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Are you still using your phone camera to record your computer screen?
I hope not.
Whether you’re a blogger, content creator, or business professional, this is a valuable tool for creating and sharing valuable content.
But with so many options on the market, you’ll go mad trying to pick the best ones.
In this article, I rank and review the best screencasting software to help you create high-quality videos, save time and improve your viewers’ experiences.
Let’s get started.
What Are the Best Screencasting Software Tools?
Here are my picks for the best screencasting software tools in 2023.
If you need a screen recorder with a visual editor, ScreenPal has all the essential features you need, even on the free version.
Though not fully featured because that’s reserved for their juicy paid plans.
But let’s not be ungrateful.
Key Features
Multiple Recording Modes: Record your screen (or part of it), webcam, or both with accompanying narration with ease.
Video Editor: Add video, text, images, shape overlays, or even animations like green screen, automated captions, and more.
Advanced Screenshots: Increase engagement by adding annotations, sharable links,
Video messaging: Allows you to communicate clearly and build better connections through asynchronous video messaging without leaving your browser
Hosting and Sharing: Easily store, manage, and share all your content on their servers while accessing a wide range of collaboration tools for your team and audience.
Royalty-Free Stock Content: Premier, Max, or Team plans have access to a massive library for stock photos, videos, and music for all your projects.
Pros And Cons of ScreenPal
Pros
Easy to use with a user-friendly interface.
A comprehensive range of editing and recording tools.
Affordable pricing for personal and professional users.
Cons
Limited integration options with external platforms and services.
Lack of advanced features such as video analytics and marketing automation.
ScreenFlow is the most popular option for Mac users due to its seamless workflow and compatibility.
It’s a no-fluff screencast software with added video editing and enhancement features on a single platform.
And since I’m a Mac user, this is also what I use.
Key Features
Built-in Stock Media Library: Get creative with access to over 500,000 images, audio & video clips directly from within your ScreenFlow projects.
Multi-Track Editing: Superimpose multiple layers in your edits.
iOS Recording: Capture the display of your iPhone or iPad for creating high-quality app demonstrations.
Powerful Video Editing Tools: Add pro touches to your videos with transitions, text animations, video animations, freehand annotations, multi-channel audio, and more.
Professional Animations & Motions Graphics: Animate graphics, titles, and logos with built-in
Better Tools for Software Tutorials: Use Styles and Templates to make editing a series of software tutorials quicker and easier.
Streamlined Media Management: Organize your projects with nested clips, multi-track editing, markers, color labels, and complete access to media files stored on your computer.
Closed Caption Support: Use the caption editor tool to add, edit, and even burn in ADA-compliant soft subtitles to your videos.
Pros And Cons of ScreenFlow
Pros
High-quality recording across multiple screens or with retina displays.
Built-in stock media library with over 500,000 images, audio & video clips.
Easy to learn and use interface for creating amazing content quickly.
With over 18 million users across 350,000 businesses, Loom is one of the most popular screen recorders for teams.
Most features are tailored towards producing quick and professional screen recordings to be shared with others.
This means fewer meetings. Whoohoo!
Key Features
Canvas: Add customizable backdrops to create beautiful and engaging presentations.
Auto Transcriptions: Automatically convert your speech to text for easy captioning or republishing of text content.
Filler Word Removal: Get rid of “uhs”, “uhms” or other annoying words you use in between sentences.
Chrome Plugin: No troublesome installations, click the chrome extension and start recording.
Analytics: Track your engagement analytics on every video to see how your team members respond.
Fuss-Free Sharing: Easily share your recordings with your team via shareable links. No more sending huge video files, as everything is hosted on their server.
iSpring Suite is a comprehensive toolkit that has everything you need to create an entire course from start to finish.
It’s overkill for just screen recordings, but if this is your intention, then there’s nothing better.
Key Features
Record Tutorials: Produce top-notch screencasts, and record the entirety or a portion of your screen. Show mouse movements, incorporate shortcuts, and include visual cues for each step.
Video Studio: Get advanced video editings features like multi-track timelines, title screens, annotations, and visual hints, in addition to all the essential tools expected from a full-featured video editor.
Integration With Popular LMSs: It supports SCORM, xAPI, cmi5, and AICC standards while being compatible with over 150+ Learning Management Systems (LMS).
Text-to-Speech: Use the power of AI to create professional voiceovers in over 52 languages from text to speed up localization.
Create Interactive Quizzes: You can build various quizzes like multiple-choice, multiple-response, or short answer and enrich them with images, audio, and videos.
Pros And Cons of iSpring Suite Max
Pros
Create an entire eLearning course on the platform.
A massive suite of features.
Impressive transitions and no time limits for recording
Cons
There is a steep learning curve.
It can be quite overwhelming to use.
Very expensive if just for recording video.
Pricing
iSpring Suite offers the following pricing plans:
iSpring Suite: $770/year/author
iSpring Suite Max: $970/year/author
Get HTML5/SCORM courses, quizzes & assessments, video lectures, screencasts, interactive role-plays, eBooks, and more with both plans.
I personally feel Apowersoft Screen Recorder is the best free option on this list that has all the essential tools and also works on both Windows and MacOS.
You can easily make a tutorial video with screen and sound, even under picture-in-picture mode, perfectly recording all kinds of courses.
Key Features
Unlock the full potential of your digital life with Apowersoft free best screencast software. Features include:
OBS Studio is a versatile video capture and open-source software that allows users to stream or record high-quality content with complete control.
It’s the very first screencast tool I used back when I was streaming gaming content on Twitch.
The primary function is for live streaming, but it doubles as an excellent FREE screencast software.
I mean entirely FREE TO USE.No limited trials or hidden restrictions.
However, don’t expect in-built video editing tools or fancy features.
Key Features
Livestreaming: Encode video and audio from multiple sources and broadcast them to your favorite platform.
Customizable Scenes: Create your scenes made up of multiple elements like window captures, overlays, browser windows, webcams, capture cards, and even color grades.
Audio Mixer: Has in-built audio mixing effects like noise suppression, noise gate, and normalization. Take it one step further and get access to more features with the downloadable VST plugin.
Custom CSS: Add your own custom CSS code snippets to style various scenes or sources to your liking.
Modular Dock UI: Create your own workspace by rearranging the layout of the software’s UI to suit your preferences.
Pros and Cons of OBS Studio
Pros
Fully customize the output of your screencasts.
Fine-tune the settings of your video content.
Broadcast to popular livestream platforms.
Cons
Not web-based, and you have to download the software.
Not beginner friendly.
Doesn’t come with in-built video editing or sharing features.
Icecream Screen Recorder is accessible on Windows, Mac, and Android platforms and provides the majority of the essential recording features like others.
Its editing capabilities, however, are pretty basic, even though it allows you to do some simple tasks such as cutting videos, zooming in/out, and altering the speed of videos.
Key Features
Annotate and Edit: Record your entire screen, and add text, arrows, and bullet points. The screen recorder allows you to edit your videos by trimming them, adjusting the speed, muting sound, and more.
Easy Sharing: Capture the screen and host your video on their servers for instant sharing. You can also monitor the number of playback views in the app.
Scheduled Screen Recording: Schedule your recordings on any part of your screen at any time.
Display Keystrokes: Have your keyboard strokes pop up to keep your viewers engaged in your tutorials or presentations.
Pros and Cons of Icecream Screen Recorder
Pros
Lots of editing and features for a simple tool.
Easy-to-use UI with simple buttons for starting and stopping recordings.
Customize clips with your branding and logos.
Cons
The free version is limited to just 5-minute recordings
Pricing
Icecream Screen Recorder offers the following pricing plans:
1-Year License: $29.95 (billed annually)
Lifetime License: $59.95 (one-time fee)
Video PRO Package: $78 (one-time fee)
These plans are for the PRO version, which gives you access to more tools and features.
Screencasting software, screen recorder, screen capture, and screen recording software mean the same thing and refer to tools that help you record your computer screen output.
That’s it. No more confusion.
It’s used for creating videos like:
Lectures
Onboarding guides
Presentations
Tutorials
Gaming playthroughs
What To Look For in a Screencasting Software?
Whether you are a business, individual, or team looking for video editing software for a screencasting solution, there are certain key features to consider.
Here’s a list of what to look for in an excellent screencasting software:
Easy video editing capabilities: Look for screencasting software that allows you to easily add animations, music, and title text to your videos. This will help you create high-quality content quickly and effectively.
Video hosting options: Having an easy way to store and share videos securely should also be a key feature. This helps teams work together more efficiently and reduces the risk of data loss.
Customization Settings: You need a tool that gives you total control over how you record, edit and publish your videos. Look for one with advanced settings like resolution and recording area so that you can tailor your recordings as needed.
Cross Compatibility: Make sure the software is compatible with all the devices and platforms used by your team members. This will ensure maximum efficiency when sharing videos or interacting in real-time sessions.
Security Features: Privacy is paramount when sharing sensitive information online, so look for a product that offers strong security measures like encryption technology or password protection options.
Good Customer Support: If you’re paying money, ensure it has good customer support services. This will help with any technical problems or questions you might have while using the product.
Free Trial Options: The best way to know if a product is right for your needs is by trying it out first. Many vendors offer free trials so users can test their products without financial commitment.
What Is the Best Free Screencast Software?
For most users, the best free screencast software, in my opinion, is Apowersoft Screen Recorder.
However, if you want to be in complete control of the output quality of your recordings and eventually edit them in a professional video editor like Adobe Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro.
Then I would recommend OBS Studio.
Best Screencasting Software (FAQ)
What Is the Difference Between a Screencast and a Screenshot?
A Screencast is a video recording of the information on a computer or mobile screen with accompanying audio, while a screenshot is just an image.
Does It Cost Money To Use Screencasting Software?
Generally, yes. There are both free and paid options available depending on the company.
Free versions often come with limited functionality, while paid plans usually offer more advanced features like unlimited recording time, in-built video editing, and integration with other platforms.
Is There Any Risk of Data Loss When Using Screencast Software?
Most reputable providers use strong encryption technology to secure your files while they’re being uploaded or stored on their servers.
It’s always important to read through the terms of service, so you’re aware of any potential risks associated with your chosen product.
Which Devices Can I Use for Screencasting?
Most modern computers will have no problem running an appropriate screencasting system, but check compatibility if you also plan on using mobile phones or tablets.
Many vendors offer compatibility across multiple platforms, including Windows, Mac OSX, iOS, and Android devices.
Are There Any Special Requirements Before I Start Recording?
Depending on your version, some products may require additional download permissions or plug-ins before recordings can begin—so always double-check!
What Output Format Will My Recordings Be In?
This varies between different providers, but most will support popular formats such as MP4 or AVI for playback purposes.
Make sure that whichever solution you choose supports your desired output format before committing.
How Do I Share My Recordings Once I’ve Made Them?
That depends on which product you’ve chosen, but it’s safe to assume that most services will offer an easy way to upload your video files online or save them locally for further distribution elsewhere if needed.
Check with the vendor for specific details about how this works with their product.
Will I Need Technical Skills To Use a Screencast Product Effectively?
Not necessarily because many popular vendors offer intuitive interfaces that allow users of all levels to get started without hassle.
To Sum Up
When looking for the best screencasting software, there are many free and paid options available.
I did most of the work for you on this list, but further research will help you find the one that best fits your needs.
Whether you need a simple recording solution or professional editing capabilities with added features, there is something for you.
I hope you liked the article!
Leave a comment if I missed out something or give me your thoughts!
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About the author
Brendan Aw
Brendan is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief at brendanaw.com™, where he helps others succeed in the creator economy. Before launching his blog, he was the marketing manager at various E-commerce, NFTs, Crypto, Marketing Consultancy, Finance, and E-sports companies. He now works on his family’s luxury lighting business in Cambodia while documenting his journey as a creator online.
