Trying to find the best screen recording software sometimes turns into a confusing task, as there are way too many different programs around that do very similar things. In an attempt to alleviate this problem, I’ve decided to gather together information on different screen and video recording software tools into this single article.
Screen recording software is an application designed to capture screen content as video files. This type of software is essential for anyone who wants to make a detailed tutorial or record gameplay footage. The best screen recording software could also be used by gamers who want to capture their live gaming sessions and share them online with others. With such a wide range of programs available, choosing the best free screen recorder for you can be difficult.
Curious about best screen recording software? Or maybe looking for best screen and video recording software? Either way, you’ve come to the right place. In this article I’m going to cover all types of screen recording software: from free, to paid, from old school, to cloud-based, and even slightly out of the box.
If you have to work at home or use your computer for school, and then you should consider investing in a piece of screen recording software that can record whatever is happening on your desktop. You never know when you will need to refer back to something that was on your screen. Below, we will review some of the best ways to record what is going on your screen.
Desktop Screen Recorder vs. Online Screen Recorder
Offline functionality is the key difference between the two types.
While desktop screen recorders can work without an active connection, online screen recorders require you to have stable internet.
This is why an online screen recorder isn’t the best of options when it comes to capturing gameplay. However, if you’re only looking to make a tutorial, they should work just fine.
Filmora Scrn
Filmora Scrn lets you capture gameplay, webcam, computer screen and audio simultaneously without placing any limits on the duration of the video.
It gives you the option to record in 15-120 frames per second. Higher FPS is ideal for recording gameplay with loads of action.
The software also lets you add annotations like text to improve the viewing experience for your audience. Also, you can modify the size, color and shape of your cursor to make it look unique.
With Filmora Scrn, you don’t need a separate video editing tool because the screen recording software itself boasts a wide range of editing tools to help refine your video recordings.
It can import from over 50 file formats, and you also get the option to export your recordings in multiple formats as per your requirement.
Price: Free or $29.99
Supported OS: Windows, Mac
Best for: Recording screen from two devices simultaneously
Camtasia
TechSmith’s Camtasia makes it simple to capture and make professional-looking videos on your PC.
You can record both audio and video from a desktop or iOS device, and also capture your webcam to infuse a personal element to your recording.
Its built-in video editing tool is where Camtasia shines. A good selection of stock images along with click-and-drag effects is offered in the sidebar of the tool. Users can create outro and intro segments by dropping them into their recordings in a matter of seconds.
You can also insert zoom out, zoom in, and pan animations into your footage, and use transitions between slides and scenes to enhance the flow of your videos.
The screen recording software also lets you import or record PowerPoint pages directly into its environment. Grab attention in your presentations by adding eye-catching recordings, titles, and more.
Price: Free or $249
Supported OS: Windows, Mac, iOS
Best for: Adding a professional touch to captured videos
ShareX
This open-source screen recording software is ideal for capturing videos.
It doesn’t place watermarks or duration limits on your recordings, and you also get the option to save your file as a GIF instead of a video.
The video file sharing features are ShareX’s biggest advantage, because it’s easy to upload recordings directly to YouTube and other platforms.
Enhancing screenshots you capture with this tool doesn’t require much effort either. A built-in photo editor lets you freely customize still photos in any way you want.
Not only is it a brilliant screenshot and screen capture tool, but it can also capture and reveal text via OCR, record a whole scrolling webpage, and even record your screen according to a schedule.
Price: Free
Supported OS: Linux, Windows
Best for: Recording screens of Linux devices
Debut Video Capture
Capable of recording from screens, IP cameras and webcams
SPECIFICATIONS
Platform: WindowsTODAY’S BEST DEALSPro Edition Quarterly PlanUS$3.33/mthHome EditionUS$34.99Pro EditionUS$39.95VISIT SITEat NCH Software
REASONS TO BUY
+Scheduled recordings+Can record from webcams+Can record from IP cameras
REASONS TO AVOID
-Looks a little datedAdvertisement
Debut Video Capture is a new addition to our roundup of free screen recorders, and although its slightly dated design does it few favors, it’s an extremely powerful program that can do much more than just capture what’s happening on your PC monitor.
In addition to basic screen recording (with no time limits or watermarks), Debut Video Capture can also record footage from external devices, including webcams and security cameras. It can even record on a regular schedule, which means it can become the main hub of a home security system. Not too shabby for a program that’s totally free for personal use.
There are no post-production editing tools, but you can apply filters and add your own captions and watermarks before you begin recording. There’s no option for exporting videos directly to YouTube or Facebook, but they can be saved in all the main formats, including MP4, MOV and AVI (to name just three).
Debut Video Capture is currently in public beta, so we look forward to seeing the final release version with a lick of extra polish soon.
Screencast-O-Matic
A browser-based free screen recorder with a lot to offer
SPECIFICATIONS
Platform: Windows, macOS, ChromeOS (in browser)TODAY’S BEST DEALSVISIT SITE
REASONS TO BUY
+Supports captions+Can zoom while recording
REASONS TO AVOID
-Videos are watermarked-Maximum length 15 minutes
Screencast-O-Matic is another browser-based free screen recorder, and a very capable one at that. Recordings are limited to 15 minutes in length, but you can record as many clips as you like, zoom while recording, trim your recorded clips, add captions, save them to your desktop, YouTube or the cloud, share a video link, or add one of 30 royalty-free music tracks
Hit ‘Start recording for free’, followed by ‘Launch free recorder’. As with Apowersoft Free Online Screen Recorder, you’ll be prompted to download and install a small web launcher, after which the screen recorder will launch. Prepare your screen and adjust the size of the recording window to suit your needs (it can record the whole screen or just a selected area), then hit the red button. You can capture audio from your PC or a microphone, and record footage from your screen, a webcam or both.
Upgrading to a Deluxe account gives you extra features including scripted recordings, drawing and annotations, a video editor, and (perhaps most usefully) the ability to generate captions automatically with text-to-speech. That’s an impressive set of tools for $1.65 (about £1, AU$2.50) per month, but the free version of Screencast-O-Matic has a lot to offer as well.
The only real downside is that your recordings will be watermarked unless you upgrade, but if that’s not an issue then this free screen recorder is well worth a look.
OBS Studio
This powerful and free screen video recorder with audio makes screencasting intuitive and so it is among the most reliable tools for Windows 10. Open Broadcaster Software has a clean and easy to read interface that enables the addition of images and sources, specific windows and capture cards, among other items. It also has interesting features like real-time audio and video mixing. The easy to use audio mixer ensures that you can exclude noises through suppression. Additionally, it allows streaming to websites like Facebook Live, YouTube Live, Hitbox, and Twitch. When screen capturing, the software allows you to select your monitor’s resolution.
Pros
- It is an open-source and free cross-platform
- It allows users to do real-time video streaming from majorities of the streaming video platforms
- It enhances functionality through over 20 plugins
- It supports multiple filters
- It gives users the freedom to video record, without time limitations, making it perfect for long-time recording
- It syncs webcam
Cons
- It is dysfunctional in Windows XP
- It is impossible to link the audio file as a source.
- It is not suitable for beginners since it requires some technical knowledge
- It is slow and the streaming quality is quite disappointing.
- It can drop out if the internet becomes weak.
Apowersoft
Apowersoft, a free screen capture software, allows you to capture your Windows 10 screen without challenges. To begin with, it does not need the installation of computer software since it is a web-based free video capture software. It has a cheerful and clear interface that is quite easy to understand, making it appropriate for beginners and learning children. Due to its multiple capabilities and tools, this software offers numerous editing and capturing features, such as timed video screen recording. The ability to share the screen in Facebook and Twitter posts and also email image files helps users in sharing crucial entertaining content.
Pros
- It does not have recording time limitations
- It supports webcam as well as screen video recording
- There are multiple video exporting options
- It allows usage of FHD and HD output formats
- It handles full image editing. You can include shapes, arrows, and text, apply effects such as pixelate, sharpen and blur, and rotate, resize, crop, and add borders.
- It allows users to share screen recordings in Facebook and Twitter, and email attached image file
Cons
- It demands a very stable internet connection
- It is not beneficial to game players since it is not appropriate for game recording
- It cannot capture on a secondary monitor
Finding the Best Screen Recording Software
Both free and paid tools from the best screen recording software can be effective methods of capturing the work-related or entertainment activities on your PC.
Whether you should spend money on one of the products outlined above depends on the nature of your tasks. Professionals working on eLearning video projects may benefit the most from the iSpring Cam Pro screen recorder. Experienced users with keen technical skills might opt for the free ShareX screen recording tool. Those looking for a simple and reliable screen recorder for simpler tasks should be pleased with Free Cam.
Conclusion
In these days where tablets, smartphones and digital cameras rule our entertainment, we have a huge demand for videos and videos. We content consumers love everything that is in HD video quality and managed to keep it for a long time. We also love editing the videos done at home as we can create our own movies easily. Then there is an issue of sharing such videos or even recording when you are on a live call or demonstration in real-time.
Screen recording software is used to record every activity on your computer screen as you work on it. You can use it to record online videos as well as recordings of certain programs or portions of the screen while they are running. It can also be used to create tutorials etc. Recording with this software is a smarter way of improving productivity.