The Ultimate Showdown: 20 Best Screen Recording Software

Shreelekha Singh
July 7, 2023
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Screen recording tools are the unsung heroes of the day! Be it sprucing up work-from-home meetings or crafting epic gaming montages, they're swooping in to save the day.

Yet, finding that one tool that does it all? It's like playing hide and seek in a tech wonderland.

But hey, we curated this list to save the day for you! We’ll cover the 20 best screen recording tools for multiple use cases—whether you want to make product videos, tutorials, streaming videos, or anything else!

What makes a good screen capture software?

When we started our search for the best screen recording applications, a quick search made it clear that it was going to be an uphill battle. Why? Because there are tens of screen recorders in the market today.

So, we jotted down the essential qualities that make a screen recording app worth your time, effort, and money. Here’s a rundown of these core qualities:

  • Quality of Recording: The most critical of all factors is the quality of the output a tool can produce. This includes high-resolution video, clear audio, and smooth frame rates.
  • Editing Tools: The next important factor is the editing options to fine-tune your screen recording. A good tool should include basic editing tools like trim, cut, add subtitles, etc. It’s even better if the tool lets you crop your screen, annotate your recordings, and add effects.
  • Ease of Use: A clean and intuitive interface is table stakes for any screen capture software. The tool should be seamless to use with a minimal learning curve.
  • Audio Capture: If you want to use a screen recorder software to create product demos and explainer videos, it should let you record your audio clearly.
  • Export and Sharing Options: A good screen recorder for computer should make it easy to share your recordings, like upload directly to platforms like YouTube or Vimeo, or export to local drive.

We used these features as a benchmark to test and analyze over 50 screen recording software. After spending weeks on this testing, we curated a list of the 20 best screen recording apps to help you find the perfect one for your use case.

screen recording tool

5 best screen recorder software for top use cases

Out of the 20 best screen recorders for PC, we picked the five top tools to simplify your decision. If you’re looking for a good screen capture tool for specific use cases, try these five tools first!

1. Floik: Best for creating product explainer videos for customer support and product marketing

Floik home page banner

Floik helps you record your screen seamlessly and convert your screen recording into a video, a stepwise guide, or an interactive demo—talk about versatility! It’s purpose-built for customer success and marketing teams at SaaS companies to show their product in action and deliver a delightful customer experience.

Whether you want to record your screen for product explainer videos or create a self-serve demo, just capture your screen and Floik automatically converts the recording into multiple formats.

Key Features

  • Blur sensitive details before you even start recording and trim or crop your recorded videos
  • Embed videos anywhere or download them to share via social media platforms
  • Create branded videos with your logo and brand colors and add a customized CTA
  • Let viewers interact with your videos and leave a comment to ask questions or share suggestions

Pros

  • User-friendly interface and minimal learning curve.
  • High-quality video recording and quick editing.
  • Useful for a variety of use cases, from product demos to customer onboarding.

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2. Loom: Best for async communication internally and externally

market research banner

G2 Rating: 4.5/5

Loom excels in providing a seamless screen recording experience that enhances asynchronous communication. It allows users to record their screen, voice, and face, and share these recordings instantly. Loom is an ideal tool for creating quick explainer videos, feedback videos, or any other form of communication that can be enhanced through visual demonstration.

Key Features

  • Easy-to-use interface for recording and sharing videos.
  • Ability to record screen, voice, and face simultaneously.
  • Instant sharing of videos through a link.
  • Video editing features like trimming.
  • Call-to-action buttons and custom thumbnails.

Pros

  • User-friendly and intuitive interface.
  • High-quality video and audio recording.
  • Seamless sharing capabilities.
  • Useful for a variety of use cases, from team communication to customer support.

Cons

  • Limited video editing features.
  • Some users report occasional lags in the recording.

Pricing

  • Free
  • Business at $12.50/month
  • Enterprise at custom pricing

3. Vidyard: Best for making sales videos with screen recordings

screen share banner

G2 Rating: 4.3/5

Vidyard is a comprehensive platform that allows users to create, host, and share high-quality screen recordings. It's particularly useful for sales teams, providing robust analytics to track viewer engagement and use these insights to improve their sales strategies. Vidyard takes screen recording to the next level by providing valuable insights into viewer behavior.

Key Features

  • Screen recording and video creation tools.
  • Video hosting and sharing capabilities.
  • Viewer analytics to track engagement.
  • Integration with various CRM and email platforms.

Pros

  • High-quality screen recording and video creation.
  • Detailed viewer analytics.
  • Seamless integration with other platforms.
  • Ability to add interactive elements like CTAs.

Cons

  • The interface can be a bit complex for beginners.
  • Limited customization options for video player.

Pricing

  • Free
  • Pro at $19/month
  • Business at custom pricing

4. Camtasia: Best for creating educational and instructional videos

video editor banner

G2 Rating: 4.4/5

Camtasia is a powerhouse for creating detailed, professional-quality tutorials. It's more than just a screen recording tool; it's a comprehensive video editing suite that's perfect for educators, trainers, and anyone who needs to create instructional videos. With Camtasia, you can capture your screen, edit the recording, and enhance it with a range of features.

Key Features

  • High-quality screen and webcam recording.
  • Comprehensive video editing tools.
  • Annotations, transitions, and effects to enhance videos.
  • Ability to add quizzes and interactivity to videos.

Pros

  • Robust video editing features.
  • Ability to create interactive videos.
  • High-quality screen recording.
  • Wide range of annotations and effects.


Cons

  • There can be a learning curve for new users.
  • The software can be resource-intensive and may run slowly on older computers.

Pricing

  • One-time license at $299.99

5. OBS Studio: Best for live streaming and recording high-quality videos

video studio banner

G2 Rating: 4.5/5

OBS Studio is a high-performance tool that offers high-quality screen recording and live streaming capabilities. It's a free and open-source software that offers extensive customization options, making it a top choice for users who need to record or broadcast high-quality videos. OBS Studio provides the features and flexibility you need for advanced screen recording and broadcasting.

Key Features

  • High-performance real-time video/audio capturing and mixing.
  • Support for multiple sources and scenes.
  • Live streaming capabilities.
  • Extensive configuration options and customization.

Pros

  • High-quality video recording and streaming.
  • Supports a wide range of sources and scenes.
  • Powerful configuration and customization options.
  • Free and open-source.

Cons

  • Can be complex for beginners.
  • Requires a good understanding of streaming settings for optimal performance.

Pricing

  • Free

15 free and paid screen capture software to try in 2023

Here are 15 other screen recorders for PC you can use to find the perfect tool for your use case.

1. Bandicam

bandicam

Best for: High-quality game recording for professional gamers and YouTubers

G2 rating: 4.3/5

Bandicam offers an exceptional ability to record high-definition gameplay, offering a high compression ratio that keeps videos crisp. It's not just for gamers, though. Bandicam's device recording feature extends its capabilities to external video devices, making it a versatile tool for all your screen recording needs.

Standout features

  • Exceptional game recording with high compression ratio, ensuring high-quality output without taking up excessive storage.
  • Device recording feature that allows recording from external video devices such as webcams, gaming consoles, and more.
  • Versatile output formats, supporting MP4 and AVI for video and BMP, PNG, and JPEG for images.

Pricing

  • $39.95 for 1-PC license

2. ScreenPal

screenpal

Best for: Simplified screen recording and video editing for beginners

G2 rating: 4.5/5

ScreenPal, previously known as Screencast-O-Matic, simplifies the process of screen recording and video editing. This screen recorder app has an intuitive interface and easy-to-use features, making it a preferred choice for beginners—particularly for creating educational and instructional videos.

The tool also offers robust video editing options, allowing users to refine their recordings before sharing.

Standout features:

  • Intuitive interface and easy-to-use features, making it accessible for beginners.
  • Robust video editing capabilities, including trimming, adding text, and more, allowing users to refine their videos.
  • Quick sharing options to popular platforms like YouTube, making it ideal for content creators.

Pricing

  • Solo Deluxe at $3/month
  • Solo Premier at $6/month
  • Solo Max at $10/month
  • Team Business at $8/month

3. Debut Video Capture

Debut video capture

Best for: Longer video recording and capturing from various sources

G2 rating: 4.1/5

Debut Video Capture sets itself apart with its comprehensive recording capabilities. It allows users to record video from a wide range of sources, including the user's screen, a webcam, or even VHS tapes.

This versatility, coupled with a variety of output formats, makes Debut Video Capture a flexible tool for different recording needs. It also includes video editing features for enhancing the captured videos.

Standout features:

  • Ability to record from a wide range of sources, including screen, webcam, and VHS tapes, offering versatility.
  • Supports a variety of output formats, catering to different user needs.
  • Video editing features, such as adding captions or adjusting color settings, for enhancing the captured videos.

Pricing: Free

4. CamStudio

Cam studio

Best for: Creating high-quality AVI video files and Streaming Flash videos

G2 rating: Not available

CamStudio is a desktop software for Windows computers that can record all on-screen video and audio activity, creating industry-standard AVI video files and optionally turn those into lean, mean, bandwidth-friendly Streaming Flash videos (SWFs) using its built-in SWF Producer.

CamStudio is a versatile tool that can be used for a variety of purposes, from creating demonstration videos for any software program to recording a recurring problem with your computer to show technical support people.

Standout features:

  • High-quality screen recording, whether you're recording multiple screens at once or using retina displays.
  • Personalise your videos by including a webcam movie of yourself "picture-in-picture" over your desktop.
  • Reduce or increase the quality of the recording depending on if you want smaller videos or you can have "best quality" ones.

Pricing: Free

5. Ezvid

Ezvid

Best for: User-generated content creation and video editing

G2 rating: Not available

Ezvid is a user-friendly, freeware screen recorder and video editor. The software has been used to create millions of videos for platforms like YouTube and Facebook.

Ezvid also hosts the largest and most comprehensive video wiki on the planet, providing useful, unbiased information and actionable guidance to hundreds of millions of people around the world, in thousands of knowledge categories.

Standout features:

  • Full-featured video editor and screen recorder, perfect for creating user-generated content.
  • The software is easy to use, making it accessible for creators of all skill levels.
  • Hosts a comprehensive video wiki, providing a wealth of information and guidance to users.

Pricing: Free

6. TinyTake

Tinytake

Best for: Quick and effortless screen capture and sharing

G2 rating: 4.3/5

TinyTake is a free screen capture and video recording software for Microsoft Windows and Mac. It's designed to help you capture images and videos of your computer screen, add comments, and share them with others in minutes. TinyTake is built by MangoApps and is available for free.

TinyTake is a fast and user-friendly tool that allows you to capture a screenshot or video of what you see on your computer screen. It offers a range of features like capturing a region, a window or entire screen, and storing screenshots and videos in the cloud.

Standout features:

  • Capture a screenshot or video recording of your whole screen or just a region.
  • Mark up your screenshot with a text box, arrow, highlight, and more.
  • Easily publish your screen capture online, get a shareable link, and reference your history.

Pricing

  • Free
  • Standard at $29.95/year
  • Plus at $59.95/year
  • Jumbo at $99.95/year

7. QuickTime Player

Quicktime player

Best for: Quick movie edits and screen recordings on Mac

G2 rating: Not available

QuickTime Player is a versatile tool that allows users to play, record, and edit movies or audio recordings on their Mac. The tool gives you a simple way to record your Mac screen, making it ideal for creating tutorials or sharing what you're seeing on your screen with others.

Besides, it allows users to capture the screen of their iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, which can be particularly useful for recording gameplay or creating app demos.

Standout features:

  • Quick and easy movie editing capabilities, including trim, rearrange, and rotate functions.
  • Ability to split a movie into multiple clips and manipulate each one individually.
  • Screen recording feature for Mac screens, as well as iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch screens.

Pricing: Available for free on Mac

8. Screencastify

Screen castify

Best for: Quick and easy screen recording and video editing on Chrome

G2 rating: Not available

Screencastify is a leading screen recorder for Chrome. It helps you record, edit, and share videos in seconds, making it a simple and efficient tool for creating visual communication. It's particularly useful for creating training videos and tutorials to enhance business communication.

Screencastify is popular for its simplicity and effectiveness, with users noting its ease of use and the ability to share videos directly to YouTube or Google Drive.

Standout features:

  • Quick and easy screen recording and video editing capabilities, perfect for creating visual communication.
  • The software is easy to use and works directly in the Chrome browser, making it accessible for creators of all skill levels.
  • Ability to share videos directly to YouTube or Google Drive, enhancing the ease of distribution.

Pricing

  • Free
  • Starter at $7/month
  • Pro at $10/month
  • Teams at custom pricing

9. VEED

Veed

Best for: Creating professional-quality videos and video presentations with a suite of editing tools

G2 rating: Not available

VEED is an online screen recording tool designed for creators. It not only allows you to record and edit your videos but also provides a range of features to enhance the final product.

With VEED, you can record your screen and webcam to quickly deliver videos that only look like they took hours to produce. It also offers an AI automatic subtitling tool to transcribe your video's audio to text in just a few seconds.

Standout features:

  • Allows you to record your screen and webcam simultaneously, making it ideal for creating professional demos and tutorials.
  • Transcribe your video to text in just a few seconds and add subtitles with ease.
  • Enhance your videos with auto-generated subtitles and soundwaves, instantly remove background noise from audio, and more.

Pricing

  • Free
  • Basic at $12/month
  • Pro at $24/month

10. ScreenRec

Screenrec

Best for: Efficient communication and collaboration through instant video messages and screenshots

G2 rating: Not available

ScreenRec is a trusted screen recorder designed to save time and enhance communication. It allows users to create and share instant private video messages and screenshots, making it a versatile tool for various use cases, from software development and customer support to design feedback and business communication.

ScreenRec offers a 1-click screen capture feature and provides options to record screen, microphone, audio, and webcam. Once the recording is completed, users can share the content instantly or download it as GIF/MP4 video.

Standout features:

  • 1-click screen capture feature that allows users to start/stop capturing quickly.
  • Ability to record screen, microphone, audio, and webcam, providing a comprehensive recording solution.
  • Instant sharing of recordings and screenshots, enhancing the speed of communication.

Pricing: Free

11. Snagit

Snagit

Best for: Professional screen capture and recording with advanced features

G2 rating: Not available

Snagit by TechSmith is a comprehensive screen capture and recording software designed for professionals who want to communicate clearly and effectively. It offers a range of features that go beyond basic screen capture tools, making it a top choice for professionals.

It also lets you capture individual frames out of a recorded video. Users can add additional context to their captures using customizable markup tools and share their content anywhere.

This PC screen recorder is used by professionals across various fields, including software development, customer support, design, eLearning, sales, onboarding, project management, and business communication.

Standout features:

  • Comprehensive screen capture and recording capabilities, including the ability to capture the entire desktop, a specific area, or a scrolling screen.
  • Customizable markup tools for adding additional context to screen captures.
  • Advanced features such as text replace, smart move, and the ability to create videos from images.

Pricing

  • One time license at $62.99

12. Movavi Screen Recorder

Movavi screen recorder

Best for: Versatile screen recording and editing with advanced features

G2 rating: 4.7/5

Movavi Screen Recorder is designed to boost efficiency through hassle-free screen capture. allows users to record their screen and audio, together or separately, and add a webcam overlay for a personal touch. It also offers on-video drawing to engage viewers.

It’s range of features like scrolling screenshots, drawing shapes on video, recording scheduler, and noise reduction, makes it a versatile screen recording tool.

Standout features:

  • Comprehensive screen recording and editing capabilities, including the ability to capture screen and audio, together or separately.
  • On-video drawing feature to engage viewers and add a personal touch to the recordings.
  • New features like scrolling screenshots, drawing shapes on video, recording scheduler, and noise reduction.
  • Instant sharing of captures, enhancing the speed of communication.

Pricing

  • One-time license for one year at $54.95

13. ApowerREC

ApowerRec

Best for: Cross-platform screen recording and innovative content creation

G2 rating: Not available

ApowerREC is a powerful screen recorder that allows users to capture their screen activity with ease. It's particularly useful for creating tutorials, product demos, and presentations. It also offers other digital products and services, including PicWish, an AI-powered photo editor, and GitMind, a collaborative mind mapping software.

Standout features:

  • Cross-platform screen recording capabilities, making it a versatile tool for content creators.
  • Easy-to-use interface that simplifies the process of screen recording.
  • Additional digital products and services like PicWish and GitMind, enhancing the value for users.

Pricing

  • Starting at $19.95

14. Filmora Scrn

Filmora

Best for: Creating engaging and interactive screen recordings with a suite of editing tools

G2 rating: 4.7/5

Filmora Scrn is more than just a screen recording software. It's a comprehensive tool that allows you to record your screen activities while also providing a suite of features to enhance the final product. This software is perfect for recording browser activities, gameplay, online meetings, and more while maintaining high-quality output.

With over 2 million licenses sold and users in over 200 countries, Filmora Scrn has established itself as a top choice for various use cases, from self-education and teaching to business communication and personal branding.

Standout features:

  • Simultaneous recording of your screen and webcam, ideal for creating instructional videos or streaming content.
  • Flexibility to record any area of your screen, be it the entire screen, a specific window, or a custom area.
  • Display keystrokes and mouse clicks for tutorial videos to guide viewers through a specific process/action.

Pricing

  • Free

15. ScreenFlow

screenflow

Best for: Professional video editing and screen recording on Mac

G2 rating: Not available

ScreenFlow is a robust video editing and screen recording app designed specifically for Mac users. It offers a range of features that make it a powerful tool for creating professional videos for any audience.

ScreenFlow stands out for its high-quality recording capabilities, customizable title library, video filters, and the ability to record from multiple apps simultaneously. It can help you create polished and professional videos quickly and efficiently.

Standout features:

  • Offers the best screen recording quality, whether you're recording multiple screens at once or using retina displays.
  • A suite of powerful video editing tools, including transitions, text animations, video animations, freehand annotations, multi-channel audio, and more.
  • Streamlined media management features, including nested clips, multi-track editing, and complete access to media files on your computer.

Pricing: Starting at $169

Choose the best screen recorder with this guide

And there you have it, folks – a digital yellow brick road to your perfect screen recording tool.

We've gone through 20 tools, but one stands out – Floik (yes, we’re a bit biased). It's easy to use and has all the features you'd need for screen recording. While it's worth trying the other tools on our list, we recommend you start with Floik.

The right tool can make a huge difference, so don't wait. Start recording your screen today!