This software is used to record the video and audio that is being displayed on your computer screen. Often, this is used to record video content streamed from services, such as Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime, etc. It works by capturing the output from the graphics card of your computer, or the audio from the sound card of your computer.
Some free software that can capture Netflix videos include Free Cam, OBS (Open Broadcaster Software), and ScreenPal.
There are two major types of screen recording software:
(1) Screen Recorders: This will record anything on the screen that exists in a designated area of your screen. These are often used as a general-purpose tool.
(2) DRM (Digital Rights Management)-Bypassing Downloaders (often sold as “capture” tools): These can be something that is marketed as a screen recording program, but often are specialized programs that are more effective or easier to get video content. These often work by decrypting the video stream while it is playing. This is a more direct method of getting a file, but can be legally and technically complicated.
Extremely important: Legal and technical notes.
Here are a few things you should be aware of prior to using such software:
- Legal grey area/copyright infringement: Downloading or capturing copyright-protected media from Netflix violates Netflix’s terms of service and copyright law in the majority of jurisdictions. Netflix’s media is licensed for streaming only, not downloading to permanence, or redistributing. Using the tools for personal purposes may carry a minuscule risk of prosecution, but it is illegal.
- Digital Rights Management (DRM): Netflix and other streaming services implement robust DRM (such as Widevine and PlayReady) to restrict taking or copying their copyrighted media without permission. This is the reason you cannot right-click and save a Netflix video.
- Quality issues: Depending on the DRM implemented by Netflix, various screen recorders will not properly capture the video stream because of the DRM restrictions. Most will deliver:
- A black screen in place of video.
- A completely garbled color (to a degree, green or purple video.)
- Blocked audio or completely degraded audio.
Risks: The software that bypasses DRM restrictions is typically from unsecured third-party, unofficial websites. This software often comes loaded with malware, spyware, as well as viruses, to infect your devices. It is wise to proceed cautiously.
Common Instances of Free Software (with Caveats)
These are types of free software that users put to risk.
1. General-Purpose Screen Recorders This is the most legitimate and safest path but doesn’t usually work for Netflix’s DRM. Here are some examples:
OBS Studio (Open Broadcaster Software)
The gold standard, free, open-source screen recorder and live streamer. Extremely powerful and reputable.
What is a use case for Netflix? You might get to record your browser window or entire screen with a Netflix video playing.
It will probably record a black screen or a garbled video in entirety because of DRM and hardware protection. Netflix often nullifies the use of this screen recorder for this purpose.
Windows Game Bar (Built into Windows 10/11)
A basic Windows screen recorder intended to record gameplay.
What is a use case for Netflix? Use Win+Alt+R to start recording your screen. Again, it likely doesn’t work for your Netflix video.
You probably will end up with a black screen too like OBS because of the same issue — DRM.
2. Dedicated Video Downloaders (The “Capture” Tools)
These tools are specifically designed to bypass DRM and dump the video file directly. They are the most legally risky and in almost all cases, violate terms of service.
Note: I will NOT provide direct links or specific names to these tools because their primary function is a copyright violation. A quick web search for article “video downloader for streaming sites,” will reveal them easily.
How they work: The tools typically operate as browser add-ons and will intercept the video stream from the website only after it has been decrypted in order to save it to the hard drive.
Big Risks:
- Legal Risk: Clear violation of copyright and violation of Terms of Service.
- Security Risk: Very high probability of being bundled with other unwanted software, or malware.
- Quality & Reliability: May break every time Netflix updates their platform or DRM.
The Legal and Official Way
If you’d like to watch Netflix shows and movies offline here is the official way:
The Netflix App: On Windows, macOS, Android and iOS, the Netflix app allows you to download selected TV shows and movies to watch offline, and it is the only way to get Netflix content on your device offline that is 100% legal, safe, and trustworthy. The downloaded Netflix content is DRM protected and can only be viewed within the app.
Conclusion
While there is such a thing as “free Netflix video capture software,” in the form of screen recordings (think OBS) or a special downloader, this is going to have a lot of legal, technical, and security issues. Screen recorders usually struggle with DRM, and the downloader is illegal and you’re putting your device and accounts at risk.
The only way to guarantee that it is safe, legal, and will work is to use the official Netflix download feature within the app.
