Introduction
Screen recording is useful for more things than you might think: showing a friend how to use an app, recording a game, saving a video call, making a tutorial, or capturing a bug to send to support. Almost every modern phone can do it — the question is which app does it best.
This guide compares the best screen recorder apps for Android and iPhone, including the built-in recorders you already have. We look at video quality, watermarks, editing tools, and price, so you can record your screen cleanly without paying for features you already own.
Do You Need a Recorder App?
Probably not. iPhone has had a built-in screen recorder since iOS 11 — add it to Control Centre and tap to record, with or without microphone audio. Most Android phones (Samsung, Pixel, Xiaomi, OnePlus) have a built-in recorder in the quick settings panel too.
A third-party app is worth it only if you want more: face camera overlay, drawing on screen while recording, live streaming, or built-in video editing. If you just need a clean recording, use the built-in tool and skip this guide.
1. Built-In Screen Recorder — Best for Most People
On iPhone, go to Settings > Control Centre and add Screen Recording. Then swipe into Control Centre, tap the record button, and your phone records everything — with an optional microphone toggle if you long-press the button first.
On Android, swipe down twice for quick settings and look for Screen Record. Most Android 11+ phones have it, with options for microphone audio and showing screen touches.
It is free, has no watermark, no ads, and records in full quality. The only things missing are a face camera overlay and editing tools. For 90% of recordings, this is the right choice.
Best for: clean, free screen recording with no app to install. Price: free, built in.
2. AZ Screen Recorder — Best Full-Featured Recorder (Android)
AZ Screen Recorder is the most popular third-party recorder on Android, and the most complete. It records in up to 1080p or 4K, lets you overlay your face camera, draw on the screen while recording, and trim videos in the built-in editor.
It also supports live streaming to YouTube and Facebook, and it can record internal audio on supported devices — something the built-in recorder often cannot do on older Android versions.
The free version shows ads and adds no watermark, which is generous. The paid version removes ads and unlocks extra tools. If you record tutorials or gameplay seriously, AZ is the best Android option.
Best for: serious recording with face camera and drawing tools. Price: free with ads; Pro removes ads.
3. XRecorder — Best for Game Recording (Android)
XRecorder (from the makers of InShot) is built for gamers and casual recording. It records in 1080p, supports face camera overlay, and has a simple built-in editor for trimming and adding music.
Its interface is the friendliest on this list — a floating button starts and stops recording, and the editor is simple enough for anyone. It also handles long recordings well without overheating warnings.
The free version adds a watermark on some devices, which you can remove with the paid version. For quick game clips and casual recording, XRecorder is the easiest choice.
Best for: game recording and quick clips. Price: free with watermark; Pro removes it.
4. Mobizen — Best for Tutorials and Live Streaming
Mobizen is designed for people who record their screen to teach or show something. It offers clean recording, face camera, drawing tools, and a built-in editor — plus direct live streaming and easy sharing.
Its standout feature is the clean mode, which hides the recording controls from the video so your tutorial looks professional. It also records in high quality with stable frame rates.
The free version shows ads and adds a watermark on some features. Mobizen is the best pick if you make tutorials regularly and want them to look polished.
Best for: tutorials and professional-looking recordings. Price: free with ads; premium removes watermark.
5. ADV Screen Recorder — Best for Simple Recording With Drawing
ADV Screen Recorder is a lightweight, reliable recorder with two engines to choose from and a useful drawing feature — you can sketch on your screen while recording, which is great for explaining things.
It records in high quality, supports face camera, and lets you pause and resume recordings. The interface is simple and the app is small, so it runs well even on older phones.
The free version shows ads. It is less polished than AZ or XRecorder, but for straightforward recording with drawing, it does the job well.
Best for: simple recording with on-screen drawing. Price: free with ads; Pro available.
6. Record It! — Best for iPhone Users Who Want More
Record It! is the best third-party recorder for iPhone users who want more than the built-in tool. It adds a face camera overlay, lets you trim and edit recordings, and makes it easy to share to YouTube or by message.
Because of iOS restrictions, it works by recording through the built-in ReplayKit system, so quality is the same as the native recorder — the value is in the editing and sharing tools around it.
The free version limits recording length and shows ads. For most iPhone users, the built-in recorder plus a video editor like CapCut is a better combination, but Record It! is the best all-in-one iPhone option.
Best for: iPhone recording with face camera and editing. Price: free with limits; Pro unlocks full recording.
Comparison Table
| App | Best for | Watermark (free) | Face camera | Editing | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Built-in recorder | Most people | No | No | No | Free |
| AZ Screen Recorder | Full features | No | Yes | Yes | Free, Pro |
| XRecorder | Game recording | Sometimes | Yes | Yes | Free, Pro |
| Mobizen | Tutorials | Sometimes | Yes | Yes | Free, premium |
| ADV Screen Recorder | Drawing | No | Yes | Basic | Free, Pro |
| Record It! | iPhone extras | No | Yes | Yes | Free, Pro |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I record my screen on iPhone? Add Screen Recording in Settings > Control Centre, then tap the record button in Control Centre. Long-press it first to turn on microphone audio.
How do I record my screen on Android? Swipe down twice for quick settings and tap Screen Record (Android 11+). If it is not there, your phone maker may have its own recorder, or you can use AZ Screen Recorder.
Which screen recorder has no watermark? The built-in recorders on iPhone and Android have no watermark, and neither does AZ Screen Recorder's free version. XRecorder and Mobizen may add one unless you pay.
Can I record internal audio? On iPhone, the built-in recorder captures app audio. On Android, it depends on your phone and Android version — Android 10+ supports internal audio recording in most recorder apps.
Download
Get these screen recorder apps free from the official stores:
- AZ Screen Recorder — Google Play
- XRecorder — Google Play · App Store
- Mobizen — Google Play · App Store
- ADV Screen Recorder — Google Play
- Record It! — App Store
Always download from the official Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
Conclusion
Start with your phone's built-in recorder — it is free, clean and good enough for most recordings. If you need a face camera, drawing tools or live streaming, AZ Screen Recorder on Android or Record It! on iPhone is the upgrade. And once you have recorded something worth sharing, our guide to the best video editor apps will help you polish it.