Have you at any point expected to record something occurring on your Mac devices, possibly an online webinar, a YouTube streaming video, or an application window to show it to a programmer?
Well, if you want to record whatever is happening on your Mac screen, you will need a screen recorder for Mac. Maybe you will find Mac Screenshot or QuickTime player, which are common solutions for screen recording on Mac free, but also these solutions seem imperfect.
To take your pick, We have covered the top 11 best free and paid screen recording software for Mac in the article below. To make the differences more remarkable, we have also made a comparison form of these top 11 Mac recorders to present the key features.
In this article
Smart Pick: Best Screen Recorder for Mac - DemoCreator
Wondershare DemoCreator stands out with its intuitive interface and versatile features, enabling seamless live streaming, recording, and editing on Mac. With its proven demo mode, creating impressive and professional video demos becomes effortless, empowering you to share knowledge and information effectively through captivating videos.
Suitable for: Create high-quality videos.
G2 Rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars.
Review from G2:
"It's a very robust but simple solution to create easy-to-follow screen recordings."
The Screen Capture Software for macOS
How to easily screen record on Mac with audio:
Step 1: First, launch DemoCreator and select All-in-One Recorder in the start-up panel.
Step 2: Customize the recording settings including recording area, system audio, microphone, and webcam. Once finished, click the REC button to start recording.
Note: The screen drawing tool turns out to be a surprise for you to mark important notes on the Mac screen when especially recording a product demo, marketing presentation, or online learning video.
Step 3: Press Cmd+Shift+2 to finish the recording process. When the recording process completed, you can make further editing to trim, combine, crop, and zoom the recorded video clips. To create a satisfying marvelous video, the DemoCreator Effects could do you a favor. Once finished, click the Export button to export your video.
Comparison Form Among the 11 Best Screen Recorders for Mac
While we have also made a detailed comparison table about the picked best screen recording software for Mac. Some are free with limited features, while some will cost a little but provide much more recording features. We listed the software below in no particular order and the best screen recorders for Mac is your decision.
| DemoCreator | OBS | QuickTime | Apowersoft | Monosnap | VLC | Loom | Snagit | Snapz Pro X | ActivePresenter | Capto | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intuitive Design | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Take Screenshot | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Webcam Recording | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y |
| Audio Recording | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Add Watermark | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | Y | N | Y | Y | Y |
| Video Editing | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | N | Y | Y |
| Support Retina Displays | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Streaming Capatibility | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | Y | N | N | N | N |
| Free Update | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
Part 1: Top 6 Easy & Free Screen Recorders for Mac
1.OBS Suitable for creating professional videos
It is a free and open-source screen recording software on Mac that is used to record video and live to stream. One of the best screen recorders for Mac even provides real-time source and device capture, scene composition, encoding, recording, and broadcasting.
Open broadcaster software supports a variety of plugins to extend its functionality.
Price: Free
G2 Rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars.
Reviews from G2：
Like: "This software's UI (User Interface) is so easy and smooth. I also like the Live Streaming features. I can easily go live on YouTube. OBS is just such great software for me and my Windows and IOS versions. Also, it's an OPEN SOURCE software which is totally free."
Dislike: "Obs sometimes make your screen get the hang, it might be possible due to so many features running at a time and little bit UI theme work needed, else everything is good."
Features:
- Encoding using H264 and AAC
- Unlimited number of scenes and sources
- File output to MP4 or MLV
- Bilinear or lanczos3 resampling
Learn the detailed steps of recording videos with an OBS screen capture
2. QuickTime Best in simple screen recording
It is an extensible multimedia outline work that is produced by Mac and even handles different organizations of digital video, picture sound, panoramic image, and interactivity. QuickTime screen recorder uses onscreen controls which are similar to a CD or DVD player.
It is an excellent movie software viewer that uses the latest streaming technology to access instant content on the Internet.
Price: Free
Features:
- Supports a small and attractive interface
- Limited recording and editing functionality
- Incorporates into the establishment program modules to elevate your QuickTime experience on the web
3. Apowersoft Screen Recorder Light screen recording online
Apowersoft macOS video screen capture is a free yet good screen recorder for Mac. One can even pause and resume while recording so that you can control the recording contents flexibly.
It also supports recording the audio from the microphone and syncing the audio to the screencasts.
Price: Free
Features:
- Ultra-simple recording with a few clicks
- Flexible screen capture lets you do what you want
- It can schedule up tasks that automatically record for you
4. Monosnap Simple screen recording and editing
Monosnap is a free screenshot program for Mac that enables clients to make screenshots, clarify and transfer them to the cloud. Monosnap is the best screen capture that enables its users to save screenshots with ease.
Price: Free
App Store Rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars.
Features:
- Highlight important details with pen, text, arrow, and shape
- Upload your snapshot to our storage in one click
- It even captures the full screen, just part of the screen, or a selected window
5. VLC Quick record and edit the video
It is a free and open-source cross-stage interactive media player and system that plays the most sight and sound documents and even DVDs, Audio CDs, VCDs, and different streaming protocols. Most people tend to neglect the ability to record screens.
Though it's not the most powerful recording tool, it's still a choice to use while considering the convenient and advanced playing extensions on Mac.
[Note] Guide for how to screen record on Mac with VLC >>
Price: Free
G2 Rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars
Reviews from G2：
Like: "1.Firstly in this video player we can download the subtitle online by just clicking on the button and also provided one feature for export locally from disk. 2. You can change the volume of the video as per requirement and also change the audio language by just clicking on the audio bar. 3. Simple UI and easy to operate and also you can adjust the screen size."
Dislike: "1.Many times it's shown for updating the app but when updated after that it's agin show for update it's very irritating. 2. in time of subtitle searching online sometimes not found and shown the found on UI. 3. crashes take place when open tom use sometimes and say for send error to the developer but not given the option for sending."
Features:
- Stream media over the network or Internet
- It remotely controls playback from a browser
6. Loom Great cooperation with team
Loom is a versatile screen recording and video messaging platform that empowers individuals and teams to communicate effectively through visual content. With Loom, you can effortlessly capture your screen, webcam, or both simultaneously, making it an ideal tool for presentations, tutorials, and collaborations.
Create engaging videos by adding your personal touch through webcam presence, voice narration, and real-time drawing. Loom's intuitive interface and simple controls ensure that users of all levels can quickly start recording and sharing their content.
Price: Free
G2 Rating: 4.8 out of 5 stars
Reviews from G2：
Like: "Loom is a powerful tool in my remote-work toolkit. I use it to record walkthroughs for in-process designs and prototypes in order to solicit feedback. I also use it to record myself as I practice for presentations and important stakeholder pitches. The features are well thought out and executed and everyone I share my Loom videos always wants to know more about the tool. If you're considering paying for Loom as a service I'd highly recommend it."
Dislike: "It freezes my computer everytime I try to use it AND they hit my card for users no one in my company authorized.... There is absolutley no way to get any support to get a refund. This is the absolute worst app experience I have ever had.... Zoom does the same thing and works WAY BETTER and doesn't charge my card fraudulantly....."
Features:
- Capture content with resolutions as high as 4k
- Effortlessly distribute videos through instantly generated links
- Enhance user interaction through comments and emoji reactions.
Part 2: Top 4 Paid Solutions for How to Record Video on Mac
1. Snagit Quick record screen and camera
It is the most capable programming that catches screen for Mac which offers more than the standard implicit pick options with most of the versions of Windows, all while allowing a greater deal. Snagit even helps you provide better feedback, encourage teamwork, and create images that explain what you mean.
Price: US$62.99
G2 Rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars.
Reviews from G2：
Like: "I find the screen recorder intuitive but powerful - the ability to make a scrolling capture into one image is priceless. I love that I can take my capture, add any annotations I need, and use one of the supplied templates. Using SnagIT is so much more efficient to produce a very polished, professional output."
Dislike: "When working with Microsoft team, any transparency you may have established in your border, will not properly paste into teams. You have to disable the transparency in teams before doing so. "
Features:
- Snagit helps to comment over your screenshots with arrows, shapes, and callouts
- The best screen recorder even adds visuals to your documentation
- Snagit helps to capture everything on your screen
2. Snapz Pro Good at capturing full motion video
Snapz Pro is a utility screen recorder on Mac that is made by Ambrosia Software. It is designed to record movie-like screenshots of a computer monitor doing various actions, such as a user moving their mouse across the screen, clicking on desktop icons, typing text, etc.
It has been used commercially in the production of many books. Though it is may not versatile now, you still can reconsider it as the best screen recorder.
Price: $69
Rating: 3.9 out of 5 stars.
Features:
- Makes easy work of screen captures
- Preview lets you vet captures before they’re saved
3. ActivePresenter Suitable for eLearning and video editing
ActivePresenter is a great screen recorder that includes all the tools that are needed to record the screens, edit screencast videos, and create interactive e-Learning courses for Mac.
By now, it also adds webcam recording and green screen effect features.
Price: 199/ license (standard)
G2 Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Features:
- Full motion recording is best
- Smart and various annotations to use
- Configurable hotkeys let you set what you want to
4. Capto Creating informative and compelling captures
The last one on the best Mac video screen capture list is Capto, with its programming for Mac you can easily record your screen, alter recordings and pictures at ease to enhance the content, and share it with the world.
Capto is perfect for teachers, students, creative professionals, and anyone in need of a powerful, yet easy-to-use screen capture tool.
Price: One-time download with updates at $29.99
Features:
- Tutorial video making with cursor effects, arrows, and texts
- Easy to make a screenshot and save it to your computer
How to Choose the Best Screen Recorder for Mac?
The above tools have featured a list of Mac screen recorders. If you still can't choose, you need to define your needs. If you need a professional and overall tool, the desktop software would be a better choice. If you need a simple and quick recorder, using the online screen recorder would be better.
As one of the screen capture tools for Mac OS, - Wondershare DemoCreator, is highly recommended for its cost-effectiveness. One tool in hand can record your gaming sessions or just capture your screen for making some great tutorial videos. Most Mac users have higher expectations of creating different videos. That's why DemoCreator can record not only the Mac screen, but also the audio, and webcam, and even provide editing tools, which is pretty useful for tutorial video creation.
