Bandicam is a popular screen recording software known for its high performance, ease-of-use, and ability to capture high-quality video. However, if you’ve used the free version of Bandicam, you’ve certainly noticed the watermark it places prominently at the top of your recordings. For content creators and professionals, this watermark can be a distraction and reduce the overall quality of your projects.
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If you want to legally and freely remove the Bandicam watermark, your best bet is to use alternatives or adjust your creative process to minimize the watermark’s impact. There are also limited circumstances in which Bandicam offers watermark-free trials or student licenses. Avoid illegal cracks or hacks, as they are unethical and potentially dangerous for your computer.
Why Does Bandicam Add a Watermark?
Bandicam’s watermark is added in the free version of the software as a way to encourage users to purchase the full version. It’s essentially part of their business model—offering a taste of the product with the watermark and then charging for the complete experience.
For users who are not ready to buy the software but still want clean, watermark-free videos, this can be frustrating. Fortunately, there are legitimate, legal ways to deal with this issue that we’ll explore below.
1. Use the Free Trial of Bandicam Without a Watermark (Limited Use)
Bandicam occasionally offers promotional events or free-trial periods where the watermark is removed for a limited time. These events may be targeted toward educators, students, or during special product launches.
To check for these:
- Visit the official Bandicam website.
- Look for any announcements of free or educational licenses.
- Sign up for their newsletter to get notified of future promotions.
Note: These events are rare and often limited in duration, but are 100% legal and watermark-free when available.
2. Crop the Watermarked Area After Recording
If you already have a recording and the only issue is the watermark at the top, one easy workaround is to crop out the watermark using video editing software.
Here are the steps:
- Import your recorded video into a free editor like Shotcut or DaVinci Resolve.
- Use the cropping tool to remove the top portion of the video where the watermark appears.
- Export the edited video for publishing.
This method is effective but comes with minor drawbacks:
- Your video’s resolution and aspect ratio may be affected.
- Part of your original content may be cut off if it’s located near the watermark.
3. Blur or Mask the Watermark Using Video Editors
An alternative to cropping is to blur or mask the watermark using a shape overlay or blur filter in a video editor. This approach allows you to maintain full video dimensions while obfuscating the watermark.
How to do this:
- Use a video editor like Shotcut, OpenShot, or Kdenlive.
- Add a blur filter or shape over the watermark area.
- Match the shape’s timing with the entire video duration.
This doesn’t remove the mark, but it hides it, making it less distracting to viewers.
4. Use an Alternative Free Screen Recorder that Doesn’t Add a Watermark
There are several free alternatives to Bandicam that do not add watermarks to your videos. This is often the most effective and legal method for avoiding unwanted branding on your recordings.
Top alternatives include:
- OBS Studio: Highly customizable, open-source, and watermark-free. Ideal for gamers and streamers.
- ShareX: A powerful screen capture and recording tool with no watermark and rich features.
- Xbox Game Bar (Windows 10/11): Built-in Windows recorder for basic needs, no watermark, great for game recording.
- Screencast-O-Matic (Free Plan): Places a small watermark, but the paid version is affordable and may be a better fit for some users.
Switching tools can take time but may provide better functionality and long-term value than using the limited Bandicam free version.
5. Get Access through Education or Non-Profit Programs
In some cases, schools, universities, or non-profit organizations have access to licensed versions of Bandicam for their students or members. If you’re part of an institution, it’s worth checking if a licensed version is made available to you.
To find out:
- Ask your IT department or program coordinator.
- Look at your institution’s software provisioning portals.
- Contact Bandicam support to inquire if your educational institution qualifies for a special license.
This approach is 100% legal and can give you access to the full version without the watermark.
6. Purchase the Full Version (One-Time Fee)
While not free, this method cannot be ignored in a trustworthy guide. Purchasing Bandicam is the only guaranteed way to remove the watermark permanently and legally. The software is offered at a one-time cost, which means no recurring subscription fees—making it a good investment for consistent users.
Bandicam Pricing Highlights:
- $39.95 for 1-PC license.
- Discounts available for multi-license purchases or educational use.
Consider this option if you frequently produce video content and rely on high-performance screen recording.
Avoid Illegal or Cracked Versions
Some websites offer cracked versions of Bandicam that claim to remove the watermark for free. This is highly discouraged for several reasons:
- It is illegal and violates Bandicam’s licensing terms.
- Such downloads often include malware or viruses.
- There’s no support, updates, or stability when using cracked tools.
If your work matters and you care about ethics, steer clear of pirated software.
Conclusion
Removing the Bandicam watermark without violating any laws or compromising your system’s security is absolutely possible. Whether it’s using an alternative screen recorder, blurring or cropping the watermark, or taking advantage of limited-time licenses and educational programs, there are multiple trustworthy paths to explore.
If you plan to use screen recording software long-term, investing in a paid version—whether it’s Bandicam or another—is worth serious consideration. For casual or occasional use, free alternatives like OBS Studio may even prove more effective and versatile.
Staying legal and ethical when using software isn’t just the right thing to do—it also ensures your work remains clean, professional, and respected.
