Best Screen Recorders for Windows in 2026

The ranking

1. 1
   

   OBS Studio

   The most capable free recorder here, with scenes, sources and live streaming on Windows, macOS and Linux. Its setup takes longer than one-click recorders, and it is built around streaming first.

   Best for Streams and multi-source recordings

   WindowsmacOSLinux·Free and open source·Open source

   93.0of 100

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2. 2
   

   Loom

   Fast screen and camera recordings shared as links, with apps for Mac, Windows, iOS and Android and a Chrome extension. The free plan caps video count and recording length, and recordings sit on Loom's servers.

   Best for Quick shareable video messages

   WindowsmacOSiOSAndroidBrowser extension·Free plan, paid upgrades

   88.5of 100

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3. 3
   

   Camtasia

   Screen recorder and video editor for Windows and macOS with text-based editing and avatar generation, sold as subscription licences. It goes further than Loom on editing, at a higher cost than a free recorder.

   Best for Tutorial and training videos with editing

   WindowsmacOS·Subscription

   87.5of 100

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4. 4
   

   ShareX

   A free, open-source Windows tool for screenshots and area recordings, licensed under GPL-3.0. Its many capture modes take time to learn.

   Best for Windows screenshots and area recordings

   Windows·Free and open source·Open source

   84.0of 100

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5. 5
   

   Snagit

   Paid screen capture and recording app for Windows and Mac, built for screenshots and short recordings. It is lighter than Camtasia for documentation, though it does less video editing.

   Best for Screenshots and short recordings on Windows and Mac

   WindowsmacOS·Paid

   83.0of 100

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