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How to Capture Webcam and Screen Video for Free — Step-by-Step

Recording your webcam and screen together is useful for tutorials, presentations, game streaming, and remote teaching. This step-by-step guide shows you how to capture webcam and screen video for free on Windows, macOS, and Linux, plus tips to improve quality and avoid common issues.

What you’ll need (free)

  • A computer with a webcam (built-in or USB)
  • Microphone (built-in or external)
  • At least 1–2 GB free disk space for short recordings
  • One of the free recording tools below

Recommended free tools

  • OBS Studio — powerful, open-source, cross-platform (Windows, macOS, Linux). Ideal for both simple and advanced recording/streaming.
  • ShareX — Windows-only, lightweight screen capture with video recording options.
  • Loom (free tier) — easy browser-based recorder for webcam + screen, limited recording length on free plan.
  • QuickTime Player — macOS built-in: records screen and can record webcam separately.
  • SimpleScreenRecorder — Linux-focused, lightweight and easy to use.

(Choose OBS Studio if you want the most flexibility and no watermarks.)

Step-by-step: Using OBS Studio (recommended)

  1. Download and install OBS Studio from the official site.
  2. Open OBS and go through the auto-configuration wizard if prompted (choose “Optimized for recording”).
  3. Create a new Scene: click the + under “Scenes” and name it (e.g., “Webcam + Screen”).
  4. Add a Display Capture: click + under “Sources” → choose “Display Capture” → select your monitor → OK.
  5. Add your Webcam: click + → “Video Capture Device” → select your webcam → configure resolution/fps → OK.
  6. Resize and position sources in the preview: drag webcam overlay to a corner, resize as needed.
  7. Add Audio: OBS captures desktop audio and your mic by default; check the Audio Mixer – ensure your mic is selected under Settings → Audio if needed.
  8. Configure recording settings: Settings → Output → Recording Path (choose a folder) → Recording Format (mp4 or mkv recommended). Set Encoder to “Software (x264)” or hardware encoder if available.
  9. Set video settings: Settings → Video → Base (canvas) Resolution (your screen) and Output (scaled) Resolution. Set FPS to 30 or 60.
  10. Test your setup: press “Start Recording,” record a short clip, then stop and review quality, audio levels, and sync.
  11. Modify as needed (mic gain, webcam position, overlays), then record your final video by clicking “Start Recording.” When finished, click “Stop Recording.”

Quick alternatives

  • Loom (browser/desktop): Install Loom, choose screen + camera, click record. Easier setup but free tier limitations.
  • ShareX (Windows): Open ShareX → Capture → Screen recording (select region) → enable webcam overlay via Settings or use separate webcam recorder and combine later.
  • QuickTime (macOS): Record screen via File → New Screen Recording, record webcam via File → New Movie Recording, then combine in iMovie (free) if you need picture-in-picture.

Tips for better recordings

  • Use a microphone close to your mouth or a USB mic for clearer audio.
  • Use natural or soft lighting in front of you; avoid bright backlight.
  • Close unused apps and mute notifications.
  • Record short test clips to check audio-video sync.
  • Use MKV in OBS to avoid losing entire files on crash; convert to MP4 after if needed.
  • Keep resolution and bitrate balanced: 1080p at 30fps with 8–

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