- Good Free Screen Recording Software For Mac Windows 10
- Good Free Screen Recording Software For Mac 10 6 8
They say there is no free lunch and, more often than not, that’s the rule. Screen recording software, though, is a delightful exception — there are heaps of free tools out there.
To help you find the best free screen recorder, we have created a shortlist of the best free screen recorders in 2020 that are free. Ideal for communicating your ideas and feedback faster, recorder video tutorials, explainer videos, report bugs, etc.
To help you find the best free screen recorder, we have created a shortlist of the best free screen recorders in 2020 that are free. Ideal for communicating your ideas and feedback faster, recorder video tutorials, explainer videos, report bugs, etc.
Contents
What Is Screen Recording Software?
Screen recording software, though, is a delightful exception — there are heaps of free tools out there. To help you find the best free screen recorder, we have created a shortlist of the best free screen recorders in 2020 that are free. Here is a collection of the best Free Screen Recording Software to record your computer screen and create video tutorials. We have found a variety of free screen video recorder apps that work for Windows, Mac, Linux, and web browsers. Best Free Screen Capture & Video Recording Software TinyTake is a free screen capture & video recording software for Microsoft Windows & Mac. With TinyTake, you can capture images and videos of your computer screen, add comments and share them with others in minutes. TinyTake is built by MangoApps and is available for free.
Screen recording software, though, is a delightful exception — there are heaps of free tools out there. To help you find the best free screen recorder, we have created a shortlist of the best free screen recorders in 2020 that are free.
Screen recording software captures what is on your computer screen. You can either record in full screen or capture a specific area. Most of these apps can record your microphone (audio narration) and the best desktop recording software can also record your computer screen with audio (the system sound).
However, this is where the similarities end. Not all such programs are HD screen recorders. Some screen recording tools can save the recording in various file formats or export it to social media websites like YouTube. Top screen recorders, though, can upload your screen captures to the cloud in real time and give you a sharing link instantly (much more effective).
So, before you set your mind on a free screen recording software, it’s best to evaluate your own recording needs. Maybe you don’t need to upload your videos to social media or maybe you don’t need to record in HD.
How we reviewed the top screen video recorders
We took information about each of the best desktop recorders directly from their official website. In addition, we gathered insights from independent reviews published on G2Crowd and tested each tool ourselves.
What is a good screen recorder?
While our picks range from desktop apps to browser plug-ins, each one meets the following basic criteria:
- User-friendly interface
- Can record the entire screen or a specific area
- Captures both system and microphone audio
- Built-in video sharing and/or convenient exporting options
Here Are The Best Free Screen Recording Software In 2020
Screenrec | iSpring Free Cam | Apowersoft Free Online Screen Recorder | Screencast-O-Matic | Ezvid | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Save screencast to your hard drive | |||||
Video Hosting | |||||
Cloud Recording | |||||
Instant sharing | |||||
Sharing options | Universal sharing link. Share privately or publicly. | Upload to Youtube | Upload to Youtube, Dropbox, Vimeo or GDrive | Upload to Youtube | None. You can save the screen capture to your hard drive. |
Record computer audio and video at the same time | |||||
Record your voice | |||||
Record in full screen | |||||
Capture Screenshots | |||||
Video Library | |||||
Video Encryption | |||||
Video Analytics | |||||
Video Editing Tools | |||||
Facecam recording | |||||
Recording Time | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | 15 minutes | Depends on how much free space you have |
Ads | Ad-free | Ad-free | Ad-free | Ads | Ad-free |
Video compression | MP4 (Universal) | WMV (Windows only) | MP4, WMV, AVI, FLV, MPEG, VOB, ASF and GIF | MP4, AVI, FLV | WMV (Windows only) |
Supported Platforms | Windows, Mac, Linux | Windows | Windows and Mac | Windows and Mac | Windows |
Works when you’re offline |
1. Screenrec
Click. Record. Share instantly. If you’re looking for the quickest and easiest possible way to capture your computer screen and share the recording with someone else, this is it. No ads and limitations. You not only get a screen recorder for free but you also get business video hosting for free.
Pros
- Record computer audio
- Record your computer screen in HD
- Capture and annotate screenshots
- 2Gb of free video hosting included
- Cloud recording. Your video capture is uploaded on the fly to a secure video hosting platform — StreamingVideoProvider.
- Files are saved in the .MP4 format which can be played on any device (free MP4 screen recorder)
- Instant private sharing. Once the recording is complete you get a private sharing link that you can send to anyone online.
- Extremely lightweight
- Video CMS to manage your recordings, e.g. tag, add descriptions, organize in folders and playlists
- Video encryption. No one can download your videos without your explicit permission.
- Video analytics
- Unlimited recording time
- No ads
Cons
- There are no video editing tools at this point
- You can’t record your webcam
2. iSpring Free Cam
iSpring Free Cam made our list of the best screen recorders because it’s easy-to-use, without ads and time limitations. It only works on Windows which can potentially be an issue but, otherwise, it’s got all the chops to help you capture the full screen or a specific area of your desktop.
Pros
- Record your microphone and system sounds
- Highlight your mouse
- Basic video editing tools, e.g. delete selection, remove background noise.
- Webcam recording is available but only in the Pro version
- You can upload your screencast to YouTube
- No ads
- No time limits
Cons
- Only works on Windows. No support for Linux or Mac.
- Screen captures are saved in .WMV format (OK if you’re using a Windows PC but might not play on other platforms)
- Uploading large videos might take quite some time because there is no cloud recording option. The file is compressed and uploaded after recording.
- You can’t take screenshots
- Some users report high CPU usage
3. Apowersoft Free Online Screen Recorder
A nice online screen recorder with basic video editing capabilities. This free screen capture software runs in your browser (Mac or Windows) and requires an internet connection. The Apowersoft Free Online Screen Recorder might be a good choice if you’re looking for a one-time solution.
Pros
- Record your webcam
- Add annotations within the video
- Capture computer audio
- Crop your video (no other editing tools, though)
- Works on Windows and Mac but not on Linux
- After recording, you can save the video file to your computer or upload it to YouTube, Vimeo, Dropbox, Google Drive, etc.
- You can save the file in a number of different formats (This can also be a con if you don’t know what you’re doing)
Cons
- Requires a browser plugin to run which may slow your browser down. There is a “Download desktop version” button on the website but this is actually the Pro version, not the free one.
- No cloud recording option. If you want to share your screencast, you will have to wait for the video to render and, then, you will have to wait for it to upload.
- Time limits and watermarks (removed when you create a free account)
- Not suitable for game recording because you can’t hide the recording widget
- Users report that it takes quite a lot of time to view the replay
- You must be online to use it
4. Screencast-O-Matic
The free version of Screencast-O-Matic is another browser-based screen recording tool. It should work for you if you don’t need to record computer audio and you only want to make very short videos.
Pros
- Narrate the video (record your computer microphone)
- Record your webcam
- After recording the video, you can upload it to YouTube or the Screencast-o-matic hosting service
- Highlight your mouse
- Available for Windows and Mac
Cons
- 15-minute recording limit
- There is a watermark
- You can’t record computer audio in the free version
- No screenshot tool
- The free version can only run in the browser which can slow your computer down
- Ads on your screencasts
- Requires Java to run
- Some users report that it crashes their browsers and slows down their computers
- No cloud recording option. If you want to share your screencast, you will have to wait for the video to render and, then, you will have to wait for it to upload.
5. Ezvid
Ezvid is on our best screen recording software list because it has some cool features like the ability to draw while recording or synthesize human speech from text. Like iSpring Free Cam, it only works on Windows and saves screencasts in the bulky WMV format.
Pros
- HD video capture
- Include computer narration with your video
- Trim videos
- Insert images and videos in your screencast
- Draw while recording
- Facecam recording
- No watermarks
- No ads
Cons
- Works on Windows only
- Recording limit — depends on how much free space you have on your hard drive
- Delayed replay — you have to wait until your video is rendered
- Some users report that it slows down their computers
- Screen captures are saved in .WMV format (OK if you’re using a Windows PC but the video might not play on other platforms)
What Is a Good Screen Recorder?
There are two important points to consider when looking for the best free screen recorder in 2020.
1. File Format & Compression
A file format is a particular way of organizing the data within the file. There are many video file formats and some screen recording tools support more than one. However, most of the time, it goes down to MP4 vs. WMV.
MP4 or WMV for screen capture?
The WMV format is a product of Microsoft. Back in the day, it was created to allow professional videos to be recorded in high quality, e.g. on DVD, Bluray. The biggest issue here is that Mac users often have trouble viewing WMV files.
MP4, on the other hard, helps you produce video files that can be opened on any platform. And, when it comes to video quality, MP4 is actually better than WMV.
So,MP4 is more suitable for publishing your screen captures on the web and sharing them with others. The best free video capture software allows you to save your videos in MP4.
2. Video Hosting & Uploading
When looking for a screen capture software, you’d probably look at the recording features like — recording time, ability to record the computer audio, and so on.
But what happens after you record your screencast?
Most of the time, video files are very big and can’t be attached to emails. This means that, to share a video, you have to upload it somewhere in the cloud. In other words, you need video hosting.
This is a book-worthy topic but here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Hosting on YouTube. Some screen recorders allow you to post your videos on YouTube. That’s great when you want to share your videos publicly but not recommended if the screencast contains sensitive information.
- Proprietary video hosting. Some screen recorders like Screenrec, Apowersoft Free Online Screen Recorder and Screencast-O-Matic come with video hosting. When storing your videos on these platforms, it would be wise to research if the platform is free and what level of security it offers.
- Cloud Recording. If there is no Cloud Recording option, you will have to wait for the video to upload until you can share it. The best free screen capture tools come with this option.
Conclusion
Even the best free screen recording software has advantages and disadvantages. At the end of the day, the recording features — what you can do with the tool, are just as important as the effectiveness — how quickly you can record your computer screen and share it with others.
So, before you set your mind on a free screen recording software, it’s best to evaluate your own recording needs. Maybe you don’t need to upload your videos to social media or maybe you don’t need to record in HD.
Based on this criteria, the top screen recording software for us is the free screen recorder by ScreenRec. The final decision is, of course, yours to make.
What's the difference between a desktop screen recorder vs. online screen recorder?
As the names suggest, the biggest difference is that a desktop screen recorder can capture your screen while you're offline or on a poor internet connection. An online screen recorder requires stable Internet. For this reason, an online screen recorder isn't the best option when it comes to game capture. It may be a viable option when you're recording a tutorial, though.
What is the best alternative to Screencast-O-Matic?
Screencast-O-Matic is a popular screencasting tool. Many people use it to record tutorials, training videos and other educational content. The biggest advantage of Screencast-O-Matic is, perhaps, the ability to share the recording to a number of platforms like Vimeo, YouTube and Screencast-o-Matic's own video hosting platform. One downside, however, is the fact that you have to wait for the recording to upload and, if you've been recording for, say, 1 hour, this can be a huge pain. That's why, as an alternative, we'll suggest ScreenRec. It's quick and lightweight, allows you to capture both your computer audio and microphone audio and, finally, it's got instant private sharing--your screen recordings are uploaded in real time which means that you never have to wait. You get a sharing link as soon as you press 'Stop'.
How do I record my computer screen?
It depends on the screen capture tool you're using and your platform (Windows, Mac, Linux, etc). With ScreenRec, for example, you have to press Alt + S to start recording your desktop. This works on all platforms.
References & Further Reading
Screen recorders are an excellent tool that is used to record the on-screen happenings on any device. The screen recorder can be listed among the top five agencies in today's times because they can be used as efficient tools to run an organization successfully.
The screen recorders in the market can be effectively used in a wide range of industries as well as enterprises. In our circumstances where we are held back at homes working from our laptops, screen recorders help us remember things that our brains often skip.
The most exclusive feature about screen recorders is that they are free to use and quite readily available in the market and on the Internet. One must know how to use it tactfully. The primary use of screen recorders is to record everything that goes on a person's computer screen.
It can quite easily be used on Windows as well as on Mac with minimum maintenance requirements. In this article, we will go through the two main types of screen recorders; free Mac audio screen recorder and paid Mac screen recorder with audio. Let us review all the top screen recorders under each category to know its benefits well enough.
Free Mac Audio Screen Recorder
Some of the top screen recorders that fall under the category which makes the software free have been given below. These screen recorders can help you out without any monthly or yearly subscription. Most of these screen recorders are open source software that allows individuals to record live streaming, conferences, desktop activity, and more. Everyone likes a benefit, especially if it is free.
With the free screen recording software, you can use the full services that a paid software can offer anyone. Mac has super sleek software collections that come with high-end encryption systems, excellent functionality, high productivity, and useful feedback. To match up to that level, we have compiled a list of free screen recorders that let you record your screen with no issues at all.
Mac offers several screen recorders that work well with the interface. It makes the operating system all the more user-friendly than it already is.
One might wonder whether the free screen recorders are of any competition in front of the paid screen recorders, but they will be surprised to know that there are barely any differences between the two. Let us take a detailed look into the list of screen recorders that come for free and understand how they work.
1. QuickTime Player
QuickTime Player is one of the most frequently downloaded screen recorders on a Mac platform. It offers an added functionality of a media player as well. Thus, one can use it as a player to play media and record the on-going activities on-screen.
One should take note of the fact that the QuickTime Player can only make a recording of the screen. It is quite unlike any screencasting software that makes a copy of the activities on screen and the webcam. You cannot record both at the same time as well.
There are two explicit recording modes on the free screen and audio recorder for Mac, the QuickTime software. One mode is where you can record the entire screen, and the other is the recording of the part of the screen, which you select with the mouse. The QuickTime Player offers audio recording options as well.
You can input audio recording into the video recording with the help of a microphone. QuickTime Player is intelligent enough to let you choose which audio device you would like to use to input the audio. Alternatively, you can also select the audio capture device to none if you do not wish to record any audio with the video.
2. Screen Recorder Robot Lite
Talk about a Mac screen recorder with audio, and one of the first names that come to mind is the Screen Recorder Robot Lite. Since this falls under the free software list, it does not require any monthly or yearly subscription to keep the services going on in your computer system.
This is an extremely powerful application meant to screen record, take a screenshot, and make edits to it. The app automatically recognizes the taskbars, menus, as well as windows present on the screen. If there is any problem selecting an area on the screen, one can use the magnifying tool to choose a particular area on the screen.
Furthermore, you can use the same magnifying tool to display the screen's width, height, and length. Screen Recorder Robot Lite offers high functionality and an extremely smooth user interface. This software gives you a free screen recorder at the level of one that is paid for. One of the best features of the Screen Recorder Robot Lite is that it does not add a watermark to the recorded videos. You can cut, crop, or edit your screen recordings depending on what you want.
3. Record it
Mac has a variety of software that is extremely useful. RecordIt proves to be one of the top-level applications for the Mac interface. If you were to record the screen on a Mac for free, this software works better than others due to its high-level code structure. It has a four-star rating on the App Store.
Furthermore, it introduces fun elements like gifs and images in the recorded video of the screen. One cannot ignore certain drawbacks of this software, including the inability to add audio recordings to the video recorded of the screen. It isn't easy to allow the synchronization of the audio.
Furthermore, this Mac screen recorder with audio free restricts video recording of the screen beyond five minutes. If you are willing to work around these issues, Recordit is an excellent app with a minimalistic approach to screen recording. Recordit has an excellent user interface with all the buttons present on the same screen that you will be recording. You can toggle between the controls while the software is on record. Besides, the edited software looks quite cute and can be used for a variety of purposes.
4. OBS Studio
OBS Studio is one of the better screen recorders in the market for free on Mac and iOS platforms. This software will allow users to record the screen flawlessly. One of the unique features of the software includes the creation and publishing of live stream videos too. With OBS Studio, you can confidently add or embed specific snippets of other videos on the recorded screen video.
One might find the user interface to be a bit dull but do not underestimate this software's power as it comes with certain added features such as a Studio Mode above all. The bonus features are those that no other screen recorder uses, especially those under the free to use category. OBS Studio can be used for professional and personal use, but given the minimalistic user interface, you can use this software for official purposes exceptionally.
5. Jing
Jing is a screen recording software that is developed by a brand that goes by the name Techsmith. It is a video recording software that does not charge you any money for Mac-based operations. You can additionally record video snippets with this software. The software screen opens up as a sun icon on the screen. This icon can be dragged around and placed at any place on the screen. This icon leads you to the functions of the Jing software. The functions include recording videos, taking screenshots, and recording your on-going screen with maximum ease.
Jing has an attractive interface that gives you options to select from before or after hitting the record button. This screen recorder offers high functionality with no charges on the software at all. You can use Jing on the Mac laptop or iOS phone so that you can record screens that are of any length, breadth, and width.
These are the top five software that allows Mac users to record their laptops or desktop screens with no charges. You can avail features that are almost equivalent to the paid screen recorders on the Internet.
Paid Mac Screen Recorder with Audio
The second category of screen recorders requires users to take a monthly subscription or may for one-time use. Content is information, and information is everything in the digital age. Whether you are a consumer of content or a creator, videos are probably the most significant part of your online diet.
It is almost necessary nowadays to provide entertainment and information in the form of videos, and similarly, the reception of the same is also much better in video formats. Therefore, it is quite apparent that screen-recording, whether on your iPhone or Mac, is such an essential tool.
Whether you want to create presentations for your office meetings or you want to record a lecture as a student to be able to refer to later, good screen-recording software can be a life-saver for everyone. Any such software should have:
- Easily accessible recording options
- Presentation-making abilities
- Fundamental to advanced editing abilities
- Annotation options
- A basic preset and template library
This list goes over five of the best applications in this regard for Mac users. You can choose either of these based on your specific needs. Most of these also offer trial periods, so that way, you can make a more informed choice. Browse through the following to choose your preferred screen-recorder:
1. Wondershare DemoCreator
One of the best apps in this category, WonderShare, is an all-in-one package for videos. With regard to screen recording, it offers fantastic facilities and makes all their features readily available at the single click of the mouse.
You can expect top quality in terms of video editing, too, when it comes to Wondershare. What is more, some of their most useful tools are also free! You can get it both for Windows and Mac operating systems. Wondershare offers incredible workflow and editing options for creators and non-creators alike.
Featuring a very accessible and easy to learn interface, you can add annotations, record your presentation with voice-overs, create video tutorials, and even record gaming accomplishments with ease. Wondershare being the best Mac screen recorder with audio, allows you to make such presentations, gaming videos, etc. as an all-inclusive software. With just this one software, all your creative needs are satisfied. Their rates are also very affordable, with monthly and annual deals both available.
2. Camtasia
Developed and published by TechSmith, Camtasia has been one of the frontrunners in this market for almost 20 years now and seems to be the preferred choice of many professionals. Also, it boasts a plethora of editing options and is also very simple to learn.
It offers tools for both the video recording and editing savant as well as the novice. High definition recording capabilities, green-screen effects, complex animations, GoogleDrive compatibility, etc. are just some of the fantastic features provided by this product's developers.
It also gives you ready to use features like multiple templates and presets along with royalty-free music to use in your videos. Further, you can embed other videos into your recording, allowing for high degrees of control and professionalism in content creation. If you are unwilling to pay the money right away (which is an annual or a lifetime subscription), you can start with a 30-day free trial.
3. Movavi Screen Recorder
One of the newer apps on this list, Movavi Screen Recorder, is slowly becoming a favorite among users in this category. Movavi has come out with multiple top quality video editing software in the past, and this one is no different. Offering a wide variety of features and possessing one of the most straightforward interfaces of all the apps here, you might consider giving this one a try.
The quality of the app is top-notch. High definition videos translate perfectly into this software, and it lets you capture the video from any screen. While it might lag behind the other applications here in terms of being both a screen recording app and a video editor, Movavi makes up for this fact by providing such excellent quality in its visuals. If you do need the other features, they offer a bundle comprising both the screen recorder and their video editor at a fantastic price.
4. SnagIt
Yet another software in this category, SnagIt, has been around since 1990! This speaks volumes about its quality and justifies its place on this list. This software is slightly more geared towards the novice user than experienced video editors and creators, but it has all the features you could ask for anyway. It was formerly released only for Windows platforms, but now it is also available for Mac.
About the previous statement, it should be mentioned that the Mac version has a few fewer features. However, the basic functionality is all there. You can add text, trim the video, add audio, make animations and export it in a format of your choice. SnagIt also provides very useful presets and templates that can be used to make videos and create content. There is also a free trial option available if you do not want to pay the annual fee right away.
5. ScreenFlow
Created by Telestream, this is a fantastic application exclusively for Mac platforms for screencasting and video editing, not to mention screen recording! This software is more suited to professional work as it boasts some of the best features of any video editing software. The interface has a beautiful modern design to it, and this is overall just a terrific software for all types of creators and professionals.
The facilities provided by ScreenFlow are almost incomparable. What it has going for itself is its presets. Templates, a vast library of sample clips, royalty-free sound effects and music, animations, and multiple format support, makes this indeed a great creators tool. All this does, however, put it in a slightly higher price bracket. They also have three purchasing options starting from the basic package to higher-priced possibilities, including more extensive libraries.
Conclusion
Good Free Screen Recording Software For Mac Windows 10
The screen recorders are great tools to record seminars, programs, conventions, and everything online to ensure that it stays stored on the soft copy. It can also be used to record responses. The screen recorders are extremely handy for organizers of an event or large organizations as it gives them useful feedback.
Good Free Screen Recording Software For Mac 10 6 8
You can use the various options on the screen recorders that come for Mac laptops or iOS phones. Try them on your desktop or your computer. Make sure to use a screen recorder with audio free Mac or a paid screen recorder to enjoy the benefits of recording screens and editing them at your own will.