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Castiellm's avatar
Castiellm
Iron Contributor
Nov 16, 2025

Best obs alternatives for screen recording on Windows 10

Hi all,

I need to record the screen occasionally for my clients and a lot of folks recommend using OBS studio. However, when I downloaded and tried it on my Windows 10 PC, it turns out it is too complicated for me and the UI is a huge mess.

Honestly, I don't know much about tech and could like to use an user friendly screen recorder for Windows 10. What is the best obs alternative for screen recording with basic editing?

Thank you

6 Replies

  • Jadeookb's avatar
    Jadeookb
    Iron Contributor

    Yeah, OBS is too complicated for beginners as there are too many settings for screen recording. I am using Aiiseesoft screen recorder and it is very easy to use.

  • Go and try Xbox Game Bar, one of the best free alternatives to OBS studio. It excels in its simplicity and is perfect for quick, low-effort clips, especially in games. Since it's built directly into the operating system, it requires no additional installation, has minimal performance impact, and is instantly accessible with the Win+G shortcut.

    However, for anyone requiring advanced features, customization, or professional-quality recordings, OBS Studio remains vastly superior. OBS provides powerful tools like multiple audio tracks, extensive source customization, scene transitions, studio mode, and support for high-fidelity recording formats. Game Bar is limited to a single audio track, basic settings, and cannot record specific application windows, making it unsuitable for complex streaming or content creation workflows.

    Pros of Xbox Game Bar:

    • Built-in and free with Windows 10/11.
    • Extremely simple and easy to use.
    • Very low system resource usage.
    • Quick access with Win+G.

    Cons of Xbox Game Bar:

    • Lacks advanced features (no multiple audio tracks, scenes, etc.).
    • Limited customization and recording settings.
    • Cannot record individual application windows.
    • Overall, much less powerful and versatile than OBS.
  • JacobBrown's avatar
    JacobBrown
    Iron Contributor

    Most people don't know that the famous free V1C media player can also record your screen. It's a bit more manual but 100% free and powerful.

    How to Use It as OBS alternative:
    1. Open V1C Media Player.
    2. Go to Media > Open Capture Device.
    3. Under "Capture Mode", select "Desktop".
    4. For "Desired frame rate", put 15.00 (for a decent balance of quality and file size).
    5. Click the dropdown arrow next to the "Play" button and choose "Convert".
    6. In the next window, click the tool icon (Edit Profile) next to the Profile dropdown.
    7. Under the "Video codec" tab, ensure Video is checked and set Bitrate to 1500 kb/s for decent quality.
    8. Under the "Destination" tab, click "Browse" to choose where to save your file and give it a name (e.g., my_recording.mp4).
    9. Click "Start" to begin recording. To stop, simply close the V1C window that is playing your desktop.

  • HaydenMiller's avatar
    HaydenMiller
    Iron Contributor

    SimpleScreenRecorder is a lesser-known but fantastic piece of software that lives up to its name. It was created for Linux as a simple OBS alternative and has a Windows port.

    • Search for "SimpleScreenRecorder Windows" to find the download.
    • When you open it, a straightforward setup wizard appears.
    • It will guide you with simple choices: "Record full screen", "Record a fixed rectangle", or "Record following the mouse".
    • After you choose, it opens a simple control window with a big "Start Recording" button
    • Record your screen, then click "Stop Recording". The video is saved to a file.

     

    Add: Like the Game Bar, it's a recorder only. You would use the Windows Photos app to trim the beginning and end.

    Pros: Lightweight, simple wizard-based setup, no confusing options.
    Cons: No built-in editing.

  • JesusGarcia's avatar
    JesusGarcia
    Iron Contributor

    What is the best obs alternative for screen recording with basic editing? Believe it or not, Windows 10 has a simple screen recorder built-in. It was designed for gaming, but works perfectly for any app.

    How to Use It:

    1. Press the Windows Key + G on your keyboard to open the Game Bar.
    2. If it's your first time, a dialog may ask, "Is this a game?" Just check the box that says "Yes, this is a game" to proceed.
    3. You'll see a small overlay. Click the Record button (the white circle) or press Win + Alt + R to start recording.
    4. To stop, press the Stop button (the white square) on the overlay, or press Win + Alt + R again.
    5. Your video is automatically saved to your "Videos/Captures" folder.

     

    Basic Editing: The Game Bar itself has no editor. For quick, basic trimming, you can use the built-in Photos app:

    1. Open your recorded video with the Photos app.
    2. Click "Edit & Create" on the top menu and select "Trim".
    3. Drag the white handles at the start and end of the timeline to shorten the video.
    4. Click "Save a copy".
  • CalebStone's avatar
    CalebStone
    Silver Contributor

    SharaX is a great free OBS alternative for Windows 10 if you're primarily interested in screen recording and basic editing. It’s known for its user-friendly interface and ease of use, making it suitable for users who find OBS too complicated.

    Key features of SharaX:

    • Free and open-source
    • Simple screen recording with customizable regions or full screen
    • Supports capturing screenshots
    • Basic editing tools like trimming videos
    • Easy to set up and use without deep technical knowledge
    • Supports automatic uploads to cloud services if needed

     

    As a best OBS alternative for screen recording with basic editing. While SharaX is excellent for quick recordings and snapshots, it may have limited advanced editing features compared to dedicated video editing software. If you need simple trimming or annotations, it should work well.