Key takeaways
- OBS Studio is the best truly free screen recorder: unlimited length, no watermark, full audio control.
- Built-in tools (Xbox Game Bar on Windows, Screenshot toolbar on Mac) cover quick clips with zero installs.
- Loom is great for sharing, but its free plan caps video length — check the current limit before recording a long tutorial.
The best free screen recorders with no watermark are OBS Studio for unlimited recording on any desktop OS, ShareX for lightweight Windows captures, Loom for instant shareable links, and the recorders built into Windows, macOS, and ChromeOS for quick jobs. Below: what each captures (including system audio), where the time limits hide, and which labels — "free with no catch" versus "free trial in disguise" — each tool has earned.
Quick comparison
| Recorder | OS | Time limit | System audio | Editing | Watermark? | Label |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OBS Studio | Win / Mac / Linux | None | Yes, full mixer | No (pair with an editor) | No | Free, no catch |
| ShareX | Windows | None | Yes (via FFmpeg) | Basic annotations | No | Free, no catch |
| Xbox Game Bar | Windows 10/11 | Generous (app-window only) | Yes | No | No | Built-in |
| macOS Screenshot toolbar | Mac | None | Microphone only (system audio needs extra tools) | Trim only | No | Built-in |
| Loom | Browser + desktop | Capped on free plan (see official site) | Yes | Trim, transcript | No | Freemium |
| Screenity / browser extensions | Chrome, Edge | None | Tab audio | Basic | No | Free |
The free-with-no-catch picks
OBS Studio — unlimited everything
OBS Studio is open source, free forever, and used by professional streamers. It records any window, full screen, or multi-source scene with a full audio mixer (system sound plus microphone on separate tracks), at whatever resolution and frame rate your machine can handle. There is no time limit, no watermark, and no account. The trade-offs: no built-in editor, and the interface takes an hour to learn. Pair recordings with a free video editor to trim and annotate.
ShareX — the Windows power tool
ShareX is a free, open-source Windows utility that does screenshots, GIF capture, and screen recording (via bundled FFmpeg). It's lighter than OBS and great for short how-to clips and bug reports. No watermark, no limits — but it's Windows-only and its settings are dense.
Built-in recorders — already on your machine
On Windows, press Win+G for Xbox Game Bar: it records any single app window with system audio, no install needed — but it won't record the desktop or File Explorer. On a Mac, Shift+Cmd+5 opens the Screenshot toolbar for full-screen or region recording with microphone audio; capturing internal system audio requires extra tools like virtual audio drivers. ChromeOS has a built-in screen recorder in the Quick Settings panel. For a two-minute clip, these are the fastest options that exist.
Freemium options: fine within limits
Loom — best for instant sharing
Loom records screen plus webcam bubble and generates a shareable link the moment you stop — ideal for async updates to colleagues. The free plan historically caps you at 25 videos of up to 5 minutes each, which fills up fast. Check the current limits on Loom's pricing page; heavy users will need a paid plan or OBS.
Browser extensions (Screenity and similar)
Chrome extensions like Screenity record tabs or full screen with tab audio, free and unlimited, storing files locally. They're convenient for quick captures but depend on the browser staying open and can't record other applications.
How to choose
Use OBS or ShareX if you…
- Record tutorials, courses, or gameplay longer than 5 minutes
- Need system audio and microphone on separate tracks
- Want files stored locally, not in someone's cloud
- Record often enough to learn a real tool
Use Loom or built-ins if you…
- Send quick feedback or updates to coworkers
- Need a shareable link more than a video file
- Record occasionally, in short bursts
- Can't install software on a work machine
After recording, compress or convert large files with free file converters, or cut the footage in one of the free video editors without watermarks. More no-cost software lives in free tools and our productivity section.
Official resources
- OBS Studio — official website
- ShareX — official website
- Loom — official website
- Microsoft Support — Xbox Game Bar recording help
- Apple Support — Mac screen recording help
Related MFA Tools articles
- Best free video editors without watermark
- Best free file converter tools online
- The best free tools across every category
- Productivity tools and guides
Frequently asked questions
What is the best free screen recorder with no time limit or watermark?
OBS Studio. It is free and open source, records for as long as your disk allows, captures system audio and microphone on separate tracks, and never adds a watermark. On Windows, ShareX is a lighter open-source alternative; both store files locally with no account required.
Can I record my screen for free without installing software?
Yes. Windows has Xbox Game Bar (Win+G) for recording any single app window, macOS has the Screenshot toolbar (Shift+Cmd+5), and ChromeOS has a built-in recorder in Quick Settings. Browser extensions like Screenity also record without a traditional install. None of these add watermarks.
How do I record screen with system audio for free?
On Windows, OBS Studio and Xbox Game Bar capture system audio natively. On a Mac, the built-in recorder captures microphone audio only — recording internal sound requires a virtual audio driver such as BlackHole. Browser extensions can capture tab audio when recording a browser tab.
Is Loom really free?
Loom has a genuine free plan, but it limits how many videos you can keep and how long they can be — historically 25 videos of up to 5 minutes. There is no watermark. If you record frequently or need long videos, OBS Studio is the better free option; check Loom's pricing page for current limits.
Are free screen recorder downloads safe?
The reputable ones are — OBS Studio, ShareX, and Loom downloaded from their official sites are safe. The risk is lookalike download portals bundling adware with popular free tools. Always download from the official project website linked on this page, never from ads or third-party 'download' aggregators.