If you use Google to search for the best screen recording software, you may start to feel overwhelmed. There are many options, and it may be difficult to determine which one is best for your role. Your employer may also require which software you can use based on security settings, prices, billing, etc.
We compiled the following list of 14 best screen recording software based on the most frequently mentioned software in search engine results. We studied all these screen recording options to determine the advantages and disadvantages of each option. This is not a method that is suitable for all applications, because each software has different advantages and users have different priorities.
Best Screen Recording Software on 2022
ShareX is a popular screen recording tool for Windows users that has been around for more than 13 years. It is an open source program using C# programming language and .NET Framework. ShareX prides itself on being free, open source and lightweight. But because of the .NET framework they use, their platform is just limited to Windows.
ShareX allows users to save videos in several different file formats, and can even upload them directly to many websites, including Twitter, Google Photos, ImageShack, Flickr, Imgur, etc. Users can even set custom watermarks and color effects on the screen recording. ShareX’s screen recording software can also detect the text in the screenshot, and then users can copy and paste.
For developers and other more technical users, this tool works well. However, it relies heavily on keyboard shortcuts and drop-down menus. The learning curve is steeper than most other screen recording tools.
Pros
- Free
- Open Source
- Lightweight
- Offers screen recording, GIF making abilities
- Screenshot
Cons
- Not available on Mac, iOS or Linux
- No option to recode with webcam
- Full screen screenshots of games not working
- UX/UI not simple as most other screen recording tools
Ezvid was one of the first screen recording software provided to the public in 2011. It is aimed at content creators who want to easily edit content and upload it to YouTube without having to learn complicated software. Ezvid is light and powerful, and provides screen recording and editing software for Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1 and 10.
It’s completely free to use, which makes it a great choice for YouTube users. But keep in mind that the maximum duration of screen recording is 45 minutes. The user interface is user-friendly and can be learned in minutes. Ezvid allows users to record the webcam and screen at the same time, and also supports drawing on the screen and real-time annotation.
The Ezvid editing suite allows users to cut, crop and trim videos easily and efficiently. Narration options and access to selected popular music tracks can help users make their videos more interesting. The text-to-speech feature makes it easier for those with hearing disabilities or those who want to watch the video with the volume turned off.
Like ShareX, Ezvid does not allow full-screen game screen recording. There are some solutions to this, but it is an inconvenience for gamers. Recordings cannot be saved locally to a computer or external drive, but can only be uploaded directly to YouTube. This may not be a problem for YouTube content creators, but it may be a potential problem for anyone who needs to save the video elsewhere.
Pros
- Free
- Video editing suite included
- Intuitive and easy to use
- Easily upload to YouTube
Cons
- Not available on Mac, iOS or Linux
- Video recording capped at 45 minutes
- Videos cannot be saved locally
- No screenshot or GIF creation ability
TinyTake’s screen recording software is suitable for Mac and Windows and is user-friendly. The intuitive user interface helps users record, edit and publish videos reliably. They provide a fairly limited free version of the software, and each video recording can only provide up to 5 minutes. In order to take full advantage of TinyTake, users must upgrade to other plans, starting at $29.95 per year.
The TinyTake Jumbo plan costs US$99.95 per year and includes the ability to record up to 60 minutes of video, integrate with YouTube, make video annotations, and store up to 1 TB. Most of these features are not included in the cheaper Standard and Plus plans.
For this review, we will focus on the Jumbo program and its features. TinyTake provides the ability to make screen recordings and save them directly to a cloud-based gallery. Users can also create custom hotkeys and shortcuts to use the tool faster and more efficiently. Basic screen recording editing tools such as drawing, blur and annotation are also provided. TinyTake lacks advanced editing tools, although most users use the software because of its simplicity.
Pros
- Cloud-based software and file viewer
- UI easy to use
Cons
- Premium plan expensive
- Limited editing features
OBS Studio is one of the best software related to screen recording. It is a powerful tool that provides content creators with everything they need to broadcast live from their devices while playing video games or anything else. Most streaming media on Twitch and YouTube rely on OBS Studio to record their screens.
This open source screen recording software is completely free to use and can be used on Windows, Mac and Linux. Although OBS Studio has the powerful features required by professional streamers, gamers, and content creators, it is very complex and has a steep learning curve before users master the software.
By using the features of OBS Studio, gamers can more easily stream and record gameplay, including customizable hotkeys to start recording, retroactive recording of the past few minutes of the game, editing, custom watermarking, and custom streaming frames , Seamless overlay and transition on webcam frames and streams.
It is best for users to set up dual monitors in order to effectively use OBS Studio for screen recording. Using OBS Studio for streaming, editing and recording requires learning how to use the professional editing tools provided. For professional anchors, the time it takes to master this software may be worthwhile, but it may not be the best choice for other users.
Pros
- Free
- Highly customizable features for streamers and content creators
- Recording capabilities and professional-level streaming
Cons
- Not user-friendly for beginners
Windows users may find iSpring’s Free Cam to be an attractive choice for screen recording software. It is especially useful for users who need to create webinars, presentations or video courses. Although there are not many functions, Free Cam provides the functions needed to produce streamlined, simple but high-quality videos.
Free Cam can be used on Windows 7, 8 and 10. Although we focus on the free version, you can choose to upgrade to the Cam Pro version that provides more advanced features and functions to create higher quality screen recordings. The Cam Pro version is $227 per year, which is the more expensive side of screen recording software.
Users can record 760p quality with Free Cam and export the video as WMV or upload directly to YouTube. You can also select the area to be recorded on the screen. Users can also record system audio and/or their own voice, trim and crop videos, and use noise reduction to help eliminate distracting noise in the background. Free Cam even provides fade-in and fade-out effects for videos.
Although Free Cam may not provide the highest quality recording, there is no time limit for video recording, and users can record without a watermark. These two functions are rare in free screen recording software. The software is easy to use and completely free, which makes it a great choice for people who don’t need advanced or customizable features.
Pros
- Free
- Customizable audio features
- Noise reduction
Cons
- Limited to 760p resolution
- No webcam recording feature
- For Windows only
Camtasia is an excellent screen recording software option for users who need the ability to easily create, edit and export professional-quality videos in one place. High-quality features mean that the price is more expensive than other screen recording software, costing $299.99 per user per year.
This screen recording software can be used on Mac and Windows devices and is compatible with Windows 10 and macOS 10.14 and later. In addition to being able to record videos on iOS devices by connecting the iOS device to the computer, Camtasia also provides custom effects to add some style to the screen recording. It also accepts multiple file formats, including MP4, AVI, WMV, WAV, and WMA, to name a few.
Camtasia allows users to choose to record the entire screen, select only a part of the screen, or even record a specific window. After the user completes the screen recording, the editing suite allows editing, such as trimming, adding audio, making notes, etc. There are also presets and templates that can be used to simplify the video editing process and make it easier for users.
A unique feature of this screen recording software is the ability to create and add quizzes to the screen recording to make interactive videos. This feature is very suitable for video courses and online lectures. After the video is complete, users can export the video to various file formats or upload it to YouTube, Vimeo, Screencast, or even a custom website.
Pros
- Professional
- Easy-to-use software
- Extensive editing features includes
- Making interactive videos with customizable features
Cons
- Expensive upfront cost
Movavi’s screen recording software is the option that many users choose to record webinars, tutorials, conferences and lectures. Users can record from their screen, webcam, or a mix of both. The software also includes a recording split screen function, which makes it possible to record different streams at the same time. Editing tools are sufficient for most users, including professors and business professionals. However, gamers may think that the platform is of little value, because Movavi cannot be used to record gameplay.
Unlike many other screen recording software, you can use Movavi to record, edit, and share videos in 4K format. The software also allows users to schedule recording, highlight keystrokes and cursor movements, and draw or highlight information on the video to make it more attractive.
This screen recording software can be used on Mac and Windows. Movavi offers a 7-day free trial, providing basic editing tools, but includes a watermark on the output video. After the free trial, users can choose to purchase a one-year (from $44.95) or lifetime (from $64.95) premium license. If users need access to more advanced editing software, they can purchase a lifetime video suite license for $84.95. The video kit provides tools for animation, special effects, editing, and animation titles.
Pros
- Simple UI
- Easy-to-use software
Cons
- Free trial just limited to 7 days
- Advanced editing features only available with expensive plan
FlashBack is known for being intuitive, easy to use, and providing multiple functions, making it an excellent choice for recording instructional guides, operating videos, tutorials, etc. on Windows. It is only compatible with Windows 7 and more. Screen recording can be exported to MP4, AVI, GIF and other formats. After recording and editing with FlashBack, users can also quickly share videos to YouTube.
A unique feature of FlashBack is the ability to record multiple displays at once. Users can also record their webcam and microphone at the same time, and capture their desktop screen in multiple ways. FlashBack also has an automatic recording function, which can be customized to record videos as scheduled.
After recording the video, the user can immediately use the editing suite for finishing work. Some of these features include custom watermarks, transitions, highlights, blurs, zoom in and zoom out, etc. FlashBack users can also add music or audio to the software.
The free version of FlashBack FlashBack Express provides the ability to take screenshots, add webcam footage to screen recording, add audio comments while recording, and easily share to YouTube or download files locally. FlashBack Pro is paid software, and the cost of a lifetime license is $49 per PC. This includes access to all features, no watermark, free technical support, and 30-day refunds.
Pros
- Ability to capture multiple screens at one
- Scheduled recording
- Intuitive editing tools
Cons
- Available only on Windows
- On the free version screen recording have a watermark
Loom’s screen recording software is designed to help teams communicate more effectively and increase productivity through video. Whether you need to communicate with customers or teammates, Loom is a good choice for screen recording.
Loom is available for Windows, Mac, Android and iOS. Their free version includes basic functions, and users can record up to 5 minutes for each video, for a total of up to 25 videos. After reaching this limit, users can upgrade to the commercial version for $8 per month. This unlocks access to 4K quality and unlimited video recording. Loom will also generate a link for users to automatically share their screen recordings.
Loom also provides customized branding options, CTA buttons, video trimming functions and security settings to protect the screen recording password. By accessing Loom on iOS and Android, users can collaborate anytime, anywhere, even if they don’t have access to their computer.
Pros
- Easy-to-use
- Sharing links generated automatically
- Custom branding and CTA
Cons
- Limited integration with CRMs
- High price of entreprise-level licenses
Screencast-O-Matic’s Deluxe plan starts at $1.65 per month, which is a unique price point for users who need more features than free software provides but don’t want to pay the typical fees for screen recording software. For $4 per month, users can even access the Premier version. Their screen recording software is available for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS and Chromebook.
With the free version, users can record up to 15 minutes of video. But please note that all screen recordings in the free version include a watermark. Users can also choose to include webcam material, and the video can be saved as GIF, AVI, MP4 or FLV files. One limitation is that screenshots can only be saved as PNG files. Most of the time this may not be a problem, but when JPG is needed, it can become a pain point.
Screencast-O-Matic users can take advantage of various editing functions, including green screen filters, overlays, recording audio, adding music, annotations, blurring, voice-to-text, etc. The speech-to-text function is especially useful for teachers who want to record lessons and provide subtitles for students who like/need to read.
After editing and finishing the screen recording, users can upload them to Screencast-O-Matic or share them to various other websites, including YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, MS Teams, Google Drive, Google Classroom or email.
Pros
- Affordable premium plans
- Extensive sharing options
- Comprehensive editing features
Cons
- Limited file saving options
- No OCR for screenshots
Hope that at least one of these software options suits you and your needs. There are some affordable and powerful screen recording software in this list for you to explore. Almost all of them offer free trials, so you can try all 10 if necessary to determine which one is best for you!
