If you’re using Windows 11 and looking for a free way to record your screen—whether for gaming, tutorials, work presentations, or school—you’re in luck. Windows 11 supports several screen recording tools that are free, easy to use, and highly capable. In this guide, we’ve rounded up the top 5 free screen recorders for Windows 11 in 2025, including both built-in options and third-party apps.

Feature Comparison Table

	Ease of Use	Audio Recording	Primary Use Case	Editing Capabilities
Xbox Game Bar	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Easy)	System + Mic	Quick app/game capture	None
Snipping Tool	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Easy)	None	Area-based screen recording	None
Bandicam	⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Easy)	System + Mic	Creating tutorials/ gameplay capture	Requires separate editor (Bandicut)
OBS Studio	⭐⭐ (Complex)	System + Mic	Live streaming	None
Camtasia	⭐⭐⭐ (Moderate)	System + Mic	Recording + full video editing	Built-in

1. Xbox Game Bar: The Instant Built-in Recorder

The Xbox Game Bar is the fastest and most convenient way to record an application or game on Windows 11. Because it’s built directly into the OS, there’s no download required. Just use a simple shortcut, and you’re recording instantly.

Best for: Instantly recording a single application window or capturing gaming highlights without any setup.

Pros:

• Pre-installed and 100% free with no watermarks.
• Incredibly simple to use with the Win + Alt + R shortcut.
• Xbox social features – chat with friends, check achievements, join parties

Cons:

• Cannot record the full desktop or File Explorer—it must be attached to an active application.
• Users can’t choose a custom area to record; it captures the whole app window only.
• Very few settings to customize.

2. Snipping Tool: The Master of Simplicity

The classic Snipping Tool has been upgraded for Windows 11, and it’s now the undisputed champion of simple area recording. If you need to capture a specific part of your screen and don’t need fancy features, this is the perfect tool for the job.

Best for: Recording a specific rectangular area of your screen for a quick tutorial, bug report, or demonstration.

Pros:

• Built directly into Windows 11.
• The absolute easiest way to select and record a custom area.
• Clean, minimalist, and easy to understand.

Cons:

• Extremely basic; no webcam overlay or advanced audio controls.
• No control over video quality or format.

3. Bandicam: The High-Performance All-Rounder

Bandicam Screen Recorder is a fan-favorite that perfectly balances high performance with a user-friendly interface. While famous for being incredibly lightweight—making it ideal for recording high-FPS games—it is also an excellent tool for creating educational content. It’s packed with features that allow you to create engaging and informative tutorials or lectures with ease.

Best for: Gamers, educators, and tutorial creators who need a high-performance recorder with real-time creative tools.

Pros:

• Intuitive interface that is very easy to learn.
• Includes a blur feature to easily hide sensitive information like passwords or personal details.
• Real-time drawing tools to highlight, underline, or draw on the screen while recording.
• Supports webcam overlay, allowing you to show your face as you present.
• Flexible recording modes (full screen, rectangle, webcam, game mode).

Cons:

• The free version places a Bandicam.com watermark at the top of every video.

4. OBS Studio: The Professional Free Tool

When you need maximum power without paying anything, OBS (Open Broadcaster Software) Studio is in a class of its own. It’s a completely free, open-source application trusted by professional streamers and content creators worldwide. It can do virtually anything you need, as long as you’re willing to learn how to use it.

Best for: Serious content creators, live streamers, and anyone who wants total control over their recording.

Pros:

• 100% free, with no watermarks, time limits, or feature restrictions.
• Professional-grade features like scene mixing, audio filters, and transitions.
• Can live stream directly to YouTube, Twitch, and more.

Cons:

• Has a significant learning curve for beginners.
• The sheer number of options can be overwhelming.

5. Camtasia: The All-in-One Recording & Editing Suite

Camtasia is more than just a screen recorder—it’s a complete video creation suite. It seamlessly combines a high-quality screen recorder with a powerful, user-friendly video editor. This makes it the top choice for creating polished, professional-looking tutorials, training videos, and presentations.

Best for: Educators, corporate trainers, and content creators who need to edit their recordings extensively.

Pros:

• Industry-leading combination of recorder and editor.
• Comes with a library of templates, effects, and callouts.
• Incredibly easy to edit recordings into professional videos.
• Excellent customer support and tutorials.

Cons:

• It is a premium product with a significant price tag.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Conclusion

Choosing the right screen recorder for Windows 11 depends on your specific needs—speed, simplicity, recording quality, or editing features. Whether you’re capturing gameplay, creating tutorials, or recording work presentations, there’s a tool on this list that fits the job. Explore a few options, test them out, and see which one works best for your workflow. The best screen recorder is the one that helps you get the job done—efficiently, clearly, and without hassle.