Select this option under settings, then use the default capture options i.e. CTRL+ Q or Print Screen and Apowersoft Screen Capture Pro will do the rest. Screenshots- Take a nifty screen shot by clicking print screen or selecting the camera option on the software. Apowersoft is dedicated to providing free and paid multimedia and online business solutions to people around the world. It mainly develops screen recording, audio recording and audio/video/DVD software, helping users in their daily life and works. It also covers screen capture, mobile management, PDF conversion, data recovery, etc. Sign in to add and modify your software. Sign in with Facebook Sign in with email. By joining Download.com. Apowersoft Mac Screen Recorder. Record everything on a Mac screen. Unlike other iPhone screen recorders which require phone jailbreak for screencast, Apowersoft iPhone/iPad Recorder makes use of iOS's AirPlay mirroring function to stream videos, photos, music.

They say there is no free lunch and, more often than not, that’s the rule. Screen recording software, though, is a delightful exception — there are heaps of free tools out there.
To help you find the best free screen recorder, we have created a shortlist of the best free screen recorders in 2021 that are free. Ideal for communicating your ideas and feedback faster, recorder video tutorials, explainer videos, report bugs, etc.

Contents

What Is Screen Recording Software?

Screen recording software captures what is on your computer screen. You can either record in full screen or capture a specific area. Most of these apps can record your microphone (audio narration) and the best desktop recording software can also record your computer screen with audio (the system sound).

However, this is where the similarities end. Not all such programs are HD screen recorders. Some screen recording tools can save the recording in various file formats or export it to social media websites like YouTube. Top screen recorders, though, can upload your screen captures to the cloud in real-time and give you a sharing link instantly (much more effective).

So, before you set your mind on a free screen recording software, it’s best to evaluate your own recording needs. Maybe you don’t need to upload your videos to social media or maybe you don’t need to record in HD.

How we reviewed the top screen video recorders

We took information about each of the best desktop recorders directly from their official website. In addition, we gathered insights from independent reviews published on G2Crowd and tested each tool ourselves.

What is a good screen recorder?

While our picks range from desktop apps to browser plug-ins, each one meets the following basic criteria:

• User-friendly interface
• Can record the entire screen or a specific area
• Captures both system and microphone audio
• Built-in video sharing and/or convenient exporting options

See this video for more information.

Here Are The Best Free Screen Recording Software In 2021

1. Screenrec

Click. Record. Share instantly. If you’re looking for the quickest and easiest possible way to capture your computer screen and share the recording with someone else, this is it. No ads and limitations. You not only get a screen recorder for free but you also get business video hosting for free.

Pros:

• Record computer audio
• Record your computer screen in HD
• Capture and annotate screenshots
• 2Gb of free video hosting included
• Cloud recording. Your video capture is uploaded on the fly to a secure video hosting platform — StreamingVideoProvider.
• Files are saved in the .MP4 format which can be played on any device (free MP4 screen recorder)
• Instant private sharing. Once the recording is complete you get a private sharing link that you can send to anyone online.
• Extremely lightweight
• Video CMS to manage your recordings, e.g. tag, add descriptions, organize in folders and playlists
• Video encryption. No one can download your videos without your explicit permission.
• Video analytics
• Unlimited recording time
• No ads

Cons:

• There are no video editing tools at this point
• You can’t record your webcam

Free Download For:

• Windows, Mac and Linux: https://screenrec.com/download-screenrec/

2. iSpring Free Cam

iSpring Free Cam made our list of the best screen recorders because it’s easy-to-use, without ads and time limitations. It only works on Windows which can potentially be an issue but, otherwise, it’s got all the chops to help you capture the full screen or a specific area of your desktop.

Pros:

• Record your microphone and system sounds
• Highlight your mouse
• Basic video editing tools, e.g. delete selection, remove background noise.
• Webcam recording is available but only in the Pro version
• You can upload your screencast to YouTube
• No ads
• No time limits

Cons:

• Only works on Windows. No support for Linux or Mac.
• Screen captures are saved in .WMV format (OK if you’re using a Windows PC but might not play on other platforms)
• Uploading large videos might take quite some time because there is no cloud recording option. The file is compressed and uploaded after recording.
• You can’t take screenshots
• Some users report high CPU usage

Available for:

• Windows

3. Apowersoft Free Online Screen Recorder

A nice online screen recorder with basic video editing capabilities. This free screen capture software runs in your browser (Mac or Windows) and requires an internet connection. The Apowersoft Free Online Screen Recorder might be a good choice if you’re looking for a one-time solution.

Pros:

• Record your webcam
• Add annotations within the video
• Capture computer audio
• Crop your video (no other editing tools, though)
• Works on Windows and Mac but not on Linux
• After recording, you can save the video file to your computer or upload it to YouTube, Vimeo, Dropbox, Google Drive, etc.
• You can save the file in a number of different formats (This can also be a con if you don’t know what you’re doing)

Cons:

• Requires a browser plugin to run which may slow your browser down. There is a “Download desktop version” button on the website but this is actually the Pro version, not the free one.
• No cloud recording option. If you want to share your screencast, you will have to wait for the video to render and, then, you will have to wait for it to upload.
• Time limits and watermarks (removed when you create a free account)
• Not suitable for game recording because you can’t hide the recording widget
• Users report that it takes quite a lot of time to view the replay
• You must be online to use it

Available for:

• Windows and Mac

4. Screencast-O-Matic

The free version of Screencast-O-Matic is another browser-based screen recording tool. It should work for you if you don’t need to record computer audio and you only want to make very short videos.

Pros:

• Narrate the video (record your computer microphone)
• Record your webcam
• After recording the video, you can upload it to YouTube or the Screencast-o-matic hosting service
• Highlight your mouse

Cons:

• 15-minute recording limit
• There is a watermark
• You can’t record computer audio in the free version
• No screenshot tool
• The free version can only run in the browser which can slow your computer down
• Ads on your screencasts
• Requires Java to run
• Some users report that it crashes their browsers and slows down their computers
• No cloud recording option. If you want to share your screencast, you will have to wait for the video to render and, then, you will have to wait for it to upload.

Available for:

• Windows and Mac

5. Ezvid

Ezvid is on our best screen recording software list because it has some cool features like the ability to draw while recording or synthesize human speech from text. Like iSpring Free Cam, it only works on Windows and saves screencasts in the bulky WMV format.

Pros:

• HD video capture
• Include computer narration with your video
• Trim videos
• Insert images and videos in your screencast
• Draw while recording
• Facecam recording
• No watermarks
• No ads

Cons:

• Works on Windows only
• Recording limit — depends on how much free space you have on your hard drive
• Delayed replay — you have to wait until your video is rendered
• Some users report that it slows down their computers
• Screen captures are saved in .WMV format (OK if you’re using a Windows PC but the video might not play on other platforms)

Available for:

• Windows

6. Prezi Video

Apowersoft Video Recorder

Prezi Video gives you the opportunity to record a presentation from your Prezi slideshow using the desktop app. This app lets you record, edit, and download your presentations and even stream them to conference apps.

Pros:

• Connects with Prezi or other Powerpoint presentations.
• Powerful editing right within the app
• Offers templates to customize videos
• Have the option to show either webcam with presentation in background or just the presentation content
• Downloads in mp4 format
• Can live stream to Zoom, Webex, and GoToWebinar
• Can pause and resume recording

Cons:

• 15 minute recording limit
• Only records up to 720p

Available for:

• Windows, Mac and Chrom

7. Veed

Veed is an online screen recorder and video editor. If you can’t install new apps on your computer, this may be a good solution. Works on Windows and Mac, no software download or plugin required.

Pros:

• Screen capture with a click
• Unique layout options
• Fast and simple review
• Full video editing
• Auto-generated subtitles
• 2 GB of free storage
• No need for downloading

Cons:

• Has watermark
• 10-minute recording limit
• No customer support

Available for:

• Windows and Mac

What Is a Good Screen Recorder?

There are two important points to consider when looking for the best free screen recorder in 2021.

1. File Format & Compression

A file format is a particular way of organizing the data within the file. There are many video file formats and some screen recording tools support more than one. However, most of the time, it goes down to MP4 vs. WMV.

MP4 or WMV for screen capture?

The WMV format is a product of Microsoft. Back in the day, it was created to allow professional videos to be recorded in high quality, e.g. on DVD, Bluray. The biggest issue here is that Mac users often have trouble viewing WMV files.

MP4, on the other hand, helps you produce video files that can be opened on any platform. And, when it comes to video quality, MP4 is actually better than WMV.

So,MP4 is more suitable for publishing your screen captures on the web and sharing them with others. The best free video capture software allows you to save your videos in MP4.

2. Video Hosting & Uploading

When looking for a screen capture software, you’d probably look at the recording features like — recording time, ability to record the computer audio, and so on.

But what happens after you record your screencast?

Most of the time, video files are very big and can’t be attached to emails. This means that, to share a video, you have to upload it somewhere in the cloud. In other words, you need video hosting.

This is a book-worthy topic but here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Hosting on YouTube. Some screen recorders allow you to post your videos on YouTube. That’s great when you want to share your videos publicly but not recommended if the screencast contains sensitive information.
• Proprietary video hosting. Some screen recorders like Screenrec, Apowersoft Free Online Screen Recorder and Screencast-O-Matic come with video hosting. When storing your videos on these platforms, it would be wise to research if the platform is free and what level of security it offers.
• Cloud Recording. If there is no Cloud Recording option, you will have to wait for the video to upload until you can share it. The best free screen capture tools come with this option.

Conclusion

Even the best free screen recording software has advantages and disadvantages. At the end of the day, the recording features — what you can do with the tool, are just as important as the effectiveness — how quickly you can record your computer screen and share it with others.

So, before you set your mind on a free screen recording software, it’s best to evaluate your own recording needs. Maybe you don’t need to upload your videos to social media or maybe you don’t need to record in HD.

Based on this criteria, the top screen recording software for us is the free screen recorder by ScreenRec. The final decision is, of course, yours to make.

What's the difference between a desktop screen recorder vs. online screen recorder?

As the names suggest, the biggest difference is that a desktop screen recorder can capture your screen while you're offline or on a poor internet connection. An online screen recorder requires stable Internet. For this reason, an online screen recorder isn't the best option when it comes to game capture. It may be a viable option when you're recording a tutorial, though.

What is the best alternative to Screencast-O-Matic?

Screencast-O-Matic is a popular screencasting tool. Many people use it to record tutorials, training videos and other educational content. The biggest advantage of Screencast-O-Matic is, perhaps, the ability to share the recording to a number of platforms like Vimeo, YouTube and Screencast-o-Matic's own video hosting platform. One downside, however, is the fact that you have to wait for the recording to upload and, if you've been recording for, say, 1 hour, this can be a huge pain. That's why, as an alternative, we'll suggest ScreenRec. It's quick and lightweight, allows you to capture both your computer audio and microphone audio and, finally, it's got instant private sharing--your screen recordings are uploaded in real time which means that you never have to wait. You get a sharing link as soon as you press 'Stop'.

How do I record my computer screen?

It depends on the screen capture tool you're using and your platform (Windows, Mac, Linux, etc). With ScreenRec, for example, you have to press Alt + S to start recording your desktop. This works on all platforms.

References & Further Reading

Apowersoft screen recorder is a professional web-based tool to record video and audio content simultaneously. You can perform various activities with the use of this software. You can choose the type of audio input, capture screenshots, annotate, etc.

Moreover, the application can save the recorded videos in the common MP4 files. Furthermore, utilizing its inbuilt converter, you will be able to convert and save those MP4 files into .avi, .flc, .swf, and other formats without losing quality.

With Apowersoft’s advanced and entirely intuitive interface, you are provided with the flexibility, which empowers users to enhance the screencast experience. With this Apowersoft free screen recorder review, I will help and try enlightening you on how to download and get started with this Apowersoft free online screen recorder.

I will further cover the pros and cons, key functionalities, and more. Also, with this Apowersoft Screen Recorder Pro review will help you decide how suitable this software is for you.

Download Apowersoft free screen recorder and Get Started

Here’s how you can download Apowersoft Screen Recorder Pro in Windows:

Step 1: Launch your preferred browser and visit the download page of Apowersoft Screen Recorder Pro

Step 2: The page will show two options: ‘Download’ and ‘Buy 1 Get 1 Free’. Click on the ‘Download’ button, and the download will begin.

Step 3: Open on the .exe file from your browser or find the location of the download in File Explorer and open the file from there.

Step 4: Windows will ask you for permission to let the application make changes in your pc. Once you choose ‘Yes’, Apowersoft will ask you to select the language you prefer.

Apowersoft Free Online Screen Recorder

Step 5: Once you’ve chosen the language, the Apowersoft installer will initiate; click on ‘Next’ to start the installation process. Agree to the license terms and conditions to continue.

Step 6: Once you’ve agreed to the license terms, the installer will ask you to choose a folder to save the program files. You can select the folder location by clicking on ‘Browse’.

Step 7: After deciding upon the location, click on ‘Next’.

Step 8: Keep clicking ‘Next’ while making sure that your preferences are reflected in the options given by the installation wizard.

Step 9: The installation will be completed in moments with your Apowersoft Screen Recorder Pro ready to go.

To get Apowersoft Screen Recorder Pro in Mac, visit https://www.apowersoft.com/mac-os-screen-recorder or click here. Follow similar steps with the .pkg file instead of the .exe file.

How to get Apowersoft Screen Recorder Pro Activation Code for free?

Generally, Apowersoft Screen Recorder is priced at $39.95 per serial key; however, Apowersoft is allowing you to get the full version of the screen recorder without spending any money. You can enjoy the Pro benefits for free if you participate in the official giveaway offer. You have to complete the following steps to get the Apowersoft Screen Recorder Pro activation code for free.

• Firstly, visit the giveaway page at https://www.apowersoft.com/promotion
• Scroll down to find the ‘Daily Software Giveaway’.
• Share the offer via any social media platform that you prefer.
• Once you’ve shared the offer, enter your details to receive the Apowersoft Screen Recorder Pro activation code for free. The code will be sent to you via email.
• Launch Apowersoft Screen Recorder and log in or sign up with a new account.
• Click again on the account icon, and a message will be displayed that will give you the option to upgrade to VIP or activate VIP. Click on the activate VIP option.
• A new box will be shown where you have to enter the code sent to your email.
• Once you activate the software, you will be privy to all the Pro features for free.

Interface and Key Features

Apowersoft Screen Recording Pro has one of the most accessible interfaces in the market. You can add lines, text, annotate, edit the screencast in real-time. The listing of video files makes locating, editing, sharing, uploading, removing, and playing of video files incredibly easy and accessible.

Starting with the default options, play out very well, so if you are a beginner, then you can try out the default settings first to get yourself used to all the options available to you.

Key Features of Apowersoft online screen recorder

• Multiple Recording Modes: You can choose to record the full screen, any portion of the screen, tracking your mouse to record, or even a particular window that you select.
• Unlimited Recording Time: Record for as long as you want.
• Record Screen with Audio Simultaneously: Makes gameplays and walkthroughs smooth with audio in sync with the video.
• Record via Webcam: Lets you record screen through Skype, MSN, and GTalk.
• Edit in Real Time: Edit your videos in real-time.
• Scheduled Tasks: The program lets you schedule tasks by allowing you to choose the start time and the customized duration that means you can record your screen without staying in front of the computer.
• Save Screencasts and Share: You can record your screencasts, edit them, and share them with your favorite platforms all from within the application.

How to Use it to Record Screen – Step by Step Guide to Set up and Record

1. Configure Settings: Before recording, choose your preferences, and configure the settings as you wish like audio input. You can also configure advanced settings before you start recording; there are presets ready for you to enable the screencasting elements.

2. Select Your Audio Input: You can choose between ‘System sound’, ‘Microphone’, ‘System sound and Microphone’. Choose the one most suitable according to your requirements.

3. Multiple advanced settings can also meet your other needs: Select ‘Settings’ and ‘Options’. The popup box will give you a course of action that will help you produce high-quality screencasts.

4. Set up your Output Directory and Hotkeys: You can control the recording with hotkeys (keyboard shortcuts) from ‘General’ settings. Apowersoft Screen Recorder Pro provides shortcuts that let you start recording, shows you a countdown before recording, shows recording toolbar to make screencasting easier.

5. Mouser Cursor Record: For those who make instructional videos, this option will be beneficial. The application lets you record screen with the movement of the mouse cursor; you can check the ‘Include cursor in capture’ box and click on Mouse Style Settings from ‘Advanced’ in Options setting; you can customize the animation color, hotspot color, and size.

6. Choose the format of the output video and customize bitrate, frame rate: The recording would be saved in the .wmv format by default; if you want to save recordings in other formats, then go to Recording in Options and click on the dropdown menu provided beside ‘Video format’. Under Recording, go to ‘Advanced video settings’ and select the bitrate, frame rate, and audio format.

7. Recording Mode: The application allows you to choose between Region, Full Screen, Around Mouse, Webcam, and Only Audio. Select the dropdown menu from ‘Start’ and select the mode you want.

8. Region Mode: In the Region mode, click and drag your cursor along the region you want to record and the release. You can customize the ratio of the region in the toolbar shown below; click on ‘OK’ to start recording.

9. Moving recording area while screencasting: You can move the screencasting region to any other part of your screen by going to Settings > Options> Recording> Advanced video settings. Check the ‘Allow moving the recording region while capturing’ box before recording; place your mouse at the four corners of your capturing region and successfully move it.

10. Annotate in Real Time: To access the editing options, just click on the pen icon directly; you can also pause and explore the editing options. If you wish to get a picture in picture recording, then click on the camera icon on the toolbar to relay the webcam feed to the recording.

11. Finish: To wrap up your recording, click on the red stop button; the video recorded will appear on the recording list and also be saved in your computer automatically. After a screencast is done, you can play it, rename, edit, delete or upload it.

Pros and Cons of Apowersoft Screen Recorder Pro

Best Apowersoft Screen Recorder Pro Alternative – Wondershare DemoCreator

For those who want to record high paced online gameplays, DemoCreator Screen Recording Software is the best alternative to Apowersoft Screen Recorder Pro. Some of the main features of DemoCreator include recording high paced games at up to one hundred and twenty frames per second, screencasting and webcam simultaneously. Apart from the basics, it also serves as a video editor tool, with which you can do basic editing, add texts, callouts, annotations, and more.

DemoCreator also provides 4K resolution editing support, gif support, video stabilization support, keyframe editing, noise removal, seven different languages supports, and many other features that Apowersoft Screen Recorder Pro doesn’t. DemoCreator provides us with a fully featured video and audio editing suite.

With its powerful features, the interface has been made easy for people of all ages and backgrounds to navigate around the application to make the best use of the options available. With the rise in online education, DemoCreator has made it easy for teachers all around the world to create a fully functioning online course material in video format. With the help of diverse users, DemoCreator has only gotten better, giving us more for less.

Conclusion

Apowersoft Online Screen Recorder offers a wide array of options for free, which is very hard to find in other software in this range. Once you figure out your requirements, you will be able to choose accordingly. However, DemoCreator is also a great computer screen recorder that offers rich recording options to meet your needs better. Choose the software that suits your situation and have a try!