Software programs that allow users to record the active display area of the computer screen are called screen recorders. Screen recorders are used by several different groups of people: designers, software developers, and training experts. Screen recorders allow you to create a digital video presenting what a drawing is supposed to look like at any stage of the design process; allow software experts and developers to show clients how their product is being developed, as well as use it for online training; and let regular users add comments about the activities on their computer screen (e.g., adding a video chat with friends, or explain in detail why something doesn’t work).
If you’re searching for best screen recording software or best screen recording app, then you are on the right place. I am going to tell you about few tools of the trade which I consider best and they will cover all your recording needs.
You may have heard about the importance of video in marketing. It has been shown that consuming video is more efficient for learning than traditional ebooks, newsletters and downloads that use static text and pictures. Videos are more likely to give you an intuitive understanding of a subject, without requiring much prior knowledge.
When it comes to screen recording software and apps, the market is absolutely flooded with different options. This can be overwhelming. Over the years, I’ve personally tried out dozens of different screen recording software and apps. I’m going to share my personal experiences using best screen capture program for windows 10. The programs that I’ve reviewed will be cross-platform compatible as much as possible. I will also briefly describe how you might use these programs in an ideal situation.
What Sort of Screen Recorders Should You Choose?
As there is no dearth of screen recorders, you are spoilt with choices. Considering various needs, I have handpicked both advanced and easy-to-use apps. Plus, there are also quite a few offerings that are packed with some really handy tools at a much affordable price point so that you can get your work done without having to spend a lot of bucks. So, whether you are looking for a tool to create high-quality videos or searching for the software with all the basic tools to make fun-loving clips send social networking sites on a blitzkrieg, we have got you fully covered. With that said, let’s get down to business straight away!
ScreenFlow
If you’ve been searching for a Mac screen recorder with audio capabilities, then you’d love ScreenFlow.
Its range of features includes the options to record your Mac at retina resolution, group video components and settings, and add background audio to the recorded footage.
You’d also love the “Styles” and “Templates” tools that come as part of the software.
Styles lets you save visual/audio settings for certain elements like drop shadows or color filters for a recorded segment.
Templates, on the other hand, lets users arrange, insert and configure groups of annotations in advance, such as text placeholders and outro segments.
Those who subscribe to the Super Pak version of ScreenFlow (a more expensive plan) also get access to over 500,000 pieces of unique images and audio clips to use in all of their videos.
So if you’re looking to make the most of your screen recordings, ScreenFlow is unlikely to disappoint.
Price: $129
Supported OS: Mac, iOS
Best for: Making high-quality retina videos
Screencastify
Screencastify is another screen recording application that works via Google Chrome.
Whether you’re a seasoned or a novice video creator, you’ll find that Screencastify offers all of the important options.
You can use it to capture your webcam, entire screen or tab only, as well as narrate to your microphone.
It also presents you with annotation tools that help keep your viewers focus on what’s critical. Click highlighting, drawing pen tool, and mouse spotlight are all included.
And once you’re recorded the screen, Screencastify will do the heavy lifting for you by autosaving the video to your Google Drive.
Like many of the best screen recording software options, Screencastify gives you the option to upload to YouTube, as well as export the recording as an animated GIF, MP3, or MP4.
Price: Free
Supported OS: Mac, Windows, Linux
Best for: Recording software demos and creating solution videos
Bandicam
Bandicam is a robust screen recording application that supports screen and gameplay capturing.
It utilizes a high compression ratio without compromising video quality. Bandicam makes it possible to capture 4K ultra-high-definition videos at 120 frames per second.
Another noteworthy feature is Bandicam’s device recording capability. By getting a separate capture card, you can record videos from IPTV, HDTV, APPLE TV, smartphone, PlayStation and Xbox.
In addition, Bandicam lets users capture screenshots in JPEG, PNG and BMP formats.
Essentially, you can use Bandicam to record just about anything, including your entire computer screen, Excel spreadsheets, web browser, Powerpoint presentations, and more.
Its free version places a watermark on the videos, so you need to become a paid user to utilize its full potential.
Price: Free or $39.99
Supported OS: Windows
Best for: Balancing the depth of video recordings
CamStudio
The best free screen recorder for creating AVI video files
OS: Windows
CamStudio is a good choice for one-time or occasional users with minimal editing needs. This lightweight, open-source screen recording software creates videos in AVI format that can later be converted to SWF. While its compactness appeals to some, others call for further development and increased technical support.
Pros
- Creates a screen-in-screen video
- Allows you to create small-sized files
- Custom cursor
- Quality options available for output video
Cons
- Reported to spread harmful viruses and malware
- Outputs only to AVI with a conversion to Flash
- Output is incompatible with certain browsers
- Audio falls out of sync
- Lack of interactive and animation features
Ezvid
A perfect screen recording tool for making quick video clips and sharing them on YouTube
OS: Windows
Ezvid is free screen recording software that claims to be the world’s tool, and that may not be too far from the truth. Ezvid’s clarity is enhanced by the product’s speed: specifically designed to save users’ time, it will help you produce and upload videos directly to YouTube in a matter of minutes. And that’s why this tool enjoys notoriety among gamers and movie fans who are interested in making YouTube videos frequently and as quickly as possible.
Pros
- Offers computer-generated speech for narrative purposes
- Automatic high-quality resolution (1280 x 720p HD)
- Speed control over output videos
- Sleek and modern interface
- Instantaneous upload to YouTube
- Selection of popular music tracks included
Cons
- Reviewers report extraneous noise
- Minor bugs and inconsistencies
- Fullscreen game is not available
TinyTake
A screen recorder with a native cloud-based gallery for storing and sharing videos
OS: Windows and Mac
TinyTake by MangoApps is a sophisticated free screen recorder for Windows and Mac that allows you to capture images and videos from your computer screen, add comments, and share them with others within minutes. TinyTake comes with an online cloud-based gallery where you can store all your screen captures and recorded videos.
Pros
- Bulk file sharing
- Public URL available for sharing
- Built-in online file viewer for images, videos, and documents
- Ability to create custom shortcut keys
- Video player is compatible with mobile devices
Cons
- Free version has a 5-minute limit for video recording
- Video files are saved as MP4 only
- Limited editing features
Apowersoft Free Online Screen Recorder
An in-browser recorder more powerful than most desktop apps
SPECIFICATIONS
Platform: Windows, macOS, Linux (in browser)TODAY’S BEST DEALSVISIT SITE
REASONS TO BUY
+No time limits or watermarks+Lots of export options+Can record from webcams
REASONS TO AVOID
-Not suitable for games
If you want to record a presentation, software demonstration or tutorial, give Apowersoft Free Online Screen Recorder a try. This browser-based tool may not be suitable for games, but it’s the best free screen recorder for any other tasks.
The first time you use Apowersoft Free Online Screen Recorder, you’ll be prompted to download a small launcher application. You’ll then be provided with a control bar packed with more options than you’ll find in most desktop screen recording software. You can capture footage from your desktop or a webcam, and record audio from your PC, microphone, both or neither.
You can record the whole screen, select an area manually or choose one of the preset resolutions – ideal if you’re recording a clip for YouTube, for example, and don’t want to use a separate video editor to resize it later.
Apowersoft Free Online Screen Recorder also offers customizable keyboard shortcuts for speed and convenience. You can choose whether or not to include the cursor in the recording and take your pick from a range of output formats including MP4, WMV, AVI, MOV and many more. You can even add annotations during the recording.
Once you’re done, you can save the recording as a video file or GIF, upload it directly to YouTube or Vimeo, or send it to Google Drive or Dropbox. You can also edit the clip. Selecting this option will download an additional component – Apowersoft Video Editor – which lets you make simple adjustments before exporting your video in your preferred format. A truly exceptional tool.
Note that the ‘Download desktop version’ button links to a program called Apowersoft Screen Recorder Pro. This is a trial version of a premium application, and is more limited than Online Screen Recorder.
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 dated
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.
Bonus: Use QuickTime Player to Record Screen on Mac
Though we have covered some of the most popular and powerful Mac screen recording apps with features like live streaming, video capture, and editing tools, the built-in screen recording tools in macOS shouldn’t be skipped out on. There are two ways to screen record natively on Mac — QuickTime Player and the built-in screenshot and screen recording tool. We’ll take a quick look at both of these screen recording methods on Mac.
QuickTime Player
- Open QuickTime Player on your Mac. Click on ‘File’ in the menu bar and then click on ‘New Screen Recording’. Alternatively, just use the keyboard shortcut ‘control + command + N’.
Now, you can just click on ‘Record’ to start recording the screen. However, do note that this will not record screen with audio on your Mac.
Built-in Screenshot and Screen Recording Tool
Personally, I find it easier to just use the native screen capture tools in macOS. Simply use the keyboard shortcut ‘command + shift + 5’ to open the screen capture toolbar. Here, you can take screenshots or screen record easily.
The built-in screen recording capability is really useful and you will usally not need any screen recorders for Mac for the most part.
Conclusion
Most of us, because of different reasons, sometimes find ourselves in the position where we want to record what is going on on our computer screen. Although it might not seem like a hard job, finding an efficient solution for screen recording isn’t that simple as it might seem.
Early in the days of personal computers, there were no screen recording apps. So if you wanted to share your computer screen with someone who wasn’t in the room with you, you needed to write down your steps and hope they understood exactly what you did to get your computer working as you had. If a picture is worth a thousand words, a video recording can be worth even more. Recently, I’ve started to rely on video recording more and more frequently. I’ve written about why video recordings are useful before , but recently I’ve started to record my desktop activities so that I can easily share them with others or re-watch them myself if I need help.