Screen recorders do more than just capture what’s on your screen. The good ones also grab computer audio and webcam footage, let you edit, add notes to videos, and much more.
Typically, the more features a screen recorder offers, the higher its price. But if you don’t need all the bells and whistles, cheaper options can still do the job well. You can even find free screen recorders that capture high-quality audio and video.
No matter your needs or budget, our review of the 10 best screen recorders for Mac has you covered. Let’s explore the top screen recording apps on our list.
Best Screen Recorder for Mac You Can Try
Screen Studio
Screen Studio is a screen recorder made for macOS devices, helping you create more captivating videos for your products or social media. In this review, we’ll explore its features to see if it’s the right fit for you.
Features:
– Zoom Effects: Adds zoom effects when clicking the mouse, with options for different animations.
– Wallpaper & Window Frame: Lets you add backgrounds like wallpapers, images, colors, or gradients to your videos.
– Record Camera: Allows recording from your system’s camera, with zoom-in animations and adjustable positioning.
– Record Sound: Captures microphone audio.
– Subtitle Generation: Automatically generates subtitles within the editor, with basic editing options.
– Capture in Different Formats: Easily converts videos to various formats, including 16:9, 9:16, 1:1, and 4:3, with special animations for 9:16 format.
Pros:
– Appealing Zoom Animations: Screen Studio’s animations are visually appealing, making it easier to create engaging videos.
– Dynamic Camera Animations: Adjusting the camera size during zooming adds a dynamic perspective to the video.
– Shorts/TikTok Video Creation: The smooth animations in the 9:16 format facilitate the creation of quick tutorials for shorts, ensuring immediate engagement.
– User-Friendly UI: Editing videos and adding effects is simple and accessible to all users.
Cons:
– Timeline Slider: Currently, users can only zoom in and out on the timeline, which is suitable for short videos but challenging for longer ones. A timeline slider would enhance editing efficiency.
Pricing:
You can download Screen Studio for free to explore its features, but you won’t be able to export videos. The standard plan starts at $89 for one device, offering one year of updates and perpetual use. The $189 plan covers three macOS devices. Considering the flexibility and longevity of use, the prices are reasonable.
OBS (Open Broadcaster Software)
OBS, like QuickTime, is free but has an added benefit of recording your computer’s internal audio. It’s versatile, allowing multiple camera and screen recordings and supporting over 80 platforms for live streaming.
Key features:
– Set up multiple scenes from various sources and switch between them.
– Filters for color correction, green screen, and more.
– GPU-based game capture for high-quality recordings.
– Support for third-party plugins for additional features.
– Various transition options for smooth scene changes.
Pros:
– Free and open-source.
– Active community support.
– Excellent recording quality.
Cons:
– Learning curve might be steep.
– Requires time to master.
Price: Free
Snagit
Snagit is a screen recording software made by TechSmith, the same company behind Camtasia. It’s like a lighter version of Camtasia, with fewer video editing features and templates.
If you’re mainly focused on capturing screens and editing images, Snagit might be a better choice for you than Camtasia. However, for video recording, Camtasia is more advanced.
Key features:
– Records your whole screen or just a part of it.
– Webcam recording with picture-in-picture, so you can record your screen and webcam at the same time.
– Captures both microphone and system audio.
– Saves video files as animated GIFs.
– Basic editing tools for annotating, trimming, and combining videos.
– Text extraction and editing on images.
Pros:
– Easy to use.
– Advanced screenshot capabilities.
Cons:
– Expensive.
– Recording resolution is limited to 1920×1080.
Price:
– Perpetual License: $66.14 one-time payment
– Snagit + Assets: $112.98 one-time payment with one year of Assets
WonderShare DemoCreator
WonderShare DemoCreator is a screen recording platform designed for Mac users. If you need to record high-fps, high-resolution gameplay, DemoCreator might be the right choice. It can easily handle 120fps recordings at 4K resolution.
Key features:
– 120fps, 4K recording capability.
– Replace your webcam recording with AI avatars.
– Supports multiple virtual cameras, allowing you to switch between different camera angles and perspectives.
– Virtual backgrounds, filters, and transitions for dynamic presentations.
– Annotation tools for adding speech bubbles, text, graphics, and more.
– Library of templates for effects, audio, stickers, etc.
– Screen drawing tool.
– Ability to record from multiple monitors.
Pros:
– Feature-rich screen recorder.
– AI avatars.
– 4K and multi-screen recording support.
Cons:
– Free version adds watermarks and limits video recording to 10 minutes.
Price:
– Free plan
– Perpetual Plan: $69, limited to Version 6
– Subscription plan for individuals: $45/year
– Business plan: $99.99/year
– Student plan: $29.99/year
Camtasia
Camtasia stands out for its advanced editing capabilities beyond basic screen recording. It offers a range of features like annotations, intros, and outros, along with a library of templates and animations.
Key features:
– Cursor effects for clear tutorial presentation.
– Interactive hotspots for clickable links in videos.
– Pre-built templates for intros, outros, and text animation.
– Multi-track timeline editing for precise adjustments.
– Visual effects like filters and motion blur.
– Access to royalty-free assets.
Pros:
– Extensive editing options.
– Large library of templates.
– High-quality recordings.
Cons:
– Expensive compared to other options.
– May overwhelm beginners with its many features.
– No option for taking image screenshots.
Price:
– Individual Subscription: $188.87 yearly
– Perpetual License: $314.99 once
Loom
Loom is a simple screen recorder often used for remote collaboration. While its features are basic, it’s user-friendly for all skill levels.
Key features:
– Supports 4K recording.
– Lets you add descriptions and chapters to videos.
– Basic video editing like stitching and trimming.
– Automatic transcription.
– Viewer insights to see who watched your videos.
– AI features such as auto-summaries, auto-chapters, and removal of filler words and silence.
Pros:
– Easy to use.
– Quick video sharing.
– Track who viewed your videos.
Cons:
– Limited editing options.
– Similar functionality available in other apps at a lower cost.
Price:
– Free plan
– Business plan: $12.50
– Enterprise plan: Custom pricing
ScreenFlow
ScreenFlow is a comprehensive screen recording software designed for Mac users.
Like Camtasia and DemoCreator, it offers essential screen recording features like 4K support, video editing, annotations, and more.
Key features:
– 4K video recording.
– Capture from multiple screens.
– Video editing tools for clipping, effects, zooming, and more.
– Access to a vast Stock Media Library with 500,000 videos, images, and audio clips.
– Ability to add animations and motion graphics.
– Support for multi-channel audio.
Pros:
– Rich video editing features.
– Easy sharing on popular platforms.
– Extensive media library.
Cons:
– User-friendly interface, but the abundance of features may be overwhelming.
Price:
– Perpetual License: $169
