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Screencast programs: six tools for Windows, Mac and Linux

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What is most important when choosing a screencast tool?
Screencast program comparison
Comparison table of six screencast programs
Screenrec: free tool for all operating systems
Camtasia: Professional Videos for Beginners
ScreenFlow: a cheaper alternative for Mac users
FlashBack Express: simple and fast
OBS Studio: the open source software for professionals
Screencastify: Chrome extension to record the screen

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Screencast programs: six tools for Windows, Mac and Linux

Presentations, software demonstrations, explanatory videos, tutorials or webinars, there are many examples of application of screencasts. The fundamentals are always the same: you create a screen recording and use it to explain, in an understandable and entertaining way, a program or a function of an operating system, for example. There are many very diverse programs for making screencasts . Some of them even offer all the features for free. But which screencast platform is right for you? We explain the most important aspects to consider before deciding on a screencast program and we present a comparison of the best applications for Windows, Mac and Linux..

Index
  1. What is most important when choosing a screencast tool?
  2. Screencast program comparison
    1. Screenrec: free tool for all operating systems
    2. Camtasia: Professional Videos for Beginners
    3. ScreenFlow: a cheaper alternative for Mac users
    4. FlashBack Express: simple and fast
    5. OBS Studio: the open source software for professionals
    6. Screencastify: Chrome extension to record the screen
  3. Comparison table of six screencast programs

What is most important when choosing a screencast tool?

Selecting the right screencast program requires several important factors to keep in mind . The decision depends, in large part, on your personal preferences and the requirements that you think the platform should have:

  • Operating System : When choosing a screencast program , consider compatibility with your operating system. Not all programs are available for Windows, Mac, and Linux.
  • Price : Both free screencast tools and paid platforms offer a wide variety of features. It will be worth investing in the purchase of a program depending on the use that you are going to give the screenshots or if you are going to use them for commercial purposes.
  • Features : Free screencast programs allow you to record screen and audio, as well as edit videos. Paid applications usually offer many other functions for later editing that will make your screencast look more professional.
  • Complexity: As a general rule, programs with more functions are also more complex. If you have no previous experience with screen captures and do not need to expand the functions for post-processing, we recommend that you choose a simpler screencast platform .
  • Export: In free tools, the available export formats are usually limited. Before opting for one of them, make sure that the screencast program works with the format you need.
  • Storage and scope: At this point, free screencasts often have limitations on the duration or storage of screen recordings.
advice

With the integrated XBox Game Bar you can make screen recordings in Windows 10. If you want to record the screen on Mac, you have at your disposal an integrated screen capture application or QuickTime Player. However, these applications do not allow you to edit or trim your video later, so the free alternatives are worth a look.

Screencast program comparison

Here are some of the most popular screencast platforms and explain their advantages and disadvantages..

Screenrec: free tool for all operating systems

The Screenrec program stands out, above all, because it allows you to share screen recordings easily and safely . The application automatically saves them in the cloud after finishing them and generates a link that allows access to them at any time. If the images contain personal data, it is recommended to set a password. Screenrec can also allow access only to certain geolocations or IP addresses.

Are you working offline , but want to record a screencast ? It is also possible with Screenrec, because the program automatically synchronizes your local storage with the cloud when the device connects to the Internet. Meanwhile, you can save the videos to your local hard drive in MP4 format ..

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The Screenrec program is completely free and works on all operating systems / Source: https://screenrec.com/
Note

You have 2 GB available for free in the cloud, which is equivalent to about ten hours of video.

Advantage Drawbacks
? Available for Windows, Linux and MacOS ? Available only in English
? Completely free ? Does not offer paid version
? Screencast is easily and securely shared via link  
? No watermark  
? 2 GB of cloud storage  

Camtasia: Professional Videos for Beginners

When looking for information about the screencast , it is common to come across the Camtasia program. It is the classic screencast tool among all platforms and is available for about 270 euros, which makes it the most expensive application of all that we present to you. Camtasia is known for combining a wide range of functions with ease of use , so this professional tool is also suitable for beginners. In addition, the tutorials and instructions it offers will help you use the more complex editing functions.

As a much cheaper alternative, software maker TechSmith offers Snagit , a version with reduced features and price. With this tool you can create professional screen recordings with practical design templates for about 55 euros.

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Camtasia professional screencast program is also suitable for beginners / Source: https://www.techsmith.de/camtasia.html
Advantage Drawbacks
? Available in English, German and French ? Not available for Linux
? Free trial version for 30 days with full functionality and watermarks ? Relatively expensive
? Wide range of functions  
? Professional and easy to use  

ScreenFlow: a cheaper alternative for Mac users

The ScreenFlow tool, priced at $ 129, is an interesting alternative to Camtasia, although it is only available for Apple. This screencast platform is only compatible with macOS operating system . If you want to make sure that the program and its price are worth it, you can use the free trial version , which offers the full range of ScreenFlow functions. The only caveat is that the trial version integrates watermarks in the video.

After recording the screen, you will have at your disposal a common video editing software with functions such as transitions, animations, text integration and display of mouse clicks and keystrokes. If you decide to upgrade to the paid version of ScreenFlow, you will have access to an extensive library with more than 500,000 multimedia files to edit your videos.

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ScreenFlow's website is in English, although the program is also available in Spanish / Source: http://www.telestream.net/screenflow/overview.htm
Advantage Drawbacks
? Unlimited free trial version with full functionality and watermarks ? Only available for macOS
? Wide range of video editing functions ? Payment
? Multimedia library with more than 500,000 files  

FlashBack Express: simple and fast

This screencast program is a very good option if you don't need many editing options and want to make screen recordings as quickly as possible . With FlashBack Express you can record the screen, the webcam and an audio track. Later, you will have the option to trim the video material and create individual clips.

You will not have any restrictions to make screen recordings even if you use the free version . When exporting the files, the formats are limited to MP4, AVI and MWV, which are perfectly suitable for most of the most common application examples. You can choose other export formats if you buy the Pro version for 49 USD, with which you will also have more editing options and you can add text, images, sounds and video effects.

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As its name suggests, with FlashBack Express you can create professional screen recordings quickly and easily. / Source: https://www.flashbackrecorder.com/de/
Advantage Drawbacks
? Free version with no time limit or watermarks ? Only available for Windows
? Quick and easy to use ? Limited export formats
? Paid version available  

OBS Studio: the open source software for professionals

OBS-Studio is a software compatible open source with all operating systems . OBS Studio is primarily used for live broadcasting. This tool, used especially by professionals and plug-in developers, is also a very interesting alternative to screencast programs . Options for video editing are extensive and complex , including transitions, image cropping, color correction, chroma background, and professional audio mixer.

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OBS-Studio is open source software that can be adapted via an API / Source: https://obsproject.com/de
advice

This comprehensive API enables plug-in developers to tailor software and customize functionality.

Advantage Drawbacks
? Open source software ? Too complex
? Completely free ? Not suitable for beginners
? Available for all operating systems  
? Comprehensive video editing  

Screencastify: Chrome extension to record the screen

Screencastify is a Chrome browser extension ideal for creating quick screen recordings . The drawback is that each recording is limited to a maximum length of five minutes, although the number of recordings is unlimited. The paid version costs $ 49 per year and offers unlimited recordings .

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With the Chrome browser extension, you will create screencasts quickly and easily / Source: https://www.screencastify.com/
Advantage Drawbacks
? Simple recording ? Only five minutes per recording
? Paid version available ? Having the Chrome browser is a requirement
? Suitable for all operating systems  

Comparison table of six screencast programs

This table summarizes the most important features of the six screencast shows that we just introduced to you:

  Windows macOS Linux Limitations of the free version Paid version Our advice
Screenrec X X X 2 GB of storage Not available The best free choice
Camtasia X X   30 day trial with watermark 55? / 270? Also suitable for beginners
ScreenFlow   X   Unlimited trial version with watermark $ 129 Alternative to Camtasia for Mac Users
FlashBack Express X     Export formats: MP4, AVI and MWV $ 49 Great for beginners
OBS Studio X X X None Not available Only for professionals
Screencastify X X X 5 minutes of video recording $ 49 Ideal for sporadic recordings
conclusion

The most important criterion when choosing a suitable screencast program is compatibility with the operating system . Since all the featured platforms offer free versions, you can try them out and choose your favorite or the one that suits you best.


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