SimpleScreenRecorder

At a glance

• Editor score
  6.7 / 10
• Pricing
  Free plan
• Best for
  Linux users wanting free, configurable screen capture
• Free plan
  Yes
• Paid from
  Free
• Facts checked
  24 Sep 2026

• Where it wins

  • Capture the full screen, a selected area, or OpenGL applications.
  • Pause and resume with a button or hotkey; preview while recording.
  • Encode with codecs and formats supported by libav/FFmpeg.

• Where it doesn't

  • Runs on Linux only.
  • Live streaming is experimental.
  • Listed capabilities focus on capture and encoding, not broader production workflows.

Our verdict on SimpleScreenRecorder

SimpleScreenRecorder is a Linux desktop program for recording applications, games, the full screen, or a selected area. Its configurable capture options make it a fit for Linux users who want a free, open-source recorder, including people recording OpenGL applications directly. A Qt-based graphical interface presents capture controls, a preview, and recording statistics such as file size, bitrate, recording time, and frame rate.

The capture workflow covers practical control during a recording: users can pause and resume with a button or hotkey, and can inspect a preview as capture proceeds. Encoding uses codecs and file formats supported by its libav/FFmpeg libraries, giving users options within that ecosystem. Live streaming is described as experimental, so it is better treated as an exploratory feature than a core reason to choose the program. Installation is available through Linux distribution repositories or by building from source.

Its focus is narrower than a general video production suite: the listed features center on capturing, monitoring, and encoding rather than editing or post-production. It is also Linux-only, which rules it out for teams needing a shared recorder across desktop operating systems. SimpleScreenRecorder suits solo users and small setups that prioritize configurable local capture at no cost; users who need mature streaming or a wider production workflow should look elsewhere. The project is distributed under the GNU General Public License.

Your product? Our editors can test SimpleScreenRecorder in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →

SimpleScreenRecorder pricing

SimpleScreenRecorder fact sheet

Alternatives to SimpleScreenRecorder

• OBS StudioPowerful desktop capture and live production, with scenes, audio mixing and replay tools.9.4
• CamtasiaA tutorial-focused recorder with 4K capture, multitrack editing, and training tools.9.2
• LoomRecord screen-and-camera updates, then share them with collaborators across common work tools.9.1

See all SimpleScreenRecorder alternatives →

Featured on iTechGuides

SimpleScreenRecorder is listed in our Screen Recorders directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.

<a href="https://www.itechguides.com/products/simplescreenrecorder-screen-recorder/"><img src="https://www.itechguides.com/best/badge/simplescreenrecorder-screen-recorder.svg" alt="Featured on iTechGuides" width="230" height="46"></a>

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Last updated 7 Oct 2026 · How we research and update