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 2020 that are free. Ideal for communicating your ideas and feedback faster, recorder video tutorials, explainer videos, report bugs, etc.

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Contents

Next-Generation cloud storage with Icedrive. Get started right away with a massive 10GB free space. Mar 23, 2020 Alternatives to Ice for Windows, Mac, Linux, BSD, Software as a Service (SaaS) and more. Filter by license to discover only free or Open Source alternatives. This list contains a total of apps similar to Ice. List updated: 3/23/2020 7:37:00 AM.

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.

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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

Here Are The Best Free Screen Recording Software In 2020

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

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 2020.

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.

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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.

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References & Further Reading

The Power of Unified Multimedia Call Logging Software System​

NICE Recording is the most powerful call logging software solution available today, specifically designed to meet the mission-critical needs of the Public Safety emergency communications environment.

It reliably logs and synchronizes 911 calls, including digital, analog, and VoIP calls, conventional and P25 radio transmissions, text–to-911 interactions, video, images, console screens, locations from geographic information systems (GIS), and integrated feeds from other sources such as CCTV video.

NICE Recording call logging system scales and adapts from single PSAP centers to complex environments with multiple sites, networks, or multi-media calls

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Recording Systems Ready for Next Generation 9-1-1

NICE Recording systems span all forms of Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1) communications in a unified solution, including inbound and outbound text messages agnostic to text aggregation solutions or delivery methods - Direct IP, Web Interface or TTY.

Tested at all NENA Industry Collaboration Events (ICE), NICE Recording is a future-proof platform designed to comply with National Emergency Number Association’s (NENA’s) i3 MSRP and the European Emergency Number Association’s (EENA’s) NG112 standards.

Intuitive All-in-One Interface

NICE Recording systems are packaged with web-accessible NICE Inform application for feature-rich yet easy to use industry-leading evidence management that brings all information to your fingertips:

• Inform Essential – for small to mid-sized PSAPs with basic audio recording needs. Scale and upgrade to Professional level when you are ready to expand to advanced capabilities in the future.
• Inform Professional – for medium to large PSAPs. Includes high-end capabilities such as multimedia management, QA/QI, analytics, resiliency, and more.

Call Logging Software Solution Highlights

With intuitive configuration and administration, you can capture, store, manage and replay calls as soon as the installation is completed.

• Advanced call finder – precision searches leverage expanded metadata captured via CAD, D-channel, and other integrations. Quickly find calls based on caller ID, call duration, date and time, user name, channel ID, call direction, CLI/dialed numbers, Incident ID, Incident type, notes, marked calls, and more.
• Powerful replay capability – instant replay and live monitoring through NICE Inform Verify and NICE Inform Monitor. Supports replay of earlier parts of calls in progress.
• Highest security levels – roles-based access, AES 256-bit encryption, MD5 fingerprinting, Active Directory integration, and other advanced features
• Transitional NG9-1-1 networks – supported with SIP trunk logging
• Open Architecture – support for Windows OS, SQL database, and COTS server chassis.

Recording Systems with Unprecedented Flexibility and Scalability

Recording alone is simply not enough. You need to be able to integrate with other systems for expanded data collection, have flexible recording and storing options, quickly find recorded communications, and have the ability to easily and securely share information on moment’s notice. And it all needs to be done cost effectively. NICE Recording systems provide you with these benefits and many more:

• Variety of recording methods – full-time or rules-based recording, including recording on demand (ROD).
• Optional selective call deletion – automatically delete recordings based on retention schedules or set up rules for deletion of marked calls. Retain metadata captured with recordings even after voice or text media is deleted.
• Wide range of storage and archiving options – select the storage medium that best meets your cost and efficiency targets. Options include local storage to standard hard drives with a choice of 10 compression algorithms, archiving to SAN/NAS and RDX, central storage to SAN/NAS, EMC Centera, or NetApp Snaplock. Define schedules for automated archiving.

Contact us today to learn how your organization can benefit from NICE Inform Call Logging Software System.

'With NICE, we have a reliable solution that meets our needs today and will continue to do so well into the future. NICE Inform enables us to link all of our radio dispatch, 911, and text-to-911 functions together rather than handling those incident reconstructions through separate products.'

Charlynn F. Flaherty
Associate Director, Public Safety Communications
Prince George’s County Public Safety Communications​

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Brochure

NICE Inform

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Unified Multimedia Audio, Screen and Text-to-911 Recording