The 10 Best Screen Recording Software for Windows and Mac Users (Free & Paid)

OBS Studio is a full-featured, open-source screen recorder. It has essential tools such as scene-switching, video mixing, and an audio mixer. You can use it to make your screen recording look professional!

This software is excellent for newbies because it’s easy to use. It also has full features with many customization options.

Features

• It supports many video formats, such as MP4 or FLV
• Unlimited number of scenes and audio/video mixer
• Ability to live stream
• Compatible with YouTube, Twitch, or Dailymotion
• Scene preview
• Updates every two weeks, further improving its performance

Cons

• Occasional lags or screen freezes when recording heavy graphics
• Higher CPU usage (if set up in higher quality settings)
• Lack of support documentation may be a drawback for some

Pricing

• Free to use

Loom is a simple screen recorder that lets you capture your entire desktop or a specific part. You can also send your recordings directly to Slack, Gmail, and others.

Loom is the best free screen recorder for both professional and personal use. It's intuitive and includes various output formats and export options.

Features

• Extremely easy to use, even for beginners with little or no prior experience
• Records your entire screen or a part with one click
• Adds captions, annotations, and other effects to your screen recordings
• Has responsive customer support available 24/7

Cons

• May use more system resources than other screen recording tools
• It may not be suitable for advanced users looking for more detailed editing controls
• Premium features are only available for purchase
• Can experience slower performance

Pricing

• Free to use

Camtasia lets you capture anything on your computer screen and webcam footage. Its robust features enable you to add annotations and even shapes to your recordings.

You can also share your recordings directly with popular apps. It has excellent support options, with tutorials and more.

Features

• Advanced customization options
• Support for a variety of platforms
• Support for a wide variety of file formats, including MP4, WMV, and more
• Streamlined workflow that makes it easy to create professional-quality content
• Advanced features like image stabilization, voice narration, chroma key, Quikstory, and more

Cons

• It may be a bit expensive for casual users.
• It has limited sharing options that may not be ideal for all use cases.
• Some advanced features, like the chroma key, need additional software or hardware.
• It may not be compatible with all platforms and devices.

Pricing

Here are Camtasia’s pricing plans:

• Standard/Individual: $249
• Educational: $169
• Government & Non-Profit: $223.97

Streamlabs OBS lets you freely record gameplay or live-stream games on Twitch. It offers custom watermarks, customizable hotkeys, overlays, color filters, and more.

It is also a fast, lightweight screen recording app that won't use too many system resources. Gamers love Streamlabs OBS' simple, intuitive interface and many features and customization options.

Features

• Built-in overlay tools
• A wide range of output options
• Powerful video editing tools that enable you to cut, crop, and adjust video settings with ease
• Allows you to save recordings directly to your computer
• Allows you to stream recordings live to game platforms

Cons

• May be difficult for new users
• Limited support options
• Some users may find premium features expensive

Pricing

• Free to use

Apowersoft is a complete screen recorder that can record audio input and output. It also features an options panel to customize settings to suit your needs.

You can easily make a tutorial video with screen and sound, even under picture-in-picture mode. Plus, it has a built-in video converter to help you turn your creations into different formats.

Features

• Record audio from any source
• Edit your recordings and share them on social media sites
• Add basic video effects in real-time
• Resize the recording window during the capture
• Updates regularly with new features and improvements
• Great customer support

Cons

• It may be too complex for some users who prefer to use more straightforward tools.
• It may use a lot of CPU and RAM when recording
• Lacks some features, such as faster upload to YouTube and custom hotkeys

Pricing

• Free to use

ScreenRec allows you to record your desktop and overlay several audio tracks. It makes capturing and editing screencasts a breeze, even for work or personal projects.

The software provides a variety of output formats for saving your screen recordings. Its simple interface is easy to use, even for beginners. The company also has quick and helpful customer service if you have any problems.

Features

• Record lots of audio tracks (system sounds, mic input, other apps)
• Offers basic video editing features
• Can record screen, mic, and system audio simultaneously
• Custom hotkeys for quick access to frequently-used functions
• Provides easy-to-follow tutorials and FAQs

Cons

• It can use up a lot of CPU and RAM when recording.
• It may be too complex for some users who want to use the tool.
• Some users may find the free version lacking, as it only includes basic features.
• It lacks some advanced editing and recording features.

Pricing

• Free to use

Screencast-o-Matic can let you create top-quality recordings in minutes. With its various features, you can also record video and audio together or individually.

Like other screen capture tools, it has a simple interface and powerful screen recording and editing features. Its web-based capture tool is also free to use and requires no sign-in.

Features

• Works on a mobile device, meaning it can record mobile screen
• Support a wide range of file formats, including MP4, WMV, and more
• Cut, crop, and splice your recordings
• Voice narration and image stabilization
• Extensive sharing options
• Video editing features and effects
• Has a knowledge base, email and phone support options, and more

Cons

• It may be a bit expensive for casual users.
• It has limited integrations with other platforms or software tools.
• Some advanced features may need more hardware or software tools.
• It may be challenging to use at first.

Pricing

Here are Screencast-o-Matic’s pricing plans:

Education

• Solo Deluxe Edu: $2 monthly
• Solo Premium Edu: $4 monthly
• Solo Max Edu: $6 monthly
• Team Edu: $2 monthly

Business

• Solo Deluxe: $4 monthly
• Solo Premium: $6 monthly
• Solo Max: $10 monthly
• Team Business: $8 monthly

Snagit is a screen recorder that allows you to capture anything on your computer screen. It has features like fullscreen recordings, selection area recordings, and microphone audio recordings.

You can also record video and audio together or individually. Its advanced editing features let you customize and refine your videos as needed.

Features

• Intuitive interface
• Can record screen and video calls (including webcam, mic, and system audio)
• Supports a wide range of video and image formats, including MP4, GIF, and more
• Advanced editing features that let you crop and resize your recordings
• Extensive sharing options
• Excellent customer support and a well-maintained FAQs section

Cons

• Limited integration with other platforms and software tools
• May be a bit expensive for those on a budget
• Lacks some of the more established options available today
• Too simple or basic interface for some users

Pricing

Here are Snagit’s pricing plans:

• Standard/Individual: $62.99 yearly
• Business: $62.99 yearly
• Educational: $37.99 yearly
• Government and Non-Profit: $53.99 (discount varies per quantity)

With its various editing tools, Filmora Scrn is definitely for anyone who wants to edit videos in a snap. It allows you to get your content out to audiences on popular platforms.

The platform has excellent video quality, with no loss of detail or clarity. Plus, it's easy to navigate and use.

Features

• Simple, user-friendly interface
• A comprehensive selection of tools and features
• Wide range of sharing options
• Import over 50 file formats
• Ability to record 15-120 FPS

Cons

• It may be too pricey for casual users.
• It’s not the most comprehensive or feature-rich option available today.
• Some users may find the editing tools a bit too basic or limited.

Pricing

Here are Filmore Scrn’s pricing plans:

• Standard/Individual: Starts at $19.99 monthly
• Business: $155.88 yearly
• Educational: Starts at $19.99 monthly

Movavi Screen Recorder is one of the most powerful screen recorders on the market today. Its intuitive interface makes it easy to get started quickly.

It’s also easily one of the best video recording software out there. It has excellent video and audio quality for recording videos. You can even customize the videos as needed.

Features

• High-quality video and audio recording with no loss in quality
• Separate screenshot mode for editing captures before saving
• Choose mono or stereo mode and frequency for audio narration
• Record videos with a frame rate of 5 to 60 FPS
• Extensive sharing options
• With a responsive customer support team and well-maintained FAQs section

Cons

• Limited integration with other software tools or platforms
• It may be a bit expensive for those on a budget
• You can't record multiple windows or screens

Pricing

Here are Movavi’s pricing plans:

• 1-year subscription: $42.95 yearly for one PC
• Lifetime: one-time payment of $57.95 for lifetime use per PC
• Video Suite: $94.95 for full lifetime package