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Want to save YouTube videos for offline viewing or personal projects? A good YouTube screen recorder enables you to record videos anytime, in high quality, and without hassle. Whether you prefer a PC app, an online YouTube recorder, or a browser extension, there are plenty of tools, including free options, to meet your needs. Here, we've rounded up the 10+ best YouTube recorders to help you capture videos easily and efficiently.
Here's a quick comparison of 12 popular YouTube recording tools in 2025. Check out their main features, supported platforms, video quality, and any free plan limits to see which one fits your needs best.
| Tool | Free Watermark | Max Free Quality | Recording Limit | Built-in Editor | Platforms | Recommend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NoteBurner YouTube Video Recorder | β No | 1080p / 8K (download) | Unlimited | β No | Windows, Mac | βββββ |
| OBS Studio | β No | 1080p @ 60FPS | Unlimited | β No | Windows, Mac, Linux | ββββ |
| ShareX | β No | HD | Unlimited | β Minimal | Windows | ββββ |
| Windows Game Bar | β No | 1080p @ 60FPS | Max 4 hours | β No | Windows | βββ |
| Loom | β No (cloud export) | 720p (free) | 5 min per video (free) | β Basic | Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Chrome | βββ |
| Ezvid | β No | HD | 45 min | β Yes (basic) | Windows | βββ |
| ScreenPal | β Yes | HD | 15 min | β Basic | Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Chrome | ββββ |
| Bandicam | β Yes | 4K UHD | 10 min (free) | β No | Windows | βββ |
| Vmaker | β No | 720p (free) | Limited by plan | β Yes (basic) | Windows, Mac, Chromebook, iOS, Chrome | βββ |
| Camtasia | β Yes | HD | Unlimited (paid) | β Yes (full editor) | Windows, Mac | ββββ |
| Screencastify | β Yes | Full HD | Limited (free plan) | β Basic | Chrome (Win, Mac, Linux, Chromebook) | βββ |
| VEED Online Screen Recorder | β Yes | HD | Limited (free plan) | β Basic | Browser (Chrome, Edge, Safari) | βββ |
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Finding a reliable tool to capture YouTube videos isn't as easy as it sounds. Some recorders add watermarks, some limit recording time, and others simply deliver poor video quality. To save you the trouble, we tested dozens of options and handpicked the 10 best YouTube recorders, including apps, online recorders, and browser extensions. In this section, you'll get a clear review of each tool.
URL: https://www.noteburner-video.com/youtube-video-downloader-for-windows.html
Compatibility: Windows & Mac
Recommend level: βββββ
NoteBurner YouTube Video Recorder Free, also known as NoteBurner YouTube Video Downloader, is a free all-in-one YouTube recorder and downloader for Windows and Mac. It allows you to record video from YouTube and almost any sites to MP4 in up to 1080p without watermarks and without time limits. Besides recording, it also offers a free batch download feature that lets you download YouTube videos, shorts, and playlists at 5X speed in 1080P, 2K, 4K, or even 8K quality.
Step 1 Copy and Paste the Website URL
Go to the top menu and click on "Record", and you will see a simple and concise interface. Then, copy the video's webpage URL and paste it into the search field.
Step 2 Navigate to the Preferred Video
Go to the video you want to record and open its playback page.
Step 3 Customize Record Settings
Click the "Record" icon, and a recording settings window will pop up. You can customize the output quality, countdown timer, and other preferences.
Step 4 Start Recording Video
Click the "Start Recording" button, and NoteBurner will begin the recording process. You'll see a timer on the screen showing how long you've been recording. When you're done, just hit the pause button to stop. When you want to discard the current recording, you can click the "X" icon.
URL: https://obsproject.com/
Compatibility: Linux, Mac, and Windows
Recommend level: ββββ
OBS Studio is a free and open-source video recording tool for Windows, Mac, and Linux. It allows users to capture YouTube videos and other content in high quality, up to 1080p at 60 FPS. OBS supports multiple sources, scene switching, and an intuitive audio mixer, making it suitable for gamers, streamers, and content creators. While it offers powerful recording and live-streaming features, beginners may need time to adjust settings to achieve optimal results.
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URL: https://getsharex.com/
Compatibility: Windows
Recommend level: ββββ
A free, open-source screen recorder for Windows, ShareX delivers precise and flexible video capture. It can record full screen, windows, regions, or even scrolling content, and save recordings as MP4 or GIF. The tool supports both internal and external audio, customizable hotkeys, automated workflows, and optional watermarks.
URL: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/p/xbox-game-bar/9nzkpstsnw4p
Compatibility: Windows
Recommend level: βββ
Built into Windows 10 and 11, Xbox Game Bar is a free screen recorder originally designed for gamers but also suitable for basic YouTube video recording. It supports high-definition video capture, up to 1080p at 60 FPS depending on your system, and can record audio from both internal system sounds and external microphones. The tool is triggered with convenient keyboard shortcuts (Win + G or Win + G + R), providing a fast and user-friendly recording experience. While it lacks advanced editing or customization options, it offers a lightweight, low-impact solution for capturing clear, high-quality screen content.
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URL: https://www.loom.com/
Compatibility: Windows, macOS, iOS/Android, Chrome extension
Recommend level: βββ
Loom provides versatile screen recording across Chrome, desktop (Windows/macOS), and mobile (iOS/Android). The Chrome extension allows quick browser-based recording, while the desktop apps support high-quality video, multiple capture modes, and internal/microphone audio. Mobile apps enable on-the-go recording with screen, camera, and audio. Recordings are saved to the cloud with shareable links, and simple annotation and editing tools are included.
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URL: https://www.ezvid.com/
Compatibility: Windows
Recommend level: βββ
Designed for Windows users, Ezvid is a free screen recorder and basic video editor that allows recording of screen activity, voice, and facecam. It supports speed control, drawing on video, instant slideshow creation, and includes free music. Users can edit recordings directly in the program and upload them to YouTube. While feature-rich for Windows, Ezvid limits recording sessions to 45 minutes and is not available for macOS.
URL: https://screenpal.com/
Compatibility: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Chrome extension
Recommend level: ββββ
ScreenPal (formerly Screencast-O-Matic) is a lightweight YouTube screen recorder that lets you capture any area of your screen, with optional webcam and microphone narration. After installing a small launcher, you can start recording YouTube videos with audio and enhance them with simple tools like drawing and zooming.
URL: https://www.bandicam.com/
Compatibility: Windows
Recommend level: βββ
Bandicam is a Windows-based screen recorder known for its high-quality capture and low CPU usage. It offers three recording modesβScreen, Game, and Deviceβallowing users to record YouTube videos, gameplay, and even external devices. With support for hardware acceleration, real-time drawing, and audio narration, Bandicam provides flexibility for users who want detailed control over their recordings.
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URL: https://www.vmaker.com/
Compatibility: Windows, macOS, Chromebook, iOS, Chrome extension
Recommend level: βββ
Vmaker is a cloud-first screen recorder that captures screen, webcam and audio, offers a built-in editor, and stores recordings in the cloud. Free users can export at 720p and use cloud hosting, while higher export resolutions (including 4K) require a paid plan. Vmaker also provides a Chrome extension and desktop apps for Windows and macOS, plus Chromebook support.
URL: https://www.techsmith.com/video-editor.html
Compatibility: Windows, macOS
Recommend level: ββββ
Camtasia is a professional screen recorder and video editor for Windows and macOS. It allows users to record YouTube videos, webinars, and screen activities with high quality, while providing an integrated editor to add annotations, effects, and transitions. The software is paid, but offers a free trial with full features and watermarked exports.
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URL: https://www.screencastify.com/
Compatibility: Chrome extension (Windows, macOS, Linux & Chromebook via browser)
Recommend level: βββ
Screencastify is a lightweight Chrome screen recorder that lets you capture browser tabs, your desktop, or webcam with microphone narration. Recordings are saved in full HD and can be trimmed or annotated with basic built-in tools. Since it runs inside Chrome, it's quick to launch and ideal for tutorials, classroom recordings, browser walkthroughs, and fast video sharing.
URL: https://www.veed.io/tools/screen-recorder
Compatibility: Browser (Chrome, Edge, Safari)
Recommend level: βββ
VEED offers a browser-based screen & camera recorder with an integrated online editor. It captures screen, webcam, and microphone audio, then lets you trim, add subtitles, overlays and export as MP4. The web workflow is convenient for quick tutorials, social clips, and remote feedback, though higher-tier editing and branding options require a paid plan.
A: Recording videos for personal offline use is generally fine. But donβt repost, monetize, or distribute them without permission, as that can violate copyright.
A: Desktop apps like NoteBurner, OBS, and Bandicam usually support 1080p or even 4K, depending on your system and the original video. Online tools or browser extensions may limit you to 720p unless you upgrade to a paid plan.
A: Desktop software is ideal for long, high-quality recordings and advanced editing features, with tools like NoteBurner, OBS, and Camtasia leading the way. Online tools such as Vmaker and VEED offer quick, convenient, and often free recording options, though they may limit resolution or recording length. For lightweight needs, browser extensions like Screencastify and Loom provide fast solutions for short videos or simple tutorials.
A: Some free tools like Screencastify, Vmaker, and VEED may add a small watermark or limit export resolution. Paid plans usually remove watermarks and unlock higher-quality exports.
A: Yes, most desktop apps (NoteBurner, OBS, Bandicam) support Shorts and live streams. Some online or browser tools may have time limits or lower resolution for live content.
Now that you've explored all these options, you can easily record YouTube videos the way you like β whether it's quick clips, full-length content, or high-quality captures for editing. Some tools keep it simple and free, while others give you extra features if you want to get creative. Pick the one that fits your needs, and you'll be able to save, share, and enjoy your favorite videos anytime.
