While I'm totally aware that "there's reputable options" I personally found that those free options were either bloated, or required minimum hardware specs I didn't met, so every time I tried them they introduced lag to my recording sessions.
I've been working on this since March 6th of 2026 and it's been worked on constantly to add features and performance improvements.
It first began as a GIMP Plug-In that made use of two tools: Python-Fu and FFMPEG to integrate "native" Screen Recording capabilities to GIMP.
When I realized that the capture method didn't added lag to my digital drawing process, I thought about taking that script out of GIMP and turn it into a proper app that worked as a stand-alone app. Then, couple months later I finished "Papalotl v2"... and today, that same script that began as a GIMP Plug-In, sits at version 5.X.
Features
- No installation required. Simply download and start using.
- Automatically sync your Android devices. Simply turn on "Developer Mode" then enable "USB Debugging" and start using.
Papalotl has 2 engines/modules, one is for PC and the other for Android.
PC Recording
Modes:
- Lite Mode: Uses less CPU but outputs slightly large files.
- Pro Mode: Uses more CPU but outputs smaller files.
- Lossless Mode: This mode uses even less CPU than Pro but output larger files than Lite.
Quality Settings:
- Best: Is the heaviest capture encoder, yet this won't disturb your tasks.
- Good: Sits between these two modes.
- Low: This is the encoder that uses a super-fast encoder, yet the quality is very good.
Engines:
- Tutorial mode records continuously until you decide to stop. Great for gameplays or tutorials that needs your voice and or game audio.
- Timelapse mode is left-click driven. I use this mode when digital drawing/painting, because only grabs frames when my stylus is actively drawing. Doesn't capture audio.
- Snapshot: If you plan to record long periods, such as a coding/programming session, use this mode. Doesn't capture audio.
Options:
- Fullscreen: Grabs your entire screen.
- Target Window: If you want to record just one particular window, use this mode.
- Area Select: If you somehow need to record a very specific area of your monitor.
Outputs:
- Save your videos as 720p.
- Save as 1080p.
- Save as your "Native" monitor resolution.
Android Recording
Modes:
- Phone Screen: Allows you to record your Android Screen, it can also capture internal audio.
- Phone Camera: Records using your integrated camera, saves directly to PC. A Multi-Device feature has been added that allows you to record with two or more Android Phones at the same time each device can save audio from mic.
- Local Stream: It simply mirrors in your Monitor whatever you point at, doesn't save any files though.
Recording Options:
- Phone Screen: Can save a Screen Recording at either 720p, 1080p or "Native" device's display resolution. 4 Orientation modes.
- Phone Camera: Can save in 720p, 1080p or "Native" which will grab your compatible integrated Camera sensor resolution. This will depend on manufacturer.
Requirements
- Windows 7 or 10. Can't guarantee compatibility with 8 and 11.
- Android 12+ and USB cable.
- SSD advised.
- Two binaries will be uploaded, one has everything included, the other requires you to download whatever version of the binaries you want. Don't guarantee it'll work with any version so make sure to get:
- FFMPEG.exe 3.X or later (Suggested version: 7.0.0).
- ADB.exe 35.0.2-12141500
- SCRCPY.exe 3.3.4 + scrcpy-server
Known Issues:
- I do not advice using the PAUSE/RESUME feature while recording in "Tutorial Mode" depending on whatever you're doing might introduce heavy desync after resume, it's a gamble. So I advise to use this only for Timelapse or Snapshot modes.
- Video and Audio are captured as separated files with a checkbox to merge them at the end of recording. If you don't choose the appropriate audio driver before recording, your video will fail. This is not a bug!
- Target Window mode doesn't work in Windows 7 Classic Shell. Enable AERO in order to use this mode.
- Android Mode might not work in Windows 7.
Free Download:
https://ko-fi.com/s/be7bc10af3
Is this AI generated?
No
Is this AI assisted?
When I got stuck and CMD didn't threw debug messages, yes.
