A screen recorder is a kind of computer software which records the video and audio of your computer screen (or any other source). These applications are mostly used for creating tutorials, demonstrations and tutorial videos, but can also be helpful when making solo recordings.
What is the best recorder screen? What program is perfect for capturing my desktop screen? These questions are sometimes asked by novices that want to try their best. Meanwhile, there is another kind of professionals who want those tools too, they are looking for the best free software that could record video from webcams, game players and other types of video mixed with audio data. The expression “the best” has different meanings in every occasion. In this case, it’s more about what works for your particular need as a user and viewer.
Tired of finding the best free screen recorder and still not getting the desired output? Everyone loves to flaunt what all they do on their computers. From Office presentations to gameplay videos, whatever you do that seems worth sharing, you can just record it with a free screen recording software and share it with your friends or family as desired. Whether it is a software/app bug that needs attention or a part of your latest gaming strategy, you can record anything and everything on your computer screen with these free utilities and share with others in just a few simple steps
Screen recording software is a very gentle and revolutionary addition to the world of digital media. This application allows users to record screen activities and audio narration and instantly saves the recorded media when it is finished.
What Is Screen Recording Software?
First, let’s get on the same page with what we’re talking about. Screen recording software is an application that allows you to record what’s happening on your mobile or computer screen.
It’s different from a screenshot in that you can see scrolling, taps, cursor movements, and words being typed. You can record a portion of your screen (say, a single window) or the entirety of what’s displayed on your monitor. You can also record audio from your device or narration from the person doing the screen recording.
Screencastify
For Screencastify you don’t need to download any software, only a lightweight Google chrome extension, that you can domicile on your browser.
If you’re looking for something with an easy learning curve and a clean interface then you’re in luck because you can set everything up in one to two minutes.
Screencastify does all of the basics: it records your screen and allows you to record yourself via the webcam while at it. Kind of like Loom.
Platforms: Chrome
Pricing: Paid plans start at $49/month.
Why you need it:
- Very simple to use even when compared to other screen recording apps..
Where it lacks:
- The pricing gets quite complicated. On one hand, the free version can be used only for up to five minutes of recording time. Also, the tool’s pricing is divided into three categories (Record, Edit, Submit) and you need to purchase these independently.
Droplr
Droplr works similarly to the other Chrome extensions in our list of best screen recording apps. The interface is also similar but the very first feature that stands out is the option to capture the entire page. Similar to Snagit.
There’s also basic image editing options so you can add text, highlights, emojis, and more.
Platforms: Chrome, Mac, Windows, Chromebook, Edge, iOS
Pricing: Paid plans start at $7/month/user.
Why you need it:
- Easy to use even without prior training.
Where it lacks:
- This screen recording extension has one of the shortest free trials, standing at just seven days.
EaseUS RecExperts
EaseUS RecExperts is a multi-purpose screen recording software that records anything happening on your Windows PC with ease. It can record your screen, audio, webcam, and gameplay.
You can use it to build tutorials, lectures, product demonstrations and guides, thanks to its real-time annotation feature. Additionally, it is also a good choice for recording Zoom meetings, presentations, live stream and many more.
It also supports scheduled recording. Simply set the start time, duration, and other recording parameters, then let EaseUS RecExperts do the rest.
Platforms: Windows, Mac
Pricing: You can opt for monthly plans which start at $19.95 or a one-time license at $69.95.
Why you need it:
- The tool’s a good choice for beginners who aren’t looking for complicated dashboards and editing tools.
Where it lacks:
- The editing features are limited as you’ll have to purchase a separate product to edit them with advanced options.
Zappy
The best screen video recorder for remote teams
OS: Mac
Zappy is software produced by Zapier, a company that provides workflows to automate the use of web applications together, specifically to improve communication and productivity within the company. It allows employees to create screencasts, screenshots, and GIFs easily, upload files to the cloud, and share them with their colleagues by embedding links to G-Suite tools, Slack, and other services. The software doesn’t have a video editor, but it lets you place colorful text, arrows, or drawings, so you can communicate with your peers visually.
Pros
- Makes screencasts, screenshots, and GIFs quickly
- Allows you to make annotations quickly
- Enables you to add audios and a selfie view
- Free cloud hosting with a paid Zapier account
Cons
- No animations and effects
- Only available on macOS
- In the early access phase
- Uploading captures to the cloud is a paid feature
Price: Free for paid Zapier users
Apowersoft’s Free Online Screen Recorder
Free screen recording software that doesn’t require installation
This tool is one of the few screen recorders that are web-based. It allows you to record your screen and combine it with audio and webcam video. While recording, you can add shapes, notes, colors, and icons to your videos and then export them to various formats. When you’re done with the screencast, you can save the video to a local drive or upload it to RecCloud.
Pros
- Doesn’t require installation on a computer
- Simple interface
- Webcam and audio recording
- Unlimited recordings without watermarks
- Support for live annotations
- Multiple output formats
Cons
- Demands a stable internet connection
- No animations or transitions
Price: free
Screencast-O-Matic
Screencast-O-Matic is a web-based screencasting software presented by screencast-o-matic.com. This tool can be launched directly from a browser or used as a desktop app without an internet connection when you install the full version. Screencast-O-Matic offers a good number of features ranging from screen recording, video editing, to video hosting and sharing.
The free version is limited to make 15-minute recordings with watermark added. You are allowed to trim your recording, add closed captions, and publish videos to YouTube or share to social media platforms. When you upgrade to the paid version, you’ll have no time limit on recording and no watermark on the output. The paid version also comes with full video editing features plus the ability to record computer sound.
Pros
- Record full screen, window, region, webcam, microphone, computer sound.
- Draw, add text, and zoom in while recording.
- Scripted recordings (write a script first and record the audio, then the screencast).
- Closed captioning and automated speech-to-text captioning.
- Video editing features: trim, cut, change speed, add zoom-n-pan, annotations, multimedia, green screen effect, and more.
- Publish videos directly to YouTube, Vimeo, and other platforms.
- Password protect videos and make them searchable or unlisted.
Cons
- The editing process can be recorded while capturing the screen, making the video unprofessional.
- Most features are only available in the paid version.
- Not allowed to test paid features before paying.
Icecream Screen Recorder
Icecream Screen Recorder by Icecream Apps is a good choice if you are looking for a screen recorder with very basic video editing features. In fact, the paid version of this software includes only the ability to trim the beginning and end of recordings. This is highly limited but can be enough when you want simple screencasts.
Icecream Screen Recorder comes with two versions: free and paid. The free version limits you to 5 minutes of recording time with only one output video format (WEBM) and video codec (VP8). Meanwhile, the paid version includes AVI, MP4, and MOV as well as H.264 and MPEG-4 codecs. Apart from no watermark added like the free version, the paid version supports scheduled recordings, custom watermarks, and trimming feature.
Pros
- Record full screen, region, webcam, microphone, computer sound.
- Hide cursor or desktop icons while recording.
- Draw and zoom in while recording.
- Add logo to the screen capture.
- Schedule recordings to be recorded at a certain time.
- Trim the beginning and end of videos after recording.
Cons
- Not allowed to record webcam alone.
- The editing process can be recorded while capturing the screen, making the video unprofessional.
- Limited video editing features.
- Not allowed to test paid features before paying.
Apowersoft Unlimited
In addition to recording your PC screen, Apowersoft Unlimited can also capture videos of your mobile screen, that’s of course if you buy the unlimited package.
Both phone screen recorder apps (Android and iOs) provide settings such as, resolution control, camera configuration, frame rate selection, and bit-rate throttling. These settings aren’t found in other apps that record phone screens.
Platforms: Windows, Mac, Android, iOS
Pricing: Starting at $59.95/year.
Why you need it:
- The package comes with a subscription to all the 17 Apowersoft apps and they can all be launched from a single dashboard.
Where it lacks:
- Its built-in editor isn’t the best, but you’ll definitely be able to tweak things like brightness, contrast, and saturation.
Movavi Screen Recorder Studio
Movavi Screen Recorder Studio is another screen recording app with a pretty intuitive interface that’s easy for new users to figure out. And it does all the things that most screen recording apps do.
However, one thing that sets it apart from the competition is that it supports scheduled captures.
With this tool, you can record video calls, webinars, or live streams even if you’re away from your computer and by clicking the clock icon you can set the duration you want the app to record for, this tells the program to automatically stop recording after a specified amount of time.
Platforms: Windows, Mac
Pricing: Starting at $49.95/year.
Why you need it:
- Simple to use.
Where it lacks:
- The Movavi Screen Recorder tool doesn’t offer video editing options independently. For this, you’ll have to purchase their Video Editor software.
CamStudio
A fine laptop screen recorder on Windows to create screencasts and quick demo videos, CamStudio has a range of features such as automatic panning, highlighting the cursor option during recording, sound recording, and more. With the compact interface, it is easy to produce screen captures as well as instructional videos to share with other users across the globe. Plus, you even can burn your laptop recordings to DVD/CD with CamStudio, very practical.
Pros:
- Completely free and simple to use
- A built-in help file is available in CamStudio
Cons:
- Can be saved only in AVI format with a flash conversion
- Either records microphone audio or the speakers, cannot incorporate both
What to Look For in a Good Screen Recorder
Every screen recording software has its pros and cons. Some provide HD recording, while others allow you to download your footage in various formats. A few let you upload to platforms like YouTube or Vimeo directly, and others are so downright feature-heavy that they’re impossible to navigate.
Here’s a quick list of what to look for in the best screen recorders:
- Ease of Use: You don’t need to find a screen recorder with every feature under the sun. Instead, find one that’s simple and gets the job done. If it’s not easy to use, it’ll just cause you headaches.
- Recording Options: Use a screen recorder that lets you record a portion of your screen, a single window, or the entirety of your screen. This flexibility lets you capture exactly what you need, so you don’t have to trim off the edges with a video editor.
- Audio Recording: Often, you’ll want to record more than just the screen—you also want to record your voice narrating what you’re doing. Audio recording lets you easily create tutorials or online courses.
- Various Export Options: At a minimum, you’ll want to be able to export the screen recording in a file type you can use. However, you can also skip the download/upload portion of the process and ship your video directly to YouTube or another platform.
- Price: With so many free screen recording options on the market, you shouldn’t be paying a penny. Avoid costly recording applications
Concusion
A screen recorder, replicator or monitor for Windows is a great software to better develop the operation of the user of a given computer. With this software, it will be easier for you to observe what is happening on the screen and make appropriate corrections if needed.
It’s no secret that many support representatives use videos to demonstrate technical issues to their clients. As a matter of fact, it became standard practice in the field of customer service only several years ago. Knowing that, if you’re into tech support, screen recording is something you absolutely need to know about. In order to help you better understand how this tool works and what are the best free programs for screen recording, we took our time and made thorough research on this topic.