10 Best Screen Recorders for PC Without Watermark (Free & Paid)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Introduction
2. Why Avoid Watermarks?
3. Top 10 Screen Recorders
- 3.1. OBS Studio (Free)
- 3.2. ShareX (Free)
- 3.3. Xbox Game Bar (Free/Built-in)
- 3.4. Camtasia (Paid)
- 3.5. Bandicam (Paid)
- 3.6. Movavi Screen Recorder (Paid)
- 3.7. Loom (Freemium)
- 3.8. TinyTake (Freemium)
- 3.9. Snagit (Paid)
- 3.10. FlashBack Express (Free Version)
4. Comparison Table
5. Frequently Asked Questions
6. Conclusion & Recommendations

1. Introduction

In the digital age, screen recording has become an essential tool for content creators, educators, professionals, and gamers. Whether creating a software tutorial, recording a webinar, or capturing gameplay highlights, the clarity and professionalism of the video are paramount. One significant hindrance to professional quality is the presence of a watermark—typically a semi-transparent logo or text overlaid by the recording software.

While many “free” screen recorders impose intrusive watermarks to encourage users to purchase a premium license, there are numerous powerful alternatives available. This report evaluates the 10 best screen recorders for PC that allow users to export videos without watermarks, covering both completely free open-source software and premium paid solutions.

2. Why Avoid Watermarks?

Watermarks can significantly detract from the viewer experience. There are several key reasons why users prioritize watermark-free software:

Professionalism: For business presentations or client tutorials, a third-party logo can make the content appear amateurish.
Visibility: Large or poorly placed watermarks can obscure critical parts of the screen, such as menus or subtitles.
Brand Identity: Content creators on platforms like YouTube prefer to maintain their own branding rather than advertising the software they used.
Distraction: A watermark draws the eye away from the actual content, reducing engagement and retention.

3. Top 10 Screen Recorders

3.1. OBS Studio (Open Broadcaster Software)

Type: Free & Open Source

OBS Studio is the gold standard for free screen recording. Used globally by streamers and professionals, it offers immense power without any cost. It is not just a recorder but a full production suite.

Key Features:

High-performance real-time video/audio capturing and mixing.
Unlimited scenes tailored for different recording setups.
No recording time limits and absolutely no watermarks.
Supports streaming to Twitch, YouTube, and Facebook directly.

Pros:

Completely free forever.
Extremely versatile and customizable.
Low CPU usage impact for gaming.

Cons:

Steep learning curve for beginners.
No built-in video editor.
Interface can feel cluttered.

Pricing: Free (Open Source)

Best For: Gamers, streamers, and advanced users needing full control.

3.2. ShareX

Type: Free & Open Source

ShareX is a lightweight, open-source tool primarily known for screenshots, but it boasts robust screen recording capabilities. It is packed with productivity tools.

Key Features:

Capture screen, window, or specific region.
Direct upload to dozens of image and file hosting services.
Supports recording as video (MP4) or GIF.
Includes productivity tools like color picker and ruler.

Pros:

No watermarks or time limits.
Very lightweight application.
No ads.

Cons:

Interface is utilitarian and dated.
Not suitable for recording high-FPS games.
Complex setup for audio recording initially.

Pricing: Free (Open Source)

Best For: Quick captures, GIFs, and sharing content rapidly.

3.3. Xbox Game Bar

Type: Free (Built-in Windows 10/11)

Many users are unaware that Windows 10 and 11 come with a pre-installed recorder intended for gaming, but usable for any application.

Key Features:

Native integration with Windows (Win + G to activate).
Background recording features (record last 30 seconds).
Basic audio mixing for system sound and microphone.

Pros:

No installation required.
Easy to use with shortcuts.
Decent performance for gameplay.

Cons:

Cannot record the desktop or file explorer (apps only).
Limited editing features.
Maximum recording time of 4 hours.

Pricing: Free (Included with Windows)

Best For: Casual users who need to record a specific app window quickly.

3.4. Camtasia

Type: Paid (Professional)

TechSmith’s Camtasia is a high-end solution that combines a screen recorder with a full-featured video editor. It is the industry standard for tutorial creation.

Key Features:

Integrated professional video editor.
Library of assets (intros, lower thirds, music).
Interactive features like quizzes.
Cursor smoothing and highlighting effects.

Pros:

All-in-one solution (Record & Edit).
Extremely user-friendly interface.
High-quality output options.

Cons:

Expensive compared to competitors.
Heavy on system resources.
Free trial adds a watermark (Paid version removes it).

Pricing: ~$299 (Perpetual license) – Subscription models available.

Best For: Professional educators, course creators, and corporate trainers.

3.5. Bandicam

Type: Paid (Shareware)

Bandicam has been a market leader for years due to its high compression ratio, which keeps video files small without sacrificing quality.

Key Features:

High compression ratio files.
4K Ultra HD recording capability.
Hardware acceleration (NVIDIA/AMD) support.
Schedule recording capabilities.

Pros:

Can record 24 hours non-stop.
Less lag than other recorders.
Supports external devices (Webcam, Xbox, IPTV).

Cons:

Free version has watermark and 10-min limit.
No built-in video editor (sold separately as Bandicut).

Pricing: ~$39.95 (One-time purchase for 1 PC).

Best For: Gamers needing high-quality recording on mid-range hardware.

3.6. Movavi Screen Recorder

Type: Paid

Movavi offers a clean, modern interface that simplifies the recording process. It is designed for users who want simplicity without losing essential features.

Key Features:

One-click capture capabilities.
Scheduler for recordings.
Draw on video during recording.
Keystroke capturing display.

Pros:

Very intuitive interface.
Fast processing and saving.
Good for grabbing streaming video.

Cons:

Free version adds a watermark.
Editing tools are basic in the base version.

Pricing: ~$49.95/year or $69.95 lifetime.

Best For: General users wanting a straightforward, reliable tool.

3.7. Loom

Type: Freemium (Cloud-based)

Loom revolutionized workplace communication by focusing on quick video messages rather than heavy production. It is primarily a cloud-based tool.

Key Features:

Screen and webcam bubble recording simultaneously.
Instant link generation for sharing.
Viewer insights and emoji reactions.
Video trimming and basic editing in the browser.

Pros:

Incredibly fast sharing workflow.
No watermark on the free plan.
Great for remote teams.

Cons:

Free plan limits video duration (5 mins).
Requires internet connection for full functionality.
Free plan limits total number of videos.

Pricing: Free (Basic); Business plan starts at $12.50/mo.

Best For: Quick workplace communication and feedback videos.

3.8. TinyTake

Type: Freemium

TinyTake by MangoApps is a small, versatile tool for capturing images and videos and sharing them instantly via a cloud gallery.

Key Features:

Capture video and annotate images.
Cloud storage included.
Bulk file sharing.

Pros:

Simple and easy to use.
Good annotation tools.
No watermark on free version.

Cons:

Free version limited to 5 minutes recording.
Free version is for personal use only.
Limited editing features.

Pricing: Free (Basic); Paid plans start at $29.95/year.

Best For: Short troubleshooting clips and bug reporting.

3.9. Snagit

Type: Paid

The younger sibling to Camtasia, Snagit focuses on screenshots and short video recordings. It excels at creating “how-to” documentation.

Key Features:

“Video from Images” creation tool.
Panoramic scrolling capture.
Step tool for documentation.
Simplify tool to remove clutter from screenshots.

Pros:

Best-in-class annotation tools.
Create GIFs from videos easily.
Excellent for documentation.

Cons:

Not designed for long-form video or gaming.
Paid software (Free trial available).

Pricing: ~$62.99 (One-time purchase).

Best For: Technical writers and documentation specialists.

3.10. FlashBack Express

Type: Free Version

FlashBack Express is the free version of FlashBack Pro. Unlike many free versions, it does not impose watermarks or strict time limits.

Key Features:

Capture screen, webcam, and sounds.
No time limits on recording.
Direct upload to YouTube.

Pros:

No watermark.
Simple interface.
Dedicated gaming mode.

Cons:

Video editing features are locked to the Pro version.
Must save in proprietary format first before exporting to MP4.

Pricing: Free (Express); Pro version ~$49.

Best For: Users who want a simple recorder without time limits.

4. Comparison Table

Software	Price	Watermark Free?	Editing Tools	Best Use Case
OBS Studio	Free	Yes	No	Streaming/Gaming
ShareX	Free	Yes	Basic	Quick Sharing
Camtasia	Paid	Yes (Paid)	Advanced	Tutorials/Courses
Xbox Game Bar	Free	Yes	None	Quick Gaming Clips
Loom	Freemium	Yes (Free)	Basic (Trim)	Team Comms

5. Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does Windows 10/11 have a built-in screen recorder?

A: Yes, Windows includes the Xbox Game Bar. You can access it by pressing Windows Key + G. It is watermark-free but has limited features regarding desktop recording compared to dedicated software.

Q: Is OBS Studio safe to use?

A: Yes, OBS Studio is open-source software with a massive community. It is safe, virus-free, and standard in the broadcasting industry.

Q: Can I record internal audio with these tools?

A: Yes, all tools listed above support recording system audio (the sounds your computer makes) alongside microphone audio.

Q: Which recorder uses the least CPU?

A: OBS Studio and NVIDIA ShadowPlay (often used alongside hardware) are generally the most efficient. ShareX is also very lightweight for simple tasks.

6. Conclusion & Recommendations

Choosing the right screen recorder depends entirely on your specific needs. There is no single “best” tool, but there is likely a best tool for you.

Our Recommendations:

For Zero Cost & Maximum Power: Download OBS Studio. It has a learning curve, but it is a professional tool available for free.
For Quick Workplace Messages: Use Loom. It is the fastest way to record and share a link without managing files.
For Professional Tutorials: Invest in Camtasia. The built-in editing suite saves hours of post-production time.
For Gamers: Stick to OBS Studio or Bandicam for high frame rates and low lag.