Is there any method to record on-screen activities with some free screen recorders?
When you want to make some video tutorial, download your favorite movies, or just want to record what is happening on the desktop, you may need a screen recorder to help you finish these jobs.
Due to the increasing need, screen recorder is appearing more and more frequently in our views. When you have such a need, which screen recorder you may choose to use? Most users like free screen recorder, for they are easy and free to use.
ELecta Live Free Screen Recorder. ELecta Live Free Screen Recorder is a free shareware screen recorder which is designed by Electa Communications Ltd. It offers different versions for you to free capture screen with audio on Windows PC, Mac, iOS and Android devices. ScreenRec is a free screen recorder with no watermark that lets you to capture your desktop in one click and share instantly. Get started in 60 seconds. Record computer audio. Record your voice. Record your webcam. No watermarks or time limits. Lightweight screen recorder (no lag) Cloud Recording technology. Get ScreenRec For Windows.
This article comes with 6 best free screen recorder for you, so that you can pick up the most suitable tool for yourself.
Part 1: 3 Best Desktop Free Screen Recorder
Top 1. VLC Media Player
Key features:
- Helps you capture video clips of your entire desktop.
- Allows you to save the recording files wherever you want.
- Lets you to add external audio to your screen recording.
- You can also capture and record video from the webcam on your computer.
How to use VLC Media Player to record screen:
Step 1. Download the setup file from VLC official website and then install it. After that, launch VLC Media Player on your computer.
Step 2. Click Media button which is on the top tool bar, and then click on Convert/Save option from Media menu.
Step 3. Now switch to the Capture Device tab. Under the Capture mode section, select Capture mode as Desktop. Then choose the frame rate as you want.
Step 4. Just click on Convert/Save button to open Convert dialog. Here you need to click on Browser button to choose the destination where to save the recording files.
Step 5. All things are done. Just click on Start to begin recording screen with this free screen recorder.
When you want to finish the recording, click the Stop button and save the file.
Top 2. OBS Studio
OBS is the short of Open Broadcaster Software, so you can know it is an open source software. Besides, OBS Studio is also one of the best free screen recorder for Windows 10, as well as Windows 7 and Windows 8.1.
It is a free screen recorder for Mac now. If you are familiar with different kinds of screen recorders, you should know OBS Studio has taken place of the defunct OBS Classic screen recorder, and became one of the most popular screen recorders.
Key features:
- Allows you to record everything on your desktop, including apps, games, webcam and more.
- Lets you add various images and text during the recording process using the Studio mode.
- Offers various scene transition options to make your screen recording much more perfect.
- Although it is not very easy to master and use this free screen recorder, it still provides a professional way to help you record what you want.
How to use OBS Studio to record screen:
Step 1. Download OBS Studio from https://obsproject.com/download, and then install it according the instructions for your OS.
Step 2. Launch OBS, and you can see there is already a scene added in by default. And you need to click the + button at the bottom of the panel labeled Sources. Then select Display Capture.
Step 3. When a new window pops up, click OK button. Click on OK on the next popup as well. Then click the Settings button at the bottom right the interface.
Step 4. Now you need to choose the Output tab and take note of the Recording Path, where you can choose the destination to save the recording files.
Step 5. When you are ready to start recording, just click on Start Recording button, which is at the bottom right. Click on Stop Recording when you are done. You can find the video in the destination folder you set.
Top 3. FlashBack Express
If you think OBS Studio feel a bit techy, the FlashBack Express might be the best free screen recorder you want. It comes with a simply interface and usage, if you are the first time to use this software, you still can master it quickly.
Key features:
- There is no limit on video recording or a watermark. (Remove watermark from video)
- Allows you to record audio from desktop screen and webcam while recording videos.
- Enables you to configure this free screen recorder to start and stop recording at a specified time.
- Offers the functions of synchronizing audio, crop video clip, take screenshots and more.
How to use FlashBack Express to record screen:
Step 1. Download FlashBack Express on your computer and then finish the installation.
Step 2. Click on Record your screen and then you can select customizable settings. Here you can choose whether to record your entire screen, a specific window, a custom area and more. You can also specify whether the recording should include sound or not.
Step 3. When you have done these settings, you are able to click on the red button to begin recording your screen. When it is finished, you can save it and make some small adjustments.
Part 2: 2 Free Online Screen Recorder
Top 1. Apowersoft Free Online Screen Recorder
For those who don't want to download some third-party screen recorder on computers, it is better to use free online screen recorders. The first free screen recorder online you can't miss is Apowersoft Free Online Screen Recorder. It allows you to record what you want just on webpage directly. Furthermore, it also has desktop version you can download to use.
Key features:
- Records all types of activities on your screen including video stream, self-demonstration, live chat and more.
- Enables you to record any screen activities within a click of a button.
- Allows you to record as many as you want and as long as you desire, for there is no limitation.
- Lets you record what you want without troublesome watermark.
- Helps you to export videos to MP4, WMV, AVI, FLV, MPEG, VOB, ASF and GIF.
How to use Apowersoft Free Online Screen Recorder to record screen online
Step 1. Visit https://www.apowersoft.com/free-online-screen-recorder with your browser. Then click on Start Recording to launch Apowersoft Free Online Screen Recorder. (If you are the first time to use it, you need to download a simple launcher.)
Step 2. When you see the window pops up, preset the options as you like, and then you need to choose the record input based on your needs.
Step 3. After you have done all settings, you are able to click on Rec button to start recording. And the recorder will begin after three seconds.
Step 4. When it is finished, just click on Pause to stop it. It will automatically play the recorded file and you can trim the video as you want.
Top 2. Apeaksoft Free Online Screen Recorder
Another online, free screen recorder strongly recommended to you is called Apeaksoft Free Online Screen Recorder. With this free and easy-to-use screen recorder, you can capture any area of your screen with the option add narration from your microphone, or video from your webcam.
Key features:
- Record streaming videos, capture gameplay, presentation and e-Learning courses.
- Select system sound or microphone voice, or select both audio sources for recording.
- It provides a picture-in-picture screen recording while enabling webcam option.
- Users can select to choose full screen, fixed region, or a free-hand rectangle area.
How to use Free Online Screen Recorder to record screen:
Step 1. Go to the official website of Apeaksoft Free Online Screen Recorder.
Step 2. Click Start Recording button, and follow the on-screen instruction to download and launch the launcher.
Step 3. Click the computer icon to select the recording area. If you want to record with webcam, you can enable it by clicking webcam icon (in dark red status).

Step 4. Then click the Horn icon or Microphone icon to choose to record audio from System sound or Microphone.
Step 5. Now you are able to click the REC button to start recording your computer screen. After recording, you can click the stop button to save the recorded file.
Part 3: The Most Professional Screen Recorder
Apart from these best free screen recorders, we also want to recommend another one free screen recorder for you. This recorder called Apeaksoft Screen Recorder, is one of the most professional recording software downloaded and used by a large amount of users.
You can use this comprehensive software to record your screen and audio.
You can also capture your computer's screen as well.
You can know more key features and the detailed usage in what follows.
Key features:
- Compatible with popular Windows and Mac computer.
- Helps you easily get online movies and radio, record games, make video tutorials, capture webcam videos, take screenshot, etc.
- Allows you add some drawings, annotate your recording with a text box, arrow, highlight and more.
- Enables you to make the settings you prefer in advance.
- Supports you set recording area with full screen or customized screen size based on your needs.
- Record smoothly and in high quality.
Before recording your screen or audio, or capture your computer's screen, you need to download Apeaksoft Screen Recorder on your computer firstly.
Here two different versions are for you to download, including Windows version and Mac version. You need to choose the suitable version based on your computer's platform and download it. After that, finish the installation.
How to record screen with best free screen recorder alternative
Step 1. Choose Video Recorder
Launch Apeaksoft Screen Recorder, and then you can see its main interface. Here you need to select Video Recorder to enter in video recording mode.
Step 2. Make recording settings
Now you need to adjust the recording area according the screen you want record.
You can record on-screen activities with full screen, custom region or preset region.
In addition, it allows you to record any window you want without any other task disturbing. After that, you need to make audio settings. It supports choose one of System Sound or Microphone, or both of them.
Step 3. Begin recording screen
After setting the recording area and audio, you are able to click on REC button and begin to record your screen. During the recording process, you are able to make drawing or add annotations based on your needs.
Once the recording has done, you can preview the video and then save it. You are also allowed to share it on different kinds of social websites.
How to record audio with best free screen recorder alternative
Step 1. Choose Audio Recorder
To record audio with this professional screen recorder, you need to choose Audio Recorder from the main interface firstly.
Step 2. Make audio settings
Now you need to do some audio settings to make your recording more perfect. For recording online audio, music or radios, you need to turn on System audio while turn off Microphone. Otherwise, you need to turn on Microphone to record someone's voice.
Step 3. Begin audio recording
You can also adjust the volume as you like. When you finish the settings adjustment, you are able to begin your audio recording. Once it is finished, you are able to preview it. After saving it on your computer, you can share it on Facebook, Google+, etc.

How to capture screen with best free screen recorder alternative
Step 1. Choose Snapshot
If you just want to capture your screen and do some editing, you can click on Snapshot option, and then you are able to capture whatever you want to snapshot on the computer.
Step 2. Edit capture
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Currently, you can add some drawing or annotate the capture with the lines, arrows, step tools, text and more. Don't forget to save it on your computer.
Conclusion
It is not so difficult to find a great free screen recorder. As we mentioned above, there are 5 free screen recorder recommended to you. Some of them are free screen recorders for Windows, while others are free screen recorder for Mac. All of them are best free screen recorders that provides a professional yet easy way. We also recommend a paid way for you. The software called Apeaksoft Screen Recorder is one of the most professional screen recorder which can be your best helper. Hope you can gain what you want from this article.
There are many particular purposes to record screen on a computer or mobile phone, like make a video tutorial for an online course; record gameplay for sharing on Twitch; record streaming movies for offline playback, etc.
No matter why you want to record screen activities, you will need the screen recorder.
You do not need to rack your brains to find the best screen recorder, and there are hidden screen recorders on your computer and mobile phone.
That's what we shall uncover in this post, top 5 secret screen recorder on PC, Mac, iPhone, and Android.
Continue reading and know what and how to use the hidden screen recording software.
1. Secret Screen Recorder for PC/Mac – Screen Recorder
Screen Recorder is not the built-in screen recorder on Windows or Mac computer, but it is the real hidden screen recorder on a desktop computer. It can hide the whole recording process in the toolbars without checking. Moreover, its timer recording feature can start a screen recording task automatically even if you are not sitting in front of the computer.
- • Record any activities on PC and Mac in the background.
- • Timer recording tasks can start a screen recording automatically without any person knowing.
- • Real-time editing while recording like draw a shape, add text, take screenshots, etc.
- • Various recording modes to keep or exclude window recording.
- • Record screen with audio or sound from microphone and computer system.
- • Compatible with Windows 10/8/7 and macOS Monterey and before.
The steps of recording the computer screen are pretty easy.
Select Video Recorder
Free download this software from the above download link, and run it immediately after the successful installation.
Initiate the window, select Video Recorder.
Make recording settings
Here, you should make the recording settings for audio, screen region, output, hotkeys, and more.
Click Full or Custom to choose the customized recording region or full-screen.
Toggle on System Sound or/and Microphone to record both or either audio.
Choose Preferences from the menu settings (three-dot) in the toolbar to adjust the output format, hotkeys, and others for screen recording.
Record and edit screen recording
While all the settings are well, click REC button to start recording. You are allowed to pause the recording in the floating bar.
From the floating bar, it lets you edit the recording in real-time, like add the caption, draw a shape, take a screenshot, etc.
Preview and save screen recording
The stop button will discontinue reading and you will go to preview the recording file. Click Save to export the video recording on your computer locally.
Besides, you can use the clip feature to cut down the file before exporting.
2. Secret Screen Recorder for Windows 10 - Xbox Game Bar
Xbox Game Bar, originally is the Xbox app Game DVR feature on Windows 10 computer, which can help you record your game activities. Here, it works as the secret screen recorder on Windows computer to capture not only the gameplay, but also the whole actions on your desktop computer. The whole recording can be done easily via hotkeys without any complicated controls. Moreover, you can make simple settings about recording quality, hotkeys, frame rate, etc.
The steps of recording screen on Windows 10 computer via Xbox Game Bar are below.
Enable Xbox Game Bar recording settings on Windows 10
Go to Settings on computer, click the Gaming icon, then click the Game bar tab on the left side, and turn on Record game clips, screenshots, and broadcast using Game bar.
Make screen recording settings
Under Keyboard shortcuts, you are allowed to adjust the parameters for the recording hotkey for taking screenshots, recording, opening Game Bar, starting/stopping recording, etc.
If you want to record screen secretly in the background, just switch to the Capture tab on the left side, then toggle on Record in the background while I'm playing a game.
Record Windows screen via Game Bar
Press Windows + G to open Xbox Game Bar and then click the red record button. A timer will display at the top-right corner while it's recording.
Click the stop button to finish the recording, and the recording file will be saved in your user account's VideosCaptures folder.
Note: This way is only available on Windows 10 users, and the time length of game recording is up to 4 hours and 30 minutes for recording in the background.
For finding more game recorders, you can jump in here.
3. Secret Screen Recorder for Mac – QuickTime
QuickTime is to the official media player what Windows Media Player to Windows computer. Here, QuickTime can work as the hidden screen recorder. It can capture the screen and audio on Mac with the quick controls. Not only recording the Mac desktop screen, but it can also let you record the built-in or external camera to create a movie recording.
Now, let's check how to use the secret screen recorder on Mac.
Run QuickTime on Mac.
Choose File and click New Movie Recording, New Screen Recording or New Audio Recording.
You can click Options pop-up menu to adjust the recording settings for Camera, Microphone, and Quality.
Click the Record button to start recording Mac screen. Click the stop button to stop recording.
Choose File and select Save to save and export the recording.
After that, you can use the QuickTime Player to play the recording file directly.
4. Secret Screen Recorder for iPhone/iPad – iOS Screen Recording
In iOS 11 or later, and iPadOS, Apple has added the secret screen recorder into iPhone and iPad. Screen Recording is the hidden screen recorder on iOS device, which can record the whole actions on your iPhone. Everything on your screen, including the notifications, will be recorded. While you enable the microphone option, it will record your voice in the screen recording.
Now, let's check how the hidden screen recorder works on your iPhone or iPad.
Add Screen Recording into Control Centre
Go to Settings app on iPhone, hit Control Center to select Customize Controls, then tap the plus icon next to Screen Recording.
Find Screen Recording
Swipe up from the bottom edge of any screen. Press deeply on the gray record icon and tap Microphone optionally to enable audio recording from microphone.
Note: On iPhone X or later or iPad with iOS 12 or later, or iPadOS, swipe down from the upper-right corner of the screen.
Start recording iPhone screen

Tap Start Recording, and it will start recording after a three-second countdown.
To stop the recording, you just need to tap the record button again from Control Center.
The recording file will go to the Photos app automatically.
iOS Screen Recording is not working on iPhone or iPad? Here are the solutions.
5. Secret Screen Recorder for Android – Screen Recorder
Most Android phones has built-in screen recorder features. Take Samsung Galaxy S9 as an example. Its screen recorder is embedded in the toolbar. Support recording audio from phone and microphone, it can output the video recording high up to 1080p. Besides, the hidden recording will show at the top while recording, so that you can access it quickly. The recording file will be saved into the Gallery folder on your phone.
Swipe down from the quick settings menu.
Tap and hold Screen Recorder and a pop-up screen ask what settings you want to make for sound, video quality, and selfie video size settings.
As for sounds, you can choose record No sound, Media sounds, and Media sounds and mic. Tick the box you need, and click Start recording.
As for video quality, you can choose 480p, 720p, and 1080p.
When it comes to selfie video size, you can adjust the slider to decide it.
While all the settings are made well, just return to the toolbar, and tap Screen Recorder and hit Start recording, then wait for the three-second countdown. While recording, you will see the record icon flickers at the top of your screen.
Again, tap Screen Recorder from the toolbar to stop screen recording. Then it will save the video recording in the Gallery app. Tap Pictures tab at the bottom and you can open the recording file.
FAQs of Secret Screen Recorder
Where is the recording file saved on Mac?
The default location will be under ~/Documents/Autosave Information. However, you can change the recording file location by changing it manually when you save the QuickTime video recording.
Can you screen record someone else's phone call on iPhone?
iOS Screen Recording does not allow you to record phone call. While recording screen, it will stop once you pick up an incoming call.
How do I record a video without being noticed?
Free Screen Capture For Mac
All the recorders listed on this page will record a video without notifying others. You can record all the actions on your computer without being noticed.
Conclusion
There are hidden screen recorders on your device, and some of them may be ignored by many of you. This page uncovers the top 4 secret screen recorders and lists the best hidden screen recording software on PC and Mac.
What is your secret screen recorder?
What is the best one you have used?
Let me know by leaving your comments below.
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Best Screen Recorder For Pc
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