Top 10 Free Screen Recording Software for Mac [2024]

Having the ability to capture and preserve your favorite moments on a desktop device is a powerful tool. It allows you to control what you want to remember whenever you want. However, you might have noticed that many of these tools have a hefty price tag.

That's why we've done the legwork to find the best free screen recording software for Mac. This way, you can take control of your recording needs without breaking the bank.

We've thoroughly reviewed these solutions, discussing their best features, pros and cons, and ratings. This comprehensive approach gives you the confidence to select the right tool for your needs. We'll also provide some tips on choosing your ideal platform if you're unsure.

The 10 Best Free Screen Recorders for Mac

Below is a list of the best free screen recorders for Mac available today.

1. Wondershare DemoCreator

Wondershare DemoCreator is undoubtedly the most powerful screen recording and editing solution available. It allows you to capture high-quality recordings up to 4K/8K, with 120 FPS, making it ideal for all businesses, education, industries, and needs.

Moreover, you'll be able to use multi-track recording (such as filming your screen, camera, and audio simultaneously) and gain access to free annotations to emphasize the importance of specific elements within the recording. In other words, WOW!

Pros and Cons

Rating

Wondershare DemoCreator has some of the highest ratings on the screen recording market, as you'll see below.

Trustpilot: 4.6/5

Capterra: 4.8/5

G2: 4.4/5

Key Features

Some of the best features Wondershare DemoCreator provides regarding screen recording include:

• Scheduled recording - you can plan ahead and tell the program when you want your recording to begin.
• Recording customization - you can select the part of the screen you want to record, choose output devices, and access many more customization features.
• Cloud storage - Image name your Wondershare DemoCreator platform to your favorite cloud storage solution for easy export and data loss prevention.
• Multi-track recording - you can record your screen, camera, and audio simultaneously with separate tracks for post-production.
• Built-in Video Editor - in addition to recording, it also features video editing that helps you create professional-quality videos.

2. OBS Studio

OBS Studio is a free and open-source screen recorder sponsored by famous companies such as YouTube, Logitech, and Facebook. It's available for Windows, macOS, and Linux. Although it's not a feature-packed tool, it provides everything you need to make your journey smooth. For instance, you'll gain access to an audio mixer, allowing you to control the sound experience and make crystal-clear Mac recordings.

Pros and Cons

Rating

OBS Studio has solid reviews, as presented below.

Capterra: 4.7/5

Trustpilot: 3.6/5

G2: 4.6/5

Key Features

As previously mentioned, OBS Studio isn't a feature-packed tool, but we'll name some of the features below.

• Audio mixer - this feature allows you to control the audio experience of your recordings, delivering the best sound quality.
• Dock user interface - you can customize your user interface and create an environment that best fits your needs and preferences.
• An unlimited number of scenes - set up an unlimited number of scenes you can switch between while recording your screen on Mac.

3. ScreenFlow

Although it's a lesser-known tool, ScreenFlow is one of the most powerful free screen recorders for Mac devices, powered by numerous advanced features.

For instance, you can create 2D and 3D video transitions, share your content on social media, or even use the basic built-in video editor to make your visuals a bit more professional. It's also ideal for all industries, businesses, and individuals.

Pros and Cons

Rating

ScreenFlow also has solid user reviews.

TrustRadius: 8.8/10

G2: 4.5/5

Capterra: 4.8/5

Key Features

Since ScreenFlow provides an extensive library of features, we'll present some of the most powerful ones below.

• Basic video editing tools - You can crop, trim, change the opacity, resize, and scale the video with the available editing tools.
• Social sharing - You can share your recordings directly on social media and streaming platforms like YouTube, Vimeo, and more.
• Automatic transitions - as soon as you combine two or more clips, the program will create transitions so you won't have to add effects manually.

4. ScreenRec

ScreenRec is a free screen recorder for Mac without a watermark, and it is also available for Windows users. It also doesn't provide too many features you can access, but the tool will do the recording job perfectly. Moreover, it's effortless to use and access, providing convenience, accessibility, and efficiency in the long run. It also allows you to instantly share your creations with the world in a single click.

Pros and Cons

Rating

ScreenRec has similar ratings as the competitors.

Trustpilot: 4.5/5

G2: 4.8/5

Capterra: 5/5

Key Features

ScreenRec provides only the basic screen recording and screenshot features, such as the following:

• Annotations - you can use simple annotations to point to specific elements within your Mac recordings.
• Sharing - share your Mac screen recordings to social media platforms in a single click.
• Encryption - the platform will encrypt your sharing Image names and keep you safe while using the tool.

5. ShareX

Like OBS, ShareX is also a free and open-source screen recorder for Mac with all the essential tools you need to capture your favorite moments. You can customize the recording area and use annotations post-production for the best, most professional results. You can also beautify your images and videos to remove unwanted elements and make your content look and feel smooth.

Pros and Cons

Rating

The reviews and ratings for ShareX are mixed. Some adore the tool and prefer it over all other options, while some are unsatisfied with their experiences. The general user ratings presented below show that.

Trustpilot: 3.6/5

Capterra: 4.8/5

G2: 4.8/5

Key Features

ShareX only provides the basic screen recording tools, such as the ones presented below.

• Sharing - You can share your recorded content from the platform directly with just a few clicks.
• Basic editing - the tool allows you to crop and trim your recordings.
• Annotation - you can use annotations, such as cursor, highlight, freehand arrow, and more.

6. VLC Media Player

VLC Media Player has been around for decades, and almost every computer has had this app installed during its lifetime. Now, you may be surprised that VLC can also work as a free screen recording software for Mac, Windows, Linux, and mobile users. However, the tool doesn't provide many recording capabilities and features, but if you have it at hand, it'll be an excellent first-aid solution.

Pros and Cons

Rating

VLC has existed since the dawn of digital time, and old-school users seem to enjoy using it. However, newer generations don't find it convenient, so the reviews are mixed.

Trustpilot: 2.8/5

G2: 4.5/5

Tech Radar: 4.5/5

Key Features

As previously mentioned, the VLC screen recorder doesn't provide an extensive feature list. Some of the features you'll find include the following:

• Extensive format support - VLC supports almost all video formats, ensuring the smoothest playback experience.
• Conversion - you can convert your recordings from one format to another with the tool.

7. Screencast-O-Matic

Screencast-O-Matic, or ScreenPal, is a free tool that provides screen recording and editing features ideal for any industry. This platform is available in 190 countries, so you can use it regardless of your location. Moreover, you can access various recording features to take your experience to the next level and reach your capturing goals.

Pros and Cons

Rating

ScreenPal reviews are relatively good, making it a trustworthy screen recording platform.

G2: 4.4/5

Trustpilot: 2.9/5

Capterra: 4.5/5

Key Features

Below are some of ScreenPal's most powerful screen recording features and tools.

• Remove background - you can remove the background from your recordings and replace it with a custom one for the most professional look.
• Captions - you can add your pre-written captions to the Mac screen recording to make it more accessible.
• Trim and cut recordings - you'll get access to basic editing tools, such as trimming and cutting, to customize your experience.

8. Droplr

Droplr is a modern free screen recording software for Mac, Windows, and Chrome. It's trusted by numerous companies, such as eBay, Airbnb, and Nike. It allows you to connect the platform to other tools, such as Teams, and maximize productivity. It provides basic screen recording features, such as customizing the recording area, making it convenient and simple to use. It's also one of the most beginner-friendly solutions available.

Pros and Cons

Rating

Droplr has some of the best user reviews, as shown below.

G2: 4.5/5

Capterra: 4.6/5

Trustpilot: 3.2/5

Key Features

Droplr is a simple screen recording tool, so you won't discover too many features, especially with the free version. Here are some of the features that stand out from the rest:

• Sharing - Droplr allows you to create short Image names and easily share them with friends and family. The Image names are protected using SSL encryption systems.
• Integration - you can connect this platform to your favorite tools, allowing seamless integration.
• Recording quality - Droplr supports screen recordings up to 4K in quality, so you can get the best, cleanest results.

9. QuickTime Player

QuickTime was one of the first free screen recorders for Mac users developed by Apple over 30 years ago. It's a built-in tool for all Mac devices so you can use it completely for free. It lets you take screenshots and record your screen. Although the tool has advanced immensely since its release, you still won't find too many features to work with. Instead, you can only record your screen and edit it using other tools you have at hand.

Pros and Cons

Rating

Trustworthy review platforms, such as Trustpilot, don't offer reviews and ratings for QuickTime Player. Instead, we've discovered technical reviews, and the verdicts are as follows:

CNET: 6/10

Common Sense: 4/5

Key Features

QuickTime Player lacks advanced recording features. However, some of the features you can use include the following:

• Choose the export format - the tool supports various video format types, so you can select how you want to save your Mac recordings.
• Select recording area - once you start recording on Mac, you can select a custom area to maximize efficiency.
• Select output devices - you can choose the microphone and other recording devices once you open the recorder.

10. iShowU

iShowU is a free tool designed specifically for Mac screen recording. It allows you to record videos up to 1080p and use the basic editing tools post-production to meet your requirements. The best part about this recording platform is that you can create custom watermarks and prevent others from stealing and misusing your content.

Pros and Cons

Rating

Although iShowU doesn't have too many reviews, the ratings are still solid, as you'll see below.

G2: 4.5/5

CNET: 4.1/5

Key Features

Let's take a look at some of iShowU's most prominent screen recording features.

• Audio settings and editing - you can customize your audio settings to deliver crystal-clear screen recording sound.
• Watermarks - create custom watermarks and add them to your videos for protection.
• Editing essentials - crop, cut, and trim your videos within the platform to make them fit your preferences.

How To Pick the Right Free Screen Recording Software for Mac

If you feel stuck and need help selecting your ideal free screen recording software for Mac, check out some tips we've prepared. They'll help you point your finger and say, "That's the one"!

• Check the feature library - the first thing you should do on your search quest is check whether the tool ticks all the boxes regarding features. The tool should provide all the tools you need for the most efficient Mac recording journey.
• Test the tool - since all of these tools are free, you can test them out and determine which one fits your needs the best. There's nothing you can lose if you implement this step.
• Read user reviews - this step is crucial since user reviews can predict your experience. You may not want to download a tool with poor ratings and do more harm than good.

Our Free Screen Recording Software Recommendations for Mac

Below is our selection of the best free screen recording tools for Mac. We've categorized them to help you choose the ideal solution.

Conclusion

Capturing your Mac's screen should be a smooth and effortless process, and the best way to reach the desired results is by selecting your ideal screen recording platform. Today, we've presented some of the most powerful options to help you decide and start reaching your Mac recording goals.

If you're searching for the ultimate, all-in-one solution, we advise you to check out our favorite from the list: Wondershare DemoCreator.