Cross-platform software that allows you to record video and images from the screen has made a splash lately. Many people successfully use these tools, from ordinary students to recording a presentation to professionals. We researched the 13 best screen recording software for Windows and macOS (free and paid) to help you find an ideal fit for your needs.
Many good options can be found on the Internet, but sometimes you need high-quality software that allows you to record from the screen, and preferably free.
When choosing software for these purposes, you should consider several factors, including:
- ease of use;
- suggested editing functions;
- screen capture options;
- paid or free tool;
- most reviewed online.
Based on these criteria, we will consider the best offers for free and paid screen recording apps.
Paid screen recording software that we love
Movavi Screen Recorder – best screen recording software for Windows & macOS
Each of the Movavi apps is designed for a particular purpose. You may get Movavi Screen Recorder for screen recording.
The recording procedure is as easy as possible – choose a suitable location for your recordings, click on the red circle, and start recording. A great bonus: The software can identify the size of the open program windows without the need first to measure out pixels. All it takes is one click.
Another option is to utilize it to show the keystrokes and highlight the mouse pointer while reacting to the hitting of a key. The trial version will only include system audio capture.
Still, you may use the microphone attached to your system. You may choose different frame rates for the exported MP4.
In Movavi Screen Recorder, a watermark is there, but unlike Bandicam, the watermark is located in the exact center of the screen.
Camtasia – best screen recorder for tutorial videos
In addition to screen recording and video editing, Camtasia by TechSmith is also an integrated screen recording and video editing application. With its Screen Recording App, you can easily capture your computer screen and personalize your movies in minutes.
Another additional benefit of external video is the ability to import and modify. It has a large user base, with over 24 million individuals using it. One of the most important competitors in this review is this.
There are many more sophisticated capabilities in the newest version of Camtasia, including audio leveling and cursor smoothing. Video editing was thus made simpler and faster thanks to Camtasia 2019. Anyone can make videos that are both educational and entertaining.
A free 30-day, 100% functioning trial period is available. The trial version videos will have a watermark, though.
If you remove the watermark, you have to purchase the full version. This app’s pricing is on the higher end when compared to other similar apps.
Do a feature tour of the app, inspecting the app’s key features.
You can download Camtasia for Windows and Mac.
Screencapture.com – best online screen recorder
Screencapture.com is a free online screen recorder and Screen Recorder extension for Chrome. This is ideal as there is no need to download software or plugins.
The application allows you to view recordings and edit.
Unfortunately, this is another program that adds a watermark to the recorded video.
You can access Screencapture.com for free.
Apowersoft
Apowersoft Screen Recorder Pro is excellent for recording tutorials, software demos, presentations, and many other options besides games.
The tool works in a browser and allows you to:
- record pictures from your desktop or webcam;
- record sound from a microphone or PC;
- add annotations during recording;
- save the recording in MP4, AVI, WMV, and others;
- upload the captured picture or video file to YouTube, Dropbox, or Google Drive.
Download Apowersoft Screen Recorder for Windows / macOS.
Screencast-O-Matic
The free Screencast-O-Matic software is designed to record video clips from the screen in the browser. The number of recordings is not limited, but their duration should not exceed 15 minutes.
This is an excellent web-based video recording and editing application that’s easy to use but has powerful features. Screencast-O-Matic is a free application that lets you record your screen on Windows, macOS, and Chromebooks to make lessons, demonstrations, games, and other video content.
With the inclusion of a watermark, the free version of the product restricts recording duration. If you do not want to test video editing capabilities for 30 days, you may instead choose to try it for free for 30 days, but the functions that provide high-quality video are not accessible.
The non-paid version lets you record as many videos as you’d like, removes watermarks, and unlocks a wider variety of editing effects: resizing, auto subtitles, sharing tools, etc.
The app allows you to crop or zoom in on recorded clips, add captions, save the recording to your desktop, YouTube, cloud, or share a link, record audio and individual footage from your webcam.
The app’s only drawback is adding a watermark to all your entries. For those who do not like it, it is better to look for another option.
Free Download Screencast-O-Matic for Windows / macOS
Screenrec
Screenrec allows you to record from your computer screen in high resolution with simultaneous voice acting. The user gets 2 GB of free video hosting to manage their recordings, save files in MP4 format and play them on any selected device.
You can use video encryption and get a link to use it or transfer it to another person.
You can download Screenrec free for macOS / Windows / Linux.
Wondershare DemoCreator
Wondershare DemoCreator provides a free high-definition screen recording and editing function, with no time limit. You can also record system sounds and voice-overs, upload the recording to any social platform, or save it in MP4 format on your device.
DemoCreator impresses users with an intuitive recording interface and a collection of transitions and modern video effects. This tool is also helpful if you want to record games, create tutorial videos, or give presentations. We can say that its friendly user interface is captivating. It is easy for beginners who are recording screens and editing screencasts for the first time.
There are no additional features when editing videos compared to ActivePresenter or Camtasia. Still, you can quickly crop and edit videos in just a few seconds with a simple drag and drop. Unfortunately, the free version will place watermarks on your post.
You can download Wondershare for free for Windows / macOS.
Bandicam
BandiCam is one of the most popular applications, thanks to its simple interface. It has grown in popularity because of its overall sophisticated capabilities.
When you’re looking at the recording area, the first thing to notice is the fantastic array of options. You may draw a whole screen, pick a rectangle from common resolutions, or choose to cover the entire screen.
Having modes for capturing the cursor’s surrounding region and game modes that read streams from DirectX are both excellent ideas.
A camera or HDMI-connected device may also be used as a source. It’s now possible to use hotkeys. This tool is very useful since it shows the total recording time and the size of the movie in real time. You may choose between AVI and MP4 file formats, and you can adjust many settings like codec, bit rate, and more.
Unfortunately, you will have to suffer through a 10-minute recording time restriction with a watermark on the top of the window in the free edition.
You can download Bandicam for Windows and Mac.
Monosnap
When you don’t require many customizations and sophisticated capabilities, Monosnap is the simplest choice for MAC OS. The program is a “Scissors” counterpart to the well-known “Screenshots” for Windows. However, video recording is just one extra function of the device.
Management is streamlined to as great an extent as feasible, choosing the necessary region and then clicking the “record” button.
Unfortunately, you must manually extend the window. Helpful in generating step-by-step instructions is the ability to include arrows and windows as you fire.
Watermarks are not applied. Alternatively, users using Windows may want to test out Monosnap.
You can download Monosnap for Windows and Mac.
ActivePresenter
Atomi Systems is widely recognized for the use of ActivePresenter in the recording of screenplays, video editing, and e-learning. Currently, this software is accessible on both Windows and macOS.
You may record the screen and then rapidly edit instructional videos inside the program. In other words, the built-in screencasting feature lets you capture video without time restrictions on the screen.
Additional camera video recording is also available to use in tandem with screen recordings to explain what is occurring on the screen.
ActivePresenter features a user-friendly UI, and a feature-rich video editing bar made even easier via their feature-rich video editing bar. You will have time to master the program, even if you are a novice in the field of video editing.
There are three versions of the application: Free, Standard, and Pro. The free version allows you to record for as long as you want without the time restriction.
To round out your customization options, you may edit your recorded video or imported video using many editing tools without putting a watermark on the result. The more expensive subscription plans allow you to utilize even more sophisticated editing tools.
You can download ActivePresenter for Windows and Mac.
ScreenFlow
ScreenFlow is a Mac-only screen recorder and video editor. Some noteworthy characteristics make the tool stand out from the rest of the tools in this review.
Other excellent advantages include being simple to use, high-quality recording, and having a more user-friendly interface. Screen recording and video customization are available in a matter of seconds.
A 30-day free trial is available so that you may test out all the features. However, the video will be watermarked when it is exported.
You can download ScreenFlow for Mac.
Free screen recording software that saves money
OBS Studio – best all-in-one free screen recording software
Experts and beginner users consider OBS Studio to be the best free software with all the most important features:
- screen recording;
- recording pictures from a webcam, according to the “picture in picture” principle;
- sound recording from a microphone;
- choosing a recording format and transferring it through any service, for example, YouTube.
OBS Studio is available to run on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Both ordinary people and professionals can easily use it.
It has no restrictions on video size, and the recording speed is over 60 frames per second. OBS Studio is open source, it does not watermark the recorded material, and no one loads the user with unnecessary advertising.
You can download OBS Studio for free for Windows / macOS / Linux.
Ezvid – best free screen recording software for Windows
Ezvid is a free video-watching and editing application for Windows users. By this definition, this program is intended only for Windows screen recording.
You have a front-facing camera that will allow you to record your voice, along with synthetic voices. David is an excellent video production tool. Additionally, Ezvid can keep viewers captivated by using state-of-the-art special effects and functionalities.
Screen recording is fast and simple; video editing is precisely like that. Creating polished and flawless films may be completed in minutes, not hours.
Keep in mind that Ezvid records the screen for 45 minutes before its time limit expires. You may adjust the crop, speed, order, and many other options in a slideshow. You can also add slides, pictures, text, watermarks, and various other options.
You can download Ezvid for Windows.
Final Thoughts
These apps allow you to get high-quality video recording from the screen and use it for important tutorials, presentations, and game videos. Even ordinary users can quickly put them into practice.
Even though this article highlights screen recorders with built-in video editors, not every app is suitable for beginners. You will discover the best solution based on your particular objectives and personal preferences.
