Screencast software: 6 programs for Windows, Mac, and Linux From presentations and software demos to how-to videos, tutorials and webinars, the uses for screencasts are wide ranging. Screencasts have become a popular way to record what’s happening on your computer screen, in order to explain digital processes in a simple and entertaining way. Top-10 Software for Screencasts on Mac for Free. Edited by Ben Jacklin. Here are the three best software to screencast on Mac: Movavi Screen Recorder – desktop software. Screen Capture – an online tool. Screencastify – an extension for your browser. Screencasting is a handy tool for many types of presentations.
Screencast software is a tool to record your desktop with voiceover to narrate what's going on. It makes plain how-to instructions more intuitive for viewers, thus plays an important role in e-learning, gaming, and more industries. With the help of screencast software, modern teachers, bloggers, gamers, developers, customer support, and designers make tutorial videos, demonstrate presentations, and share software hacks more efficiently.
To find the most suitable one for you to make screencasts, we reviewed 8 of the best screencast software on Mac and Windows for users at different skill levels. And to help you better understand how each software is, we will cover more than these criteria about them,
- Cost: Make it clear first that whether you'd like to pay for the screencast software, and how much you can afford.
- Ease of use: The most vital factor in a screencast is the content you deliver to your audiences. Do not waste much time in learning the screencasting software. We have already filtered these tools and you can finish screencasting in several steps.
- Available features: Recording both the screen and the audio, customizing recording areas, providing annotation tools, and outputting high-quality screencasts. Then more advanced features earn more scores.
- Security: No one expects to download malware. Safe downloading and privacy security are primary filters for the screencasting software selection.
- Tech support: In any case that you get trouble with recording, exporting, formats, video qualities, you have a place to ask for help.
1. VideoProc Converter
VideoProc Converter is a feature-rich video editor with a built-in screen recorder available on both Mac and Windows. It stands out as the best screencast software on our list because it is easy but powerful to meet all your recording needs for software tutorials, gaming commentary, bug reports, product demonstrations, business presentations, etc.
You can record the full screen or select a certain area before recording. Furthermore, you are enabled to illustrate your screencast by recording voiceover and add texts, as well as shapes and lines while recording your desktop. The best thing is that it is activated and ended via customizable hotkeys, so you won't be annoyed by a recording bar on the screen.
VideoProc Converter - Best Screencast Software for Mac/Windows
- Multiple recording modes: screen, webcam, screen & webcam, voice-over, and system audio.
- Export high-quality screencasts in MP4, MOV, MKV, FLV, etc.
- Fast screencasts processing when full GPU acceleration enabled.
- Editing tools for recorded videos: cut, merge, crop, denoise, green screen effects, etc.
As is known to all, making a screencast is not simply recording your screen. Even though you are well-prepared, it is inevitable to make mistakes, forget your words, or wait too long for a program to load. Luckily, VideoProc Converter provides easy solutions for recording and post-editing in one-stop.
Read more: How to Make a Screencast with VideoProc Converter>>
2. OBS Studio
OS: Windows (8, 8.1, 10), macOS 10.13+, Linux
Price: free
OBS (Open Broadcaster Software) is a broadcasting program hence the name. But it also functions as a piece of free screencast software. Packaged with a set of professional recording and streaming tools, OBS gets popular among game streamers and YouTube tutors. But we do not recommend it if you're brand new because there are some professional presets you have to learn.
Key Features:
- Capture numerous scenes and switch seamlessly.
- Professional and high-performance audio/video mixing.
- Record high fps games in the best quality.
- Multiple audio tracks.
What we dislike:
- No video editing tools.
- A little complicated for newbies.
3. ScreenRec
OS: Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista, XP
Price: free
ScreenRec works more than a simple screen recorder. It integrates recording, sharing, and video analyzing in one-stop. After publishing your screenshots online, ScreenRec tracks and reports viewing statistics to you in real-time including who watched your screencast, when and how long. We'd recommend it to marketers and professional online tutors due to its analyzing feature and private security. But note that it has no option to edit your video in post-recording.
Key Features:
- No recording limits and no watermarks.
- Captures both screencasts and screenshots.
- Auto uploads the screencast to your cloud and copy the link to your clipboard.
- Instant, private, and secure cloud sharing.
What we dislike:
- Not available on Mac yet.
- Only save videos in MP4.
- Capture screen without microphone and webcam.
- No editing for post-capture products.
4. Apowersoft
OS: Windows, Mac
Price: free
Apowersoft Free Online Screen Recorder is a web-based tool that captures anything on your screen with audio simultaneously, then gives you options to save the screencast to local storage, Clouds, or share directly to your YouTube channel. It is simple but developed with most customizable settings: video bitrate, format, frame rate, audio quality, and mouse styles.
Key Features:
- Unlimited recording time.
- Flexible screen recording with a web camera.
- Save to YouTube and Vimeo in a flash.
- Android and iOS apps are available now.
What we dislike:
- It is an online tool but requires you to install a launcher if it's the first time using it.
- The recording bar pops up when you start recording.
- No editing tools for your screencast in this tool.
5. Camtasia
OS: Windows Mac
Price: $249 for a lifetime license
Undoubtedly, Camtasia is the best screencast software for school teachers. On top of basic desktop screen capturing, you can add quizzes, interactivities, title slides, etc. In the timeline, you can level up your screencast like using a professional video editor: blur, zoom & pan, marks, templates, etc. But I have to say, it is not the best value software if you just want basic recording features.
Key Features:
- Records screen, audio, PowerPoint presentation, and voice narration.
- Powerful post-capture editing for screencasts and voice narrations.
- Share the final products instantly to YouTube and Vimeo.
- Nice customer support.
What we dislike:
- Sluggish startup and load time
- It is not a good value for users only in need of basic recording.
6. ActivePresenter
OS: Windows, Mac
Price: free; $199 for a standard license, $399 for a pro license
ActivePresenter is an easy screencast software with an intuitive and streamlined interface. It looks like PowerPoint in the first glance. But features a powerful recorder that lets you capture either a full screen or a selected area with an external microphone and HDMI devices. To serve all users with various budgets, ActivePresent releases different editions (free, standard, and professional). It updates frequently these years to enrich features but keeps all versions on its site even dating back to ancient-time Windows Vista and macOS 6.1.6. So no worry about old computers.
Key Features:
- Slides creating and recording in one-stop.
- Multiple preview modes: HTML5, Demonstration, Tutorial, Practice, Test.
- Rich and smarter annotations in post-editing.
- Full motion recording and smart capture in the paid edition.
- Education discount for students, teachers, and education and non-profit institutions.
What we dislike:
- Your screencast will be watermarked in the free version.
- No real-time annotating tools while recording.
- No options to share the screencast online instantly.
7. Screencastify
OS: Mac, Windows, and Chromebook
Price: free with recording time limits; $49/year for unlimited recording with more editing features.
Screencastify distinguishes itself from others for its compatibility. It is a Chrome browser extension capable of recording the screen on Windows, Mac, and Chromebook, even no internet required. You can easily find 3 recording modes and enable one of them: browser tab, desktop, and webcam only. To help users make a better screencast, Screencastify adds annotation tools and a microphone recorder. If you upgrade your plan, you can unlock more editing features.
Free Screencast Software Mac
Key Features:
- No downloading and installing on your computer.
- Webcam can be positioned anywhere you like.
- Auto-save the screencast to your Google Drive.
- Screencasts can be exported as MP4, MP3, or GIF files.
What we dislike:
- Lower output resolution compared to others.
- Watermarks in the free version.
- Limited instant share platforms.
8. Screen-O-Matic
OS: Windows, Mac, Chromebook
Price: free; $1.65/mo for deluxe; $4.00/mo for premier
Screen-O-Matic is one of the most successful screencast software in the market widely integrated with educational tools, Google Classroom, Microsoft Teams, Moodle LTI, and some business tools as well. After sign up/in to it online, you can make both screenshots (images) and screencasts (videos) of your PC. It has nothing special in screen capturing, basic recording modes, audio recording , and even has a time limit. What makes it worth mentioning is the paid edition with advanced editing features. So we do not recommend its free plan.
Key Features:
- Record screen, facecam for picture-in-picture effect.
- Add stock music, videos, and images to enhance your screencast in port-editing.
- Advanced script tools and automated captions in the Deluxe version.
- Instant uploading to YouTube, Dropbox, Google Drive, etc.
- More affordable than other paid software.
What we dislike:
- No painting tools to annotate your screencast while recording.
- Maximum 15 minutes in the free edition.
- Can't capture the computer audio unless you upgrade the plan.
Bonus Screencast Software on Your PC/Mac
Free Screencasting Software For Windows
#PowerPoint on Windows
If you stick to a native way to record your presentation, you can turn to PowerPoint which records nothing but the slides. But don't be astonished when voice muted or changed unnaturally, it's not a decent screencasting tool after all.
#QuickTime Player on Mac
It is not only a pre-installed media player, but also allows the recording of the Mac screen. Users have options to select the recording areas and audio sources. There is also the possibility to visualize mouse clicks. But Quicktime has no post-processing of the videos except trimming.
Verdict
In this post, we've pulled together the most popular screencast software. According to the best screencasting tool checklist we put in the beginning, the best value screencast software goes to VideoProc Converter for its versatility, ease of entry, and low cost. VideoProc Converter serves you as handy and powerful screencast software no matter you are a beginner on a budget or a picky professional. Download it to unlock more amazing features for your screencasts.
Do you want to record something on your Mac computer, like an online meeting, an exciting video clip, a video call, or a live streaming video? Whatever you want to capture, you need a free Mac screen recorder first.
In this article, we have rounded up the best 11 Mac video capture software to help choose. To help you select the best free screen recorder, we will introduce each software with its key feature in detail. Just read to learn more information.
#1. EaseUS RecExperts ★★★
When it comes to Mac screen recording software, EaseUS RecExperts is the best option. This software allows you to record the full screen, a selected area, or a locked window flexibly. Also, you can record screen with audio on Mac simultaneously, including the system sound, microphone, or sound from external audio devices.
Apart from capturing the screen, you can record audio or capture the screen as a GIF with one simple click. Most importantly, it won't leave a watermark on your recordings. For this screen recorder without watermark, you can miss it!
Now click the below button to try EaseUS RecExperts for free!
#2. QuickTime Player
You must be familiar with QuickTime Player. It can play, edit, and share videos on your Mac computer. But did you know it is also a screen recording app for Mac?
It lets you capture a full screen or a selected area with a few clicks. With Mac screencast software, you can easily record online meetings, streaming videos, or other activities on your Mac screen. Most importantly, it is straightforward to use even for beginners of its intuitive interface.
Key features:
- Simple and intuitive user interface
- Offer recording and editing options
- Allow you to share the recorded videos with your friends
#3. macOS Catalina
One recommended Mac's built-in screen recorder is macOS Catalina, which is also known as macOS 10.15. It is a cross-platform tool with numerous features. Using this program, you can record your entire screen or selected portion on your Mac with just a few clicks.
Key features:
- Free and easy to use
- Record full screen or a specific region
#4. OBS Studio
OBS Studio is a free and open source screen recorder for Mac users. It has powerful and easy-to-use configuration options, which lets you add new sources or adjust the properties effortlessly.
Besides, this free Mac screen recorder offers an unlimited number of scenes to switch seamlessly via custom transitions. Also, it can be used for live streaming, which means you can download and start streaming quickly on your Mac.
Key features:
- Completely free for all users
- Allow you to capture real-time activities and create great live streaming videos
- Offer intuitive audio mixer with per-source filters
- Compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux
#5. Screenflow
Screenflow is another free Mac screen recorder with audio. This video capture is very polished and can record anything and give you many editing options once the recording is done.
Using Screenflow, you can record computer audio or microphone as well. In addition, this Mac screen capture even can monitors keystrokes and mouse movements, which can make the recording more interesting.
Key features:
- A lightweight screen recorder and video editor
- Export almost all the major formats and directly upload recorded videos to YouTube
- Provide a lot of effects
- Enable you to record video and audio simultaneously
#6. Screencast-O-Matic
Screencast-O-Matic is a versatile Mac screen recorder and editor. It is free and fast to create screencast videos with this screen recording program. When the recording is done, you can personalize your video with the built-in video editor. Here it allows you to add overlays, text, animations, visual effects, and many more to your recorded video quickly.
Key features:
- Available for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Chromebook users
- Offer some basic yet useful video editing tools
- Add and size your webcam for a picture in picture effect
- Share the recorded videos to YouTube with one click
#7. Snagit
Snagit is a screen recording tool, which enables you to record video and capture images. This screen recorder can capture your entire Mac screen, a region, a window, or a scrolling screen. It lets you quickly grab individual frames from the recorded videos or save your video file as an mp4 or animated GIF with ease.
In addition, this Mac screen capture enables you to remove any unwanted sections from your screen recordings by trimming after recording.
Key features:
- Allow you to record iOS screen with Snagit
- Record screen, webcam, audio, and other things on your screen
- Turn video into an animated GIF and add it to your website
#8. VLC Media Player
VLC Media Player is another completely free and open-source screen recording software for Mac. Like QuickTime Player, it can help you play media files, convert file formats, and capture your computer screen. It is straightforward to use. When you want to do some quick screen recording on your Mac, you cannot miss VLC Media Player.
Key features:
- A screen recorder, video converter, and media player at the same time
- Help you stream media on the internet
- 100% free and easy to use
#9. Camtasia
Camtasia can help you record and create professional-looking videos on Windows and Mac computers. This free Mac screen recorder is easy and quick to learn, and you do not need a big budget or fancy video editing skills.
With it, you can easily record anything on your computer, including an application, website, video call, or PowerPoint presentation. Apart from that, it supports iOS capturing. You can connect your iOS device directly to your Mac to record from the screen, then add some effects to your video.
Key features:
- Provide options for recording screen, webcam, and audio
- Allow you to use callouts, arrows, shapes to highlight important points in your video
- Built with many templates to reduce your editing time
- Flexibly apply device frames to your videos to make them play well on a different device screen
#10. Screenflick
As another best free screen recorder for Mac, Screenflick is popular all over the world. A simple user interface helps you be more efficient to start recording tasks. Built with a smart recording engine, it lets you capture screen and audio with the highest quality and resolution. What's more, the video, audio, keystrokes, and mouse clicks are recorded in separate tracks so that you can modify them conveniently after recording.
Key features:
- Record system audio, microphone, or external mic on your Mac
- Use a timer to stop or start recording automatically
- Create time-lapse screen recordings of long projects
- Export to multiple sizes, formats, and frame rates
#11. Monosnap
Monosnap is a free screen capture program for Mac users. It comes with the option of recording your webcam, microphone, and system audio at the same time before starting recording. You can capture full screen, area, window, videos, or HIGs using hotkeys.
Once recorded, you can edit the video by adding annotations. Then it allows you to upload and share the link with your friends if you have connected to your Monosnap account.
Key features:
- Create pixel-perfect screenshots
- Allow you to record screen to GIF with one click
- Offer editing options to highlight details, hide sensitive data with the Blur tool
- Upload and share the recorded video directly
The Bottom Line
On this page, we have discussed the top 10 best screen recorders for Mac. Which one will one choose?
Taken together, we highly recommend EaseUS RecExperts. It allows you to capture screens in high resolution, including 4K. Besides, using it, you can easily capture the system sound without downloading any other third-party software. Don't hesitate. Just download it!