Best Screen Recording Software for Windows & Mac (2023)

Did you know that over one billion people use screen recording software every year?

That’s a lot of people!

And with the rise of remote work and online learning, the demand for credible screen recording software is growing day by day.

That’s why, in today’s post, we have compiled a list of the 10 best screen recording software available online. We have compared the features, compatibility, pros, and cons in detail.

Read on!

1. Vmaker

 

Vmaker is an easy-to-use screen recorder that lets you record your screen, camera, microphone, and computer audio. It comes with a built-in video editing tool that allows you to trim, resize, rotate, and flip your videos effortlessly.

It has no watermark and lets you record your videos for unlimited duration.

Compatibility: Works on Windows, Mac, Chrome Browser, and iOS (beta version)

Features

• Drawing tool

• Mouse emphasis

• Unlimited cloud storage

• Background noise removal

• AI-powered virtual background (screen + webcam mode)

• Customizable brand kits

• Advanced security & privacy controls

Pros

• Provides instant sharing options

• Provides video hosting & analytics

• Allows you to select your recording area (full screen, tab, or a window)

• Allows you to record multiple monitors and windows

• Allows you to save unlimited number of videos to the cloud

Cons

• Cannot be used on Android mobile devices

2. OBS

 

OBS is a free screen recording software that can be used for video recording and live streaming. It allows you to record your screen, system audio, camera, and voice simultaneously.

Compatibility: Works on Windows, Mac & Linux OS

Features

• Advanced video editor

• Instant sharing options

• Multiple recording options

• Intuitive audio mixer

Pros

• Provides professional mixing tools

• Provides a ton of customizable transitions

• Allows you to record your videos for unlimited duration (at standard HD resolution)

• Allows you to customize your own UI layout.

• Allows you to add as many cameras and displays as your computer can handle

• Allows you to switch between multiple windows while recording

Cons

• Has a high learning curve

• Crashes quite frequently

3. Movavi

 

Movavi is a popular screen recording software that’s perfect for recording Zoom meetings, video instructions, tutorials and webinars. It comes with an in-built editor that allows you to trim, cut, or add interesting background music clips to your recordings.

Compatibility: Works on both Windows & Mac operating systems.

Features

• Recording scheduler

• Screen annotations

• Background noise removal

• Ready-made video templates

Pros

• Provides screen annotation tools

• Highlights mouse clicks & keystrokes

• Works offline

• Allows you to record videos at 4K HD resolution

Cons

• Editing options for free users are limited

• Free plan comes with a watermark

4. ScreenPal

ScreenPal is an easy-to-use screen recorder that allows you to record, create, edit and share videos online without much difficulty. It’s mainly used by online coaches, marketers, YouTube vloggers and gamers.

Features

• Built-in video editor

• Customizable branding

• Backup & recovery

• Speech-to-text analysis

• Collaboration tools

• Stock library of copyright-free music tracks, videos, and images

• Upload videos directly to YouTube

Pros

• Provides backup and recovery for all your recordings

• Allows you to add images and stock videos to your recordings

• Allows you to customize your recordings with your own brand logos and colours

Cons

• Doesn’t allow you to insert GIFs into your recording

• Doesn’t allow its free users to access the editing features

5. Snagit

 

Snagit, coming from the house of ‘Techsmith Capture’ is an affordable and simple screen capturing tool that’s perfect for lightweight screen recording.

If you’re a light user who records short training videos, then Snagit would be an ideal choice.

Compatibility: Works on both Mac & Windows.

Features

• Built-in video editor

• Ready-made customizable templates

• Smart move feature – to move objects in screen capture

• Text recognition feature – to edit text within a screenshot, image, or scanned document

Pros

• Supports multiple file formats

• Provides a wide variety of ready-made templates

• Allows you to customize your recording area

• Allows you to add external videos from your local storage

Cons

• Video editing functionalities are limited

• Can only be used for lightweight screen recording

 

6. ScreenRec

 

ScreenRec is a lightweight screen recorder that allows you to capture your desktop, voice, computer audio, and webcam without any watermark. It has no time limit and allows you to record your videos even when you’re offline.

Compatibility: Works on Windows, Mac and Linux OS.

Features

• Screen annotations

• Video analytics

• Seamless collaboration

• Cloud storage

Pros

• Enables offline recording

• Has no watermark

• Allows you to keep your videos private

• Allows you to record videos for an unlimited duration

• Allows you to track video analytics

• Provides instant sharing options

Cons

• Does not provide any editing features

• Provides very less cloud storage space (only 2 GB)

7. Loom

 

Founded in 2015, Loom is one of the fastest-growing screen recording tools available online. It has a very user-friendly interface and provides multiple recording modes (screen, webcam, and screen + webcam).

Compatibility: Works on Windows, Mac, Chrome Browser, iOS & Android devices.

Features

• Screen annotations

• Customizable branding

• Built-in video editor

• Real-time chatting options

• Collaboration tools

• Uploadable to YouTube directly

• Stock media library

Pros

• Has no watermark

• Provides video analytics

• Allows you to protect your videos with passwords

Cons

• Doesn’t provide any option to blur out sensitive data from your recording

• Does not have SSL encryption

8. Screencastify

 

Screencastify is one of the simplest screen recorders available online. Unlike other bulky screen recording tools, this tool can be downloaded as a Chrome extension and doesn’t take up too much space. You can easily record, edit and share your videos online instantly by just downloading this Chrome extension.

Compatibility: Works on Google Chrome Browsers.

Features

• Screen annotations

• In-Built video editor

• Communication management

• Churn management

• File sharing options

• YouTube uploading

 

Pros

• Has no watermark

• Provides multiple export formats (MP3, MP4 & GIF)

• Provides video analytics

• Allows you to add stickers to your recordings

• Allows you to upload your videos directly to your Google Drive

Cons

• Cannot be downloaded as a Mac or Windows application

• Does not allow free users to record videos without a watermark

9. Bandicam

 

Bandicam, Originally developed by a Taiwanese company called ‘Bandisoft’, this screen recording software has three basic recording modes.

1. The ‘Screen Recording Mode’ allows you to record the area of your PC screen.

2. The ‘Game Recording Mode’ allows you to record your games within the target created in DirectX or  OpenGL.

3. The ‘Device Recording Mode’ allows you to record your webcams and other HDMI devices.

Compatibility: Works only on Windows

Features

• Recording scheduler

• Real-time drawing tools

• Multi-screen recording

• Mouse effects

Pros

• Provides a 30-day free trial

• Provides multiple recording modes

• Allows you to customize cursor effects

Cons

• Requires you to save your videos locally

• Doesn’t allow free users to record videos without a watermark

 

10. Camtasia

 

Camtasia is a popular screen recording software created and published by TechSmith. It provides a ton of customizable templates, has a built-in video editor, and provides speech-to-text translations.

Compatibility: Works on both Mac and Windows

Features

• Built-in video editor

• Screen annotations

• PowerPoint integration

• Speech-to-text translations

• Access to a stock library of copyright-free music and sound effects

• Uploadable to YouTube & Vimeo

• Allows you to add the table of contents

Pros

• Allows you to integrate with Microsoft PowerPoint

• Provides a variety of replaceable backgrounds

• Provides a ton of ready-made templates

Cons

• Doesn’t allow free users to record videos without a watermark

• Priced way higher than most of its competitors

Comparison Table

S. No	Products	Editing Tools	Platforms Supported	Export Formats
1	Vmaker	Yes	Mac, Windows, Chrome Browser, iPhone & iPad (iOS beta version)	MP4
2	OBS	No	Windows, Mac & Linux	MP4, TS, MOV, FLV, MKV, AVI, GIF, WEBM
3	Movavi	Yes	Windows & Mac	AVI, MP4, MOV, 3GP, (MPEG-4), FLV, MKV, MP3, WAV, WMV, etc.
4	ScreenPal	Yes	Windows, Mac, Chromebook, iOS & Android	MP4, AVI, FLV, GIF
5	Snagit	Yes	Windows & Mac	MP4, GIF
6	ScreenRec	No	Windows, Mac & Linux	MP4
7	Loom	Yes	Windows, Mac, Chrome Browser, iOS & Android	MV, AVI, WEBM, MP4, MOV
8	Screencastify	Yes	Chrome Browser	MP4, MP3, WEBM, GIF
9	Bandicam	No	Windows	MP4, MP3, AVI, WEBM, MKV
10	Camtasia	Yes	Windows & Mac	MP4, MP3, MOV, AVI, GIF, WAV, WMA, WMV, etc.