In recent times, remote learning and virtual interaction have increased immensely. Screen recording software use has increased along with it. When you’re learning about or teaching any sort of computer-related topics, being able to see the screen of the presenter — and capturing it — is paramount to an effective experience. Whatever your role or need, finding the best screen recording software will help you obtain your goals.
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What to Look for in Screen Recording Software
Before you jump into the programs themselves, make sure you recognize and determine just how you plan on using your screen recording software. During your thought process, consider other factors such as the ones we’ve listed here.
Recording quality
No matter what your reason is for using a screen recording software, you want to make sure you have the best quality for whoever is viewing your content. This could be in a classroom setting, a YouTube channel or even for your job. When you choose your screen recording software, make sure you know how to set the quality of the capture so that it is clean and easy for viewers to understand.
Ease of use
Sometimes you may want to take your time and get a detailed recording just right with custom settings. Or, you could be on a time crunch and need to create your videos quickly and do not have time to adjust settings for your takes. Make sure that you have a program that’s easy for you to understand and that matches your needs.
Customization
If you are looking for a more in-depth approach to your screen recording you could always work with one with customizable controls to fit you. In most programs, they offer key commands and shortcuts to help you speed up your recording process. You can also change them to match what you want to use. If you’re interested in a function such as this, make sure you do some research before you make any purchases, since not every program will offer this function.
The Best Screen Recording Software
When you apply the factors above, you can eliminate and determine the best screen recording software for yourself. In the long run, taking a few extra minutes as you read through will save you a lot of trouble and frustration.
OBS
OBS is considered one of the absolute best options for recording your screen. The applications of this program are endless with its in-depth customization of not only the video quality but also the audio. You can customize the size of the capture area and set it up to record the audio of multiple inputs at once.
Pros:
- In-depth audio and video controls
- High-quality video
Con:
- Initial setup can be confusing
Best for: All-around video and audio capturing
Pricing: Free (OBS is funded through sponsors)
Rating: 5 stars
Bandicam
It can work with every program that you run, but Bandicam is known for being exceptional at capturing video for all sorts of gamers. You can easily set up your computer to capture the screen and include a webcam of yourself for a true let’s-play feel just like the professionals. Even Pewdiepie, one of the biggest gamers to ever upload to YouTube, has used Bandicam for his videos.
Pros:
- Great quality for gaming
- Can capture webcam footage
- Scheduled recording
Con:
- PC-only program
Best for: Gamers
Pricing: $39.95 for a single PC license
Rating: 4 stars
Screencast-O-Matic
For less than a Spotify or Netflix subscription, you can get set up with a great screen recording program. The Screencast-O-Matic has the best tools for presentations and teaching with the ability to draw, zoom and create captions for others to read with the speech-to-text tool. You even get to use a simple and easy video editor that is included with Screencast-O-Matic.
Pros:
- Included video editor
- Presentation tools
- Upload directly to different platforms
Con:
- Limited tools for editing
Best for: Teaching and presentations
Pricing:
- Deluxe – $1.65 per month (billed yearly)
- Premier – $4 per month (billed yearly)
Rating: 5 stars
Monosnap
If you are wanting to work with a screen recorder that is fantastic in both single-user and commercial use, Monosnap has what you might be looking for. The free version of Monosnap has a lot to offer and the only reasons to upgrade are related to Monosnap’s storage and 3rd-party app integration. Both are limited for the free user but are vastly expanded for paid users.
Pros:
- Customizable UI
- High-quality screenshots and recordings
- Integration with popular apps
Con:
- Does not offer video editing unlike similar programs
Best for: Custom controls
Pricing:
- Free
- Noncommercial
- $2.50 per month (billed yearly)
- $3 per month (billed monthly)
- Commercial
- $5 per month (billed yearly)
- $10 per month (billed monthly)
Rating: 4 stars
Loom
When it comes to private video sharing and custom recordings, Loom is the answer to your needs. Many users have taken advantage of Loom’s capabilities to create in-depth and visual tutorials for training and product use that can be shared as needed. With Loom you can create your recordings, quickly edit them and immediately share them with others in your organization.
Pros:
- Easy sharing
- Can record screen and camera
- Custom recording dimensions
Cons:
- Audio quality varies
- Free version only allows 100 videos and 5-minute video length
Best for: Use within organizations and businesses
Pricing:
- Free
- Business
- $8 per month (billed yearly)
- $10 per month (billed monthly)
Rating: 4 stars
Where to go From Here
Now that you have a way to approach your decision-making as well as some of the best options for screen recording you can dive right in. Before you spend your money on any of these, make sure to check for any free trials. The majority of these programs offer some sort of free experience for you to determine which is best for you. Then you can get started creating and sharing your custom screen recordings.
