Many professionals in the market today, such as developers, system administrators, customer support teams, mentors, tutors, and bloggers, are adopting screen recording software on a large scale.
Top-notch screen recording software empowers you to capture both images and videos from your computer monitors. It can be used for various purposes, such as sharing with others, crafting product-related videos, tutorials, lessons, and demos, editing and exporting YouTube content, streaming live content to broader audiences, and more.
Writing a text description of such actions takes a lot longer than just showing your screen. But the problem is that you are not physically close to the people who need to see your screen. Video capture apps address this dilemma by allowing you to view your screen remotely.
These days, a lot of screen recording tools incorporate features found in the best video editing software, which enhances the overall production value. This makes the process of producing educational content easier, allowing users to concentrate on producing content instead of worrying about technical details.
Choosing the best screen recorder can be daunting due to the availability of numerous recorders on the market. You will be in a better position to choose the best screen recording program once your needs are clear. Here is a buyer’s guide to aid you in your selection journey of the best screen recorders.
What constitutes a good screen recorder?
The ideal screen recorder for you will depend on your unique needs, but good screen recording software has a few essential components. No matter what you need, you must search for the following:
– Capability to record the entire screen, a single window, or a designated area.
– Recording options for webcam, system audio, and microphone audio.
– Handy presentation tools like cursor highlighting, annotations, or captions.
– Simultaneous recording of microphone and system audio.
– Production of high-quality recordings without watermarks.
– Convenient export and sharing options, preferably in MP4 format.
– User-friendly interface for ease of use.
– Good value for the price.
But the process goes beyond mere screen recording; user engagement is greatly impacted by the final output’s quality.
Certain elements might be essential for your requirements, while others might just enhance your experience. These are the minimum requirements that all screen capture applications should strive to fulfil.
There may be other factors as well, especially if you want to produce professional-grade videos. It is important to consider variables like export file size and recording frame rate.
Features like virtual green screen effects are available in some screen capture software for creative editing enthusiasts.
When it comes to troubleshooting or support, the finest screen capture software makes it easier to identify problems or demonstrate how things work.
Lastly, it’s crucial to consider your system’s performance and compatibility with the recording software, especially if you plan to capture resource-intensive applications like video games.
- Camtasia
SPECIFICATIONS
Operating system: Windows, macOS
| Pros | Cons |
| User-friendly | Upfront costs |
| Loaded with video editing features | Too many potential options for newcomers |
| Handles any recording task easily |
If you are looking for an app that can seamlessly combine screen recording with a wide range of editing features, look no further than Camtasia.
Camtasia by TechSmith stands as one of the most popular top-tier recording software options for both Windows and Mac users, despite its higher price point. It distinguished itself from the competition with its easy-to-use setup process, excellent recording capabilities, and powerful editing features.
With its simple and effective screen capture features, users can effortlessly record the full screen, specific windows, or custom areas. After choosing your capture region and whether to enable webcam and microphone inputs, press the Record button. Notably, Camtasia provides some of the best cursor effects available in similar applications.
However, Camtasia excels most in its editing studio, offering a plethora of additional features aimed at crafting professional-quality videos. Camtasia works incredibly well, whether you are recording PowerPoint presentations or gaming sessions. Users have control over many aspects of the recording parameters, such as the webcam integration and audio settings. Highlights include the seamless integration of captions and text overlays with stunning animations and transitions, as well as access to an extensive asset library comprising media files, images, annotations, audio, and more.
One unique feature of Camtasia is its closed captions tool, which allows users to add text while a four-second audio clip plays in a loop. After finishing their typing, users can press Tab to move on to the next loop.
For users who might find Camtasia’s editing tools challenging to use, the app provides excellent tutorial videos. While experienced video producers can make the most of Camtasia’s creative possibilities, even beginners will find it useful as the software caters to a wide range of abilities.
But as they say, quality has a cost, and Camtasia is no different with its high price point.
It offers a lifetime license option or an annual subscription for updates, including support and access to training materials. It is therefore ideal for power users and business organizations.
A three-day free trial of Camtasia provides ample opportunity to review its features. However, the full version is very expensive; an annual subscription costs slightly less than $180. This is reasonable for a comprehensive video editor, but it might seem steep for a screen recording program.
The question of whether Camtasia is cost-effective ultimately depends on specific use cases. If you’re seeking an all-in-one solution and can afford the investment, Camtasia is a good option to try.
While the cost may seem steep, serious screen recorders should consider giving Camtasia a try, especially with its generous 60-day free trial requiring only a free account registration.
- OBS Studio
Specifications: Operating system: Windows, macOS, Linux
| Pros | Cons |
| Effectively manages multiple audio and video files | Not easy to grasp from scratch |
| Won’t incur any costs to use |
OBS Studio is a free, open-source screen recording software, renowned for its ability to capture video and live stream seamlessly. It delivers exceptional performance, ranking among the top performers in the realm of screen recording software. It is particularly popular among streamers and YouTubers seeking to capture both their screens and webcams simultaneously. Capable of generating high-quality video effortlessly, OBS Studio becomes a pleasure to use once users familiarize themselves with its basic functions and navigate its more complex features.
OBS Studio is available across Windows, Linux, and Mac platforms, offering real-time source and device capture, scene composition, encoding, recording, and broadcasting capabilities comparable to professional-grade features typically associated with premium capture tools.
Many different plugins can be used with this software to increase its functionality and customize it to meet individual needs.
OBS Studio, primarily designed for gamers, features live streaming while also being an excellent option for recording videos. Although similar apps in this category typically allow webcam and screen recording, OBS Studio surpasses them by letting users integrate as many displays and cameras as possible, with the only restriction being the power of their computer.
Furthermore, it can also make customizable “studios,” which are preset video and audio configurations that can be easily switched on and off with hotkeys while recording. These presets, which are especially useful for live streaming, simplify the recording process by carefully planning and removing the need to make last-minute adjustments to the settings. It is easy to adjust the dimensions and locations of elements in each studio with a few clicks and drags.
Moreover, it includes advanced features such as noise reduction for voiceovers and the ability to set transitions between scenes. The extensive features of OBS Studio may seem excessive to those seeking a quick recording solution, particularly for beginners.
The highlight of OBS is that, once set up, it is very simple to use, making it convenient to record or stream seamlessly while on the go. This versatility of mid-stream customization makes it a preferred choice among streamers.
One of OBS Studio’s disadvantages is the amount of time it takes to use it to its fullest extent. However, there is a big payoff, once users get the hang of the program,
Another drawback of OBS Studio is its lack of editing capabilities. Users need to be ready for recording sessions because there are no editing features in the software.
OBS Studio is primarily designed for streamers and video creators who want to record in a single take, so it might not be appropriate for those looking for comprehensive editing features. However, most professionals who use OBS Studio typically complement it with a preferred video editing software. Therefore, OBS Studio might be the perfect screen recording partner if you already have a preferred editor.
The overall functionality and user experience of OBS Studio are exceptional. Nevertheless, it might take some time to get used to all the buttons and functions.
OBS Studio might not be as user-friendly or as easily configured as some of its competitors. Nevertheless, its advantages lie in being free, and open-source, and it comes with almost all the tools needed for recording, streaming, and creating content.
With a wide array of integrations, including 80 platforms ranging from major names like Facebook and YouTube to niche platforms like Pandora TV, OBS Studio offers unparalleled versatility.
Setting up the stream is straightforward, requiring users to simply paste their stream key into the designated text box in the Settings menu, enabling the convenient “Start Streaming” button on the main dashboard. Any modifications made to a studio, such as audio mixing or webcam placement, are reflected live, emphasizing the importance of being prepared before broadcasting.
- Ice Cream Screen Recorder
Specifications: Operating system: Windows
| Pros | Cons |
| Simple and efficient screen recording engine | The minimalist interface isn’t always user-friendly |
| Zoom and annotation tools incorporated |
Icecream Screen Recorder is a flexible tool designed to record any area of your computer screen. It is ideal for users who do not need extensive feature sets because it provides a lightweight substitute for more robust options like Camtasia or OBS Studio. It provides you with the necessary tools to create professional-quality screen captures tailored to your specific needs.
This screen capture software, which is compatible with both Windows and Mac, is particularly looking for a user-friendly solution, especially on budget PCs. Whether you’re capturing video tutorials, applications and games, live streams, Skype calls, webinars, or more, Icecream Screen Recorder has got you covered.
Operating the software is a simple process: just launch it, click the record button, select the desired screen area, and begin recording.
Although Icecream Screen Recorder makes it easy to choose the recording area and save footage, it might not be as precise as more advanced tools.
It does, however, enable annotation of recorded content, incorporate a webcam feed, permit zooming while capturing, and adjust the quality of the output video.
There are restrictions with the free version, such as a five-minute time limit. The Pro version has no such restrictions and has extra features such as access to more output formats, format conversion capabilities, watermarking options, and the ability to schedule screen recordings. For users who want more customization and flexibility in their screen recording actions, these features can be quite helpful.
Key Features:
- Flexible output quality selection.
- Options to record specific screen areas or the entire screen.
- Ability to overlay webcam footage onto your screen recording.
- Tools for adding text, shapes, and arrows to enhance your recordings.
- Capabilities to record full-screen 3D games.
- Support for saving recordings in GIF format.
- Functionality for adding watermark logos to your screen recordings.
- Screencastify
Specifications: Operating system- Linux, Windows, Mac
| Pros | Cons |
| It works directly within your web browser. | Limitations of capture options |
| Merge screen and webcam feeds. |
Screencastify offers a free screen recording solution directly within Chrome, catering to both novice and seasoned video creators alike.
Screencasttify is one of the best screen recording tools, and it is renowned for its simplicity and effectiveness. With just a single click of the record button, users can capture webcam content, browser tabs, or their entire desktop. It’s an invaluable tool for creating screencasts, presentations, video tutorials, and more.
As a Chrome browser extension designed for screen recording, Screencastify is a great option for those with low-end PCs or who would rather not install extra software.
Despite being a Chrome add-on, Screencastify is more flexible than just a tool for recording browser windows; users can record in full-screen mode, capture webcam footage or specific browser tabs, and include audio from microphones and system sounds.
The tool seamlessly integrates webcam feeds into your recording, giving you full control over their placement. Additionally, the extension supports on-screen annotations and drawings and even captures content offline, without an internet connection.
While it may not offer as many advanced features as other programs, Screencastify provides ample flexibility. To access features like watermark-free recording and extended recording times beyond 10 minutes, users can opt for a paid upgrade.
Make the most of Screencastify’s annotation tools to captivate your audience during your story or presentation. Features such as click highlighting, drawing pen, and mouse spotlight can enhance engagement.
Once you’ve completed recording your video, you can easily share it with the world without any hassle. Screencastify offers options to autosave recordings to Google Drive, instantly share links, upload directly to YouTube, and export recordings as MP3, MP4, or animated GIF files.
Key Features:
- You can record videos in offline mode.
- It provides mouse spotlight click highlighting for enhanced engagement.
- You can upload videos to YouTube.
- There are versatile export options, including animated GIF, MP4, or MP3 formats.
- You can narrate with the help of a microphone.
- Convenient autosave feature for Google Drive.
With Screencastify, users have access to an extensive set of features that simplify the screen recording process, making it a valuable tool for various recording needs.
- EaseUs RecExperts
Specifications: Operating system- Windows
| Pros | Cons |
| User-friendly | Limited editing features |
| Up to 4K/60fps captures | 1-minute cap on the free version |
| Numerous beneficial, business-driven tools |
EaseUS RecExperts is one of the best screen recorders available for Windows and Mac systems.
Loaded with various features, such as a scheduler and GIF maker, this software excels at capturing footage at resolutions up to 4K/60fps. Its versatility makes it suitable for delivering presentations and webinars, recording gaming sessions, or performing specific tasks on a computer.
RecExperts is excellent at automatically detecting connected webcams and microphones, saving you a lot of troubleshooting. Its user-friendly interface provides seamless navigation, thereby improving the overall recording experience.
However, similar to FlashBack Express, RecExperts does not have comprehensive post-production editing tools; users can trim recordings, add watermarks, and incorporate intros and outros, but not beyond.
Furthermore, the free version of the tool is also little more than a trial, imposing a severe one-minute recording restriction. However, monthly and annual subscription plans provide unlimited screen captures and access to all other tools
- Ashampoo Snap
Specifications: Windows
| Pros | Cons |
| Versatile and ingenious toolbox | PC only |
| Commendable screenshot options | Disappointing screen recorder |
| Several photo editing tools | Fewer video editing tools |
Ashampoo’s Snap is a PC-only screen capture utility, designed to facilitate capturing images and videos of your desktop and any software you might choose to use.
It does a great job at capturing images, providing numerous pre- and post-shot options as well as a feature-rich editor for highly customizable photos.
On the other hand, the video capture feature appears unfinished and lacking in customization options and tools.
The interface behaves differently too; the toolbar disappears during image capture but remains visible during video recording, creating a disjointed user experience. The toolbar functions differently in this instance as well—it vanishes when capturing a picture but stays visible when capturing a video—which gives the impression that this software is two independent parts that were forced to work together.
Nevertheless, it is reasonably priced at $13 per year for three PCs or $40 for a single device.
- Tiny Take
Specifications: Operating systems: Windows
| Pros | Cons |
| It couldn’t be simpler to start using | Lacks advanced options for selecting the source |
| Effortless sharing on other platforms. |
TinyTake is a simple screen recorder available for both Windows and macOS, offering all the features you need without unnecessary extras, making it one of the top choices for sharing videos and images with others.
In terms of screen recording, all it takes is a few clicks to get started after creating the required account. Simply select the area to be captured, press the start button, and TinyTake takes care of the rest. Like Icecream Screen Recorder, it’s particularly suitable for use on low-end PCs or laptops.
To access additional features like annotations and record sessions lasting longer than five minutes, you must upgrade to TinyTake’s paid version. It is, however, a perfect option for simple screen recording and easy sharing on platforms like YouTube.
9. Loom
Specifications: Operating system- Windows, Mac, Android, iPhone/iPad, Chrome
| Pros | Cons |
| User-friendly | Video restrictions |
| Intuitive design | Needs a dedicated app |
| Sharing capabilities |
Loom is not just another desktop recording program; it is more of a video communication platform that lets users record their screens, edit them, and share them right away. It is particularly recommended for creating short videos that need to be watched and reviewed.
Loom, compatible with PCs, Macs, smartphones, and tablets, functions like a standard screen recorder, featuring a user-friendly interface with intuitive controls and features. You can record up to 720p quality with system sounds and optional virtual backgrounds for your webcam.
Loom is a simple, free, and user-friendly tool designed to streamline screen recording tasks. It can be installed quickly and is compatible with multiple platforms, so users can use it immediately and share it via a link.
Trusted by over 7 million users, spanning 90,000 companies globally, Loom makes the screen recording experience simpler; you can choose to record your screen, your screen with webcam video, or just your webcam. Once it is recorded, your video is uploaded to Loom. You can share the video link directly or use the browser’s basic editing features. Others are now able to view, respond, and react to the content.
However, where Loom stands out is after the recording process is complete. Although its basic editing features are not particularly remarkable, they do slightly outperform those of most other free screen recorders. Rather than producing video content for public consumption, Loom is primarily designed for sharing.
However, Loom has its drawbacks. The desktop app functions smoothly, but the mobile apps are somewhat limited and confusing. For example, the Android version requires users to enter their Google password to log in rather than making use of the built-in Google accounts. Moreover, the iPhone and iPad apps cannot combine video with screen recording.
The free version of Loom allows access to the core features and storage of up to 25 videos per account, with each video restricted to a maximum duration of five minutes. Even though it might seem limited, this is ideal for quickly showing something to associates or coworkers. You can always download your videos to another location if you approach the video limit.
While Loom does have a paid version that costs $12.50 per user per month, the main benefits are that you can create unlimited videos and you can use Loom’s AI and transcript features. Although these AI-powered editing and transcription tools seem promising, Loom is not the only platform offering them, and it seems like Loom’s AI capabilities are still developing.
The company recently unveiled beta AI features that include auto-generated chapters, titles, and summaries; auto-suggested tasks and next steps for viewers; and the removal of filler words and silence. Although the auto-generation feature functions well, the results are relatively basic. An upgrade is necessary to access AI features, but the benefits they offer are not worth the upgrade price
Overall, Loom is renowned as the top screen recorder for its speed and ease of use; and for most users, Loom remains a hassle-free solution for completing recording tasks.
Loom pricing:
Free for 25 videos of up to five minutes each.
Business plans start at $12.50/month/user, offering unlimited videos and recording length.
Pricing
- Free version
- $150/year for unlimited videos and AI features
10. Movavi
| Pros | Cons |
| Setting up scheduled captures is a simple process. | No monthly pricing option |
| For more comprehensive editing, a separate Movavi app is required. |
Movavi, a lightweight screen recorder for PCs with a built-in editor, is extensively used for capturing webinars, tutorials, and online courses. One standout feature of this screen recorder is its ability to capture full-HD video at approximately 60 frames per second, along with audio.
With this tool, you can record live streams or webinars while you are not at your desk. This feature is located under Scheduler in the preferences. You can designate a start and end time for a recording, or you can set a time limit for the subsequent recording. You can even configure it to automatically turn your computer off or put it to sleep when the capture is complete.
To use the tool, just select the desired region of the screen and make any necessary adjustments. Then, press the REC button to start the screen recording. After recording, make use of the simple editing tools to enhance the file and save it in the format of your choice for optimal outcomes.
Make screencasts by recording video screens, using a webcam to record your face, adding microphone input for voiceovers, and using system audio to record internal noises. You can also seamlessly take screenshots of webpages by using the free Movavi ScreenShot extension.
With Movavi, you can record audio from a computer or a microphone either separately or in tandem with your screen recording. Furthermore, Movavi makes it possible to plan recordings for specific days and times. You can evaluate recordings using the preview window and add images or annotations as desired.
Collaborate effortlessly by exchanging links with colleagues and sharing recordings through Google Drive or YouTube. Screenshot sharing on social media is also supported. Use the SuperSpeed tool to speed up video conversions and display keystrokes in recordings with a mouse overlay.
Movavi supports the following file formats: MP3, MP4, PNG, JPG, AVI, MKV, MOV, and BMP. Frequent updates bring new features and functionalities at no extra cost, and built-in tips help optimize the use of the software. Additionally, a 30-day money-back guarantee is available for dissatisfied customers.
Pricing for Movavi: Watermarks on all free recordings; $42.95 for a personal license for an individual, or $85.95 for a business license.
