Best Screen Recording Software For Windows PC and Mac

We often need to capture info from our screen and edit it into videos for our presentations and webinars. The easiest way is to use recording software to streamline our workflow. There are many software in the market, which can be overwhelming.

Good software should be able to capture whatever is happening on your screen, including audio and webcam. Each software has its pros and cons. You should find one that fits your needs. Before looking into the software in the market, ask yourself what you want from the software. It will help you make a better decision.

Don’t worry if you aren’t sure where to start. We have looked into 7 recording software options currently available. There will be one that suits you.

Best Screen Recording Software

1. Camtasia – Good to create professional-quality video editing
2. Loom – Create sharable videos easily
3. OBS Studio – Suitable for advance user
4. Nvidia ShadowPlay – Best for game recording and live streaming
5. Snagit – An easy-to-use software
6. ScreenFlow – Good video editor for screen recordings and video editing
7. Screencast-O-Matic – A budget-friendly software

What To Look For In Screen Recording Software?

Here are some key features to consider: 

1. Video Quality & Resolution

Whether you are using the video for a presentation or in a webinar, the quality of the video shouldn’t be compromised. The resolution plays an important role in the video as it will have a great impact on the video quality.

You will need a higher resolution to have a clearer image. So, when choosing suitable software, check out if it uses low resolutions to create images. Using low resolution will cause the images to be blurry. It is best to record in 1080p. You can go for higher pixels but take note that the file will be larger.

2. Editing Capabilities

Not everyone needs this function, but it can be useful when you need it. For those who need to edit their video, ensure that you can access the editing function that you need as some may only have limited options. Consider whether you just need a basic editing option or advance editing option when it comes to choosing the software.

3. User Interface and Ease of Use

No matter what type of software, the software should be user-friendly. Besides looking for the functions that you need, you should be able to navigate and find the tools you need easily. It can be a headache looking for the tools you need, even if the software has the function you want.

4. Cross-Platform Availability

We often use different type of desktop and laptop and the operating system will be different. Consider if the software is able to be used in different operating systems, such as Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X. There wouldn’t be much of a problem if you are only using one computer or operating system. But if you are using different computers with different operating systems, you do want to consider if the software is compatible with the operating system you use.

5. Free & Paid Version

There are many screen recording software in the market and not all are free. Most of the time free version will have limited features, while paid version will have more features. Consider what you need from the software and also your budget before you go for the paid version.

A Quick Comparison Between Different Screen Recording Software

1. Best Overall: Camtasia

Not all software can edit and still come out with a high-quality video. Camtasia will be best option for it. This software can be use easily to capture your screen and edit later on. There’s an option where you can record including your webcam and microphone inputs.

There are many reasons why Camtasia is one of the popular screen recording software. One of it is their video built-in video editor. It is easy to use and very straightforward. We were impressed with their selection of stock media, where we can asses to their clips and images.

We tried out a few recordings with different areas and we were satisfied with the results. We did struggle a bit in the beginning as we weren’t familiar with the apps. But we picked up quite fast as it was easy to navigate around. Besides, there are tutorial videos which help to guide us through as we use the apps.

We love their cursor effects where we were able to highlight the important parts of the video. Not only that, the captions can be added easily. It definitely suits professional video editor, content creators and even beginners.

The price of Camtasia starts from $179.88/yearly. Sadly, they don’t provide monthly option. It can be pricey. Whether it worth the money, depends on how you use it. They have a free-trial for you to try it out first.

Pros

• Easy to use
• Great Features
• Tutorials Provided

Cons

• Costly

 2. Best for Beginners: Loom

Whether you are using it on Windows, Chrome, Mac, or Android, using Loom to capture your screen can be very simple. Record your screen with your webcam and upload it to edit. You can share it with others by copying and sharing the link. It is a great screen recorder software for those who want to create short videos.

This simple and friendly software can record up to 720p quality. It can even capture the virtual backgrounds. Loom is more suitable for sharing files with your colleagues, friends and family. If you need to publish the video, it is best to look for other software.

Loom has a free version and paid version. You can use most of the features for the free version but will be limited to making 25 videos up to 5 minutes per person. Whereas for the paid version, you will need to pay $12.50 per month. You can edit unlimited videos and access to more features, such as AI and Transcript features.

Pros

• Easy to use
• Share Instantly
• User-friendly interface

Cons

• Limited videos for the free version

3. Best Free Option: OBS Studio

This open-source screen record is popular among YouTubers and gamers. It is often used for video recording and live streaming.

OBS Studio is suitable for live streaming because it is customizable. You can set up a number of scenes during your live streaming and easily switch between them. Besides live streaming, you can also use it for video recording.

We tried it out and found that it can be a bit complicated for beginners. We took some time to figure out the features but we enjoyed it after figuring out the basic and some complicated features. It can be a joy to use it for live streaming but it won’t be a good one if you want to use it for video editing. There wasn’t any editing functionality. It won’t be an ideal one for video recording unless you have a video editing software. But overall, the user experience was great. The software is free, so why not try it out?

Pros

• Free
• High-performance
• Customizable

Cons

• Need time to learn to use
• Complex interface

4. Best for Gamers: Nvidia ShadowPlay

Another option for gaming and live streaming. Besides recording and capturing your screen, one feature that stands out is their instant replay function. It allows you to save a portion of your recent gaming session without actively recording it.

As we tried it out, we found the interface was easy to use. We were navigating around without any big problem. It definitely suitable for beginners to start with. One thing is that the features may not work optimally for every game. 

The quality of the video that is recorded can capture up to 8K HDR at 30fps and 4K HDR at 60fps. It is quite high-quality to share it with others.

Pros

• Free
• High-quality recording

Cons

• Need NVIDIA graphics cards to use it
• Limited replay duration

5. Best for Professionals: Snagit

Being able to capture your screen, video recording and editing, Snagit is one screen recorder software that professionals shouldn’t miss out. It has all the tools you need.

One of the features you shouldn’t miss will be the Snagit Editors. It has many tools where you can draw attention to important parts, add steps to provide instructions, and even create a theme. They have a library where they keep your entire capture history.

This software is easy to use. Even if you are not sure where to start with, they have tutorials and webinars where you can learn step by step.

There’s no free version for this software and they have different plans, starting from $46/annually. They have a 15 days free-trial for you to try out.

The features may be similar to Camtasia. If you are wondering which one to choose, it depends on your needs. Go for Snagit if you want to capture your screen and editing images. Camtasia will be better for video recording and editing.

Pros

• Ease to use
• Various tools

Cons

• No free version

Specialized Tools for Specific Needs

Best for Mac Users: ScreenFlow

Mac users often use ScreenFlow. Compared to other software, it is simpler to use. Simple doesn’t mean the quality is compromised. It has many editing features, such as filters, video effects, and extensive transitions.

It is good video editor where you can capture videos from mobile devices and video cameras. The interface is clean and can navigate around without any trouble.

Best for Short Tutorials: Screencast-O-Matic

Screencast-O-Matic is another software for video recording. It is best for short tutorials for classes or use of products.

One useful feature is that you can continue recording from your previous video. Another feature that stands out is their Scripted Recording feature. You can add your script and record it separately. This is a great feature for those who record according to scripts.

How to Choose the Right Screen Recording Software

Identifying Your Needs: Personal, Professional, or Gaming

Different software has different features and it caters to different needs. Ask yourself why do you need the screen recording software. Is it for personal or for work? It can be even for gaming. The purpose of buying the software helps you to identify what kind of software you need.

Budget Considerations

There are free version and paid version. Ask yourself if you can afford to pay for the software. Software like Camtasia can be pricey, while OBS Studio is free. Consider your budget before getting one.

Feature Trade-Offs: Recording vs. Editing

Not all software can record and edit. Some software can only record and you need to get another editing software to edit. Check out the features and see if it fits your needs before getting one.

Wrap Up

The best screen recording software is the software that meets your needs. It should be able to come out with the best content in the shortest time. Understand the features of each software will help you make a better decision.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)