I need a screen recorder that captures system audio and does not have a watermark.

If you want system audio + no watermark, these are solid choices:

• OBS Studio — Best all-around option. Free, open-source, no watermark, no recording time limit, and captures system audio + microphone. Works on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
• ShareX — Excellent if you're on Windows and want something lightweight. Free, open-source, no watermark or recording limit, with system-audio capture.
• Xbox Game Bar — If you're on Windows 10/11, it's already built in. It can record system audio and doesn't add a watermark, although it has limitations compared with OBS.
• ScreenPal — Easier for beginners and currently has no watermark on its free recorder, but the free version limits recordings to 15 minutes and doesn't include system audio, so it doesn't fully meet your requirements.

I'd go with OBS Studio if you want unlimited, high-quality recordings with both computer audio and your microphone.

If you tell me whether you're on Windows or Mac, I can give you the quickest setup for recording screen + system audio + mic with no watermark.

Here are the best free screen recorders that capture system (desktop) audio and do not include watermarks or time limits:

1. OBS Studio (Windows, Mac, Linux)
   • Overview: Completely free and open-source with zero watermarks, time limits, or hidden paywalls. It is the gold standard for recording and streaming.
   • Audio: Captures high-quality system audio and microphone input simultaneously.
   • Get it: Download it directly from the OBS Studio Website.[1][2]
2. ShareX (Windows)
   • Overview: A lightweight, open-source productivity and screen capture tool for Windows. It has no ads, no watermarks, and no recording length limits.
   • Audio: Easily captures internal system sound alongside your screen recording.
   • Get it: Download it from the ShareX Official Website.
3. Microsoft Clipchamp (Windows 11 / Built-in or Web)
   • Overview: Built right into Windows 11 (and usable via web browser), Clipchamp features a robust free screen and webcam recorder. It doesn't add watermarks to exports (up to 1080p).
   • Audio: Supports clean system audio and microphone recording.
   • Get it: Search for it in your Windows Start menu or access it via the Clipchamp Website.
4. ActivePresenter (Windows, Mac)
   • Overview: A powerful screencasting and eLearning software whose free tier includes full screen recording and a multi-track editor with no watermarks and no time limits.
   • Audio: Excellent simultaneous capture of system audio and mic inputs.
   • Get it: Download it from the Atomisystems ActivePresenter Page.

Are you using Windows, Mac, or Linux , and are you looking for something simple and lightweight or feature-rich (like built-in video editing)?

Use OBS Studio. It is free, has no watermark, and can record system audio + microphone audio on Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Other good options:

• ShareX (Windows): free, no watermark, lightweight, and can capture system audio.
• Xbox Game Bar (Windows 10/11): built in, no watermark, good for quick captures with system sound.
• ScreenRec: simple interface, no watermark, supports system and mic audio.

For the best overall choice:

• Long recordings, tutorials, gaming, streaming: OBS Studio
• Quick Windows clips: ShareX or Xbox Game Bar
• Beginner-friendly: ScreenRec

Avoid many “free trials” from paid recorders, since some add watermarks unless you upgrade.

Here are the best free, completely watermark-free screen recorders that natively capture system audio:

1. OBS Studio
   • Overview : The gold standard for free, open-source screen recording. It is entirely free with zero watermarks and no time limits.
   • System Audio : Automatically detects and records your desktop/system audio alongside microphone input or gameplay.
   • Platforms : Windows, macOS, Linux.
   • Get it here : Download via OBS Studio Official Website.
2. ShareX
   • Overview : A lightweight, feature-rich open-source productivity tool for Windows that includes a robust screen recorder. No watermarks or time limits.
   • System Audio : Easily captures internal system sound (though initial setup requires selecting your preferred audio device in task settings).
   • Platforms : Windows only.
   • Get it here : Download via ShareX Official Website.
3. ScreenPal (formerly Screencast-O-Matic)
   • Overview : A user-friendly recorder great for quick captures and tutorials. The free tier includes system audio recording capabilities and leaves no watermark on standard recordings.
   • System Audio : Captures computer audio on supported Windows and Mac setups.
   • Platforms : Windows, macOS, Chromebook, iOS, Android.
   • Get it here : Access via ScreenPal Official Website.
4. Xbox Game Bar (Built-in Windows Tool)
   • Overview : If you are on Windows 10 or 11, you already have a native tool installed. Press Win + G. It has no watermarks and no ads.
   • System Audio : Records all background game or app system audio by default. (Note: It records a single active app/game window rather than your entire desktop).
   • Platforms : Windows 10/11 (Pre-installed).

If you can tell me your operating system (Windows or Mac) and what you plan to record (a game, a browser tab, or a desktop tutorial), I can give you the exact audio settings to get set up in minutes.

If you need a reliable screen recorder that captures system (desktop) audio and has zero watermarks or time limits, here are the top free recommendations depending on your comfort level and operating system:

• OBS Studio (Windows, Mac, Linux) —
  Completely free and open-source with no watermarks or time restrictions. It natively captures high-quality system audio and desktop displays simultaneously. While its interface has a slight learning curve, it is the gold standard for clean, professional recordings. You can download it directly from the OBS Project Website.
• ShareX (Windows) —
  A lightweight, open-source power tool built for Windows. It handles region, window, or full-screen recording effortlessly while cleanly capturing internal audio without any watermarks. Get it from the ShareX Official Website.
• ActivePresenter (Windows, Mac) —
  An all-in-one screen recorder and video editor that is free for non-commercial/personal use. It allows seamless simultaneous recording of system audio and microphone input with no watermarks and no length limits. Available via the Atomi Systems ActivePresenter Page.
• Xbox Game Bar (Windows 10 & 11) —
  If you are on Windows and just need a quick, zero-install solution, press Win + G . It is entirely free, leaves no watermark, and records app/game/system audio natively (though it struggles with capturing the absolute desktop or File Explorer).

To help narrow down the best fit, tell me:

• What operating system are you using (Windows, macOS, or Linux)?
• Are you trying to record gameplay, a tutorial, a meeting, or streaming media?

Yes — OBS Studio is probably the best fit.

• Free and open-source
• No watermark
• Records your screen + system/desktop audio
• Can also record your microphone separately
• Works on Windows, macOS, and Linux
• On Windows 10/11, it can capture audio from individual applications as well as desktop audio.
• On macOS 13+, OBS can capture desktop audio directly through its macOS Screen Capture source.

My recommendation: If you tell me whether you're on Windows, Mac, or Linux, I can give you the exact settings to record your screen with system audio and no microphone (or both system audio + mic).

Yes. If system audio + no watermark are the two requirements, I’d recommend:

• OBS Studio — best overall. Free, open-source, no watermark, no recording-time limit, and supports desktop/system audio plus microphone. It works on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
• ShareX — excellent if you're on Windows and want something lighter, with no watermark and system-audio recording.
• Xbox Game Bar — easiest option on Windows if you just need to record an app/game with its audio. It's built in and doesn't watermark recordings.

My pick: OBS Studio. It gives you the most control over exactly what audio gets captured and is genuinely free with no watermark or artificial recording limit.

If you tell me whether you're on Windows, Mac, or Linux, I can give you the quickest setup to record screen + system audio with OBS.

Several fantastic options capture system audio cleanly and leave zero watermarks or time limits.

• OBS Studio — Completely free, open-source, and the gold standard for desktop recording. It natively captures high-quality system (desktop) audio and microphone audio simultaneously, adds no watermarks, and has no length limits. While the interface has a bit of a learning curve, it is entirely free with no paid tiers.
• ShareX — A lightweight, open-source tool for Windows. It handles region/full-screen recording effortlessly, captures system audio via your audio device drivers, is completely free, and contains no watermarks or ads.
• ActivePresenter — A great option if you need both a screen recorder and a built-in video editor. The free tier allows unlimited recording lengths, simultaneous system and microphone audio capture, and exports with no watermark.
• Built-in OS Recorders — If you are on Windows, pressing Win + G opens the built-in Xbox Game Bar , which records system audio and video natively with no watermarks (though it's meant for apps/games rather than the whole desktop). If you are on a Mac, the native screen capture tool handles video well, though capturing system audio usually requires a secondary virtual audio driver unless using third-party tools like OBS.

To help narrow down the best fit, let me know:

• What operating system are you using (Windows, macOS, or Linux)?
• Are you trying to record gameplay, a tutorial, or a streaming meeting / video?

Absolutely. If you want system/desktop audio + no watermark, my top picks are:

• OBS Studio — best overall. Free, open-source, no watermark, no recording time limit, and supports desktop/system audio plus microphone. Works on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
• ShareX — excellent if you're on Windows and want something lightweight. Free, open-source, watermark-free, and supports audio recording.
• Xbox Game Bar — easiest option on Windows 10/11; built in and watermark-free, with system audio capture. The downside is that it isn't suitable for recording the entire Windows desktop/File Explorer.
• ScreenRec — simpler than OBS and available on Windows, Mac, and Linux; free recordings are reported as watermark-free with system audio support.

My recommendation

Use OBS Studio if you want something you'll be happy with long-term. It gives you the most control over screen, system audio, microphone, resolution, frame rate, and recording format, without putting a watermark on the video.

If you tell me whether you're on Windows, Mac, or Linux, I can give you the exact 2-minute setup for recording your screen + system audio with OBS.

Here are the best free screen recorders that capture both system audio and your display without slapping an annoying watermark on your final video:

• OBS Studio : Completely free, open-source, and entirely watermark-free. It is the gold standard for recording and streaming. It effortlessly captures high-quality system audio (desktop audio) alongside your video or specific windows. The only downside is a slightly steeper learning curve for beginners. You can download it directly from the OBS Studio Website.
• ShareX : A lightweight, open-source tool built for Windows. It has no watermarks, no time limits, and natively supports internal/system audio recording. It works via hotkeys and allows you to record regions, windows, or full screens. Grab it via the ShareX Official Site.
• Microsoft Clipchamp : If you are on Windows 11 or Windows 10, you already have Clipchamp installed or easily accessible. Its built-in screen recorder is completely free, adds no watermarks, and lets you capture your screen along with system audio right inside your browser or the app. Afterward, it drops your recording straight into an editor where you can trim or tweak it. Check it out via the Clipchamp Website.
• VLC Media Player : While primarily a media player, VLC features a hidden, entirely free screen-capture utility that records desktop video and audio natively without watermarks. It’s basic and lacks modern configuration panels, but it gets the job done in a pinch. You can get it from the VideoLAN Official Site.

If you let me know which operating system you are using (Windows or Mac) , I can give you the exact audio settings to ensure your system audio records on the first try.