Use screen recorder software to create better user documentation. Screencast videos are great to show a product in action. There are various products on the market. We analyzed and grouped them into buckets.
Categories of Screen Recording Software
– Depending on your platform and operating system, many screen casting tools are available. Most of the screen recorder apps are made for Windows only, a few for Mac. Linux and mobile devices and operating systems (Apple iOS and Android) do not have many tools available. Browser-based screen recorder are quite new, but might be the next generation of screen recorder.
– By features: Simple screen recording tools record what you are doing and allow basic editing (e.g. adding a arrow or a text bubble). Advanced screen showcast suites provide more features: edit the video stream, add many tracks – like a video cutting software – and export the result to various file formats (as mp4, avi, mpeg) and finally upload them to online hosting platforms as youtube & vimeo, but also cloud & file hosting.
– Most of the tools are installed on your computer. Video and input are captured in the operating system, and stored on your hard disk. A new type of screen recording tools is available: browser-based screen recording. Visit the website. Start a screen recording (e.g. for your web application). The browser captures the screen and input. The data is transfered to the cloud-based screen recording suite.
Screen Recording Features
The following criteria can be helpful to select the matching screen cast tool:
– Draw on screen during or after recording: add arrows, texts, overlays to visually extend your message and steps
– Edit the screen capture after recording: add different video files & angles, cut them, add effects and transitions
– Record keyboard and mouse: detect the input during the recording session, and highlight it (e.g. draw a circle around the mouse when clicked, show keystrokes and text input in the video)
– Webcam Overlay: record a video of the speaker while recording the screen session. Can be integrated into the final screen recording video. Very helpful and more personal, to show a human face. Some software products make it possible to remove the background.
– Time-Lapse: fast-forward some steps and “play” them with faster speed. Helpful if steps are recorded, but are not relevant for the user – e.g. entering some data in a form.
– Record Apps on Tablet/Smartphone: Make it possible to record videos from smartphones and tablets. Some screen recording solutions provide specific apps for the mobile devices. Other use a software running on the computer to capture the external devices. This is very helpful, if you perform some or all actions on a non-pc device.
– Closed Caption: extract and add the spoken language as text. Use it as on-screen text during the video. Export it to the video hosting service (e.g. YouTube), create a text document. Some tools have a text-to-speech service. You can write some text, and the software creates the audio track of the spoken language.
– Support templates/styles: Define templates and styles in the software. This makes it easy to brand the screen recording and all generated videos look similar. If more than one user is recording, this makes it super easy to get the same looking output.
Market Overview
Screenflick
Supported Operating systems: Mac
Computer screen recorder tool for Mac with webcam recording
Tagline by the vendor: Mac screen recorder with audio
Pro: Simple, small and effective tool, does the job
Cons: Only Mac
Features
- Draw on screen
- Edit after recording
- Keyboard & mouse input recorded separate
- Record and include webcam overlay
- Add time-lapse effect during playback/export
Price: 35 $ (has free demo or evaluation version)
Website: https://www.araelium.com/screenflick-mac-screen-recorder
RecordJoy
Supported Operating systems: Windows, Mac, Linux, Web/Browser-based
Web-based online screen recorder, allows recording and sharing of screen videos online
Tagline by the vendor: Free Online Screen Recorder
Pro: Quick to start, no installation, simple sharing without upload to a hosting platform
Cons: Only very basic recording, no editing afterwards; Requires additional access rights from your browser, to access and record the video content
Price: 9 $ / month (has free demo or evaluation version)
Website: https://www.recordjoy.com/
ScreenFlow
Supported Operating systems: Mac
Mac-based screen recording tools with advanced editing features and multi-app recording
Tagline by the vendor: Create like the pros
Pro: Full-featured, advanced video editing and cutting of video streams
Cons: Complex tool, only Mac
Features
- Draw on screen
- Edit after recording
- Keyboard & mouse input recorded separate
- Record and include webcam overlay
- Record screen from external tablets or smartphone
- Add, generate and export closed caption (CC)
- Support templates
Price: 149 $ (has free demo or evaluation version)
Website: http://www.telestream.net/screenflow/overview.htm
KAP
Supported Operating systems: Mac
Simple tool for screen recording, extendable with plugins
Tagline by the vendor: An open-source screen recorder built with web technology.
Pro: Simple tool, does the job
Cons: No advanced editing
Features
- Keyboard & mouse input recorded separate
- Record and include webcam overlay
- Add time-lapse effect during playback/export
Price: 0 (has free demo or evaluation version)
Website: https://getkap.co/
Camtasia
Supported Operating systems: Windows, Mac
Professional tool for screen recording and creating of videos
Tagline by the vendor: Camtasia makes it simple to record and create professional-looking videos on Windows and Mac.
Pro: A lot of features, supports Win and Mac
Cons: Complex, Pricy, According to ratings on vendor website additional features will cost more money
Features
- Draw on screen
- Edit after recording
- Keyboard & mouse input recorded separate
- Record and include webcam overlay
- Add time-lapse effect during playback/export
- Record screen from external tablets or smartphone
- Add, generate and export closed caption (CC)
- Support templates
Price: 299 $ + maintenance for upgrades (has free demo or evaluation version)
Website: https://www.techsmith.com/video-editor.html
Free Cam
Supported Operating systems: Windows
Tagline by the vendor: Easily create screencasts, edit recorded videos, and upload to YouTube. No watermark or time limits.
Pro: Simple and easy to use, no watermark in free version
Cons: Export to MP4 and webcam + annotation only in PRO version
Features
- Draw on screen
- Edit after recording
- Keyboard & mouse input recorded separate
- Record and include webcam overlay
Price: 227 $ / year (has free demo or evaluation version)
Website: https://www.freescreenrecording.com/
DVDVideoSofts Free Screen Video Recorder
Supported Operating systems: Windows
Small windows-based pc screen recorder to record video sessions
Tagline by the vendor: Free Screen Video Recorder
Pro: Small, easy to use
Cons: Only core features, no editing
Features
- Keyboard & mouse input recorded separate
Price: free
Website: https://www.dvdvideosoft.com/products/dvd/Free-Screen-Video-Recorder.htm
CamStudio
Supported Operating systems: Windows
Open source screen recording software
Tagline by the vendor: Free Desktop Recorder Streaming Video Software
Pro: Small, open source
Cons: Windows only, looks outdated
Price: free
Website: https://camstudio.org/
ezvid
Supported Operating systems: Windows
Tagline by the vendor: Ezvid For Windows: The Easiest Screen Recorder And Video Editor
Pro: Simple Windows recorder with additional features
Cons: Last update 2017, probably outdated, Windows 11 officially not supported
Features
- Draw on screen
- Edit after recording
- Record and include webcam overlay
- Add time-lapse effect during playback/export
Price: free
Website: https://www.ezvid.com/download
TinyTake
Supported Operating systems: Windows
Tagline by the vendor: Fastest Way to Screen Capture, Record Videos & Share for FREE.
Pro: Simple Windows application
Cons: Windows only
Features
- Draw on screen
- Edit after recording
- Record and include webcam overlay
Price: 0
Website: https://tinytake.com/
OBS Studio
Supported Operating systems: Windows, Mac, Linux
Full-feautured open source screen and video recording software, mostly used for streaming and video recording
Tagline by the vendor: Free and open source software for video recording and live streaming. Download and start streaming quickly and easily on Windows, Mac or Linux
Pro: Advanced features for recording
Cons: Made for videos, not screen recordings
Features
- Edit after recording
- Record and include webcam overlay
- Add time-lapse effect during playback/export
Price: free
Website: https://obsproject.com
Debut
Supported Operating systems: Windows, Mac
Tagline by the vendor: Record video from a webcam, recording device or screen on a Mac
Pro: Simple tool, record webcam and apps
Cons: Free only for non-commercial use
Features
- Draw on screen
- Edit after recording
- Keyboard & mouse input recorded separate
- Record and include webcam overlay
- Add time-lapse effect during playback/export
- Record screen from external tablets or smartphone
- Add, generate and export closed caption (CC)
Price: 60$ (has free demo or evaluation version)
Website: https://www.nchsoftware.com/capture/index.html
Loom
Supported Operating systems: Windows, Mac, Apple iOS, Android
Simple to use tool for screen recording with webcam integration, to record a short video and send it to somebody
Tagline by the vendor: Record quick videos of your screen and cam. An essential tool for hybrid workplaces.
Pro: simple screen recording with advanced features and a nice UI
Cons: Not a typical screen recording tool, more async video recording
Features
- Draw on screen
- Edit after recording
- Keyboard & mouse input recorded separate
- Record and include webcam overlay
- Add time-lapse effect during playback/export
- Record screen from external tablets or smartphone
- Support templates
Price: 8 $ / user / month (has free demo or evaluation version)
Website: https://www.loom.com/
iSpring Suite
Supported Operating systems: Windows
Simple Windows tool to create and edit a screen cast
Tagline by the vendor: Create engaging video lectures, how-tos, and instructional videos with a single tool. Record and edit educational videos like a pro – even if you’ve never done it before.
Pro: Simple, Focused on screencast recording, integrated editor
Cons: Windows only, expensive
Features
- Draw on screen
- Edit after recording
- Keyboard & mouse input recorded separate
- Record and include webcam overlay
- Add time-lapse effect during playback/export
- Add, generate and export closed caption (CC)
- Support templates
Price: 770$/user/year (has free demo or evaluation version)
Website: https://www.ispringsolutions.com/video-tutorial-maker
Filmora Screen Recorder
Supported Operating systems: Windows, Mac
Screen recording solution, focused on games
Tagline by the vendor: Filmora screen recorder allows the user to record screen and webcam simultaneously, also capture the system and microphone audio. You can record games, tutorials, youtube videos, etc., easily and export the videos to YouTube, Vimeo, and devices directly.
Pro: Specific for video + game recording
Cons: Less features for editing
Features
- Draw on screen
- Edit after recording
- Keyboard & mouse input recorded separate
- Record and include webcam overlay
- Add time-lapse effect during playback/export
- Add, generate and export closed caption (CC)
- Support templates
Price: 69.99$ + effects (monthly 36.96$) (has free demo or evaluation version)
Website: https://filmora.wondershare.com/screen-recorder.html
My Screen Recorder Pro
Supported Operating systems: Windows
Full-featured screen recording software
Tagline by the vendor: Professional Screen Recording Software that Captures Your PC Screen and Makes AVI, WMV and WebM Movies.
Pro: Contains core features
Cons: Looks a bit outdated, Windows only
Features
- Draw on screen
- Edit after recording
- Keyboard & mouse input recorded separate
- Record and include webcam overlay
- Add time-lapse effect during playback/export
- Record screen from external tablets or smartphone
- Add, generate and export closed caption (CC)
- Support templates
Price: 129.95 (has free demo or evaluation version)
Website: https://www.deskshare.com/video-screen-capture.aspx
FlashBack Screen Recorder
Supported Operating systems: Windows
Cheap commercial product
Tagline by the vendor: Record your screen and share quick clips or make engaging demos and training videos. FlashBack Screen Recorder is the fastest way to capture and edit video.
Pro: Covers main functionality
Cons: Windows only
Features
- Draw on screen
- Edit after recording
- Keyboard & mouse input recorded separate
- Record and include webcam overlay
- Add time-lapse effect during playback/export
- Record screen from external tablets or smartphone
- Add, generate and export closed caption (CC)
- Support templates
Price: 39 EUR (has free demo or evaluation version)
Website: https://www.flashbackrecorder.com/
Screencast O Matic
Supported Operating systems:Windows, Mac, Apple iOS, Android
Tagline by the vendor: Our screen capture tools help you easily create, edit and communicate with videos and images. Simple and intuitive tools to share your ideas.
Pro: Full-featured suite with apps for all main platforms
Cons: subscription-based pricing
Features
- Draw on screen
- Edit after recording
- Keyboard & mouse input recorded separate
- Record and include webcam overlay
- Add time-lapse effect during playback/export
- Record screen from external tablets or smartphone
- Add, generate and export closed caption (CC)
- Support templates
Price: starting at 4 $ / month / user (has free demo or evaluation version)
Website: https://screencast-o-matic.com/
Zappy Sreenrecorder
Supported Operating systems: Mac
Simple tool, made for screen recording
Tagline by the vendor: The fastest, all-in-one way to share screenshots, GIFs, and recordings with your teammates.
Pro: Free, easy to use screen recording tool for Mac
Cons: Mac only, no editing
Features
- Draw on screen
- Keyboard & mouse input recorded separate
- Record and include webcam overlay
Price: free
Website: https://zapier.com/zappy
Apowersoft Free Online Screen Recorder
Supported Operating systems: Windows, Mac, Linux, Web/Browser-based, Apple iOS, Android
Java based solution for screen recording and annotation
Tagline by the vendor: Free online recording tool
Pro: Simple, free, online based
Cons: Limited editing features
Features
- Draw on screen
- Edit after recording
- Keyboard & mouse input recorded separate
- Record and include webcam overlay
Price: free
Website: https://www.apowersoft.com/free-online-screen-recorder
Bandicam Screen Recorder
Supported Operating systems: Windows
Windows-based tool for screen recording
Tagline by the vendor: Record and Capture everything you want on your PC screen
Pro: Simple, cheap, also supports game recording
Cons: Editing software Bandicut is not included
Features
- Draw on screen
- Edit after recording
- Keyboard & mouse input recorded separate
- Record and include webcam overlay
- Record screen from external tablets or smartphone
Price: 39.9$ / 60.95$ for package with Editing software Bandicut (has free demo or evaluation version)
Website: https://www.bandicam.com/
screenrec Free Screen Recorder
Supported Operating systems: Windows, Mac, Linux
Simple free tool for screen recording
Tagline by the vendor: ScreenRec is a free screen recorder with no watermark that lets you to capture your desktop in one click and share instantly.
Pro: Free, simple to use, short installation
Cons: Just recording
Features
- Draw on screen
- Keyboard & mouse input recorded separate
- Record and include webcam overlay
Price: 0 (has free demo or evaluation version)
Website: https://screenrec.com/screen-recorder/
Summary
There three main categories with no clear winner:
- Free tools for simple screen recording only: screenrec supports all main platforms and provides the core features in a nice user interface.
- Commercial tools for advanced screen recording: Camtasia is probably the best-known tool on the market and supports Windows and Mac. FlashBack Screen Recorder provides the main features for a cheaper price.
- Web-based screen recording tools: RecordJoy is one of the members of this quite new category and supports the browser-based recording. Loom can be used too, but screen recording is focused more on conversational video cast than product-based screen recording.
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