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
  1. 1. Wondershare DemoCreator (Special Pick)
  2. 2. OBS (Free)
  3. 3. QuickTime (Free)
  4. 4. Apowersoft Screen Recorder (Free)
  5. 5. Monosnap (Free)
  6. 6. VLC (Free)
  7. 7. Loom (Free)
  8. 8. Snagit (Paid)
  9. 9. Snapz Pro (Paid)
  10. 10. ActivePresenter (Paid)
  11. 11. Capto (Paid)

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

Great compatibility with macOS 10.13 - macOS 12(Apple M1 compatible)& Windows 11/10/7 (64 bit OS).
Record screen, webcam, system audio, and Mic simultaneously or separately.
Built-in video editor help you quickly fine-tune videos after screen capture.
A vast library of video effects takes your videos to new heights!
[Bonus - AI Tools] Generate an animated AI Avatar of yourself in presentation, achieve face recognition, create auto subtitles, change voice tone, and more. Mitigate the awkwardness of not wanting to appear on camera.
Access almost all recording & editing features for FREE!
Free Download
Free Download

How to easily screen record on Mac with audio:

Follow the video to learn the detailed steps.

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Step 1: First, launch DemoCreator and select All-in-One Recorder in the start-up panel.

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.

https://images.wondershare.com/democreator/guide-mac/all-in-one-recorder.png

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.

the screen drawing tool

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.

the editor panel

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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

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Free Download

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.

obs best screen recorder for mac

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
Pros
  • Feature-Rich Customization: Provides extensive customization options, allowing users to tailor their screen recording setups according to their needs.
  • Multi-Platform and Open Source: Being open-source, it has a strong community of developers and users, resulting in regular updates, bug fixes, and the addition of new features.
Cons
  • Learning Curve: Its interface and settings can be overwhelming for beginners.
  • Resource Intensive: Especially when recording at high quality settings or with numerous overlays, can be demanding on system resources.

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.

quicktime screen recorder mac free

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
Pros
  • Built-in Application: Comes pre-installed on Mac devices, making it readily available for screen recording.
  • Simple Interface: Offers a user-friendly interface with easy-to-understand controls
Cons
  • Limited Editing Features: Lacks advanced editing capabilities compared to dedicated video editing software.
  • Limited Output Formats: Records videos primarily in its native MOV format.

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.

Apowersoft

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
Pros
  • Easy to use: Offers an intuitive and user-friendly interface, making it easy for both beginners and experienced users.
  • Diverse Recording Options: Provides a variety of recording options.
Cons
  • Limited Editing Features: Its editing capabilities are relatively basic.
  • Watermark in Free Version: May include a watermark on your recorded videos.

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.

Monosnap free recording software for mac

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
Pros
  • Annotation and Editing Tools: Comes with built-in annotation and editing tools that allow you to add text, arrows, shapes, and highlights to your recordings.
Cons
  • Performance Impact: Some users have reported that Monosnap could have a moderate impact on system performance, particularly when recording high-resolution videos or using resource-intensive applications simultaneously.

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 >>

vlc free macos screen recorder

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
Pros
  • Versatile Media Player: Is not only a screen recording tool but also a versatile media player.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility: Available for multiple platforms, including Mac, Windows, and Linux.
Cons
  • Limited Editing Capabilities: Focus is on media playback and screen recording, but it lacks advanced video editing features.
  • Complexity for Beginners: While VLC is known for its flexibility, it might be a bit complex for beginners.

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.

loom mac screen recorder

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.
Pros
  • Fun Interactivity: Loom not only supports generating online sharing links with a single click but also enables responses to your videos. For instance, you can reply with emojis or add comments.
Cons
  • Potential for Freezing: It seems that all users who have given a one-star rating are consistently encountering the issue of freezing.

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.

snagit how to record your screen mac

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
Pros
  • Versatile Editing Tools: Snagit provides a range of editing tools for fine-tuning your recorded content. You can easily trim, crop, add annotations, callouts, and effects to your recordings within the same application, streamlining the post-recording editing process.
Cons
  • Limited Export Formats: Snagit has fewer export formats compared to dedicated video editing software, which can sometimes restrict the compatibility and versatility of the final output.

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.

how to screen capture on mac with Snapz

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
Pros
  • Versatile Recording Options: The software provides a range of recording options, including full-screen recording, specific window recording, and customizable capture areas. This flexibility allows users to record exactly what they need, making it suitable for a variety of use cases.
Cons
  • Outdated Interface: The interface differs significantly from mainstream recording software, featuring an industrial design style reminiscent of the past.

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.

ActivePresenter video screen capture mac

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
Pros
  • Feature-Rich Recording: Gives a wide range of recording options, including full screen recording, custom region recording, webcam recording, and audio narration.
  • Editing Capabilities: Includes built-in editing tools that enable you to enhance your recordings.
Cons
  • Learning Curve: Users might need some time to fully understand and utilize all the available features effectively.
  • Resource Intensive: Depending on the recording settings and the length of your recording, ActivePresenter can be resource-intensive and might consume a significant amount of system resources.

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.

Capto recording software for mac

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
Pros
  • Easy-to-Use Interface: Captoin provides a user-friendly interface that makes screen recording on Mac straightforward, even for beginners. Its intuitive controls and clear options allow users to start recording quickly without a steep learning curve.
Cons
  • Mac-Exclusive: Captoin is designed specifically for Mac users, which means it is not available for other operating systems. This could be a limitation for individuals who use multiple platforms or need to collaborate with users on different systems.

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.

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Alma Elliott
Alma Elliott Aug 23, 23
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