Comparison · Screen recorders
ShareX vs SimpleScreenRecorder: which is better in 2026?
ShareX ranks higher in our list of screen recorders (#7 against #10, score 84.0 against 77.5).
- 84.0Editorial score77.5
- 1Platforms1
- YesFree to useYes
- YesOpen sourceYes
Which should you choose?
Choose ShareX if you want
Windows screenshots and area recordings.
A free, open-source Windows tool for screenshots and area recordings, licensed under GPL-3.0. Its many capture modes take time to learn.
Choose SimpleScreenRecorder if you want
Game and program recording on Linux.
A free GPL-3.0 recorder for Linux that records programs and games and installs from most distributions' repositories. It offers fewer options than OBS Studio.
The main differences
- Only SimpleScreenRecorder runs on Linux.
- Only ShareX runs on Windows.
Side by side
 ShareX | SimpleScreenRecorder | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 84.0 | 77.5 |
| Rank in list | #7 of 10 | #10 of 10 |
| Price | Free and open sourceFree, open source and without advertisements | Free and open sourceFree and open source under the GPL-3.0 license |
| Free to use | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Yes | Yes |
| Platforms | WindowsWindows | LinuxLinux |
| Made by | Not stated | Maarten Baert |
| Best for | Windows screenshots and area recordings | Game and program recording on Linux |
| Strengths |
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| Limits |
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| Links | Visit site | Visit site |
Questions about ShareX vs SimpleScreenRecorder
- Is ShareX better than SimpleScreenRecorder?
- ShareX ranks higher in our list of screen recorders (#7 against #10, score 84.0 against 77.5). ShareX is best for: Windows screenshots and area recordings. SimpleScreenRecorder is best for: game and program recording on Linux.
- Which is cheaper, ShareX or SimpleScreenRecorder?
- ShareX: Free, open source and without advertisements. SimpleScreenRecorder: Free and open source under the GPL-3.0 license.
- Do ShareX and SimpleScreenRecorder run on the same platforms?
- ShareX supports Windows. SimpleScreenRecorder supports Linux.
Choosing between the two
Learning Center
1:17How to decide between two good optionsSettle a close call by sorting it by how hard it is to undo, setting a deadline, scoring the criteria as a tie-breaker and writing down why you chose.
1:20How to compare products fairly: what to keep in mindDefine the job, cap the must-haves, compare like with like, count total cost over one period and weigh the criteria. Includes a worked example.
