Mac users are no different when it comes to screen recording software that can capture any of the screen processes. All these captures could be used for personal use as well as professional use. For example, screen captures could be used to give presentations in the meetings, explain to your friends the gaming hack, or use it in a YouTube video to explain your audience about any process. Whatever be your reason for finding the best screen recorder for Mac, the tool must be equipped with all the necessary tools and packed with advanced features.
- 2017’s Top Free Screen Recording Software. With a free screen recorder software, you can capture and share your video easy and fast. In this list, we have collected 15 free screen recording software for Windows and Mac users. Awesome Screenshot. Awesome Screenshot is a great service have been using for a few years.
- 2021 Best Free Screen Capture Software for Windows and Mac Gary Henderson 2020-12-26 05:00:09 Tag: Screen Recorder Screen recorders are easy to come by now but to find a handy, free, powerful one is still a strenuous job.
- This article will inform you of the best free screen video capture software for Windows 7/8/10 and Mac, which does not require spending and that you can acquire at any moment. This is one of the best free screen capture software with audio that you will find quite helpful when it comes to recording your screen.
At the same time, any of the best Mac screen recorders must also be cost-effective, have an easy interface, and must provide high-quality video captures to you as well as your clients or user base. Keeping all the scenarios in mind, we have collated the best screen recording software for Mac below from which you can pick the best one after learning all the characteristics.
Monosnap is a free screenshot program for Mac that enables clients to make screenshots, clarify and transfer them to the cloud. Monosnap is the best screen capture that enables its users to save screenshots with ease. Features: Highlight important details with pen, text, arrow, and shape.
Best Screen Recorder For Mac (2021)
1. Movavi
How about a screen recorder software for Mac that is not heavy on your pocket and provides many attributes? We all would love to have this best Mac screen recorder adjust itself with our requirements, simple to use, and allows you to capture specific areas for recording at once.
Other Notable Features
- You can schedule recordings at your convenience.
- Export the videos to a high-quality version while collaborating with other tools.
- Get control over your recording with customization features.
Pros:
- Convenient functions and understands your actions smartly.
Cons:
- Its update becomes a problem for some systems and doesn’t work smoothly post that.
Price: $59.95
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2. EaseUS RecExperts
Having a super easy and comfortable to use screen recorder in Mac is no less than a bliss in itself. This software can easily capture the screen on Mac along with the audio. With that, you can record your own Zoom meetings, YouTube videos, video tutorials, etc. and even make iPad and iPhone screen recording wirelessly.
Other Notable features:
- Greatly used by educators, marketers, YouTubers and anyone else who wishes to record screen activity.
- One can schedule their recording with starting time and time duration to automatically perform the recording task.
- Make GIF videos or full videos with ease.
Pros:
- Very easy and smooth functions for a new user to understand
Cons:
- Free trial gives you an idea for recording for about 5 minutes
Price: $19.95 (Free trial for 5 min video)
3. Snagit
One more from the house of Techsmith, Snagit is known as the best screen recorder for Mac with a cool and simple looking interface, has reliability and can give you video, and still captures at the same time. Interestingly, when you record your video using the screen recorder for Mac, you can count to record webcams and audio along.
Other Notable Features
- It can easily capture the scrolling screen so that you can have a view of a full webpage in the system.
- Export the video in different formats as well as GIFs.
- It acts as a powerful video editor and has various assets to make your video look amazing.
Pros:
- A very simple interface and best for quick video recording.
Price: $49.95 (Free trial for 15 days)
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4. Camtasia
Developed by Techsmith, Camtasia is a fantastic screen recorder for Mac, where one can quickly start recording their screens, export it, or even edit the videos. Although users have reported that the interface looks a little hassled up, but they got comfortable with it within a short period.
Other Notable Features
- There is a wide range of tools available within which one enables you to create screen cast videos without a jiffy.
- Layered timeline for easy video editing
- Multiple video effects to give the video an exciting look
Pros:
- Creates short animated GIFs from the recorded videos.
Price: $249 (Free trial for 30 days)
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5. OBS Studio
OBS Studio is free to use screen recorder software for Mac that is compatible with live streaming games on Twitch, can record real-time audio/video, and gives you a chance to customize your preferences accordingly. You can add new sources here, duplicate the ones already available and add up light or dark themes as your eyes demand.
Other Notable Features:
- Intuitive audio mixers with functionalities like noise gate, noise suppression, and gain are available.
- Settings panel can quickly configure your broadcasts and recordings.
- Files output could be found out in MP4 or MLV.
Pros:
- A variety of plugins are available to enhance the functions.
Cons:
- Software training material could not be downloaded with the software.
Price: Free
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Also Read: How To Fix “Photoshop Scratch Disk Full Mac” On Mac?
6. Screenflow
Screenflow is combined with extensive features that are worth using. Hence, it can be called the best screen recording software for Mac. What’s more intriguing is that you can record screens from multiple monitors, webcam and connected iOS devices, all at the same time. With that, your audio quality will keep up with your videos equally.
Other Notable Features
- You can turn raw footage into a high-quality professional video with an in-built editor.
- Multiple exporting options to watch videos on different devices.
- Very easy interface despite loaded with features.
Cons:
- AMaybe tough for an exactly new user to understand functions.
Price: $129 (Free trial available)
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7. TinyTake
From multiple options like capture region, window, full screen, video, video from webcam and sharing files and folders, this Mac screen recorder is a full pack. The best thing about TinyTake is its simplicity, free to use, and feature-rich. As soon as you take images and videos of your computer screen, you can simultaneously add comments and share the videos wil others.
Other Notable Features
- You are free to record videos for upto 120 minutes.
- Simple to understand for a new user and easy to use.
- Offers free cloud storage for upto 2GB.
Pros:
- Although the free version has limited features, Premium comes with another whole set.
Cons:
- Screen recording is limited to 5 minutes at a time.
Price: Free (Premium version available, starts at $9.95)
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Also Read: How to Fix MacBook Pro Overheating Problem ?
8. AV Screen Recorder & Capture
Someone that can capture anyone and anything on screen pronounces the name of AV Screen Recorder and Capture with maximum resolution 2800 to 1800 for recording videos. It can record your voice from mic and system audio at the same time. No limitations on the size of video or time you record into as it has been provided with unlimited support.
Other Notable Features
- The video recorded can be edited or trimmed and shared with your colleagues or friends easily.
- Thankfully, it has a perfect FPS for playing games and recording HD videos.
- Audio recording and microphone recording could be done at the same time.
Cons:
- Technical glitches may create issues with recording microphones.
Price: $9.99
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9. Monosnap
It is fantastic to use a screen capture software when it helps you highlight essential details like pen, text, arrow, and shape! Right? Well, Monosnap can easily take the screenshot for the full area, frozen area, fullscreen, or others where a handy 8x magnifier adjusts the pixel area easily.
Other Notable Features
- Customize hotkeys according to you so that you have more flexibility to record Mac screens.
- Record both webcam video and microphone audio with this best screen recorder for Mac.
Pros:
- Very easy to use, and no other assistance is required to capture the screen on Mac.
Cons:
- Video editing functionality is not available.
Price: Free (in-app purchases available)
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10. Capto
Record your screen with one click and enhance your content for better using this Mac screen recorder. The tutorial video that comes along explains the process with arrows, texts, and cursor effects. Once done, share the video on YouTube, Dropbox, Tumblr, or FTP servers by signing inside Capto.
Other Notable Features
- Record full screen or a portion of it at 60 FPS and clear audio.
- One may call it the best Mac screen recording tool for educational and presentation purposes.
- Video editing suite has all the necessities to cut, trim, or join the videos as liked.
Pros:
- It comes with a smart file manager so that easy storage and retrieval of the same files could be done.
Cons:
- It creates some issues in functionality while unsupported media is imported.
Price: $29.99 (Free trial for 14 days)
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11. ActivePresenter
Not just software recording, you will find editing tools for audio and video, software guides, and eLearning games along with Atomisystems. The screen recording could be done in full motion with the addition of annotations, voice-over, zoom, closed captions, and other animation effects.
Other Notable Features
- Switch in between dark or light mode to customize the feel.
- Blur the sensitive information within static or moving objects.
- Add advanced audio effects, remove background noise, or keep sound consistency between different slides.
Pros:
- Export the video to multiple formats like MP4, AVI, WMV, WebM, and MKV.
Price: Free version available for personal use. The commercial license starts at $199
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Also Read: Best Mac Apps 2020- That Every Apple Newbie Should Install
FAQs: Best Screen Recording Software for Mac
1. How do I record my Mac screen in high quality?
Although there are multiple Mac screen recorders to capture the screen, Camtasia and Snapit are those tools that help in recording high-quality screens.
2. Can you screen record on a Mac?
Using QuickTime Player, the in-built tool to record screen on Mac, you can record screen. With that, there are multiple third-party tools like Camtasia, OBS, and others that help in recording screens on Mac.
3. What is the best screen capture software for Mac?
Amongst a vast list of screen capture software, the best ones are TinyTake, ActivPresenter, Snagit, and Camtasia.
4. How long can Mac screen record?
Many tools provide unlimited screen recording on Mac, including AV Screen Recorder & Capture.
Conclusion
We are sure that after finding the best screen recorders on Mac, you will be able to pick the right one for yourself in no time. However, suppose you ask for our recommendations. In that case, we suggest Camtasia, OBS, ActivePresenter, and TinyTake as they can be used for personal and professional purposes at low cost and ease of use.
Must Read:
With technology seemingly moving at the speed of light, one would think that it would be impossible to keep up with it all. Tons of free alternatives to the popular Snagit and lesser-known screenshot programs have quietly made their way onto the scene this year. No worries, however, because we have put together a list of the top nine free screenshot programs of 2021 and eee-ver-y-thing you need to know about them!
ScreenRec
Best screenshot tool for fast and secure business communication
Overview
ScreenRec is a lightweight, no lag screen recorder and a screenshot tool with an easy-to-use interface. This is enough to make it the best screenshot apps but there’s another department where it outranks many other screenshot programs—instant private sharing. More about that below.
Interface
The Screenrec app is very minimal. It isn’t crowded with unnecessary features and it does not require a 100-page user manual to get it working. Heck, it doesn’t require even a 1-page manual!
Just press Alt + S or the Photo Camera button to take a screenshot. In addition, ScreenRec also has video capture capabilities which essentially makes it a screencast tool and a streaming video recorder, among other things.
Editing Options
This screenshot software comes with the basic tools to edit and annotate screenshots such as comment boxes, arrows, rectangles, text boxes. You also have the option to save the screenshot as a digital image file and open it in a professional image editing program of your choice.
Sharing Capabilities
When you click the “Get Link” button, ScreenRec will upload your captured image to the cloud and copy a sharing link directly to your clipboard. You can paste this link in an email, a private message or even publish it to your website.
Also, you can copy the screenshot to your clipboard and paste it directly inside of an email.
Performance
ScreenRec is an extremely lightweight screen capture tool. It has a minimal interface and comes with an intentionally small feature set. That’s why it doesn’t take a toll on your computer system and can be used even on older machines.
Bonus: Free private cloud storage
Screenrec has a feature that no other screenshot software provides—free cloud storage. Currently, you get 2Gb with each ScreenRec install (enough to store tons of screenshots).
It’s worth noting that the cloud storage that comes with ScreenRec is more than a convenience. It also protects your privacy. Your captures are always stored safely, encrypted with an enterprise-grade algorithm. This means that no one can access your screen snapshots without your permission.
Windows Snipping Tool
The built-in Windows screenshot software that’s so well hidden
Overview
If you’re tired of pressing the “Print Screen” button and pasting your screenshots in Paint, the Windows Snipping Tool can help.
Tucked away in the menus, this simple Windows screenshot app is all about keeping things basic—the Windows Snipping Tool. To find the Windows Snipping Tool, click “Start” and type “snip”.
Interface
We don’t expect much from a built-in Windows screen capture tool, but we must say the Snipping Tool is a nice surprise. It is well organized and user-friendly. A particularly nice option is the delayed screenshot which allows you to capture menus that appear on hover. Also, like ScreenRec, the Windows Snipping Tool has a “Copy to Clipboard” button that saves you mouse clicks.
Editing Options
The Snipping Tool is good at taking screenshots but, to be honest, the screenshot editor is like a cut-down version of MS Paint. Otherwise, it could have been the best free screenshot software windows 10. If this is a deal breaker for you, here are some Snipping tool alternatives.
Once you take a screenshot of a window, fullscreen or a quick snip, you can crop the image or draw directly on top. That’s it. You cannot insert an arrow or a comment box. Bottom line: We really hope you can draw…
The Windows Snipping Tool could do better at screenshot annotation
Sharing Capabilities
You can save the screen snap (or snip, if you prefer) locally or email it from the app window.
Performance
The Windows Snipping Tool typically works fast though it has been reported to slow down some computers. Other than that, its simplicity makes it very easy to handle.
Markup Hero
The easy screenshot tool that works everywhere
Overview
What’s great about Markup Hero is that it works on all platforms. You can use the desktop app on Windows, Mac or Linux and, if you’re a fan of Chrome extensions (or you have a Chromebook), you can opt for the Chrome extension. Markup Hero also has an online version where you don’t have to download anything. You can use it to annotate images or PDFs already saved on your hard drive but you can’t take screenshots with it.
Interface
Markup Hero keeps it simple with a dark background and grey icons that won’t distract you. All the tools you need are easily accessible in the feature bar at the top.
Editing Options
The web-based editor offers some interesting features. You can annotate, add arrows, lines, rectangles, and ovals in different colors. There’s also a highlighter and a pen for you to use and you can change the line thickness.
Sharing Capabilities
Whether you want to share a link or download your screenshot, you can do both with Markup Hero. You can even copy the image to your clipboard if you want to paste it directly in an email or a chat message.
Performance
All features work fast and are easy to find. Markup Hero is an awesome free screenshot tool!
SnapDraw
The Photoshop of screenshot capture programs
Overview
Snapdraw is a PC snapshot tool with so many editing and annotation features that you can easily start to feel overwhelmed. There is one major issue, however. It is slow.
Interface
The interface is well organized and seems to fit its numerous editing options neatly along the edge of the window. This gives you enough space to view and edit your images.
Editing Options
Snapdraw’s image editor may be well beyond what most people would typically use. 3D rotation effects, reflections, watermarks, background images or color. If you really need super-advanced screenshot editing, then you might want to give this screenshot software a shot.
Sharing Capabilities
Snapdraw allows you to save your images directly to an FTP server or share via email.
Performance
As mentioned above, Snapdraw has an annoying lag and often has trouble rendering images and effects quickly. If you really just want to grab a screenshot and email it, you may find yourself wondering if it’s really worth the trouble.
Gadwin
The fancier version of your PrintScreen key
Overview
If you’re looking for the simplest screenshot software for Windows, you might give Gadwin a try. Compared to the Windows Snipping Tool, Gadwin might be called a “barebones” screenshot program because it doesn’t offer any editing tools. But if you just need a Print Screen tool, Gadwin can do the job.
Interface
Similar to a remote control, there are several buttons arranged in a circle with a snapshot button in the middle.
Editing Options
Unfortunately the free version of Gadwin only goes as far as free screen capturing. There are no editing options. However, there is the possibility of purchasing Gadwin Professional where you can edit your screenshots and add annotations.
Sharing Capabilities
None, really. Screenshots are saved to the My Pictures folder on your computer and you might have trouble finding them at first. You have to go to “Capture History” and right-click a screenshot to get to the actual image file.
Performance
Considering that Gadwin is a simple screenshot utility that takes pictures of your screen, there is not much that can slow your computer down. So, it does well in terms of performance.
Greenshot
Best basic screenshot app
Overview
Continuing our review of the best software to capture screenshots, we move on to Greenshot.
This is a user-friendly screenshot program that gives you the basic utilities you need. It’s simple, yet quite useful. Like another popular program, Gadwin, Greenshot offers to take screenshots when you press Print Screen. It has basic screenshot editing tools.
Interface
Greenshot sticks to plain colors and layout. The tools are aligned on the left and top of the window. Even though there are quite a few tools to choose from, the way they are arranged makes them a bit difficult to find.
Editing Options
The editing options available are very simple; crop, annotate, resize, flip. This helps make Greenshot easy to use and makes it one of the best screenshot apps for Windows.
Sharing Capabilities
With Greenshot, you can upload your image directly to Imgur or email it to someone. Keep in mind that Imgur is a public image sharing site which means that anyone can find your screenshot on the web and see it. Not recommended for business communication.
Performance
Greenshot offers enough features without being heavy on your machine. It’s plain, simple and quick.
ShareX
So many features, so little space
Overview
ShareX is a popular piece of free screenshot software that gives you a plethora of editing and sharing options. The problem? Fitting it all within the interface.
Interface
ShareX is good at what it does, but the interface could be simplified. Every option is listed under a tab along the sides of the app, but, with so many features to choose from, it is sometimes difficult to find exactly what you’re looking for.
Editing Options
Where do we even begin? ShareX has everything from annotation to cropping, coloring, flipping, duplicating, watermarking, shadowing.
Normally, having a lot of features is a great quality to have. But, sometimes, you just want to take a screenshot, add quick annotations and be finished. ShareX gives you way more than that. We’re not saying it’s a bad thing but you have to be aware of what you’re signing up for.
Sharing Capabilities
Similar to its many, many, whirring features, there is also a list of 80+ sites where you can upload your images directly to. A few of them include Imgur, TinyPic, Flickr, Google Photos, Twitter, etc. You can also share images as files via FTP and Dropbox.
Performance
Screen Capture Software For Mac
Besides the mildly steep learning curve that is required to become familiar with editing tools, ShareX isn’t too difficult to get set up. You can accomplish what you want with relative ease which is why this program made our list of the best screenshot software.
Bonus: The Screenshot Editor
It’s only fair that we list ShareX’s editor as a bonus feature. This screen grab tool has many options that can turn screenshot annotation into advanced image editing wizardry.
Screenshot Captor
Great features but weird setup
Overview
Screenshot Captor is a another free software to capture screen images. With an extensive list of features, it is one of the more advanced programs in this roundup.
Interface
We don’t want to be harsh on Screenshot Captor but the interface is reminiscent of MS Paint from the early 2000s. It lacks color and flare. Screenshot Captor may look more like a photo editor than a screenshot app, but all of the tools are well placed and easy to find.
Editing Options
Having extensive screenshot editing capabilities is sometimes wonderful and Screenshot Captor gives you that. From annotation to cropping, rotating and flipping, to blackouts and highlights, you have a lot to play around with. If you want to.
Sharing Capabilities
Screenshots can be automatically uploaded to public image hosting platforms (Imageshack, Flickr, etc.), sent to FTP or emailed right from the editing window.
Performance
While this screen capture software does well in terms of performance, getting set up and ready to go is a pain, albeit a necessary one. Screenshot Captor is free to use, however they encourage donations. This is nice but, in order to push for donations, they require you to create a forum account and receive an authorization key that’s good for up to six months. After the deadline, you will need to register again.
Steam
Best screenshot software for games
Overview
Steam is, by design, an app used to purchase and play online games. However, it’s also a great way to take video game screenshots.
Interface
Steam’s interface is incredibly simple. The dark theme is attractive and the tabs with options are neatly listed in the left sidebar. It gives you everything you need to quickly make screenshots of games.
Editing Options
Steam offers basic editing options for you to use on your screenshots. Quick annotations, rotating, brightening, pencil tools, just to name a few.
Sharing Capabilities
After a screen grab is taken (an edited if you wish), you can upload the file to your gamer profile.
Performance
Steam’s popularity has constantly been on the rise , so we can assume that it is user-friendly. However, there are a few flaws we have to mention.
When a snapshot has been captured, it is saved to a random folder somewhere on your computer. You’ll need to know where to find it if you want to edit it . (The save location can be changed in settings).
Another issue is that, in order for your screenshot edits to show, you have to restart the application. This may not be a major problem, but it can be a tad bit annoying.
Awesome Screenshot
Chrome extension for easy screen capture
Overview
Screen Video Capture software, free download For Mac
Last in our round-up of the best screen snapshot software is Awesome Screenshot. This screenshot tool is only available as a Google Chrome extension (which may be a downside for some). It offers the basic screenshot capture features. One notable feature is that it allows you to capture an entire web page—scrolling window.
Best Screen Capture Software Mac
Interface
This interface is clean and user-friendly. Out of the way of the recording area, Awesome Screenshot places its feature bar at the top of your screen. It has simple features that are easy to access from the toolbar.
Editing Options
With Awesome Screenshot, you can crop, edit and annotate directly online. There may not be a large variety of tools, but it’s enough for a quick snapshot.
Sharing Capabilities
You can share your screenshot within the extension by either uploading it to their sharing platform or sending it via email.
Performance
Chrome is known for eating up RAM like crazy and installing new extensions makes matters worse. Awesome Screenshot is a chrome extension and, as such, it can potentially slow down your computer or cause lagging.
Chart: Compare the top 9 free screenshot programs in 2021
Capture Screen Area | Record Screen | Videos | Edit Screenshots (Annotation) | Automatic Upload | Private Sharing | Operating System |
Screenrec | Yes, unlimited | 2 Gb free private cloud storage | Windows | |||
Windows Snipping Tool | Windows | |||||
Markup Hero | Windows | |||||
SnapDraw | Windows | |||||
Gadwin | Windows | |||||
Greenshot | Windows | |||||
ShareX | Yes, unlimited | Windows | ||||
Screenshot Captor | Windows | |||||
Steam | Windows | |||||
Awesome Screenshot | Yes, 30 secs | Chrome |
Which is the best free screenshot software?
Ultimately, the decision is up to you, the reader. When it comes to ScreenRec, we have worked tirelessly to make it as simple, user-friendly and powerful as possible. If this is the kind of screenshot software you’re looking for, we can guarantee that ScreenRec will do the job. Especially if you need a screenshot tool for secure business communication.
But enough about us. Let’s talk about you. You can use the chart and the reviews above to find the best free screenshot tool for your needs. We hope this information will help you!
To choose what’s best for you, you need to define your requirements and needs. There is a great diversity of both free and paid screen capture software for Windows 10. If you want to have all the practical features and to save money, we’d suggest ScreenRec. Along with being free, it has an easy-to-use interface, instant private sharing and comes with 2Gb free cloud storage.Another free solution that has a variety of features is Open Broadcaster Software.
The best known way to capture your whole screen is to press the Print Screen key (PrtScn) on your keyboard or to use the combination of CTRL + PrtScn keys. If you want to capture your current active window, the combination you need is ALT + PrtScn. After you have taken the screenshot, open an image editing app and simply paste it there.
One of the most important things to consider before taking a screenshot is the resolution of your monitor. The higher the display resolution, the higher the screenshot quality. You can increase your resolution in Control Panel > Display Settings.
References & Further Reading
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