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Kamo

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Kamo vs the Windows recorder

Windows already records your screen: Snipping Tool on Windows 11 and Xbox Game Bar. They're perfect for a quick raw clip. Kamo is for when the video should look edited.

The short version

Choose Kamo if…

  • You want zooms on clicks, a smooth cursor and a framed, finished look.
  • You need square and vertical versions, a webcam bubble or a GIF that looks good.
  • You need to record the whole desktop or several apps.

Choose Windows tools if…

  • You want nothing to install: Win+Shift+R and go.
  • You need a raw clip in seconds and polish doesn't matter.
  • You're recording a game, or want the last seconds saved in the background.

Side by side

Price

KamoFree

Windows toolsFree, included with Windows

Setup

KamoOne install

Windows toolsAlready installed

What it records

KamoScreen, window or area

Windows toolsSnipping Tool: screen or area. Game Bar: one app window

Automatic zoom on clicks

KamoYes, editable on a timeline

Windows toolsNo

Smooth cursor

KamoYes

Windows toolsNo

16:9, 1:1 and 9:16

KamoYes, exported together

Windows toolsNo

Webcam bubble

KamoYes

Windows toolsNo

GIF

KamoUp to 1280 px, any length

Windows toolsSnipping Tool: up to 30 seconds

Editor

KamoZooms, trim, webcam, style

Windows toolsTrim; Clipchamp for more

Facts checked on November 7, 2026. Prices and features change; see the sources below.

The longer version

Raw vs. ready

Snipping Tool and Game Bar save exactly what was on screen. That's ideal for a bug report in chat. For a demo, a tutorial or a launch video, you'd normally open an editor next. Kamo does that part while you record.

Game Bar records one app

Xbox Game Bar is built for games: it records a single app window and can't record the desktop or File Explorer. Kamo records the whole screen, a window or any area.

Keep both

Use Win+Shift+R for a throwaway clip and Kamo for anything you'll publish. They don't get in each other's way.

Questions

Does Windows have a built-in screen recorder?

Yes. Snipping Tool records the screen or an area on Windows 11 (Win+Shift+R), and Xbox Game Bar records one app window on Windows 10 and 11 (Win+Alt+R).

Can the Windows recorder zoom on clicks?

No. Neither Snipping Tool nor Game Bar adds zooms, cursor effects or framing. That's what Kamo is for.

Is Kamo heavier than the built-in tools?

It's a separate install of about 110 MB. In exchange, the video comes out edited, in three formats, with no extra editor.

Sources

See also

Try it on your next recording.

Free, open source, no account. Your first edited video is one download away.

Download for Windows View source