Best Free Screen Recorder For Mac

  

  1. Free Recording Software For Gaming
  2. Free Screen Capture For Mac
  3. Laptop Screen Recorder
  4. Screen Recorder Mac Free Download
  5. Best Free Screen Recorders For Macbook Air
  6. Best Free Screen Recording For Mac
  7. Screen Recording Apps For Mac

Droplr is a program for Windows and Mac platforms. You can use it to share screencasts, files, and screenshots with others. It is one of the best free screen recorder for Mac that runs in the background, and you can make it a streamlined part of your workflow. Droplr is attractive, intuitive, and unobtrusive. In this video I will be showing you guys the best free screen recorder - yes, you heard it right, the best free screen recorder (Better than OBS Studio) with. ActivePresenter 6 Free – The best Windows/Mac free screen recorder for screencasting purposes. With the mission to quench your thirst about the best professional, unique screen recorder for screencast purpose, we would like to introduce to you ActivePresenter Free Edition. This edition is considered to be the best free software of all time in.

They say there is no free lunch and, more often than not, that’s the rule. Screen recording software, though, is a delightful exception — there are heaps of free tools out there.

To help you find the best free screen recorder, we have created a shortlist of the best free screen recorders in 2021 that are free. Ideal for communicating your ideas and feedback faster, recorder video tutorials, explainer videos, report bugs, etc.

What Is Screen Recording Software?

Screen recording software captures what is on your computer screen. You can either record in full screen or capture a specific area. Most of these apps can record your microphone (audio narration) and the best desktop recording software can also record your computer screen with audio (the system sound).

However, this is where the similarities end. Not all such programs are HD screen recorders . Some screen recording tools can save the recording in various file formats or export it to social media websites like YouTube. Top screen recorders, though, can upload your screen captures to the cloud in real-time and give you a sharing link instantly (much more effective).

So, before you set your mind on a free screen recording software, it’s best to evaluate your own recording needs. Maybe you don’t need to upload your videos to social media or maybe you don’t need to record in HD.

How we reviewed the top screen video recorders

We took information about each of the best desktop recorders directly from their official website. In addition, we gathered insights from independent reviews published on G2Crowd and tested each tool ourselves.

What is a good screen recorder?

While our picks range from desktop apps to browser plug-ins, each one meets the following basic criteria:

  • User-friendly interface
  • Can record the entire screen or a specific area
  • Captures both system and microphone audio
  • Built-in video sharing and/or convenient exporting options

See this video for more information.

Here Are The Best Free Screen Recording Software In 2021

VideoSolo Screen Recorder is a rising star of best screen recorders for PC that wins many loyal users. It can capture screen activities on your computer to high-quality videos and 60fps so that you can record your gameplay video without frame drop. It can not only record online meeting without permission but also create video tutorial with some editing tools. It can also record sound only on the computer and your voice simultaneously.

Pros:

  • Record and save computer screen to various format in high-definition.
  • Advanced task schedule to set up recording automatically.
  • User-friendly interface without ads.
  • Basic video editing tools to make your recording easier.
  • Stable recording performance and no time limits.
  • Webcam recording available.

Cons:

  • Not free but provides a free trial version with recording time limitation.

Available for:

  • Windows 10/8/7/Vista/XP (SP2 or later)

3. EaseUS RecExperts

EaseUS RecExperts is an all-in-one yet easy-to-use screen recording software to capture any screen activities happening on your screen. With the options of recording screen, audio, webcam, screen with audio, screen with webcam, this screen recorder is a nice choice to record zoom meetings, presentations, video tutorials, online courses, games, etc.

Pros:

  • Capture full screen or custom region up to 1080P
  • Record computer internal audio or/and sound from microphone
  • Record screen and audio simultaneously or separately
  • Record webcam only or with screen
  • Schedule recording tasks to start, stop or split recordings automatically
  • Take screenshots of the screen or from the recorded video
  • Play recorded audio or video with built-in player
  • Mange the recordings with ease
  • Save file in MP4, MOV, FLV, MKV, AVI, MP3, AAC, WAV, OGG, WMA, FLAC, GIF and PNG
  • Ad-free

Cons:

  • Include basic video editing tools only
  • 10 minutes of recording limit for the free trial version

Available For:

  • Windows and Mac

4. AceThinker Free Online Screen Recorder

AceThinker Free Online Screen Recorder is a web-based tool that is simple yet comprehensive and easy to navigate due to its intuitive instructions and guide. One of AceThinker’s stand-out features is capturing an entire screen with unlimited duration or an infinite number of recordings.

Pros:

  • Annotate while you’re recording your screen
  • High fps screen recording for gameplay capture
  • Computer audio recording.
  • Webcam video recording
  • Record the entire screen or just choose to record a specific area
  • Save file in AVI, MOV, WMV, FLV, MP4
  • Upload to YouTube, Video, Google Drive, or Dropboxs

Cons:

  • No Cloud Recording – need to wait for the video to upload
  • You need to download a launcher for first time use

Available for:

  • Chrome, Mozilla, and Internet Explorer

5. Apowersoft Free Online Screen Recorder

A nice online screen recorder with basic video editing capabilities. This free screen capture software runs in your browser (Mac or Windows) and requires an internet connection. The Apowersoft Free Online Screen Recorder might be a good choice if you’re looking for a one-time solution.

Pros:

  • Record your webcam
  • Add annotations within the video
  • Capture computer audio
  • Crop your video (no other editing tools, though)
  • Works on Windows and Mac but not on Linux
  • After recording, you can save the video file to your computer or upload it to YouTube, Vimeo, Dropbox, Google Drive, etc.
  • You can save the file in a number of different formats (This can also be a con if you don’t know what you’re doing)

Cons:

  • Requires a browser plugin to run which may slow your browser down. There is a “Download desktop version” button on the website but this is actually the Pro version, not the free one.
  • No cloud recording option. If you want to share your screencast, you will have to wait for the video to render and, then, you will have to wait for it to upload.
  • Time limits and watermarks (removed when you create a free account)
  • Not suitable for game recording because you can’t hide the recording widget
  • Users report that it takes quite a lot of time to view the replay
  • You must be online to use it

Available for:

  • You must be online to use it

6. Screencast-O-Matic

The free version of Screencast-O-Matic is another browser-based screen recording tool. It should work for you if you don’t need to record computer audio and you only want to make very short videos.

Pros:

  • Narrate the video (record your computer microphone)
  • Record your webcam
  • After recording the video, you can upload it to YouTube or the Screencast-o-matic hosting service
  • Highlight your mouse

Cons:

  • 15-minute recording limit
  • There is a watermark
  • You can’t record computer audio in the free version
  • No screenshot tool
  • The free version can only run in the browser which can slow your computer down
  • Ads on your screencasts
  • Requires Java to run
  • Some users report that it crashes their browsers and slows down their computers
  • No cloud recording option. If you want to share your screencast, you will have to wait for the video to render and, then, you will have to wait for it to upload.

Available for:

  • Windows and Mac

7. Ezvid

Ezvid is on our best screen recording software list because it has some cool features like the ability to draw while recording or synthesize human speech from text. Like iSpring Free Cam, it only works on Windows and saves screencasts in the bulky WMV format.

Pros:

  • HD video capture
  • Include computer narration with your video
  • Trim videos
  • Insert images and videos in your screencast
  • Draw while recording
  • Facecam recording
  • No watermarks
  • No ads

Cons:

  • Works on Windows only
  • Recording limit — depends on how much free space you have on your hard drive
  • Delayed replay — you have to wait until your video is rendered
  • Some users report that it slows down their computers
  • Screen captures are saved in .WMV format (OK if you’re using a Windows PC but the video might not play on other platforms)

Available for:

  • Windows

8. Prezi Video

Prezi Video gives you the opportunity to record a presentation from your Prezi slideshow using the desktop app. This app lets you record, edit, and download your presentations and even stream them to conference apps.

Pros:

  • Connects with Prezi or other Powerpoint presentations.
  • Powerful editing right within the app
  • Offers templates to customize videos
  • Have the option to show either webcam with presentation in background or just the presentation content
  • Downloads in mp4 format
  • Can live stream to Zoom, Webex, and GoToWebinar
  • Can pause and resume recording

Cons:

  • 15 minute recording limit
  • Only records up to 720p

Available for:

  • Windows, Mac and Chrom

9. Veed

Veed is an online screen recorder and video editor. If you can’t install new apps on your computer, this may be a good solution. Works on Windows and Mac, no software download or plugin required.

Pros:

  • Screen capture with a click
  • Unique layout options
  • Fast and simple review
  • Full video editing
  • Auto-generated subtitles
  • 2 GB of free storage
  • No need for downloading

Cons:

  • Has watermark
  • 10-minute recording limit
  • No customer support

Available for:

  • Windows and Mac

10. Movavi Screen Recorder

Screen recorder by Movavi is a simple but functional program. It will work perfectly if you need to record a screencast with the sound, webcam, and highlighting of your mouse and keyboard clicks, or make a screenshot. The program is suitable for Windows and Mac users, and it does not require an internet connection.

Pros:

  • Record both the system sound and the microphone. Disable one or both of them if you do not need to record it
  • Record your screen and your webcam
  • Highlight the cursor and keystrokes
  • Make screenshots
  • Save recordings to the hard drive or the Google Drive
  • Save videos in MP4, AVI, MOV, MKV, WEBM, GIF, or MP3 formats
  • Instant sharing: you can share a video on a cloud, on WhatsApp, YouTube, Telegram, or via email directly from the program
  • No time limitations for recordings
  • No ads

Cons:

  • There are no opportunities to edit a recording; you can only cut extra fragments
  • No support for Linux

Available for:

  • Windows and Mac

What Is a Good Screen Recorder?

There are two important points to consider when looking for the best free screen recorder in 2021.

1. File Format & Compression

A file format is a particular way of organizing the data within the file. There are many video file formats and some screen recording tools support more than one. However, most of the time, it goes down to MP4 vs. WMV.

MP4 or WMV for screen capture?

The WMV format is a product of Microsoft. Back in the day, it was created to allow professional videos to be recorded in high quality, e.g. on DVD, Bluray. The biggest issue here is that Mac users often have trouble viewing WMV files.

MP4, on the other hand, helps you produce video files that can be opened on any platform. And, when it comes to video quality, MP4 is actually better than WMV.

So,MP4 is more suitable for publishing your screen captures on the web and sharing them with others. The best free video capture software allows you to save your videos in MP4.

2. Video Hosting & Uploading

Best Free Screen Recorder For Mac

When looking for a screen capture software, you’d probably look at the recording features like — recording time, ability to record the computer audio, and so on.

But what happens after you record your screencast?

Most of the time, video files are very big and can’t be attached to emails. This means that, to share a video, you have to upload it somewhere in the cloud. In other words, you need video hosting.

This is a book-worthy topic but here are a few things to keep in mind:

  • Hosting on YouTube. Some screen recorders allow you to post your videos on YouTube. That’s great when you want to share your videos publicly but not recommended if the screencast contains sensitive information.
  • Proprietary video hosting. Some screen recorders like Screenrec, Apowersoft Free Online Screen Recorder and Screencast-O-Matic come with video hosting. When storing your videos on these platforms, it would be wise to research if the platform is free and what level of security it offers.
  • Cloud Recording. If there is no Cloud Recording option, you will have to wait for the video to upload until you can share it. The best free screen capture tools come with this option.

Conclusion

Even the best free screen recording software has advantages and disadvantages. At the end of the day, the recording features — what you can do with the tool, are just as important as the effectiveness — how quickly you can record your computer screen and share it with others.

So, before you set your mind on a free screen recording software, it’s best to evaluate your own recording needs. Maybe you don’t need to upload your videos to social media or maybe you don’t need to record in HD.

Based on this criteria, the top screen recording software for us is the free screen recorder by ScreenRec. The final decision is, of course, yours to make.

As the names suggest, the biggest difference is that a desktop screen recorder can capture your screen while you're offline or on a poor internet connection. An online screen recorder requires stable Internet. For this reason, an online screen recorder isn't the best option when it comes to game capture. It may be a viable option when you're recording a tutorial, though.

Screencast-O-Matic is a popular screencasting tool. Many people use it to record tutorials, training videos and other educational content. The biggest advantage of Screencast-O-Matic is, perhaps, the ability to share the recording to a number of platforms like Vimeo, YouTube and Screencast-o-Matic's own video hosting platform. One downside, however, is the fact that you have to wait for the recording to upload and, if you've been recording for, say, 1 hour, this can be a huge pain. That's why, as an alternative, we'll suggest ScreenRec. It's quick and lightweight, allows you to capture both your computer audio and microphone audio and, finally, it's got instant private sharing--your screen recordings are uploaded in real time which means that you never have to wait. You get a sharing link as soon as you press 'Stop'.

It depends on the screen capture tool you're using and your platform (Windows, Mac, Linux, etc). With ScreenRec, for example, you have to press Alt + S to start recording your desktop. This works on all platforms.

References and Further Reading?

DON’T MISS OUT

Get updates on new articles, webinars and other opportunities:

Free Screen Recorder

Free Recording Software For Gaming

Top 9 Free Bandicam Alternatives For Mac, Windows & Linux

Nov 19, 2020
Free Screen Recorder

🏆18 Free Screen Sharing Software 2021 (For Remote Teams)

Sep 28, 2020
Free Screen Recorder

⏰Best 7 No Lag Screen Recorders [Comparison]

Sep 17, 2020
Free Screen Recorder

Top 10 Camtasia Studio Alternatives You Didn’t Know About

Sep 9, 2020
Free Screen Recorder

7 Best Free Screen Recorders With No Watermark [Upd. 2021]

Aug 26, 2020
Free Screen Recorder

Best 8 Video Capture Software in 2021 for Any System

Jul 29, 2020
Free Screen Recorder

Best 8 Laptop Screen Recorders That Won’t Kill Your Battery

Jun 29, 2020
Free Screen Recorder

👌10+1 Best Screen Recorders For Windows 10 PC (All Free)

Jun 12, 2020
Free Screen Recorder

📼 Skype For Business: Record A Meeting & Share Instantly

May 28, 2020
Free Screen Recorder

Top 10 Linux Screen Recorders In 2021 + Instructions

May 14, 2020
Free Screen Recorder

THE 8 BEST HD SCREEN RECORDERS REVIEWED

Jan 17, 2020
Free Screen Recorder

The Best Screencast Software In 2021: Full Comparison

Dec 11, 2019
Free Screen Recorder

How To Record Your Computer Screen On Windows 10 (Free)

Oct 4, 2019
Free Screen Recorder

Record Your Computer Screen And Audio (For Free)

Apr 10, 2019
Contents
Top Picks of Screen Recorder on Mac
Best 7 Mac Screen Recorder Review
Comparison of Top Screen Recorders on Mac

There are many reasons why you need a screen recorder app on Mac. Video lessons, for example, are a good way to deliver knowledge and information while keeping attracting the attention of students. Small business and developers are able to present their products and apps with screen recorder software. Vloggers can make video tutorials and monetize on social media.

However, what is the best screen recorder for Mac? It is impossible to research each app and identify the most appropriate tool. The review is based on our lab research and hundreds of users’ reports. Therefore, this article will share the top list below.

Part 1. Top Picks of Screen Recorder on Mac

Top Picks of Screen Recorder on Mac

  • The flexible design can 100% meet your various need on screen recording on Mac.

  • Although the free version has some limit, it can meet your basic need of screen recording

  • It enables you to record up to 5 minutes without paying a penny or installing software.

  • It integrates both a standard screen recorder and a video editor into a single package.

Part 2. Best 7 Mac Screen Recorder Review

Top 1: Icecream Screen Recorder

System Requirement: macOS 10.9 or later

Price: Free version, $14.99 for Pro version

Pros
Include swift and simple recording engine.
Convert screen recordings to GIF.
Available to a wide range of apps, websites and contents.
Cons
The free version only exports recording in WebM format.
To remove the time limit, you need to upgrade to Pro version.

As a screen recorder app for Mac, Icecream Screen Recorder has been around for years. It allows you to record any region on your display. It is an easy way to create video tutorial, gameplays, app guide, live stream, and more. You just need to click the record button, select the desired area and the screen recording will begin. Plus, you can decide the output quality, format, and other options. While recording screen, you can add text, shapes, and arrows directly or add watermark logo for sharing on social media. The webcam overlay enables you to capture webcam while recording gameplay or video tutorial. However, you can only get full features and remove the limits in the Pro version.

Top 2: Loom Screen Recorder

System Requirement: All macOS

Price: Free for personal use and $8 per user per month for business use

Pros
Include an intuitive interface and easy to use.
Support both screen and webcam capturing.
Take screenshots while recording screen.
Cons
The video editing feature is only available for business account.
The free version can only record screen up to 5 minutes.

Loom Screen Recorder is not an independent screen recorder for Mac, but the extension for web browsers, like Google Chrome. It offers two kinds of accounts, free and business. Once you install the screen recorder to your browser on Mac and sign up an account, you can use it immediately. It provides three modes, screen only, camera only, as well as screen and camera. Plus, you can also decide to record full screen, custom region or a specific window. Of course, the free account has several limits, like up to 100 videos and screenshots, and each screen recording is no more than 5 minutes. To create an account, you have to associate with your email and private information.

Top 3: Capto

System Requirement: macOS 10.10.5 and later

Price: $30 for single user and $80 for family pack

Pros
Share screen recordings to social network or cloud services.
Include a new video editor with annotation features.
Support non-destructive video editing.
Cons
The audio editing functionalities are limited.
It has occasional performance issues when processing large media files.

Capto expands on the abilities with a more robust set of tools for capturing screen or websites and recording on Mac. Unlike other screen recorders for Mac, Capto is a one-stop solution. After screen recording, you can also edit it within the built-in video editor. The screen recordings can be easily shared with other applications and popular cloud services. With the intelligent file manager, this screen recorder app on Mac is perfect for teachers, vloggers and small business. Before purchasing a license, you can get the basic features during 7-day free trial. The advanced features, like video editing, can only be unlocked in the formal app. Moreover, the export functionality requires improvement.

Top 4: ScreenFlow

System Requirement: macOS 10.14.0 or later

Price: $129.99

Pros
Include a full-featured video editor.
Record screen along with internal or external audio on Mac.
Export screen recordings to YouTube or Vimeo directly.
Cons
This screen recorder for Mac is expensive.
The updates are frequent and need extra payment.

As a robust screen recorder and video editor, ScreenFlow is popular among creative professionals, small business and studios. It allows users to capture everything taking place on their screen along with computer audio, microphone and camera. When screen recording is done, you will be taken to the video editor window. Then you can add annotations, shapes and do other editing to the recording on the timeline. It enables users to create demos, high-quality tutorials, app review and guide, and presentations. In addition to screen, it is also able to record extra devices, like iPhone, online videos, gameplay and more. Besides MP4, you can also export the recording as animated GIF or other popular video formats. However, the cost is very high and not affordable for average people.

Free Screen Capture For Mac

Top 5: Screenflick

System Requirement: macOS Catalina or later

Price: $29

Pros
Record screen and clicks on Mac with shortcuts.
Capture gameplay in up to 60 FPS.
Remotely control screen recording with your handset.
Cons
It lacks some important features, like video editing.
It cannot record extra devices, like smartphone.

If you just need a screen recorder on Mac, Screenflick is a good choice. It features high performance screen capturing for smooth. You can capture fluid motion up to 30 FPS in screen recording mode. It also provides a game recording mode to produce higher quality with up to 60 FPS . Screenflick supports full screen or custom region recording with audio from internal or external microphone and the system audio. You can decide to highlight mouse clicks and cursor track or hide them during screen recording. Another important functionality is to compress your recordings multiple times by changing resolution, quality and more. It supports the built-in FaceTime camera and external webcam or connected camera too. However, you still need an extra video editor to retouch your recordings.

Laptop Screen Recorder

Top 6: Screenium

System Requirement: macOS 10.10 or later

Price: $26.99

Pros
Create perfect screen recordings and screencasts on Mac.
Embed FaceTime camera footage as picture-in-picture.
Record key strokes and mouse points as separate tracks.
Cons
The video editor is too simple to use.
The transitions may not be inserted correctly.

As screen recorder apps become better and easier to use, there are more and more live videos produced by Mac users on YouTube, Twitch, and more. Screenium has long been one of the best screen recorders for Mac users who hope to record video and audio from their display. It lets you capture full screen, a single window or prescribed area. According to research, it is available to streaming videos and microphone audio. You can also create the picture-in-picture effect with iSight or other camera. This screen recorder has built in a video and audio editor too, although it is very simple and almost useless. After recording, you can upload the video to YouTube, Vimeo, Facebook and Flickr directly. Therefore, it is an easy way to share your screen recordings on Mac.

Top 7: AnyMP4 Screen Recorder

System Requirement: macOS 10.10 and later

Price: $29.25 per license per year, $44.25 for lifetime

Pros
Record screen on Mac in 4K videos with one click.
Support multiple recording sources related to video and audio.
Take schedules and record screen automatically.
Cons
You need to purchase the license after free trial.

Screen Recorder Mac Free Download

AnyMP4 Screen Recorder is one of the best high quality screen recorder for Mac users. It lets you choose the recording sources for different purposes, like screen, online video, app, system audio, microphone audio, webcam. Moreover, you can enable multiple sources at the same time. Another important functionality is to take schedule. You can set the start time, duration and recording based on your event. Then the app will start working automatically. That makes AnyMP4 Screen Recorder a perfect tool to save live stream and gameplay on Mac computers. Unlike other screen recorders, this app enables you to edit the recording while capturing screen, such as add text, annotations, shapes or arrows at specific frames. At important moment, you can take screenshots with the toolbar too. According to our research, it is the most cost-effective screen recorder for Mac users.

Part 3: Comparison of Top Screen Recorders on Mac

  • Icecream Screen Recorder
  • Loom Screen Recorder
  • Capto
  • ScreenFlow
  • Screenflick
  • Screenium
  • AnyMP4 Screen Recorder
Record screen and webcamRecord screen with system audioRecord screen with microphoneHighlight mouseRecord multiple screensHide cursorAdd annotationsReal time previewOn screen markupVideo resolutionSchedule recordingOutput formats
1080pWebM and GIF
1080pMP4, AVI, or FLV.
1080pH.264
Up to 4KMP4, MOV, M4V
1080pMP4, MOV, FLV, GIF
Up to 4K and 5KMP4, MOV, FLV
Yes, add annotations while recordingUp to 4KMOV, M4V, GIF, WMV and MP4, etc.

Conclusion

Best Free Screen Recorders For Macbook Air

This article has reviewed and shared the top 7 best screen recorder apps for MacBook Pro and other Mac computers. It is well-known that QuickTime Player is the built-in screen recorder on Mac. However, it has several downsides, like cannot record screen and webcam at the same time, limited output format, only support audio recording through microphone and more. Obviously, it is not the best way to record screen on Mac. The apps shared above all have unique benefits and advantages, such as built-in video editor, excellent output quality, etc. They help you to convert your idea, presentation and more into visual content in order to attract audiences’ attention.

Did you find this helpful?

Best Free Screen Recording For Mac

188 Votes

YESThanks for letting us know!

Screen Recording Apps For Mac

NoThanks for letting us know!

More from TopSevenReviews