5 Best Free Screen Recorder for Windows 10 [Free Download]

Screen recorder is widely used nowadays to capture online lectures, video conferences, gameplay and so on. Additionally, some free screen recorders come up with video editing features that cater to your inspirations. With the availability of free screen recording software, it has become easier for users to capture high-quality videos and further re-create them without spending a big fortune.

Here, we gather 5 top free screen recorders for Windows 10, all of which show off stable performance on screen capturing and have own pros/cons. Read on the detailed reviews and pick the best free screen recorder for Window 10 that can perfectly meet your requirements.

Xbox Game Bar – Native Screen Recorder for Windows 10

Accessed by pressing the Windows + G key combinations, you can then enjoy features from Xbox Game Bar such as monitoring system performance, checking Xbox messages, and more importantly, recording gameplay. It ranks in the list of the best screen recorder for Windows 10 for the following advantages.

Pros:

• Integrated with Windows 10. Since Xbox Game Bar is built into Windows 10, you don't need to install any additional software to use the recording feature.
• Customizable recording settings. You are free to adjust the video resolution, frame rate, and audio quality to suit your specific needs.

Cons:

• Limited functions for high-end recording. If you're looking for more advanced recording options, such as multi-track audio recording or high-resolution video recording, Xbox Game Bar is certainly not the best option.
• Unable to select recording area. You can record active programs, windows and browser tabs but can’t capture full screen or selected region on screen.
• Only record screen in Windows 10. Obviously, Xbox Game Bar is not available on other operating systems except Windows 10.

iTop Screen Recorder - Best Free Screen Recorder for Windows 10

iTop Screen Recorder is a professional screen recorder for Windows 10 and other Windows versions, including 11, 8 and 7. It is a free and easy-to-use program helping users create a screen recording with no effort.

With 4 modes, iTop Screen Recorder can record screen, audio, webcam and gameplay separately and simultaneously. You are allowed to capture screen flexibly. That is, you can record part of screen, full screen, a window, and selected area in fixed aspect ratio. It also boasts capturing high-quality video in 1080p, 4k or 60fps. The utilization of hardware acceleration helps screen record with no lagging. Because of its powerful functionalities, it is widely used to record online meetings/webinars, video calls, streaming videos and create various video tutorials.

Pros:

• Easy to use for beginners. With a simple and intuitive user interface, iTop Screen Recorder is very straightforward to use, even for users who have no knowledge about screen recording before.
• A wide range of editing options. With the help of the built-in video editor, iTop Screen Recorder comes with a bunch of editing features that allow you to edit multi-layer tracks, add visual & audio effects, and add annotations to your recordings.
• Multiple video output formats. You can save your recordings in different formats, including MP4, AVI, and GIF, making it easy to share your recordings with others or apply them in various applications.

Cons:

• Watermark. The free version will add a watermark to your recordings. You can upgrade to pro version for getting the screen recorder without watermark or add your own watermark. 

OBS Studio – Free & Open-source Screen Recorder for Windows 10 

As one of the most well-known free and open-source screen recorders available for multiple operating systems, OBS Studio is definitely a worthwhile choice for capturing screen on Windows 10. This best free screen recording software for Windows 10 has gained wide popularity among gamers, live streamers, and content creators due to a long list of advantages.

Pros:

• Free and open-source screen recorder. OBS Studio is completely free to download and use, and its source code is available for anyone to modify and distribute.
• Versatile usage in recording and streaming. OBS Studio can be used to record or stream video from multiple sources, including webcams, microphones, and game capture.

Cons:

• Steep learning curve. OBS Studio can be difficult for beginners to handle, as it has a lot of settings and options that can be overwhelming if you are new to it.
• No built-in video editor: While OBS Studio can record and stream video, it does not have built-in editing features, so users will need to download additional video editing software for editing needs.

ShareX– Best Windows Free Screen Recorder for Professional Use

ShareX is another free screen capture software for Windows 10. As its name suggests, this top free screen recorder for Windows 10 is good at sharing your recordings to others, which is quite useful if you are an active social network user.

Pros:

• Multiple screen capture methods. ShareX provides various capture methods, such as full-screen, selected window or region, and scrolling capture, to capture different types of content.
• Multiple sharing options. ShareX allows users to share their captures using various methods, such as uploading to cloud services like Dropbox and Google Drive, or sharing via email, social media, or FTP.

Cons:

• Complex user interface that requires a rather long learning process. ShareX has a lot of features and settings, which can make its interface difficult to understand for some users. Also, new users may need some time to learn how to use the software effectively.
• High CPU usage. ShareX requires a significant amount of system resources, especially when recording or capturing video, which can decrease system performance and cause lagging.

Screencast-O-Matic – Browser-based Screen Recorder for Windows 10 

What sets Screencast-O-Matic different from other Windows screen recorders is that it supports browser-based video recording. As a handy screen recording tool, this best free screen recorder for Windows 10 is popular among educators, businesses, and content creators for its ease of use and affordability.

Pros:

• Versatile recording options. Users can record their entire screen or select a specific area, as well as record from webcam or microphone. Screencast-O-Matic also supports recording from external sources, such as cameras or microphones.
• Affordable pricing. Screencast-O-Matic offers both free and paid versions of the software, making it an affordable option for users who don't require advanced features. 

Cons:

• Limited video editing capabilities. While the built-in video editor is useful, it lacks advanced features found in dedicated video editing software. For example, it doesn’t support advanced audio editing such as noise reduction. 
• Below-average integration with other software. Screencast-O-Matic has limited integration with other software, which can be a drawback for users who require advanced workflows or collaboration tools.

Conclusion

Free screen recorder is preferred by most users because the program can complete screen and video capturing task with no cost. Here, we pick out top 5 free screen recorder software for Windows 10 and review them with functions, pros and cons. While each screen recording software has its highlights and drawbacks, iTop Screen Recorder is our top recommendation if you are looking for the best free screen recorder for Windows 10. Thanks to its satisfying recording quality and advanced editing features, it’s capable of covering all your needs in terms of Windows recording.