The Best Screen Capture Tool For Mac

OS X already offers a means of capturing screenshots with a few keyboard shortcuts, but if you want to do a little more you have to grab a third-party tool. Of the many available, Skitch is our. Surprisingly the best screen capture tool for websites is none other than Microsoft Edge in Windows 10. What makes Edge the best is with a click on a button, you have the screen captured and a ‘pen’ tool to scribble. When it comes to screencasting, you can use it to record a movie by your camera and capture the screen of your Apple devices, including Mac, iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch. Pros: Free to record the screen, audio from microphone and movies. Capture full screen or an area. Basic editing options: trim, split, cut, copy, paste, delete and flip/rotate.

Interested in creating video tutorials to teach others how to use software? Or perhaps you need to communicate a computer problem you’re experiencing. Screen recording software is one of the most effective ways of presenting this information.

Fortunately, you’ll find an excellent selection for macOS at your disposal. Whether you need something simple and free or the advanced features of a paid solution, we’ve rounded up the best screen recorders for Mac to help you decide.

1. ScreenFlow

The first aspect you’ll notice about ScreenFlow is the price tag. Is it justified?

That depends on how many of the extensive features you’ll actually use. Calling ScreenFlow a screen recorder is like referring to Mount Everest as a sandcastle.

Not only can you record from multiple monitors, but you can choose to record from your webcam and connected iOS device simultaneously. Combine that with the ability to record audio, and you have the perfect setup for creating video tutorialsHow to Make a Screencast Tutorial for YouTubeHow to Make a Screencast Tutorial for YouTubeOne of the most popular types of YouTube video is the screencast. Here's how to easily make your own.Read More.

Recorded media from all sources then saves to a single timeline where you can turn the raw footage into a professional-grade video quickly and easily. Annotations, callouts, and video motions are at your fingertips in an easy-to-use interface.

One particularly interesting feature is the touch callouts, which can demonstrate screen touches and gestures if you’re recording the screen on an iOS device.

ScreenFlow also has a variety of exporting options depending on where you’d like to view your finished video. You’ll find presets from lossless ProRes codecs to ones specifically for the Apple TV.

If you’re considering making many screen recordings that involve multiple sources, and you’d like to add some embellishments in post-production, ScreenFlow might be what you’re looking for.

Download:ScreenFlow (Free trial)
Download:ScreenFlow ($129)

2. Snagit

Perhaps having a fully fledged video editor is overkill for your use case. Maybe you’re looking to create mostly disposable videos quickly without needing many of the post-production enhancements that come with ScreenFlow. Snagit combines some of the best screen recording features in a simple interface.

It allows simultaneous recording from screens and webcams, but you can’t overlay the videos, and you will need to toggle between which one is recorded. Snagit also allows you to record audio; you can view your past recordings and tag them for finding them quickly in the future.

Snagit features a powerful image editor with a vast library of assets to annotate your images on the fly. One handy feature is the ability to export a video as a GIF with a single click from the preview screen.

Snagit is perfect if your focus is getting good-enough screen recordings that will probably have a short shelf life.

Download:Snagit (Free trial)
Download:Snagit ($50)

3. Camtasia

Camtasia has been around since 2002, which makes it a screen recording veteran. Like Snagit, it’s developed by Techsmith.

While Snagit focuses on quickly recording and exporting, Camtasia is a beefier screen recorder with a fully featured video editor.

Camtasia’s interface may seem busy, but it becomes comfortable quickly. The first time you start Camtasia, it loads a sample project with a handy video tutorial. This extends to Camtasia’s numerous other video tutorials on its website to help you start churning out professional screen recordings as quickly as possible.

The app offers screen recordings from multiple sources, and records audio from both a mic or the system. You can also send recordings from your mobile device directly, but admittedly, this mobile device integration isn’t as smooth as ScreenFlow’s.

Camtasia’s trump card is in the plethora of assets that are available to enhance your videos. It includes beautifully designed annotations, callouts, transitions, and visual effects.

Since these are all drag-and-drop, you can apply and customize them in a matter of seconds. Camtasia also makes quick work of adding clicks, keystrokes, spotlights, and zooms so viewers can easily follow along with the instructor.

Like ScreenFlow, this app does come with a significant cost. But if you’re after a polished interface and looking to create videos that are stick around for some time, it might be worth the investment.

Download:Camtasia (Free trial)
Download:Camtasia ($249)

If you’re in the market for an app to capture scrolling screenshots on your mobile deviceThe 7 Best Apps for Scrolling Screenshots on Android and iOSThe 7 Best Apps for Scrolling Screenshots on Android and iOSNeed to capture scrolling screenshots on your iPhone or Android device? Here are 7 apps to make long screenshots easily.Read More too, take a peek at this list:

4. Movavi Screen Capture Studio

Movavi’s Screen Capture Studio is one of the highest-rated screen recorders. It has all the ingredients of a fantastic screen recorder, with the full range of editing tools to suit both casual and professional users.

Movavi sits in the sweet spot between price and functionality. It combines a broad set of tools with an easy-to-use interface, and has the benefit of being both a quick capture tool and full-featured editor.

Once you’re done capturing, you can make some quick edits before either saving or sharing directly to YouTube. If you need more advanced edits, you can open your capture in the video editor.

This editor is your typical timeline with an excellent set of editing tools, including a chroma key (used if you have a green screen). There’s also a good selection of filters, transitions, and titles. And the editor even offers two modes, one of which is an easy mode for creating a quick montage. Movavi also has a store containing a catalog of effects and transitions depending on the video you’re producing.

Movavi really shines when it comes to the exporting options available. You’re able to tweak the resolution, frames per second (FPS), and choose a specific format. You can also choose from a wide range of presets like exporting for specific mobile devices or 4K TVs. Movavi also allows you to upload directly to your YouTube channelEverything You Need To Know About Uploading Videos To YouTubeEverything You Need To Know About Uploading Videos To YouTubeCurrently, there are three ways to upload videos to YouTube. Here's an in-depth look at how to use your computer, phone, or games console.Read More from within the editor.

Download:Movavi Screen Capture Studio (Free trial)
Download:Movavi Screen Capture Studio ($60)

5. QuickTime

If you use case doesn’t involve complex editing, annotations, and filters, Apple has a screen recorder baked into macOSHow to Screen Record on a MacHow to Screen Record on a MacWondering how to screen record on Mac? We've got you covered with several methods to record video of what's on your screen.Read More. QuickTime is a reliable video player, but it’s also a quick and easy screen recorder that you don’t have to pay for.

Just open QuickTime Player, then go to File > New Screen Recording. You’ll see a popup screen capture menu where you can choose the area of the screen you want to capture. Select the dropdown icon next to the record button to select a microphone for adding audio.

QuickTime features some essential editing tools like rotation, splitting, and trimming. You can also add clips to the end of a sequence if you’d like to combine your screen capture with something that you’re referencing. You will, however, need a video converter if you’re looking to export in anything other than MOV format.

QuickTime is perfect if you need to record your screen in a pinch and you don’t require any annotations, filters, or effects. It’s also one of the best video converter apps for macOSThe 7 Best Video Converter Apps for macOSThe 7 Best Video Converter Apps for macOSNeed a Mac video converter app? Here are the best options for easily converting any kind of video on macOS.Read More. Pair QuickTime with a free Mac video editorThe 8 Best Free Video Editors for MacThe 8 Best Free Video Editors for MacNeed to edit video on a budget? These free Mac video editors let you perform essential video editing tasks at no cost.Read More if you need more options.

Which Mac Screen Recorder Is Best?

Ultimately, choosing any piece of software is driven by both your requirements and budget. If you’re looking to record your iPhone or iPad along with your Mac screen frequently, ScreenFlow makes an excellent choice.

Snagit offers a good set of essential tools and makes it easy to share with other apps. The other paid options do come with a slight learning curve, but offer flexibility when making changes. They also have a good selection of assets to add that professional touch to your videos.

Aside from QuickTime, each of the screen recording apps mentioned above have trial versions. Make sure to test out the software before spending the money. And for more Mac tips, check out where screenshots and videos go on a MacWhere Do Screenshots and Photos Go on a Mac?Where Do Screenshots and Photos Go on a Mac?Where do screenshots go on Mac? Here's how to take, find, and manage macOS screenshots and video recordings.Read More, along with helpful ways to stay organized with built-in apps like Apple Notes7 Ways to Organize Apple Notes for Smarter Productivity7 Ways to Organize Apple Notes for Smarter ProductivityLove Apple Notes but struggle to keep everything organized? Here's some advice on ways to keep your Apple Notes straight.Read More.

Explore more about: Record Video, Screen Capture, Screencast.

1. QuickTime can do screen recordings and it's free and comes with your Mac.

2. iShowU HD is another robust app capable of recording your screen

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Screen Capture App For Mac

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Download audio files from the Internet to your computer. Works with up to 30 tracks and detects multiple tracks automatically.

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Eject all volumes mounted on your desktop, including local removable volumes like external hard drives and memory cards, network volumes, and mounted disk images.

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Search any drive or folder to quickly find identical files (even with different names) and free up disc space.

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Free up unused computer memory.

Hidden Files

Show or conceal hidden files or folders on your computer.

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Hide all the files, folders, and other icons on your desktop when you’re doing a presentation, sharing or recording your screen, or taking screenshots.

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Personalize and hide your Finder menu bar for a minimalistic look and feel.

Launch

Open any collection of applications, documents, or other files simultaneously with just one click.

Lock Screen

Immediately lock your screen to prevent unauthorized access to your computer—no need to wait until the password-protected screen saver kicks in.

Make GIF

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Best Screen Recorder

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Prevent unauthorized or unwanted listening by other applications.

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Disable distractions for a better presentation experience. The Presentation Mode tool can automatically detect external displays and turn itself on.

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Record video from a selected area on your screen.

Record Audio

Use your computer’s built-in microphone and record audio with a single click. You can record from an external microphone if it’s selected as the input source in System Preferences › Sound.

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Record video of the entire screen.

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Record video from a single window.

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Take screenshots of any webpage, no matter how long, as a single image file. Option to add to Safari toolbar button.

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Stopwatch

Measure elapsed time.

Switch Resolution

Quickly switch screen resolution. This tool is especially useful to those who find the macOS^® resolution settings a bit too limited.

Take Photo

Take an instant photo using the computer’s camera.

Take Video

Take an instant video using the computer’s camera.

Timer

Count down time to zero.

Unarchive

Unpacks various file archive formats.

Uninstall Apps

Remove applications and their files from your Mac. Or, detect and remove files from applications that have already been uninstalled.

World Time

See the local time in cities arould the world right in the menu bar. Shows the time difference from your current location, and a daytime/nighttime icon for easy reference.