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..
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:
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.
Here are some of the most popular screencast platforms and explain their advantages and disadvantages..
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 ..
You have 2 GB available for free in the cloud, which is equivalent to about ten hours of video.
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.
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.
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.
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.
This comprehensive API enables plug-in developers to tailor software and customize functionality.
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 .
This table summarizes the most important features of the six screencast shows that we just introduced to you:
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.