Free Online Screen Recorder

Record your screen, window, or browser tab — directly in Chrome. Free screen recording tool with no download, no signup, and no data uploaded. Capture and download as WebM instantly.

Record Your Screen

Capture your screen, a window, or a browser tab — free screen recorder right in your browser. No download needed.

30 seconds freeNo installationWebM download
Captio ExtensionUnlock the full recording toolkit.

Record longer, export as MP4, capture audio, and remove the watermark — all running locally in your browser.

MP4 ExportH.264 + AAC — plays everywhere, no codec issues
Audio RecordingSystem sound & microphone with real-time mixing
Longer RecordingsRecord beyond 30 seconds with pause & resume
No WatermarkExport clean recordings without any branding
Pause & ResumeSkip sections you don't need mid-recording
Screenshot CompositingCapture elements, add backgrounds, effects & text
Install Captio — It's Free

Free to install · 7-day Pro trial included · No subscription

How to Record Your Screen Online — Free, in 3 Steps

  1. 1
    Click "Start Recording"Your browser will ask you to choose what to capture — your entire screen, a specific window, or a browser tab.
  2. 2
    Record your screenAfter a 3-second countdown, recording starts automatically. A timer shows your elapsed time and remaining seconds.
  3. 3
    Download your recordingClick Stop when you're done. Preview your recording, then download as WebM. No upload, no server — everything stays on your device.

Why Use a Free Online Screen Recording Tool?

Traditional screen recording software requires downloading, installing, and often creating an account. A free online screen recorder eliminates all of that — open the page in Chrome, click record, and you're done. No software to install on Windows, Mac, or Chromebook.

This screen capture tool is especially useful for quick demos, bug reports, and short screencasts where you don't want to set up a full recording application. Because everything runs in your browser, your data never leaves your device — unlike cloud-based screen recorders that upload your video to external servers.

Use Cases

Bug ReportsRecord a bug in action and share the clip with your team — faster than writing a description.
Quick DemosShow a feature, workflow, or UI change in 30 seconds or less.
Social ContentCapture short screen clips for tweets, posts, or stories without installing software.
Design ReviewsWalk through a design in your browser and share the recording with stakeholders.
TutorialsRecord short how-to clips showing a specific step or interaction.
Chromebook UsersRecord your screen on ChromeOS without any additional apps or extensions.

Free Online Screen Recorder vs. Captio Chrome Extension

This free online screen recording tool is designed for quick, no-install screen captures. For more power, the Captio Chrome extension adds professional features — screen recorder with audio, pause & resume, and MP4 export with Pro — all running locally in your browser.

Free Online Recorder
  • 30 seconds max
  • WebM export
  • Screen, window, or tab capture
  • Video only (no audio)
  • Watermark included
  • No installation needed
Captio Extension
  • Everything in Free, plus:
  • Up to 2-min recordings (unlimited with Pro)
  • WebM export (free) & MP4 export (Pro)
  • Screen recorder with audio (system + mic)
  • Pause & resume
  • No watermark (Pro)
  • Screenshot compositing
  • 50+ animation presets
  • Device mockups & templates

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this online screen recorder free?

Yes — this is a completely free screen recording tool with no account required. Record up to 30 seconds of your screen, window, or browser tab and download as WebM. For longer screen recordings, install the free Captio Chrome extension — up to 2 minutes on free, unlimited with Pro.

Do I need to install anything to record my screen?

No. This free online screen recorder runs entirely in your browser using the Screen Capture API. There is nothing to download, no plugin to install, and no data leaves your device. It works in Chrome, Edge, and any Chromium-based browser — including on Chromebook.

What can I record?

You can record your entire screen, a specific application window, or a single browser tab. When you click Start Recording, your browser will show a picker where you choose the capture source.

Is there a time limit?

The free online recorder captures up to 30 seconds per clip. The Captio Chrome extension supports up to 2-minute recordings on free, and unlimited recording duration with Pro — plus pause & resume.

What format is the recording?

Recordings are saved as WebM (VP9 video). WebM is supported by Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and most modern video players. For MP4 export with H.264/AAC, use the Captio Chrome extension which converts on-device with no upload required.

Can I record my screen with audio?

The free online recorder does not include audio in the download. When you record a browser tab, your browser may detect system audio, but the free version strips it. For a screen recorder with audio — including system sound, microphone recording, and audio mixing — install the Captio Chrome extension.

Is there a watermark on the recording?

The free online screen recorder adds a small "Made with Captio" watermark in the corner of the video. The free Captio Chrome extension also includes a watermark on video exports. To export clean recordings without any watermark, upgrade to Captio Pro.

Does this screen recorder work on Chromebook?

Yes. This screen recorder for Chromebook works in any modern Chromium-based browser, including Chrome on ChromeOS. No installation needed — just open the page and start recording your screen.

How is this different from the Captio extension?

This online tool gives you quick, no-install screen recording for short clips. The Captio Chrome extension offers up to 2-minute recordings (unlimited with Pro), MP4 export, microphone audio, pause & resume, screenshot compositing, animations, and video export — all free to install with a 7-day Pro trial.

Why does my screen recording look choppy when I switch tabs?

When you switch away from this tab during recording, your browser throttles background activity to save resources. This can reduce the frame rate of the recorded video, making scrolling and animations appear choppy. For the smoothest results, keep this tab visible while recording, or use "Browser Tab" capture which records the tab content directly. The Captio Chrome extension runs as a browser extension and is not subject to background tab throttling, so recordings stay smooth even when you switch tabs.

How do I get the best screen recording quality?

For the best results: use "Browser Tab" capture for the smoothest frame rate, keep this tab visible during recording, and close unnecessary tabs to free up system resources. If you need to record while multitasking across tabs, the Captio Chrome extension maintains full quality regardless of which tab is active.