16 Best YouTube Recording Software in 2025

Though there are many YouTube downloaders, they only allow you to download the whole video. In most cases, you only want a specific portion of the video. In this case, a YouTube screen recorder is the ideal option. The key, however, is choosing the best YouTube recorder. So if you’re wondering what software YouTubers use to record their screen, check out our recommended screen recorders.

If paid programs seem expensive, there are great free apps with good features. Here's a list of the best YouTube recorders for free.

OS: Linux, Mac, and Windows.

Price: free.

Best for adding audio effects.

OBS is a free and open-source tool that allows you to record videos on YouTube and other platforms. Among free video capture services, many users consider it one of the best YouTube recording software. It offers intuitive and high-performance screen capturing features accompanied by audio mixing capabilities.

Features

• Capture multiple sources
• Intuitive audio mixer

Pros

• Available on Mac, Windows, and Linux
• Easy to use

Cons

• The layout can be overwhelming for novice users

Our rating: 8/10

Download OBS Studio

OS: Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS.

Price: free.

Best for quick use.

Other than being a popular media player, VLC is also a top screen capture tool. It's open-source software that's free to download.

Features

• Offers full-screen recording
• Includes sharing option

Pros

• It runs on all platforms
• No ads, spyware, and user tracking

Cons

• Limited features

Our rating: 5/10

Download VLC Media Player

OS: Any.

Price: free.

Best for capturing videos in your browser.

Screen Capture is a free online screen recorder you can use for capturing your screen with ease. It works in your browser, so it can run on both Windows and Mac devices with ease, and it doesn't need to be downloaded or installed. It saves videos in HD quality and has strict privacy controls, so all of your recordings will be safe and secure. It also has features to record your mic and webcam, if needed.

Features

• Free to use
• Saves videos in HD quality
• Microphone and webcam capture also available

Pros

• Completely free for all users
• No downloads or installations needed
• Speedy and reliable

Cons

• Watermark is present on your recordings

Our rating: 9/10

Go to Screencapture.com

OS: Windows.

Price: free.

Best for adding visual effects to your video.

Ezvid is a free screen recorder with various effects and features. It lets you record screen and voice, control your video’s speed, and draw on video recordings. The program allows you to record whatever appears on your computer screen – web pages, games, applications, etc.

With Ezvid, you can edit your video and then save it or upload it directly to YouTube.

Features

• Speed control
• Instant slideshow maker
• Free music included
• Drawing on the screen
• Speech synthesis

Pros

• Convenient timeline for editing
• Simple interface
• Many editing tools

Cons

• The recording time is limited to 45 minutes
• Not available for macOS

Our rating: 9/10

Download Ezvid

OS: Android, Chromebook, Windows, Mac, and iOS.

Price: free basic plan, $1.65/month for Deluxe, $4.00/month for Premier.

Best for students and educators.

If you have no prior experience with screen recording tools, Screencast-o-Matic is one of the best YouTube recording software for you. It can be used with a wide range of videos, including gameplay.

Features

• Editing tools
• Host and share contents

Pros

• The intuitive design enhances the user experience

Cons

• Building a content library takes time

Our rating: 7/10

Download Screencast-o-Matic

OS: Any.

Price: free.

Best for recording videos with Google Chrome.

Loom is a free screen recorder extension available for Google Chrome. You can download and install this extension directly to your Chrome browser and then activate it as needed to record videos. It's very easy to use and can also be used for recording other parts of your screen and your webcam, along with both internal audio and external audio from a microphone.

Features

• Record screen, camera, and audio
• Automatically save videos to the cloud or share via link
• Simple editing features to annotate and enhance your recordings

Pros:

• Really easy to use and ideal for beginners
• Handy built-in editor
• Rapid sharing and saving

Cons

• Only available in Chrome

Our rating: 8/10

Get Loom

OS: Windows.

Price: free basic version, $49 for the Pro version.

Best for adding features such as captions.

From recording your screen to making engaging videos, FlashBack has it all. Better yet, it allows you to add commentary and music and enhance your recordings with images, arrows, and captions.

Features

• Webcam capture
• Editing tools
• Add music and commentary

Pros

• Wide range of features
• No watermarks

Cons

• Only available to Windows users

Our rating: 9/10

Download FlashBack Express

OS: Windows, Linux.

Price: free.

Best for saving time at work.

ScreenRec is another free screen recorder you can use for capturing your screen. It's primarily aimed at business users, helping people save time at work by quickly capturing and sharing videos and screen recordings with one another. It's very fast and efficient, able to save high-quality recordings in a matter of minutes. It also features instant sharing and strong privacy protection.

Features

• 1-click screen recording
• Can record audio and camera, too
• Instant sharing

Pros

• Ideal for business use
• Beginner-friendly user interface
• Extra features like editing and sharing

Cons

• Not yet available on Mac

Our rating: 8/10

Download ScreenRec

OS: Windows.

Price: free.

Best for taking screenshots.

As the name suggests, ShareX is a screen capture tool that allows easy sharing to other platforms. It's a lightweight open-source tool that also has editing features.

Features

• Customizable workflows
• Annotation tools
• Over 80 destinations to share with

Pros

• Lots of sharing options
• Wide range of features

Cons

• The interface is not appealing

Our rating: 8/10

Download ShareX

OS: Mac and Windows 10.

Price: free.

Best for basic screen-capturing needs.

Developed by Apple as the official media player for macOS, QuickTime can also serve as a screen capture tool. Though it has not been designed primarily for this function, it offers reliable functions. You can record the entire screen or a specific portion as well as games. The process is easy to follow, making the tool convenient for all users.

Features

• Record an entire screen or a part of the screen
• Include the pointer or clicks in the screen recording

Pros

• Easy to use
• You can add audio to the videos

Cons

• Limited features

Our rating: 6/10

Download QuickTime Player

If you're not sure which video recording software for YouTube to pick, here are some factors to keep in mind.

• Ease-of-use: Try to find an app or tool that is easy for you to use and matches your technical ability level.
• Features: Some recording apps are quite basic, but others can come with a wide range of features, such as audio recording, webcam recording, and editor tools. Find one with all the features you need.
• Price: Some recorders are free, while others may have one-off or recurring payments. Try to find a tool that fits your budget and gives you all you need at the best price.
• User reviews: Check out user reviews of different apps and software to find out which one is best. User reviews can help you find out more about apps and discover if they have any bugs or other issues.
• Support: Check to see if the app you want to use has good user support and tutorials to help you get started and solve problems if anything goes wrong.

We hope that this guide has given you some great options. There are a decent amount of options when it comes to screen recording, each with its own advantages and features. If you’re struggling with the choice of a program, try out Movavi Screen Recorder.