The following is a list of (mostly) free screen recording and video editing tools, software and apps available. It is by no means exhaustive! I will add to it as I come across new things (or at least things that are new to me). And I’ll try to delete anything that gets out of date.
I want to see links to…
Downloadable
OBS – Open Broadcaster Software
OBS is a powerful, free and open-source programme for screen recording and live streaming. It is available for Windows, Mac & Linux. You can record directly from a webcam and microphone, and then add in existing videos, images, capture a window or part of your screen, and much more.
Windows Game Bar
If you are using Windows, you can use the Windows Game Bar to capture either contents from a web browser or record anything that you are doing on the screen. To record your screen, simply press Windows+G, then press Start Recording on the Game Bar. (You can also use Windows+Alt+R to start or stop your recording). You can find the recording later by choosing Show all captures. Obviously this is only available in Windows.
Windows key + G
CamStudio
Free, open-source desktop recorder streaming video software. CamStudio is able to record all screen and audio activity on your computer and create industry-standard video files.
Tiny Take
Allows you to capture, annotate, and share screen captures and screen casts. And all for free!
Shotcut
Shotcut is a advanced open-source video editing software for Windows, Mac & Linux with a user-friendly interface.
Blender
Open-source 3D computer graphics software used for creating animated films, visual effects, art, 3D printed models, interactive 3D applications and video games.
Lightworks
Powerful video editor for Windows, Mac and Linux that has the aim of making professional quality video editing software available to everyone. As a result, it includes a lot of advanced features, and it can upload straight to YouTube.
VSDC
A Windows video editor that allows you to upload straight to YouTube. Includes many advanced features, such as visual and audio effects, masking, and export options.
www.videosoftdev.com/free-video-editor
Hit Film Express
An impressive Windows and Mac video editor which can upload straight to YouTube. Additional tools are available for a fee. However, to download Hit Film Express, you do have to share a link to your social media.
DaVinci Resolve
Offers advanced video and audio editing for Windows, Mac & Linux.
www.blackmagicdesign.com/uk/products/davinciresolve/
Flashback Express
A free screen recorder with advanced features which allows you to capture video anywhere on your PC screen. You can then upload to YouTube or alternatively download the file. (The Pro version allows editing and adding text etc.)
www.flashbackrecorder.com/express
Screencast
Free screen recording. With the free version you can record a screen and/or webcam, specify a window or full screen recording, take a screenshot, trim a recording and save it. The more advanced features (such as zooming in while recording and drawing) are obviously only available as part of the paid version.
MiniTool MovieMaker
With MiniTool Moviemaker you can quickly and easily create videos/slideshows/animated greetings from your videos and photos. You can add your media to MiniTool MovieMaker, then drag and drop photos and videos into the timeline, add text and music, split your clips and add effects. You can also speed up, slow down and reverse your video clips. The export your creation in a variety of formats. Alternatively you can use a template, for even easier video creation.
Kdenlive video editor
An open-source video editor, designed to meet most needs from basic video editing to professional work. Kdenlive allows you to use and arrange several audio and video tracks and each one can be locked or muted. Kdenlive can use almost any audio and video formats directly (without needing to convert them). There are also lots of effects to choose from (from colour correction to audio adjustments), and transform options.
Browser-based
LightMV
A cloud-based tool that allows you to select a template, then upload and edit your photos, add text, then add music to create a video. There are a lot of templates to choose from, which are organised into different categories. However, some of these templates contain content that has to be paid for. You can then download or share the link easily via email, Facebook, Twitter, or other social media. You can also download the app for either desktop or mobile.
Biteable
User-friendly and has a huge selection of templates. Easy to share your video to YouTube, Facebook and Twitter. With the free version, you can create as many videos as you like. However, they will have a watermark. To download or share without the watermark, you’ll obviously need to upgrade to a paid plan. There are several different plans, depending on the size of your business.
For screen recording, just click here
Game Recorder
FBX Game Recorder
FBX Game Recorder allows the user to record games in HD. You can add stickers, gifs and captions. You can also drop markers as you play. Use a hotkey to instantly save short videos.
Subtitles
Amara
Amara’s amazing mission is to build a more open, collaborative world. Their software allows you to add captions to video, to make video more accessible to those who cannot hear or those who cannot understand the language of the video.
amara.org/en/subtitling-platform
Stock Video Clips
Pixabey
Pixabey not only allows you download stock images, but also has free stock video clips & footage that you can use.
Storyboards
Boords
Lots of storyboard templates. You can preview and download free, professionally designed storyboard templates, ideal for animation, film, video or simply telling a story. Available for Photoshop, Powerpoint, Word, or as a PDF. There is a feature-limited free plan which limits storyboards to 12 frames, and doesn’t include animatics or commenting. Paid plans are available.
StoryBoard That!
No download, no payment details and no login is needed to try Storyboard That. 🙂 The free version is limited to 2 storyboards per week, only 3 and 6 cell storyboards, watermarked downloads and basic print options. Paid versions are available, with options for fun, for teachers and for work.
Video File Converter
Any Video Converter
Any Video Converter can easily convert video file formats (including MP4, WMV, AVI etc) and export them in other formats. It can download and convert video and music from websites (such as Vimeo, YouTube, Facebook etc). Any Video Converter also includes video editing features and effects – you can trim, crop clips, resize, rotate, add subtitles, watermarks and audio tracks. You can also rip audio from video files and CDs, and burn films to DVD.
https://any-video-converter.com/
Media Players
VLC Media Player
VLC media player is an open-source multimedia player. It’s completely free, runs on all platforms and pretty much will play anything (most multimedia files, DVDs, Audio CDs, for instance). What more could you possibly want??
Screen Recording
Record Screen
Browser-based screen recorder. Just remember to download your video – because if you close it without downloading, you can’t retrieve your recording!
Loom
Online screen recorder for Windows, Mac and iOS. You can easily capture your screen, voice and/or face then share your video. The free starter package allows you up to 100 videos and screenshots, and up to 5 mins recording length. Obviously the paid packages give you more advanced recording and analytics including a video drawing tool, calls-to-action and custom branding.
Quick Screen Recorder
If you are looking for a lightweight screen recorder for Windows, then Quick Screen Recorder is what you need!
RecordCast
RecordCast is a fantastic free screen recorder, that allows you to record up to 30 minutes of screen capture. It is really intuitive to use, and surprisingly even incudes an editor that allows you to add titles, annotations, effects and more. It also allows you to choose whether you want to capture the whole screen, application windows, or browser tab. It’s brilliant!
ScreenCastify
Screencastify is a Chrome add-on that allows you to record your current tab, your desktop or your webcam. While you are recording, you can annotate your screen, apply stickers, capture your cursor etc. Recordings can be edited within Screencastify – you can trim your video, merge clips, blur parts of the video. To access Screencastify, you sign in with your Google account and you can save your videos directly into Google Drive. With the free version you can create videos (without watermarks) that are up to 5 minutes in length. If you need to record longer videos, you’ll have to upgrade to the paid version.
Gifcap
With Gifcap, you can create animated GIFs from a screen recording online.
Go to…
Note: please read the disclaimer before downloading / using any software.