15 Best Laptop Screen Recorders [2024]

Try Movavi Screen Recorder!

  • Low system requirements
  • Easy laptop screen capture
  • Webcam and mic recording
  • High-quality footage
Edited by Paula Beaton
19 628

Ever wanted to record the screen and audio of your laptop? You can with a screen recording app for a laptop – and we’ll help you find the best screen recorder software for your needs.

Quick online screen captures

Screen Capture

Editor’s rating

4.7
/5
Editor’s choice

Screen recording & editing

Movavi Screen Recorder

Advanced gameplay recordings

OBS

Editor’s rating

4.7
/5

At Movavi, we’re committed to providing you with verified information only. Here’s what we do to ensure this:

  • When selecting products to include in our reviews, we research both demand and popularity.

  • All products mentioned in this article have been tested by Movavi Content Team.

  • When testing, we aim to highlight the best features of a product and what it’s best suited for.

  • We study user reviews from popular review platforms and make use of this information when writing our product reviews.

  • We collect feedback from our users and analyze their opinions of Movavi software as well as products from other companies.

Best screen recorders for a laptop with audio

Best for: Anybody looking for a video recording app that’s packed with features, easy to use, and versatile.

Movavi Screen Recorder

  • OS:

    Windows, Mac

  • G2 rating:

    4.5 out of 5 stars, 49 reviews

Movavi Screen Recorder is one of the best laptop screen recorders with audio. It’s packed with screen recording features and built-in editing options and allows you to capture your entire screen or just a part of it. It’s easy to take and save screenshots and record video with your webcam or sound from your microphone.

Key features:

  • Record your laptop’s system sound, microphone, or speaker feeds
  • Capture anything from your screen, complete with keystrokes and mouse actions
  • Easy to grab from screen or webcam in 4K
  • Draw right on your screen while recording live
  • Get crystal clear sound: reduce ambient noise your mic picks up
  • Schedule to record anytime you want to save important information while you’re away

Pros:

  • Easy to set up and simple to master

  • Grab system sound, mic, even speaker feeds

  • Works perfectly on any Windows or Mac computer

  • Tweak your footage and create videos on the fly

Cons:

  • The full version gives you limitless creativity

Best for: Those looking for a free screen recorder app for a laptop who don’t want to download and install software on their PC.

Windows Game Bar

  • OS:

    Windows 10 only (already built in)

  • PCWorld rating:

    3.5 out of 5 stars

Windows Game Bar is a laptop screen recorder free to use and built into Windows 10. It’s easy to activate it from your settings menu, and you can use keyboard shortcuts to start and stop recording your screen. It’s a very basic screen recorder, but it’s free and easy to use.

Key features:

  • Basic screen recording

  • Take screenshots

  • Sharing widgets

Pros:

  • Built into Windows – no need to download

  • Free to use

  • Easy to get started

  • Export without watermark

Cons:

  • No additional features, just screen recording and screenshots

Best for: Bandicam is great for organizations or individuals looking for a free screen recorder for a laptop that allows them to record short (under 10 minutes) videos.

Bandicam

  • OS:

    Windows Vista, 7/8/10/11 (64-bit)

  • Capterra rating:

    4.4 out of 5 stars, 48 reviews

Bandicam is a laptop video recorder for Windows devices. As well as recording your entire screen, you can record certain areas, add a webcam overlay, or draw on videos while they’re being recorded. Recordings can be saved as AVI or MP4 video files or still images.

Key features:

  • Screen, webcam, or game recording

  • Schedule recording

  • Chroma key for webcam overlay

  • Add mouse click effects and animation

  • Real-time drawing on videos or screenshots

Pros:

  • Add own logo to recording

  • Add mouse effects/animations while recording

  • Record games

  • Choice of the free or full version

Cons:

  • The free version has a 10-minute recording limit

  • Videos are watermarked with the free version

Best for: Screen Grabber Pro is great for anyone looking for laptop screen recording software that’s easy to use and allows quick sharing of videos to various sites.

AceThinker Screen Grabber Pro

  • OS:

    Windows and Mac

  • Rating:

    4.2 of 5 stars, 192 reviews

AceThinker Screen Grabber Pro is a free laptop screen video recorder that’s simple to use. Available for Mac and Windows, you can record your entire screen or a specific area and record audio both from your computer itself and an external microphone.

Key features:

  • Multiple recording modes

  • Different audio input

  • Annotate in real time

  • Add webcam overlay

  • Schedule recording

Pros:

  • Easy to use

  • Upload video to YouTube, Google Drive, or Dropbox

  • Free version available

  • Available for Windows and Mac

Cons:

  • Adds a watermark in the free version

Best for: Individuals and small businesses looking for a screen recorder for laptop for free with additional features.

Icecream Screen Recorder

  • OS:

    Windows and Mac

  • G2 rating:

    4 out of 5 stars, 24 reviews

Icecream Screen Recorder is a free way to record video and audio on a laptop screen on Mac or PC. Select certain areas to record, add your own watermark, or record via your laptop webcam. There’s a Pro version available, too, with additional features. If you use it on the best laptop for the money, you will achieve amazing great results.

Key features:

  • Laptop screen recorder with audio only if needed
  • Record all or part of your screen
  • Annotate recordings or screenshots
  • Record games, live webinars, or streaming videos
  • Easily share recordings to Google Drive, Dropbox, and YouTube

Pros:

  • Can take screenshots

  • Lets you record selected parts of the screen

  • Audio recording

  • Save screenshots and send via Skype or email

Cons:

  • Some features only available in the Windows version

Best for: Windows users looking for a free, compact solution for video recording that’s simple to use.

DVDVideoSoft Free Screen Video Recorder

  • OS:

    Windows only

DVDVideoSoft Free Screen Video Recorder is a compact app for Windows that’s packed with features. Record your screen and speech from your laptop mic or an external microphone. The software also lets you save screen captures and resize, rotate, and crop images taken.

Key features:

  • Free download

  • Save captures to file, clipboard, or print them out

  • Set a program to run at Windows start-up

  • Record from full screen or a window

  • Capture screenshots

Pros:

  • Capture multiple windows

  • Save screen captures to edit, share, or print

  • Save your recordings in MP4 format

Cons:

  • No Mac version – only available for Windows

Best for: Beginner gamers streaming from their laptops

Action! – Screen and Game Recorder

  • OS:

    Windows

  • G2 rating:

    4.8 out of 5, 12 reviews

If you want to record Let’s Plays or stream gameplay, you should check out Action!. This game recording software prides itself on low CPU usage, which is perfect, if you’re gaming from a laptop. The free trial version lets you test out all the features of the full one. So why not check it out!

Key features:

  • Capturing gameplay up to 120 FPS

  • Streaming to YouTube, Twitch, Ustream, etc.

  • Controlling the capture via your smartphone

Pros:

  • Great performance with low CPU usage

  • Comprehensive and modern interface

  • 30-day free frail version

Cons:

  • Watermarks in the free trial

Best for: All-in-one screen recording

Aiseesoft Screen Recorder

Aiseesoft Screen Recorder is an all-encompassing program that helps you save videos and images of your screen. The software is great for using on a laptop, because it saves space on your hard drive. You don’t need three programs: you can use one for recording screen activities, capturing gameplay, and taking snapshots. The free trial version has time limitations, but it is definitely worth your attention.

Key features:

  • Recording screen activities

  • Capturing gameplay

  • Taking informative screenshots

Pros:

  • Recording, saving, and sharing videos of your screen

  • Easy recording management and accessing videos from iPhone and Android devices

  • Taking snapshots with text, callouts, and shapes

Cons:

  • The trial version limits the recording time to 3 minutes

Best for: Shortcuts and auto splitting of long videos

Recordzilla

Recordzilla is a screen recorder by Softdiv Software. Because of its small size and compatibility with a big variety of Windows OS versions (including Windows 7, 8, 10, and 11), the app is great for laptop users. Another useful feature for laptops is the webcam capture. If you’re interested, you can check out the free trial version.

Key features:

  • Recording websites and online videos

  • Annotating video recordings

  • Auto-splitting of long recordings

Pros:

  • Recording desktop and webcam

  • Capturing TV, DVD, and VCD

  • Saving gameplay

Cons:

  • Few output video formats

  • The interface may look dated

Open-source video recorders for laptop

Media player for quick screen recordings

VLC
Editor’s choice

Fully-featured screen capture tool

Movavi Screen Recorder

Program for gameplay recording & live streaming

OBS

Best for: Professional videographers or gamers looking to live stream and capture videos.

OBS

OBS (Open Broadcaster Studio) is one of the best screen recorders for laptops. It's free, open-source, and also supports live streaming. With its powerful API, it’s packed with features and allows you to capture your entire screen, browser windows, still images, webcam recordings, and more.

Key features:

  • Modular ‘Dock’ UI

  • Unlimited number of scenes

  • Intuitive audio mixer

  • Wide array of settings and configurations

  • Studio Mode to preview scenes

Pros:

  • Available for Windows, Mac, and Linux

  • Free

  • Modular ‘Dock’ UI that’s easy to set up to suit your needs

Cons:

  • There’s a steep learning curve as it’s designed for professionals

  • It can frequently crash on lower-spec machines

Best for: Anybody looking for a free laptop screen recorder that’s simple to use to create AVI videos.

CamStudio

CamStudio is a free, open-source laptop screen video recorder. You can record all or part of your screen as well as audio, but videos can only be saved in AVI format. There’s a handy built-in help file if you get stuck using the software.

Key features:

  • Add high-quality, anti-aliased screen captions

  • Video Annotation feature

  • Record all or part of the screen

  • Lossless Codec for crystal clear results

  • Reduce or increase video quality

Pros:

  • Free to use

  • Lets you add captions to recorded videos

Cons:

  • Can only save videos in AVI format

  • The installer may install unwanted programs on your computer

  • Windows only

Best for: Those already using VLC as their media player, or anybody looking for a quick and easy solution for screen recording.

VLC

  • OS:

    Windows, Linux, Mac OS X, Unix, iOS, Android

  • G2 rating:

    4.5 of 5 stars, 517 reviews

VLC is one of the most popular media players around, but it can also be used as a laptop screen video recorder. If you already use VLC as your media player, it’s easy to set it up to record your screen, but it doesn’t have any advanced features.

Key features:

  • Free download

  • Choose desired frame rate

  • Includes VLC Media Player

  • Save files in MP4 format

  • Easy setup

Pros:

  • Easy to set up

  • Choice of desired frame rate

  • Great if you already use VLC for playing media

Cons:

  • Only saves files in MP4 format

Online laptop screen recorders for free

Secure online tool for quick screen recordings

Screen Capture
Editor’s choice

Fully-featured screen capture tool

Movavi Screen Recorder

Online screen recording tool with editing functionality

Apowersoft Free Online Screen Recorder

Best for: Anybody looking for a free online solution to record meetings or training sessions.

Screen Capture

  • OS:

    Supports Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, and Opera browsers

  • Trustpilot rating:

    4.7 out of 5 stars, 467 reviews

If you’re wondering how to record a laptop screen with audio, Screencapture is the free online solution you need. There’s no software to download, and you can save your videos in HD quality – you can also record your webcam.

Key features:

  • Fast video saving in HD

  • Screen and/or webcam recording

  • Record voice and/or computer system sounds

  • High privacy

Pros:

  • Free, and no software to download

  • Record voice and computer system sounds

  • Option to add or remove a watermark

Cons:

  • Watermarks in the trial version

Best for: Anyone looking for a free, fully-featured screen recording tool that allows you to edit, annotate, and share recordings easily.

Apowersoft Free Online Screen Recorder

Apowersoft Free Online Screen Recorder is a free online tool that’s easy to use. You’ll need to install the browser extension, but then you can start to capture your screen in a few clicks. You can also record webcam and audio and annotate your videos in real-time.

Key features:

  • Real-time annotation
  • Flexible one-click recording
  • Wide range of output formats
  • Insert webcam in recording
  • Easy online uploading to YouTube and other sites

Pros:

  • No time limits

  • Real-time editing and annotation

  • Easy to share to YouTube or other sites

  • Handy user guide to help you get started

Cons:

  • Requires browser plugin

  • Not suitable for recording games

Best for: Educators and professionals creating how-to videos, lessons, and presentations.

Panopto Express

  • OS:

    Works in most browsers

  • G2 rating:

    4 out of 5 stars, 84 reviews

Panopto Express is a free online screen recorder that makes it easy to record anything on your computer screen. There are no recording limits, and you can easily share your recordings through Panopto, Google Classroom, or YouTube.

Key features:

  • Simple one-click recording

  • Choice of recording quality options

  • Add backgrounds to recording

  • Picture in picture or tile layout

  • Record audio only

Pros:

  • No software to download or install

  • No recording limits

  • Record webcam using SmartCam technology

  • Capture multiple sources simultaneously

Cons:

  • Can be a bit clunky to use

  • UI is very basic

  • Can only download recordings in MP4 format

How to screen record on a laptop

If you’re wondering how to screen record on a laptop using Movavi Screen Recorder, here are the steps you need to follow:

Step 1. Download and install the software

Download the software. Then double-click the file to install it on your computer.

Step 2. Launch the software

Open Movavi Screen Recorder by double-clicking the icon in your Start Menu or on your desktop.

Step 3. Set up recording parameters

Adjust your recording settings to suit and set up the screen capture area by clicking the Video Camera icon in the right-hand menu and following the on-screen prompts.

Step 4. Capture audio and video

Hit the red REC button to start recording audio and video. Tap the Stop button in the bottom right or hit F10 to stop recording.

Step 5. Edit

Simple editing tools make it easy to edit your recording.

Step 6. Save your recording

Your file will automatically be saved to Videos > Movavi, but you can change this in the settings.

How to choose a screen recorder for your laptop?

So what is the best app for you? Here are some important things to consider when choosing the best screen recorder for a laptop with audio:

Compatibility: Don’t forget to check that the laptop screen recording software you’re planning to use is compatible with your OS (or if you’re using an online recorder, that it works in your browser).

Supported formats: Look for recorders that support a wide variety of output formats. Some free software may only support very specific formats that may not meet your needs.

Usability: Always check to ensure the software you choose suits your experience level. It can be tempting to opt for feature-packed apps aimed at professionals, but if you’re new to screen recording software then this could be complicated.

Free trial: Wherever possible, try to choose software that offers a free trial or a free version before purchasing, so you can ensure it’s right for your needs.

User reviews: We’d always recommend checking out user reviews and rating for any software before purchase. This will allow you to see whether other users are enjoying using the software, and will also fill you in on any issues or problems you might expect to experience.

Support: Finally, always check to see what support is available in case you run into any problems – for example online, email, or live chat support.

Program

Best for

Download

Those looking for a feature-packed program with a free version

Gamers and videographers looking to record and stream videos

Recording training sessions or meetings in the workplace

Show more

15 best laptop screen recorders

  1. Movavi Screen Recorder – for those looking for a feature-packed program with a free version.
  2. OBS – for gamers and videographers looking to record and stream videos.
  3. Screen Capture – for recording training sessions or meetings in the workplace.
  4. Windows Game Bar – for Windows 10 users and gamers who don’t want to download any additional software.
  5. Bandicam – for those looking for free software to record short (under 10 minutes) videos.
  6. AceThinker Screen Grabber Pro – for those looking for easy to use, free software that makes sharing videos online a breeze.
  7. Icecream Screen Recorder – for individual or small business use.
  8. DVDVideoSoft Free Screen Video Recorder – for Windows users looking for an easy-to-use recording solution.
  9. Action! – Screen and Game Recorder – for beginner gamers streaming from their laptops.
  10. Aiseesoft Screen Recorder – for those looking for an all-in-one screen recording tool.
  11. Recordzilla – for making shortcuts and auto splitting of long videos.
  12. CamStudio – for beginners or those looking for simple-to-use recording software to create AVI videos.
  13. VLC – for anybody looking for a very basic screen recording solution, or those already using VLC as a media player.
  14. Apowersoft Free Online Screen Recorder – for those looking for a feature-packed tool that makes annotating, editing, and sharing recordings easy.
  15. Panopto Express – for educators creating online lessons, how-to videos, and presentations.

Summary

Hopefully, this article has helped you consider what to look for in a video recorder for a laptop. Now you have several great options to consider. Check out the free versions and see what works best for you.

Paula Beaton

Paula is a seasoned content creator, copywriter, and editor, with more than 8 years of experience writing for tech and travel brands such as Thomas Cook, Skyscanner, Eltima Software, and DigitalTrends.com, as well as many others. She studied fiction editing with Liminal Pages in 2016 and launched her fiction editing business the same year, working with publishers in the UK and US and authors from around the world across a range of genres, from sci-fi and fantasy to thrillers and crime fiction. Today she writes regularly for DigitalTrends.com and Skyscanner's blog. She's also passionate about film photography and enjoys gaming.

Get to know all the authors

Movavi Screen Recorder

The perfect way to record anything from your screen

Disclaimer: Please be aware that Movavi Screen Recorder does not allow capture of copy-protected video and audio streams.

Frequently asked questions

How do you record your laptop screen?

One of the easiest ways to record your laptop screen is to use Movavi Screen Recorder. Follow these steps to record your screen:

  1. Download and install the program.
  2. Open Movavi Screen Recorder and set up recording parameters: the screen capture area, webcam, system audio, and microphone.
  3. Hit REC to start recording.
  4. Tap the Stop button to finish recording.
  5. Export your recording in the format of your choice.

What are the best laptop screen recorders?

There are plenty of great, easy-to-use laptop screen recorders out there packed with features, but here are some of the best screen recorders for laptops, in no specific order.

  • Fully-featured program with editing options: Movavi Screen Recorder

  • Windows built-in screen recorder: Game Bar

  • Gameplay recording and streaming: OBS

  • Quick and secure recordings via browser: Screen Capture

  • Recording and editing online: Apowersoft Free Online Screen Recorder

Does Windows 10 have a built-in screen recorder?

Yes, it does. Windows Game Bar comes built into Windows 10 and can be activated by following our step-by-step guide in the first FAQ above. It doesn’t have any advanced features, but it’s a quick and easy way to record your screen if you’re using a Windows laptop.

What is the best lightweight screen recorder?

Wonder which screen recorder is best for low-end computers? Try these:

  • Movavi Screen Recorder

  • Game Bar

  • VLC

What is the best laptop game recorder?

Gamers should definitely check out these apps:

  • OBS

  • Gecata by Movavi

  • Action! – Screen and Game Recorder

Movavi Screen Recorder

The perfect way to record anything from your screen

An easy way to record from your screen in HD. Make video footage of any application, record online streaming video, webinars, even Skype calls, and save clips in all popular formats.

4.6 20,293 reviews
Have questions?

Have questions?

If you can’t find the answer to your question, please feel free to contact our Support Team.

Join for how-to guides, speсial offers, and app tips!