Almost every screen recorder has a free tier. Almost none of them describe it the same way. Before you commit to recording something — a tutorial, a bug report, a walkthrough for a client — it's worth knowing exactly which of these four limits applies:
- A watermark stamped on the exported video, usually the recorder's own logo in a corner.
- A length cap, where free recordings are cut off after a few minutes.
- An export cap, where the free tier only lets you save a handful of videos before asking you to pay.
- A time-limited trial, where the whole app stops working — not just the free features — after a set number of days.
The first two are usually fine for casual use. The third and fourth are the ones that catch people off guard mid-project — you finish recording, then find out the export doesn't work without paying first.
What to check before you start recording
Three questions cover most of it:
- Does the free tier expire, or does it work indefinitely?
- Is there a watermark, and can you preview what it looks like before recording?
- Is there a cap on resolution, length, or number of exports per month?
A quick way to tell the difference: search "[tool name] pricing" rather than relying on the homepage. Homepages emphasize what's included; pricing pages are usually clearer about what's held back.
Where ScreenGlimpse's free tier lands
Glimpse, ScreenGlimpse's free tier, is free forever — not a trial. It includes unlimited local recordings with mic, webcam, and system audio, at up to 720p. The trade-offs: a small watermark on exports, and cursor highlight/click-to-zoom are reserved for the paid Focus tier. Nothing about the free tier expires or requires a credit card to keep using.
If the watermark matters more than the price
Focus removes the watermark and unlocks 4K export for $5/mo or $50/yr. If you'd rather not think about a subscription at all, Forever is a single $100 payment covering the same features with no recurring charge.