Are you looking for the best screen recording software but canāt seem to make a choice?
Screen recording software is valuable to various people like Educators, YouTubers, Freelancers, businesses, and individuals who wish to share the content off their screens with others.
For example, screenshots on a Mac, Windows or Linux PC to share with a friend some interesting info. Sending explainer content, and making YouTube tutorials or videos among others.
In this up-to-date list, I have provided the best screen recording software tools on the market and how they stack up against each other in terms of features, pros, cons, and pricing.
Why Should You Trust me for this Review?
I am Kityo Martin, a tech enthusiast who loves exploring various tech and software on the internet. I love testing various tools and making honest reviews about them. Though I am an affiliate of some brands mentioned, this does not in any way cloud my judgment and the feedback I give on these tools. Please read my disclosure policy here. I am not influenced or compensated for placing brand software on this list. I have compiled the list founded on personal experience, reviews from various forums, and feedback from various customers to come up with this comprehensive list of the best screen recording software. I occasionally keep on updating the list if at all I find any screen recording software that is worth mentioning.
That said, let us dive right in!
1. Bandicam
Are you looking for a great screen recorder with gameplay capturing infused? Then, Bandicam is a GREAT option. With more than ten million users, Bandicam is undoubtedly one of the most popular screen-grabbing software.
Bandicam allows you to record (or schedule recordings of) gameplay, record various regions of the screen, either entire or partial, add annotations like shapes, live drawings, highlighting, and adding mouse/cursor effects while recording,
Bandicam ensures that it compresses the recorded video screencasts without compromising audio and video quality.
The tool has a simplistic interface and processes High-definition quality with resolutions of up to 4K. Bandicam can record audio and video using internal (system audio) or external devices like microphones, webcams, gaming consoles, and Apple TV.
Bandicam can also save the captured screenshots in formats like; PNG, JPEG, or BMP.
The limitation with Bandicam is that the free version plasters a watermark on the saved videos and images and is only supported on Windows OS.
You can try Bandicam for free or purchase it for 39.99$.
2. Screencast-O-Matic
Screencast-O-Matic enables you to capture screenshots of full or specific parts of your screen. Edit screenshots and videos by adding shapes, text, images, cool animations and effects like green screen/chroma key among others.
The paid version of Screencast O Matic offers you access to store captured screenshots and videos in the cloud and generates a shareable link for one to access them. In addition, the paid plan consists of a stock library that can be a great asset for editing and making screen castings superb.
This tool has apps across Windows, Mac Android, and iOS which enables you to easily sync captured screenshots or videos across various devices.
Screencast-O-Matic has an interesting FREE version which lets you explore most features but is capped to 15 recording minutes with a watermark on the recorded videos.
For extra features like unlimited recording minutes, then consider opting for the premium version.
For an individual on the Deluxe version, you will be charged 1.65$ per month and 4$ per month for the Premium plan which prices differ depending on the number of members on the plan or team.
Wondering which tool to use for screenshotting content on your screen? Find out the Best Screenshotting Software (Ranked & Reviewed)
3. AceThinker
Suppose you’re looking for an easy-to-use lightweight screen recorder that can help you capture your screen activity. In that case, you may want to consider the AceThinker Screen recorder available both on Windows and Mac.
This tool has two versions. AceThinker Free Online Screen Recorder (the free version) and the paid version AceThinker Screen Grabber Pro have integrated features.
AceThinker Free Online Screen Recorder is an internet-based software that is easy to use with no installations
You might consider AceThinker Screen Grabber Pro an integrated tool with advanced features. The tool is very versatile, having various screen-capturing modes. It allows you to set shortcuts or hotkeys to the onset or stop recording, add cursor effects, and access annotation tools in real-time while you capture both video and audio recordings on your screen.
Various output formats such as; MP4, MKV, MPEG, AVI, FLV, and GIF, among others, are supported by tagging along a feature for uploading to cloud storage like Google Drive, DropBox e.t.c
The AceThinker Screen Grabber Pro enables you to add webcam overlays, capture video and audio simultaneously easily, and record Live streams automatically or by a schedule for a later time.
AceThinker Screen Grabber Pro‘s lifetime license is available for 39.95$.
4. Share X
Share X is yet another free open-source powerful screen recording tool.
Besides the basic modes of capturing screen content, Share X enables you to capture your screen content in a number of creative modes such as freehand custom region capturing, text capturing, scroll capture, transparent regions, active windows, window menus (which are sometimes hard to capture as they disappear after a click on elsewhere of the screen).
Just in case you want to capture a GIF, Share X does the job perfectly.
Captured media can be directly uploaded to your storage or cloud external platforms like Google Photos, Imgur, Photobucket, and Flickr. Cloud platforms like Google Drive, DropBox, OneDrive, Media Fire e.t.c
Share X has annotation tools that enable you to zoom, highlight, call out, pixelate, add text and other editing tools to make your captured images and videos intuitive.
I like Share X for its ability to go beyond the industry’s basic criteria of capturing shots. It is extensive with the features it offers. If you are a handy user who likes a little bit of customization, Share X comes in handy.
Share X is available to download for FREE.
5. ScreenFlow
Exclusive to Mac users, ScreenFlow prevails on this list as one of the most robust screen-capturing software. In addition, ScreenFlow 10 regularly receives updates, and the recent ones just made it an outstanding feat.
ScreenFlow comes with the ability of audio isolation, which means if you get a message notification chime during your recording session, the program can ignore those abrupt sounds.
ScreenFlow can record high-resolution media of up to the high-quality retina. The tool also can record multiple screens and audio at the same time.
ScreenFlow has a great resource-rich stock library for getting audio, video clips, and photos. Animations and effects, automatic background remover, helpful even when you don’t have a green screen. Grouping and nesting clips collective editing are all-inclusive making the in-built editor powerful.
Similarly, ScreenFlow 10 has beautiful animations, transitions, and effects while editing screen castings. To use while editing.
If you are a content creator, video editor, educator, or a business team, this tool is potent and professional to handle all your screen recording functionalities. However, the con of this premiere tool is that it pushes way too hard to force users to purchase its new releases and versions.
ScreenFlow offers a trial version with no time limit but plasters watermarks on your screen castings or images.
To purchase the software starts at 149$.
6. Mirillis Action! Screen Recorder
Are you looking for the best screen recording software to capture gameplay effectively?
Action! Screen Recorder is just the BEST option. It doubles as both a screen and gameplay recorder.
The key features that make Mirillis Action! Screen recorder stand out are; the ability to record high frame rates, high-quality HD resolution ranging from 2k up to more than 8K, background removal or green screen feature,
For gamers, Action! screen recorder allows you to set the Time-shift feature that captures epic action moments during gameplay. In addition, you can easily set up the shift feature to be activated by hotkeys so that you do not miss out on capturing a splendid moment of your gameplay.
The tool has Live streaming integrations that enable you quickly go live on various streaming platforms like Twitch, YouTube, Smachcast, Facebook, Livestream, and many other platforms. To extend the functionality of this tool, it comes along with other powerful add-ons.
For a powerful screen recording tool with seamless recording capability for gameplay, Workaguide highly recommends Action! Screen Recorder.
Mirillis Action! Screen recorder costs 19.97$ for a lifetime fee. You only pay for the software once and receive lifetime updates.
7. Noota
The Noota screen recorder enables you to capture happenings on your screen i.e on virtual meetings like Zoom, Google meet, and Microsoft Teams.
Nootaās notable features are the ability to transcribe and automatically generate subtitles for your screen recordings. Even when you are not happy with the generated subtitles, you can make necessary edits while everything remains in sync. You can as well upload videos to this tool and it will automatically generate subtitles accompanied by reports.
This feature increases focus and productivity. The time that you would have spent jotting down notes is diverted so you can pay attention more in the meeting.
Noota uses Artificial Intelligence that is able to identify and differentiate among more than 10 voices that speak in a meeting. The transcriptions are available in more than 70 languages.
Noota works across Windows, and Android and a version for Mac/iOS is under process. The drawback is that their free trial is not so generous as it only allows you 30 minutes of recording time.
For students, YouTubers, bloggers, podcasters, freelancers, marketers, and individuals who are usually attending virtual meetings, Noota is a great fit.
Overall, Noota is a unique productivity-based screen recorder with the ability to transcribe and generate subtitles in real-time and for uploaded videos.
Nootaās starter plan costs 15$ per month.
The best deal would be purchasing Nootalās lifetime licence which starts at 69$ you only pay once and use the tool forever on top of getting free updates.
8. ScreenRec
ScreenRec helps you capture screenshots and video recordings of your screen in just one click. This screen capture tool cuts across Windows, Mac, and Linux systems.
The tool boasts great privacy options that I think are cool to prevent unauthorized access. For example, restricted access to users without permission. One can only access your screen castings with the necessary permissions.
Annotation tools to make your screen recordings interactive. Saving videos on local or cloud storage is your choice with free 2GB worth of video cloud hosting.
Though you will not have fancy features like real-time annotation and video editing tools, for a free version, ScreenRec is just too generous as it lets you record high-quality videos and audio without time limits, watermarks, or ads tagging along.
The only condition to fulfil is that you should have a ScreenRec account which is free to sign up for.
If your only task is to capture screen recordings and screenshots, then Screen Rec is a good fit for you.
However, expecting to make advanced edits? Then you will need to opt for other video editing software because ScreenRec does not offer advanced editing functionalities.
9. TechSmith Capture (Formerly known as Jing)
TechSmith Capture lets you capture either the entire or part of your screen. In addition, you have various annotation tools, such as a highlighter, arrow, call-out, and rectangle.
TechSmith Capture lets you choose whether to save your screenshots on the TechSmith cloud, local storage, or on the clipboard to be pasted into any document.
TechSmith Capture has a lightweight setup file that you can install on both Windows and Mac devices.
The downside of this tool is that the editing features are somewhat limited. It has more of a simplistic approach. Besides, it is a great screen recording tool available for download for FREE.
10. TinyTake
TinyTake is a freemium feature-rich screen recording software that comes in handy for Mac and Windows users. It comes with annotation and editing features that enable you to make specific points of your screen castings stand out.
The same applies to videos captured, where you can easily edit and add text to the videos. In addition, TinyTake has an excellent shareability function that allows you to file in bulk even to users without TinyTake accounts. Then, directly upload your captured images or videos straight to YouTube, all within the Tiny take tool.
After capturing screenshots or videos of your screenshot, you can easily store them on your drive, clipboard, or Tiny take online gallery, similar to cloud storage.
The limitation is you need to create an account to use TinyTake, which might be frustrating to some users. Furthermore, the free version only allows you to record 5 minutes, after which you cant record further.
11. Camtasia
Camtasia is a complete video editing software with plenty of features enabling you to capture images, video, and audio on your device.
Camtasia has advanced editing tools. With this tool, you have access to royalty-free music and sound effects, and you can import external voice narrations and presentations.
Camtasia requires high system specs it needs to run. So as a result, it can be glitchy and slow for low-spec machines. i.e., it requires a minimum of 8GB RAM to run smoothly.
12. OBS Studio
Open Broadcaster Software (OBS) studio doubles both as screen capture and live streaming software. The tool is open-source, so if you like lingering around and amping your tools, add-ons will do you great with OBS.
OBS enables you to capture feed, mix audio from various sources, and add scene transitions.
OBS can capture screen content and Livestream it directly to sites like YouTube and Twitch.
The interface and numerous features can be pretty intimidating, but with the available tutorials and guides OBS offers, you can get things done within no time.
OBS is available to download for FREE on Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems.
13. Awesome Screenshot
I use Awesome Screenshot and Screen Recorder for capturing web screenshots with ease. The tool is easily accessible as a chrome extension enabling me to capture content anywhere on the browser.
Here at Workaguide, we use Awesome Screenshot to capture and make explainer screenshots on the web. In addition, we use the tool to annotate and edit stored images for tutorials for our users to follow up on how-to posts.
You can capture screenshots and cover screen recordings of the content on your screen. In addition, you can save your screenshots locally on storage or via Google drive on the cloud to avoid unforeseen data losses.
The free version of Awesome screenshot is free, and to get more features, you have to upgrade.
14. Loom
Loom is a cloud-based screenshotting software on this list mainly targeted at businesses. As a cloud-based recording software, it saves you the burden of losing your data that may occur as a result of crashes.
Loom allows room for capturing recordings and screenshots of video meetings saved on the cloud. Then, with the necessary permissions, the team members can access the captured screenshots or videos via the cloud.
Loom has a modern-looking interface, with an intuitive UI.
The limitation is that for the free version, you will only be allowed 5 minutes of video capture, plus the software has limited video editing features.
15. FlexClip
FlexClip is a simple yet robust video editing tool with plenty of features. FlexClip has a web-based screen recording tool that enables you to capture images and videos of your screen.
Choose to record your screen and also capture a live feed with your webcam. Since the tool is generally a video editing tool, you can tweak your screenshotted images or recordings with the various editing tools available.
FlexClip boasts of a privacy-rich screen recorder that does not transmit any data of the screen recordings to FlexClip. This means they are not able to view whatever data you get to store.
16. A power REC Screen Recorder
A power REC Screen Recorder is suitable for recording system sound in quality HD sound. Whether you are recording from your webcam or microphone, it has editing and annotation features that enable you to add arrows and circles and highlight various sections of your videos.
This can be helpful if you are making explainer videos. In addition, you can edit, trim, cut, and add watermarks to your screen recordings.
The tool has various editing modules that enable you to capture screen regions such as; full, customized, zoomed, spotlight, or even choose to catch the audio-only.
A power REC Screen Recorder is a Saas tool from App Sumo. If you are not a lover of software that keeps you paying after now and then, you can get A power REC Screen Recorder for a lifetime deal at 49.90$.
17. RecMaster
RecMaster comes inclusive of both an audio and video editor. The interface is simple, making the tool easy to use.
Suppose you wish to have better quality than your PC. In that case, RecMaster supports connecting an external microphone and an external camera if you want to have better video quality than native webcams.
The tool makes it easy for you to record content on your PC screen with the various custom recording modes such as Game mode, Fullscreen, Custom Area, Webcam, or Audio recording, all saved in your desired output formats like; FLV, AVI, and MP4.
RecMaster has various editing and annotation tools like adding text, shapes, and cursor effects to make your screen castings explanatory.
RecMaster is available both for Windows and Mac Operating Systems.
The downside with RecMaster is that the trial version is limited and does not allow you to utilize the tool’s features for testing thoroughly.
Purchase the RecMaster license for a one-time lifetime fee of 29.95$ or a 1-year license for 14.95$.
After testing the tool via the trial period, I recommend the lifetime license as opposed to the yearly plan to save or cut down on costs.
You also receive free updates and tech support with all the features as a bonus for buying the lifetime license.
They also have a money refund policy for 30 days if you want to opt out.
18. ScreenToVideo
ScreenToVideo is yet another powerful, fully customizable screenshotting software that enables you to capture various recordings or images of your screen.
ScreenToVideo is stuffed with plenty of features, and if you want to create lively and impressive on-screen tutorials, I highly recommend using ScreenToVideo.
You can create voiceovers, annotate, zoom, and add special transition effects to your screenshots and recordings.
Additionally, you can change the background of your screenshots or backgrounds with the chroma key feature and add captions and shapes, which you can easily share on various platforms after creation.
ScreenToVideo is available for a one-time/lifetime fee of 39$ on AppSumo. So, this screenshotting software is a good fit if you are a student, teacher, video content creator, or YouTuber.
19. Filmora Screen Recorder
Filmora Screen recorder is a powerful and easy-to-use screen recording software that lets you record your screen and create professional-looking videos.
Filmora Screen recorder software comes with a variety of features that make it easy to create high-quality videos, a user-friendly interface, a variety of video editing tools that let you edit your videos and add special effects, colours, annotations, a built-in video player that enables you to preview your videos before exporting them.
It has powerful features which allow you to capture content on any region of your screen (partial or entire) while simultaneously catching audio. It is also great for capturing gameplay with the ability to record higher frames of up to 120 fps.
In addition, it is possible to record from the webcam and external microphone if you are not content with the system mic.
Filmora Screen recorder is an excellent tool for live streaming and capturing fast gameplay (higher frame rates of up to120 fps). In addition, it allows you to record in high resolution (even 4K) and export it in various formats such as MP4, MOV, GIF MP3, and AVI.
The free version of Filmora Screen comes with watermarks on videos and lesser features to try out.
20. Filmage
Filmage is an all-around video software with the ability to record videos and capture screenshots on your screen. The tool is supported on both Windows and Mac systems.
With Filmage, you can capture screenshots on your Mac, record online live streams, and record game plays in HD of up to 4K.
Filmage has professional video editing tools that enable you to annotate, edit and convert videos and images captured from your screen. Furthermore, it has an all-formats video converter that helps you to transform videos from one format to another.
Filmage has an in-house media player saving you the hassle of having to open your captured or recorded media from an external player. In addition, the player supports various formats such as MP4, Mkv, MOV, AVI, and many more.
You can as well easily share the saved files seamlessly to any other platform.
Filmage is available for a one-time purchase fee of 29.99$. This purchase comes along with free lifetime updates.
21. Movavi Screen Recorder
Movavi is one of the reputable brands when it comes to screen recording software.
With this screen grabber, you can easily adjust the parameters of your screen that you wish to capture while cropping out those that you do not want to appear.
Movavi screen recorder is suitable for both beginners and professionals due to its dynamic incorporation of advanced features into an easy-to-use interface. For example, you can easily capture screenshots of your device, be it a Mac or Windows, in high-resolution quality. In addition, you can schedule recordings and edit and annotate screen captures.
The drawback with the accessible version of Movavi Screen recorder is that it plasters watermarks on videos and screenshots captured. Still, you cannot customize the tags of the videos you upload on YouTube.
To remove the watermarks, you must purchase the software.
Unless otherwise, Movavi Screen recorder is an excellent screenshotting software compatible with Windows and Mac.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is Screen Recording?
Screen recording refers to the capturing of the happenings on your computer screen. This can include; videos and audio or screenshots of the content on your screen. Screen recording is helpful to various persons such as professionals, educators, freelancers, technicians, and developers, among others, making explainer videos to clients, students, or any other person.
Screen recording is sometimes referred to as screen capturing, screencasting, or screen grabbing, which means the same thing.
What is Screen Recording software?
Recording software refers to the programs or tools that help you capture images, video, and audio content on your computer’s screen.
Desktop-based Screen recording software V Online Based screen recording software?
The difference between the two is that the Desktop-based recording software works offline and at your convenience without an active Internet/Wi-Fi connection. In contrast, a web-based screen recording software requires an internet connection to work.
Both screen recording software (whether web-based or desktop-based) tag along with cons. Desktop-based screen recording software can sometimes consume much space and require many resources to run on your PC.
Similarly, an online-based screen recording tool might experience lags or miss capturing some stuff due to poor internet connectivity or slow networks.
For convenience, desktop-based screen recording software is a better option.
What to Consider While Choosing the Best Recording Software?
Capture both Screenshots and Videos. At all costs, good screen recording software must be able to carry out the functionalities of capturing images and recording videos of your screen.
Video Editing Capability. No one wants to buy extra software for each function they need to carry out. Instead of having separate software to edit the captured screen castings, a good screen recording tool should be able to capture your screen content and edit the captured recordings.
Fast and Reliable. A good recording software should be able to record screen castings fast enough without any considerable lags.
Which Screen Recorder is Best and Free?
The best free screen recorder is ScreenRec which enables you to capture any region of your computer’s screen, either as a screenshot or video, in high resolution of up to 4K. To access the software’s full features, create a ScreenRec account for unlimited recording time, with no watermarks or ads.
What screen recorder do most YouTubers use?
Most YouTubers use the OBS Studio screen recorder. OBS is powerful open-source recording software that doubles as a screen recorder and lives streaming tool. The tool is a favourite for Youtubers because it can record screens and directly live stream to YouTube.
Is ScreenRec safe to use?
Yes, ScreenRec is safe to use. It restricts access to users without permission access by enabling you to generate a private link for one to access the captured screenshots or videos.
Workaguide Verdict
This article has discussed the best screen recording software you could find on the market today.
Which screen recording software have you been using? Which tool have you liked off this list? I am eagerly waiting to hear from you via the comment section.
If you have any screen recording software that I have missed out on but is worth mentioning let me know in the comment section and I will definitely check it out.