[Reviews] 7 Best Screen Recorders for Mac

One of the main reasons for choosing an Apple computer is the great availability of first-class software products for all important functions. When it comes to screen-capturing software from Mac, the level of competition is quite strong and there are several options worth considering.

While all of those tools perform a similar function, their full range of features and specifics of the graphic interface may not be the same. That’s why it makes sense to learn a bit more about screen recording software for Mac and consider multiple alternatives before choosing your favorite one. Instead of downloading and trying all of them, you can gather valuable information in this review of the best screen recording apps.

Also Read: Best 11 Screen Recorders for PC >

Screen Recording Apps for Mac

Some of the most widely used software tools for recording the content of your screen that works on a Mac computer include the following:

1. Gemoo Recorder Lite

Gemoo Recorder Lite can be your first choice for you to record the screen on a Mac computer. With 4 recording modes, it can record everything you need, whether it is the screen, sound, or your camera. Record the screen only, audio only, screen + sound, screen + camera, etc., it’s all up to you. It can record a computer screen with audio when you need to record a meeting or a presentation. Both system and microphone soundtracks are supported. What’s more, Gemoo Recorder Lite has a wealth of editing tools, that lets you highlight important details with live annotations during the recording process.

Features:

• Screen record your computer screen or camera only or record the screen and camera at the same time.
• When recording a Webcam, you can choose a virtual background to protect your privacy, and you can also choose to decorate with different styles of camera filters and borders.
• Add numbers to make your expressions more logical, and GIFs to express your feelings or lighten your mood. Your videos are crisp and fun.

Pros:

• Comprehensive functions and convenient operation.
• Let you record with unlimited recording time and no watermark.
• Free to use.

2. QuickTime Player

This is probably the second choice for most Mac owners, as QuickTime is a program that is a part of the MacOS and serves all kinds of video creation and playback tasks. With this tool, you can readily record your screen and turn those recordings into great-looking clips with a minimum of effort and technical skill.

Pros:

• Already present on your Mac – no need for installation of new software
• Very simple and intuitive to use for literally anyone
• You can start recording with just a few strokes on the keyboard

Cons:

• Only basic video-making features are available
• Recordings can only be saved in .mov format

3. OBS Studio

If you are looking for a more powerful screen recorder that has serious internal editing tools, OBS Studio could be the right answer. This well-rounded software product will allow you to control your video quality and include content from your apps, audio from the computer or microphone, or other details that clearly express your creative idea.

Pros:

• Free to download and compatible with PC or Mac
• Equipped with a wide range of advanced features
• Allows you to easily share your finished videos online

Cons:

• Some commands may occasionally fail to execute properly
• The program sometimes needs to be force-restarted after a period of inactivity

4. Soapbox

Another viable alternative for making screen recordings on a Mac is Soapbox. This is a versatile app that greatly simplifies video making and allows even beginners to capture the screen with ease. Advanced users can take advantage of its excellent editing features to improve the quality of their videos and make them more effective.

Pros:

• User-friendly interface that allows screen recording with one click
• Lots of useful features that can be utilized in daily office work
• New features are added frequently through updates

Cons:

• This is freemium software and the paid version is needed to unlock all features
• Changing the settings to fit current needs requires some skill

5. TinyTake

As a popular screen recording app for Mac that gives users total control over the final output, TinyTake could be the most optimal choice for many content creators. This app can capture your entire screen, just a portion of it, or the content of a particular window, and instantly combine the video feed with sound or text to create ready-made multimedia clips.

Pros:

• Most commands can be accessed quickly with keyboard shortcuts
• Excellent post-production tools and video-sharing features are included
• Access to online storage capacity helps with content editing and distribution

Cons:

• Free version is available, but has very limited features
• This app may be too complex for beginners who just want to record the screen quickly

6. ScreenFlow

This app is available for Mac starting with version 9.0 and it deserves to be considered as your go-to screen recorder on this type of computer. With ScreenFlow, you can create videos, demos, and presentations using the content of your screen as the primary video source. The app has numerous integrated editing and sharing tools that make the entire process more creative and fun.

Pros:

• The possibility to combine video from multiple sources and edit it in the same app
• The simplicity of use with important commands easily available from the interface
• Versatile and reliable multimedia app suitable for business use

Cons:

• It’s a freemium app and payment is required in order to use advanced features
• This app works on a Mac, but not on your iPhone or iPad

7. VLC Player

As a free screen recorder for Mac with plenty of user-friendly functions, VLC is a popular pick among users with modest-to-moderate requirements. This app is very flexible and allows you to record or play media in a variety of formats, and deserves to be on your computer regardless of how often you have the need to capture the content of your screen.

Pros:

• Free screen recorder with cross-platform compatibility
• Simple navigation system with all important commands clearly highlighted
• Numerous plugins are available to add extra functionality

Cons:

• Screen recording function is not the primary purpose of the app
• Poor audio quality compared to professional recording software
• Lack of advanced editing tools

Questions and Answers

What is the best free screen recorder for Mac?

Even if you limit your choices only to free apps, you still have several good options left on the table. Most people would recommend using QuickTime since it’s already installed on your Mac. However, you might want to take advantage of a free trial for more advanced screen recording software.

How can I choose the best screen recorder for Mac?

The criteria you apply depend on the type of videos you want to make and your technical abilities in this area. You should pick the screen recorder that allows you to express your ideas but doesn’t burden you with a bunch of features you don’t really need.

The Bottom Line

Any of the screen recording tools for Mac recommended above can successfully capture the content of your screen, but they greatly differ in terms of advanced options, file formats supported, etc. If you only need a quick recording and don’t care about sophisticated editing features, you will be well served with free apps. However, if you have ambitions for serious content creation, you should probably think about getting premium access to some of the more powerful screen recording suites.