Top 11+ Screen Capture & Recording Tools to Watch in 2025

What Is the Top Screen Recording and Screencasting Software?

1. Loom.

Best for:

Key features:

• Screen and webcam recording combined, so viewers see and hear everything clearly
• Immediate sharing with no delay, since videos are instantly ready
• Unlimited transcription options for easy reference
• Privacy controls, including password protection for sensitive content
• Insights on viewer engagement to see who watched your videos
• Options for custom branding to personalize your videos

You may want to include your company’s logo in your videos for branding purposes. Engagement insights provide valuable information on how viewers interact with your content, helping you identify the most impactful parts of your videos. Additionally, you can embed clickable links within your videos to direct viewers to related content easily.Pros include the ability to set custom data retention policies, enhancing your data security. You can also generate activity logs to monitor all actions within your account. For those using Loom for business, the Salesforce integration is particularly advantageous. However, one downside is that the free version restricts recordings to a maximum of five minutes.Pricing options are as follows: the Starter plan is free, the Business plan costs $8 per creator each month when billed annually, and the Enterprise plan requires contacting the provider for a custom quote. Get started with Loom by visiting their website.Screencast-O-Matic is another popular screen recording and video editing tool that launched in 2006. It can be used directly from your web browser and is compatible with Windows, Mac, and Chrome OS. This affordable software is based in Seattle, Washington, offering excellent value for its features.Ideal for educational users, Screencast-O-Matic is frequently used for creating instructional videos, tutorials, and lecture recordings. It’s also suitable for product demonstrations, game walkthroughs, and workshops. The software offers a comprehensive set of tools for advanced customization. You can add music, animations, and infographics to your videos, making them more engaging. Furthermore, your recordings are protected with online backups, ensuring their safety. The free version provides core features such as screen capture, webcam recording, and microphone audio.

• The free version allows recording sessions up to 15 minutes long. The paid plan enables uploading files directly to cloud services like Google Drive, Dropbox, and Vimeo. During recording, users can zoom in and out, add text annotations, and the premium version offers options to edit and mute specific parts of system audio and video. It supports multiple formats such as MP4, AVI, and FLV, and includes features for scripting recordings. The software is also budget-friendly compared to many alternatives.

Pros:

• Paid version removes watermarks and eliminates time restrictions on recordings. It also allows for audio editing, offers a referral program for discounts, and is one of the most affordable paid screen recording tools on the market.

Cons:

• Watermarks cannot be removed in the free edition. The free version limits recordings to just 15 minutes and offers only basic features, so an upgrade is necessary for full functionality.

Pricing:

3. Camtasia

Made by TechSmith and first released in 2002, Camtasia is designed for creating instructional videos and screencasts. It is compatible with both Windows and Mac systems and supports diverse file formats for easy importing and exporting of videos and projects. This makes it an excellent choice for professionals who need to produce high-quality tutorials or presentations.This software is particularly popular among content creators for YouTube, marketing campaigns, and educational purposes. Its features cater to users seeking to make their videos engaging and polished, helping to enhance viewer experience and comprehension.

BEST FOR:

Camtasia is ideal for web designers and videographers aiming to craft videos that look distinctive and professional. It’s also highly suitable for educators creating tutorial and training videos, thanks to its user-friendly tools and extensive features designed to enhance instructional content.

KEY FEATURES:

• • Users can include eye-catching titles, effects, annotations, and more to enrich their videos.

• • Supports both audio and video recording simultaneously for comprehensive content creation.

• • Offers the ability to add or download extensions and plugins for customized functionality.

• • Includes zoom, pan, and in/out animations to make videos more engaging.

• • Seamless integration with Microsoft Outlook for streamlined workflows.

• • Allows creation of interactive videos with clickable links to enhance viewer participation.

• • Supports recording from multiple sources, including screens, PowerPoint slides, webcams, and voice inputs.

• • Offers extensive editing options, from visual effects to whiteboard animations.

• • Features the ability to add quizzes within videos for assessment and engagement purposes.

PROS:

• • Offers discounted rates for educational and government institutions, with prices as low as $20–$30.

• • No restrictions on video length, allowing unlimited recording time.

• • Compatible with both Mac and Windows operating systems.

• • Includes a 30-day money-back guarantee for customer satisfaction.

• • Integrates smoothly with Google Drive for easy access and sharing.

CONS:

• • Learning to use the full potential of Camtasia can require extensive training.

• • Compared to some competitors, its editing capabilities are somewhat less advanced.

• • Limited variety in pre-made sound themes, offering fewer options for background audio.

• • Does not support live recording directly from professional digital video cameras.

PRICING:

In contrast to some other options, Camtasia’s pricing details vary, often including different tiers and discounts for educational or governmental users.Tools in this list include Camtasia, which is not free software. However, it offers a 30-day money-back guarantee along with a free trial period to test its features.After the trial, the software requires a one-time payment of $199 for a single-user license. There’s no need to provide credit card details, as billing is handled automatically.Get started with Camtasia by visiting Camtasia.3. Screenflow

Screenflow is a highly capable screen recording tool designed specifically for Mac users. It provides numerous features, including the ability to record the entire screen or just a selected area. For additional ways to capture your screen on Mac, you can explore screen recording tutorials for Mac.This software allows you to edit recordings by trimming, deleting, or inserting specific segments, and it supports high customization. Its high-quality recording, professional motion effects, and closed-captioning support make it one of the top options available.4. What it’s best for:Screenflow is ideal for demonstrating and explaining software, creating product demos, or developing educational tutorials. It’s also a great platform for making personalized online training videos with narration.Features include MP4 compatibility and encoding, motion and animation graphics, closed caption support, and both full-screen and partial screen capture. It can reliably record from iOS devices, and you have extensive options for customizing recordings, including adding zoom and pan effects, or overlaying text for explanations. You can also add drop shadows and reflections to your recordings.Other key features include the ability to record from multiple sources simultaneously, batch exporting for multiple files, support for chroma key (green screen) effects, and direct publishing to platforms like YouTube, Facebook, Google Drive, Vimeo, or Dropbox. Export formats include AIFF, GIF, MV4, MOV, and MP4.Advantages of using Screenflow:– Excellent customer support via phone and online.– Seamless integration with Dropbox.– Export high-quality videos.– Reasonably priced for its feature set.

Advantages and Disadvantages:

• • The software doesn’t specify which media file types are compatible

• • Switching between different modes or steps can be complicated

• • The user interface is not very intuitive or easy to navigate

• • The program is only available for Mac computers; it is not compatible with Windows PCs or tablets like iPads

• • The on-screen text options could be more versatile and customizable

• • It does not support drawing or annotations during recording sessions

• • No free updates or major upgrades are offered

Pricing:

The starting price for the paid plans is $129, which makes it one of the more expensive screen recording options available today. However, you can try ScreenFlow risk-free before making a purchase.

EZVID

Ezvid Inc is a company based in Los Angeles that develops video and screen recording software. Known for its talented team of developers, writers, and designers, Ezvid produces one of the best screen recorders for both Windows and Mac platforms. Its comprehensive video editing and recording tools make it easy to produce content for social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook.The software features a full suite of editing tools, along with quick keyboard shortcuts that facilitate hands-free recording. It includes enhancements like an instant slideshow maker, a library of free music, and simple speed controls for editing videos. Ezvid is a popular choice for creating gaming videos, YouTube content, and small-scale project recordings.

Best Use Cases:

Recording gameplay, producing YouTube videos, and handling multiple recording sessions for small projects.

Key Features:

• Text-to-speech functionality
• Powerful built-in video editor
• No watermarks when recording or editing videos
• User-friendly screen capturing process
• Easy uploading of videos to YouTube at 1280×720 resolution, optimized for full-screen display
• Free music library for use in videos (legally licensed for YouTube)
• Automatic addition of animation effects during recordings

• • Auto-adjusts audio levels for consistency

• • Effectively blocks spyware, malware, and ads (100% effectiveness)

• • Includes features like FaceCam, voice synthesis, screen annotations, and playback speed control

• • Allows users to adjust video playback speed easily

Advantages:

• • Simple process to upload videos directly to YouTube

• • Supports recording in 1280×720 resolution for clear quality

• • Works well for recording audio, adding images, and inserting text easily

• • No cost involved for the basic version, registration is free

Disadvantages:

• • Recording sessions on YouTube are limited to 45 minutes at a time

• • Compatibility issues may arise with Mac systems—it’s best to verify with the provider if unsure

• • Unable to hide the recording interface widget during use

• • Videos cannot be stored on your local device for later access; only uploaded to YouTube

• • Lacks advanced editing tools such as transition effects, zoom, or panning for recorded footage

• • Audio music tracks do not appear on the editing timeline; options for muting or exporting with music are unavailable

Pricing:

6. TinyTake

Ideal for:

Key features:

• • Effortlessly captures images of selected areas, whether full screen or specific regions

• • User-friendly drag-and-drop editor for easy content creation

• • Includes highlighting tools to emphasize parts of the screen

• • Allows blurring of specific screen areas for privacy or focus

• • Supports recording durations from five-minute clips up to two hours

• • Includes an online file viewer for quick access to recordings

• • Optimized video player for smooth mobile playback

• • Built-in YouTube uploader for direct sharing

• • Quick online filter to sort multimedia and other files efficiently

• • Quick options to share screenshots directly—save files, print, copy to clipboard, or email attachments.

• No watermarks are added to your recordings or screenshots.

Advantages:

• • Highly useful for annotating videos, whether for product reviews, demonstrations, troubleshooting, or bug reports. The annotations can be saved locally, making it easy to revisit later. Sharing large files, even up to 2 GB at once, is quick and straightforward. You can share files with recipients who don’t have the software installed by providing direct links, and the app allows dragging entire folders, automatically zipping and uploading them to the cloud. It supports viewing images, playing videos, and reading PDFs without needing any additional software.

Disadvantages:

• • If mistakes are made during recording, you’ll need to restart the app since editing isn’t available. Large video files can load slowly, and the free version offers limited features. It also lacks an API for integrations or automation functionalities.

Pricing:

• • The free plan limits recordings to 5 minutes, with a maximum storage of 2 GB.
• • The $29.95/year plan increases recording time to 15 minutes and provides 20 GB of storage.
• • The $59.95/year option allows 30-minute recordings and offers 200 GB storage.
• • The top-tier plan at $99.95 annually enables 60-minute recordings and 1 TB of storage. These premium plans are ad-free and include YouTube integration.

7. CamStudio

Best suited for:

Key features:

• • Records videos in AVI format
• • Allows recording of the entire screen or specific areas
• • Enables adding text and annotations directly onto videos and images

• Supports automatic panning to enhance user experience.

• Allows highlighting of the cursor path for clearer visibility.

• Enables recording with sound to capture both visuals and audio.

• Additional extensions and editing features can be incorporated into the code for customization.

• Does not display unwanted ads, ensuring a clutter-free interface.

• The latest versions include features like support for various codecs and automatic update notifications.

Pros:

• Easy to install, requiring minimal setup effort.

• It is open-source and completely free of charge.

• You can add timestamps or watermarks to your recordings for branding or reference.

• Highly suitable for creating training tutorials due to its simplicity.

• Offers a broad range of video styling tools for customization.

• There is no restriction on recording duration, unlike many other software tools.

Cons:

• Lacks built-in editing features, so you cannot perform basic edits within the program.

• Limited output formats, mainly AVI and SWF files.

• Does not include compressors, which might result in larger file sizes.

• In the past, it was vulnerable to malicious software such as Trojans.

• Sometimes produces larger-than-necessary output files.

• Not ideal for recording gameplay, as it does not support game-specific features.

• Does not display specific file types transparently in the interface.

Pricing:

8. Icecream Screen Recorder

Best for:

Making video tutorials, educational content, and game recordings becomes much easier with this tool. It’s also useful for capturing video calls on platforms like Skype, especially for small business needs. The software simplifies creating and sharing videos, making it a versatile choice for various recording purposes.Key features include the ability to select video quality, record audio, and capture specific parts of your screen. It allows annotations like adding text, shapes, and arrows to clarify your content. Sharing recordings is seamless through options like YouTube, Dropbox, and Google Drive. The zoom-in feature makes close-up shots more engaging, and editing options let you trim unnecessary sections. During recording, you can hide the cursor and disable screensavers to improve video quality. Microphone volume adjustments are also available, along with hotkeys display to facilitate control. Screen recording can be scheduled for multiple tasks at once, making workflows more efficient. These features provide a comprehensive solution for creating professional-looking videos with minimal hassle.The software is straightforward to set up and user-friendly, with an intuitive interface that appeals to both beginners and experienced users. However, it can sometimes slow down your computer and offers limited editing options. The free version provides only basic features and restricts recordings to 10 minutes, with certain overlays like floating toolbars being captured in videos. Additionally, video and screenshot formats are somewhat limited, which might require extra conversion if you need other file types.The entire package is available for free, making it accessible for most users. For additional features and longer recordings, you can upgrade to the paid Screen Recorder Pro for a one-time fee of $29.95.For an alternative, consider iSpring Free Cam, a popular media recording tool. It allows capturing any part of your screen, with options to upload directly to YouTube or save videos in WMV format. This software is ideal for creating engaging tutorials, training videos, and product demos, especially because you can include a presenter video for better engagement. Its features make it easy to produce high-quality screencasts suitable for educational and business purposes.Ideal for creating instructional videos, tutorials, or product explanations, iSpring Free Cam offers tools for narrated screencasts that enhance user engagement. You can record full or partial screens, add sound effects, and draw attention with annotations and mouse highlights. The ability to include a presenter video gives your content a personal touch, while visual hints help viewers follow along easily. The program also supports editing functionalities like trimming, splitting, merging videos, and smooth scene transitions, allowing you to refine your recordings without complex editing software. These features make it a powerful free option for producing professional-looking videos effortlessly.

• Effortlessly share videos by uploading to your LMS, YouTube, or directly forwarding to stakeholders.

• • Includes features like noise reduction, voice fading, and volume control for enhanced audio quality.

Advantages:

• • Provides reliable customer support for users.

• • Simple to install and set up with minimal effort.

• • An intuitive and easy-to-navigate user interface makes operation straightforward.

• • Safe software that is free from viruses, ensuring security during use.

• • No intrusive ads or watermarks are present, maintaining professional quality.

• • No restrictions on how long the software can be used.

Disadvantages:

• • Limited in advanced video editing capabilities.

• • Does not include options for annotation or marking up videos.

• • Exports only in WMV video format, limiting compatibility with other platforms.

• • The recording frame rate is capped at 15 FPS, which might affect video smoothness.

Pricing:

10. Free Screen Video Recorder (by DVDVideosoft).

BEST FOR:

KEY FEATURES:

• • Records on-screen changes, microphone audio, and even mouse movements to capture complete activity.

• • Supports capturing multiple windows, including complex menus and nested objects.

• • Images can be resized, cropped, or rotated to refine captures.

• • Outputs recorded videos in mp4 format for easy sharing and editing.

• • Provides highlighted paths for the cursor to enhance clarity during recordings.

• • Supports saving in multiple image formats such as BMP, JPEG, GIF, TGA, and PNG.

Advantages:

• • Completely free screen recording tool free from malware, viruses, or ads.

• • Supports recording with microphone audio for voice narration.

• • Has a large user base, with over 33 million downloads worldwide.

• • User-friendly, straightforward interface that facilitates easy recording processes.

• • Provides clear, step-by-step instructions to guide users through the recording process.

• Watch a step-by-step video guide to get started easily.

• • You can activate the software on up to three computers with a single license.

• • It’s simple to adjust default settings such as media format, language, and delay times.

• • The program can start automatically with Windows, which is optional.

Cons:

• • Only compatible with Windows; doesn’t support Mac or Linux systems.

• • Lacks support for picture-in-picture functionality.

• • Features are quite basic with limited options.

• • During setup, you must choose whether to accept or decline third-party software bundled with the installer.

Pricing:

11. Smartpixel.

Best suited for:

Key features:

• • Includes beauty tools like color adjustments, lighting controls, and slimming effects.

• • Allows importing videos or images to include in recordings.

• • Features picture-in-picture (PIP) for added personalization.

• • You can add audio and lyrics to webcam recordings, with volume controls.

• • Supports video editing functions like clipping, merging, and splitting clips.

• • Videos can be uploaded directly to YouTube.

• • Exports videos in formats such as FLV, AVI, MP4, and WMV.

• • Includes annotation tools and live commentary options.

• • Has a lightweight mini mode that doesn’t clutter the screen.

• • Highlights exciting moments by marking them during recording to improve viewer engagement.

Pros:

• • Records in HD quality while maintaining small file sizes thanks to efficient compression.

• • Includes hotkeys for quick control of recording functions.

• • Supports saving multiple projects for easy access and editing later.

Cons:

• • Does not allow panning or zooming into specific parts of the video during editing.

• • Unable to adjust recorded audio after recording is complete.

• • No multilanguage interface support.

• • Requires significant system resources to run smoothly and has an interface that may be challenging for new users.

Pricing:

12. ShareX.

ShareX is truly one of the top free tools for capturing your screen right now. It allows users to take snapshots of the entire screen or selected portions, offering extensive customization options to meet diverse needs.It can also be used to annotate both recordings and images, and it supports uploading files directly to a range of destination services. Currently, this software is only compatible with Windows operating systems.

BEST FOR:

Ideal for creating educational tutorials, product demonstrations, and live gaming sessions where visual walkthroughs are essential.

KEY FEATURES:

• • Upload your screenshots or videos directly to over 70 hosting platforms, such as Google Drive, Imgur, Dropbox, and more.

• • The automated upload feature makes sharing your screenshots, recordings, or GIFs quick and easy.

• • An integrated image editor allows you to tweak your captures manually.

• • Record your screen in both video and GIF formats.

• • Supports capturing content across multiple screens.

• • Includes an auto-capture function for streamlined recording.

• • Allows recording of either the full screen or specific regions.

• • Supports sharing via multiple URLs and platforms.

PROS:

• • You can import videos, images, and music to enhance your projects.

• • Includes various color effects to customize your captures.

• • Offers an option to combine multiple images into a single composition.

• • No watermark is added to your recordings or images.

CONS:

• • The quality of game recordings can be subpar compared to dedicated gaming capture software.

• • The interface might seem complicated for new users, making the initial learning curve a bit steep.

• • Webcam recording isn’t supported at this time.

• • Uploading very large files can sometimes cause delays or errors.

• • The software lacks a built-in video editing tool.

• • Currently, it’s not available for Mac users.

• • Shared links may expire after some time, reducing long-term availability.

• • The scrolling window capture feature can be unreliable.

• • There’s no dedicated customer support team, which might be inconvenient for troubleshooting.

PRICING:

ShareX is completely free and open-source, making it accessible to everyone without any cost.

What is Screen Recording Software?

Screen recording applications capture the real-time video and audio from your computer screen, allowing you to share or save content easily.These tools are increasingly used for creating demos, educational videos, tutorials, and product presentations.Screen capture recordings have clear advantages over other communications methods such as:

• • They provide visual explanations with accompanying audio, making instructions clearer.

• • Videos can build trust among viewers when they observe honest customer reviews or product demonstrations.

• • They can deliver more comprehensive explanations than static infographics or written text.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right screen recording software depends on your specific video needs and goals. Selecting a tool that aligns perfectly with your project requirements is crucial.In today’s market, the choice of screen capture software often plays a strategic role in business success, so careful decision-making is essential.Fortunately, most options listed here are either free or offer trial versions, allowing you to test their features before committing.Set your long-term business vision and see which of these tools fits best with your plans.If you know of any useful screen capture tools not included here, feel free to share your recommendations in the comments.For additional resources, check out this article on how to take screenshots on a Chromebook, available at this link.