Best Free Screen Recording Software for YouTube & Gaming (2025) | SoftGlide

Screen recording is essential for YouTubers, gamers, and content creators looking to share high-quality videos. Whether you need to record gameplay, tutorials, or presentations, the right screen recorder makes a big difference. Here’s a list of the best free screen recording software for YouTube & gaming in 2025 with download links, features, installation guides, and pros & cons.

OBS Studio 30.0 (Download Here)

Features:

• High-quality screen recording and live streaming.
• No time limits or watermarks.
• Customizable settings for resolution, FPS, and bitrate.
• Supports multiple sources (screen, webcam, microphone, and game capture).
• Available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Installation Guide:

1. Download OBS Studio from the official website.
2. Run the installer and follow the setup instructions.
3. Configure your recording settings based on your needs.
4. Start recording or live streaming with the “Start Recording” button.

Pros & Cons:

Pros:

• Completely free and open-source.
• Advanced customization options.
• No recording limitations.

Cons:

• Learning curve for beginners.
• Requires manual configuration for optimal settings.

ShareX 15.0 (Download Here)

Features:

• Lightweight screen recorder with high-quality output.
• Supports full-screen, windowed, and region-specific recordings.
• Built-in GIF maker and image capture tools.
• No watermarks or time limits.
• Available for Windows.

Installation Guide:

1. Download ShareX from the official website.
2. Install the software and launch it.
3. Select the screen recording option.
4. Customize the recording area and start recording.

Pros & Cons:

Pros:

• Free and open-source.
• Supports multiple file formats.
• Excellent for quick screen captures.

Cons:

• No built-in video editing features.
• Limited audio recording options.

Xbox Game Bar (Built-in for Windows 10 & 11)

Features:

• Built-in screen recorder for Windows users.
• Optimized for gaming with no FPS drop.
• Simple one-click recording.
• No installation required.

Installation Guide:

1. Press Win + G to open the Xbox Game Bar.
2. Click on the record button or press Win + Alt + R.
3. Stop the recording and find your saved videos in the Captures folder.

Pros & Cons:

Pros:

• No extra software needed.
• Optimized for game recording.
• Minimal impact on system performance.

Cons:

• Limited to Windows users.
• Lacks advanced editing features.

Flashback Express 6.0 (Download Here)

Features:

• High-quality screen recording with no watermarks.
• Scheduled recording feature.
• Supports webcam and audio recording.
• Available for Windows.

Installation Guide:

1. Download Flashback Express from the official website.
2. Install and launch the program.
3. Select your recording preferences and start capturing.
4. Save and export your video in different formats.

Pros & Cons:

Pros:

• Easy to use for beginners.
• No recording limits.
• Good balance between performance and quality.

Cons:

• Free version lacks editing tools.
• Limited export options.

Bandicam Free 7.0 (Download Here)

Features:

• Optimized for high-performance game recording.
• Supports 4K UHD video recording.
• Hardware-accelerated encoding for better performance.
• Available for Windows.

Installation Guide:

1. Download Bandicam from the official website.
2. Install the software and open it.
3. Choose “Screen Recording” or “Game Recording” mode.
4. Start recording and save your videos in multiple formats.

Pros & Cons:

Pros:

• Lightweight and efficient.
• High-quality recording with minimal lag.
• Easy to configure.

Cons:

• Free version has a watermark.
• Recording limit of 10 minutes per video in the free version.

Conclusion

If you're looking for the best free screen recording software for YouTube and gaming in 2025, OBS Studio is the most powerful and versatile choice. For lightweight and easy-to-use options, ShareX and Flashback Express are excellent picks. If you're a gamer using Windows, Xbox Game Bar and Bandicam provide optimized solutions.

Choose the best tool based on your needs and start recording high-quality content today!