need SSO, audit logs, advanced permissions, or usage past the free quota.

Last updated: October 12, 2026

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