Website • Download • Features • Build from source • Free vs Pro
If this saved you from another watermarked trial recorder, please leave a star. It genuinely helps.
Most free screen recorders make you pick a compromise: a watermark burned into your video, a 5-minute cap, a signup wall, or an interface from 2009. Horizon UltraCapture exists because none of that is necessary. Windows already gives you a hardware encoder that can capture 1080p60 with almost no CPU cost - the software just has to get out of the way and use it.
- No watermark, no time limit, no account. Install it, press record, get a clean file.
- Hardware encoding. The GPU does the work, so your game or call keeps its frame rate.
- One-click presets. Tutorial, meeting and podcast profiles, already tuned. No settings rabbit hole.
- Knows your disk. A live forecast tells you the GB per hour before you hit record, not after you run out of space.
- Keyboard-first.
Ctrl+Kopens a command palette for every action in the app. - Genuinely nice to look at. Dark glass interface, five accent colours, and a reduced-motion switch for anyone who wants things still.
Capture - pick a source, tune the engine and roll in one click. The disk forecast updates as you change settings.
Library - every take you have recorded on this machine, searchable, with preview and reveal-in-folder.
Settings - quality, frame rate, container, replay buffer, GPU encoding and appearance, all searchable.
Windows 10 / 11, 64-bit. No account. No watermark.
Prefer to compile it yourself? See Build from source below - it is two commands.
Windows SmartScreen may warn you on first run because the installer is not yet code-signed with an EV certificate. Choose More info then Run anyway, or build from source if you would rather not trust a binary.
| Resolution | 1080p, 30 or 60 FPS |
| Containers | WebM (VP9) and MKV (H.264) |
| Audio | System audio and microphone, mixed or separate toggles, with live input level meters |
| Encoding | GPU hardware acceleration (NVENC / QuickSync / AMF via Chromium) with a software fallback |
| Replay buffer | Pre-save up to 1 minute, so you can capture the thing that already happened |
| Global hotkey | Ctrl + Shift + R starts and stops from anywhere, even fullscreen |
| Floating widget | A small always-on-top controller stays out of your recording |
| Countdown | Optional 3-2-1 before capture begins |
One click applies resolution, frame rate, container and audio routing together.
| Preset | What it sets up |
|---|---|
| Tutorial 1080p | 1080p60 WebM, mic and system audio - clean voiceover work |
| Meeting Lite | 1080p30, smaller files for long calls |
| Podcast Audio+ | Audio-priority capture with both inputs live |
| YouTube 4K60 | Pro |
| Gameplay 8K | Pro |
Before you record, the Capture view shows the estimated GB per hour, the target bitrate, and the size of a 10-minute clip for your exact combination of quality, frame rate, container and GPU setting. Change any setting and the numbers move immediately.
Every recording made on the machine, newest first, with search, list or grid layout, in-app preview, reveal in folder and delete.
- Command palette on
Ctrl+Kfor every action - Shortcut sheet on
? - Session timer and toast notifications
- Searchable settings
- Collapsible sidebar
- Five accent colours: violet, azure, cyan, ember, mint
- Reduced-motion toggle that disables every animation
Prerequisites: Node.js (includes npm) and Windows 10 or 11.
git clone https://github.com/MohamedAbdelhamid26/HorizonUC.git
cd HorizonUC
npm install # Electron + electron-builder
npm start # run in development
npm run dist # build the Windows installer into dist2/Windows users can double-click build.bat, which runs the same steps. The installer and portable build land in dist2/.
Note: Rust is not required.
dxgi_capture_poc.rsis a standalone proof-of-concept for a future native capture backend; it is not part of the Electron build and there is noCargo.tomlin this repository.
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
Ctrl + Shift + R |
Start / stop recording (global, works while fullscreen) |
Ctrl + K |
Command palette |
? |
Shortcut sheet |
Esc |
Close palette or overlay |
This repository is the free edition, and it is a complete screen recorder - not a crippled demo. The limits below are enforced honestly in the code: locked controls are visibly marked rather than silently ignored.
| Capability | Free (this repo) | Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Capture resolution | 1080p | 1080p, 4K, 8K native |
| Frame rate | 30 / 60 FPS | 30 / 60 FPS |
| Output format | WebM (VP9), MKV (H.264) | WebM (VP9), MKV (H.264) |
| Watermark | None | None |
| Recording length | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| System audio + microphone | Yes | Yes |
| GPU-accelerated encoding | Yes | Yes, prioritised |
| Replay buffer | Up to 1 minute | Up to 1 minute |
| Webcam overlay / picture-in-picture | Locked | Device and corner selection |
| Window and region targeting | Primary monitor only | Any window or region |
| Licence activation screen | Not included | Yes |
Pro licences are available from the official website. The free edition never expires and never nags mid-recording.
| File | Purpose |
|---|---|
main.js |
Electron main process - windows, tray, global hotkey, IPC, file output |
app.js |
Renderer logic - capture pipeline, settings state, library |
enhance.js |
Additive UI/UX layer (presets, palette, forecast, shortcuts). Touches no capture logic |
index.html |
Application shell and all views |
styles.css |
Design system and theming tokens |
widget.html |
Floating always-on-top recording widget |
build/ |
Installer icons (icon.png, icon.ico) |
github_screenshots/ |
Images used by this README |
dxgi_capture_poc.rs |
Experimental native DXGI capture proof-of-concept (not built) |
- Redesigned interface with brand palette and Inter typeface
- Live disk and bitrate forecasting
- Capture presets and command palette
- Working
package.jsonso the repo builds out of the box - Region and single-window capture in the free edition
- Native DXGI capture backend (see
dxgi_capture_poc.rs) - Built-in trim and export
- macOS and Linux builds
Want something moved up the list? Open an issue - requests with the most reactions get built first.
Is there really no watermark or time limit?
Correct. The free edition records for as long as your disk allows and never brands your video. The Pro limits are about resolution, webcam overlay and window targeting - never about spoiling your output.
Why is my recording a .webm file?
WebM (VP9) is the default because it is efficient and plays everywhere on the web. If your editor prefers H.264, switch the container to MKV in Settings.
Will recording slow down my game?
GPU-accelerated encoding is on by default, so the encode runs on dedicated hardware instead of your CPU. Turn hardware encoding off in Settings only if you hit driver issues.
Where do my recordings go?
Into your Videos folder, and every file is listed in the Library view where you can preview it or reveal it in Explorer.
Does it work on macOS or Linux?
Not yet. The capture pipeline and installer target Windows 10 and 11 today. Cross-platform builds are on the roadmap.
Why is app.js minified?
The shipped renderer bundle is obfuscated to protect the licensing logic. The UI layer (`index.html`, `styles.css`, `enhance.js`) and the Electron main process (`main.js`) are readable, so you can inspect and modify how the app looks and behaves.
Bug reports and feature requests are very welcome:
- Something broken? Open an issue with your Windows version, GPU, and the settings you used.
- Missing a feature? Open an issue and describe the workflow you want.
- Just enjoying it? A star is the single most useful thing you can do - it is how other people find the project.
Please read the licence note below before opening a pull request, since this is source-available rather than open-source software.
Source code, UI designs and logic: Copyright (c) 2026 Pegasus AI Corporate LLC. All rights reserved.
This is proprietary, source-available software owned by Pegasus AI Corporate LLC. You are welcome to read the code, build it and run it locally. You may not redistribute it, publish modified versions, or use the source for commercial purposes.
Logos and branding: the "Horizon" and "Pegasus AI" names and all associated logos and icons are trademarks of Pegasus AI Corporate LLC. Please do not reuse these visual assets.