Screen Casting Tools

Recording your screen for a let’s play or walkthrough has become more in demand with the proliferation of YouTube and less tech savvy device users that either want to watch someone else play a game or just need some help performing a basic action. Apps like Open Broadcaster Software, ShareX, and Camtasia make the process of recording footage of your screen for these purposes a snap (or, well, a click. You get the idea.).

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OBS Studio
Free • Open Source
Screen Recorder
Screenshot Capture Tool
Screen Casting Tool
Mac
Windows
Linux
BSD
PortableApps.com
Steam
FreeBSD
144 alternatives to OBS Studio
OBS Studio (also known as Open Broadcaster Software, or OBS) is a screen-casting and live-streaming software available across multiple platforms including macOS, Windows and Linux. Boasting features typically only found in commercial screen recording apps, OBS also provides one...
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OBS Studio Features
1. Virtual camera outputUse the output from OBS Studio as your webcam's primary video source.
2. Extensible by Plugins/ExtensionsOBS Studio can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
3. Dark ModeOBS Studio supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
4. Multi-streamingWith OBS Studio you can live streaming to multiple channels simultaneously.
5. Live Video EffectsOBS Studio lets you edit your video input in real time to apply new image values or add filters.
6. Transitions EffectsOBS Studio allows you to apply transition effects between two different scenes/pages using pre-loaded or custom animated transitions.
7. RTMP Live StreamingOBS Studio supports the Real Time Messaging Protocol to connect an encoder with a server.
8. Screen SharingYou can use OBS Studio to share your screen with your colleages or friends.
9. Custom overlaysOBS Studio allows you to add custom images or videos on top of your composition.
Capture Video
Live Broadcasting
Ability to select a source
Game Streaming
Low CPU usage
Customizable
Virtual camera output
Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
Record desktop activity
Dark Mode
Top 3 alternatives
ShareX
Free • Open Source
Screenshot Capture Tool
Screen Recorder
Screen Casting Tool
Windows
Google Chrome
Steam
Firefox
219 alternatives to ShareX
ShareX is a free and open source program that lets you capture or record any area of your screen and share it with a single press of a key. It also allows uploading images, text or other types of files to many supported destinations you can choose from.
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ShareX Features
1. Ad-freeShareX doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
2. Works OfflineShareX can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
3. PortableShareX can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
4. OCRExtract the text from a screen capture or file and paste it into another document for edits.
5. Dark ModeShareX supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
6. No TrackingShareX will not track you or use your personal data.
7. Upload ScreenshotUpload your screenhots directly to the cloud in order to easily share them with others.
8. No registration requiredYou can use most of the features in ShareX without registration.
9. Color PickerShareX allows you to select and copy a color property from an image, object, or shape.
Customizable
Ad-free
Capture Video
Screenshot OCR
Edit screenshots
Built-in Image editor
Share screenshots
GIF recording
Image Annotations
Support for Hotkeys
Top 3 alternatives
SimpleScreenRecorder
Free • Open Source
Screen Recorder
Screenshot Capture Tool
Screen Casting Tool
Linux
107 alternatives to SimpleScreenRecorder
SimpleScreenRecorder is a Linux screen recorder that supports X11 and OpenGL. It is easy to use, feature-rich, and has a Qt-based graphical user interface. It can record the entire screen or part of it, or record OpenGL applications directly.
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SimpleScreenRecorder Features
1. LightweightSimpleScreenRecorder consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
2. Support for GesturesSimpleScreenRecorder supports touch or mouse gestures and interactions.
Lightweight
Capture Video
Record videos
Live Screen Recording
Record HD screen
Legacy Firefox Addon
Support for Gestures
Top 3 alternatives
Captura
Free • Open Source
Screen Recorder
Screen Casting Tool
Windows
116 alternatives to Captura
Captura is a Windows software that allows you to record your screen or a region of you screen in high resolution with or without audio, keystrokes and mouse cursor.
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Captura Features
1. DRM FreeNo Digital rights management (DRM), i.e. no copy protection.
2. PortableCaptura can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
3. Ad-freeCaptura doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
4. Command line interfaceCaptura either have CLI support or is a CLI-only app.
DRM Free
GIF recording
Visualize Keypresses
Webcam overlays
Mouse clicks highlighted
Window Resizing
Portable
Optimized for Windows
Live Screen Recording
Record HD screen
Discontinued
Captura is not being developped anymore, but the software can still be downloaded. See https://github.com/MathewSachin/Captura/issues/405#issuecomment-657065501
Top 3 alternatives
FastStone Capture
Paid • Proprietary
Screenshot Capture Tool
Screen Recorder
Screen Casting Tool
Windows
155 alternatives to FastStone Capture
A powerful, lightweight, yet full-featured screen capture tool that allows you to easily capture and annotate anything on the screen including windows, objects, menus, full screen, rectangular/freehand regions and even scrolling windows/web pages.
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FastStone Capture Features
1. LightweightFastStone Capture consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
2. PortableFastStone Capture can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
3. Annotate ScreenshotEdit and annotate a screenshot with various editing tools and options.
4. Upload ScreenshotUpload your screenhots directly to the cloud in order to easily share them with others.
Image Annotations
Capture mouse pointer
Lightweight
Portable
Support for FTP
Annotate Screenshot
Upload Screenshot
Join Images
Top 3 alternatives
VokoscreenNG
Free • Open Source
Screen Recorder
Screen Casting Tool
Audio Recorder
Windows
Linux
135 alternatives to VokoscreenNG
VokoscreenNG is a user friendly screencaster for Linux and Windows. It is a continuation of the now discontinued Vokoscreen project that has been totally rewritten from scratch using Qt and GStreamer.
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VokoscreenNG Features
1. Support for Multiple MonitorsVokoscreenNG supports the use of multiple displays.
2. Ad-freeVokoscreenNG doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
Record videos
Support for Multiple Monitors
Ad-free
Text Overlays
Top 3 alternatives
Camtasia
Paid • Proprietary
Video Editor
Screen Recorder
Screenshot Capture Tool
Mac
Windows
197 alternatives to Camtasia
Produce videos for the web using the industry-leading H.264 format. No tweaks or technospeak, just sparkling HD-quality video with compact file sizes...every single time. Two existing production presets (blog and web) and three new presets (YouTube, HD display, and Screencast.
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Camtasia Features
1. Chroma Key / Green ScreenCamtasia supports chroma key to replace the background with an image or video backdrop.
Built-in Screen Capture
Built-in editor
Capture Video
Image Annotations
Interface Overlay
Chroma Key / Green Screen
Support for HD videos
Graphical component
Swiping from all window edges
Top 3 alternatives
Bandicam
Freemium • Proprietary
Screen Recorder
Screenshot Capture Tool
Screen Casting Tool
Windows
119 alternatives to Bandicam
Bandicam is a lightweight screen recorder for Windows that can capture anything on your PC screen. Also, it makes it possible to record a certain area on a PC screen, or capture a game that uses the DirectX/OpenGL/Vulkan graphic technologies.
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Bandicam Features
1. Works OfflineBandicam can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
2. Chroma Key / Green ScreenBandicam supports chroma key to replace the background with an image or video backdrop.
3. LightweightBandicam consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
Record desktop activity
Capture Video
FPS counter
Full video recording
Live recording
Works Offline
Voice Recording
Chroma Key / Green Screen
Game Benchmarking
Dynamic retargeting
Top 3 alternatives
Snagit
Paid • Proprietary
Screenshot Capture Tool
Screen Casting Tool
Mac
Windows
176 alternatives to Snagit
The ultimate screen capture tool. With Snagit’s capture, edit, organize and share technology… it’s easy to create engaging visuals that grab attention and keep it. Let images do the talking for you.
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Snagit Features
1. Full-page ScreenshotSnagit can capture complete (scrolling) web pages from your web browser.
2. OCRExtract the text from a screen capture or file and paste it into another document for edits.
3. Annotate ScreenshotEdit and annotate a screenshot with various editing tools and options.
4. Upload ScreenshotUpload your screenhots directly to the cloud in order to easily share them with others.
Full-page Screenshot
Edit screenshots
OCR
Upload directly to Dropbox
Multiple languages
Freeform capture
Annotate Screenshot
Upload directly to YouTube
Upload Screenshot
Top 3 alternatives
ScreenRec
Free • Proprietary
Screen Recorder
Screenshot Capture Tool
Screen Casting Tool
Windows
Linux
110 alternatives to ScreenRec
If you spend too much time on email and chat, try sending instant video messages and screenshots with ScreenRec. You'll get your point across faster and save precious hours.
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ScreenRec Features
1. LightweightScreenRec consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
2. Annotate ScreenshotEdit and annotate a screenshot with various editing tools and options.
3. Screen SharingYou can use ScreenRec to share your screen with your colleages or friends.
4. Full-page ScreenshotScreenRec can capture complete (scrolling) web pages from your web browser.
5. Ad-freeScreenRec doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
Lightweight
Annotate Screenshot
Screen Sharing
Full-page Screenshot
Ad-free
Edit screenshots
Top 3 alternatives
Peek GIF Screen Recorder
Free • Open Source
Screen Recorder
Screenshot Capture Tool
Screen Casting Tool
Linux
Flathub
Ubuntu
34 alternatives to Peek GIF Screen Recorder
Simple animated Gif screen recorder for Linux. Open-source. Provides an easy to install Ubuntu deb package.
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Peek GIF Screen Recorder Features
GIF recording
Graphical User Interface
Discontinued
Peek has been discontinued: https://github.com/phw/peek/issues/1191
Top 3 alternatives
ActivePresenter
Free Personal • Proprietary
Screen Recorder
Screen Casting Tool
Video Editor
Mac
Windows
105 alternatives to ActivePresenter
ActivePresenter is a leading authoring software to simplify your eLearning design experience with 3 main functions:
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ActivePresenter Features
1. Dark ModeActivePresenter supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
2. GamificationActivePresenter makes use of game-design elements such as point scoring, competition, achievements, etc.
3. No registration requiredYou can use most of the features in ActivePresenter without registration.
4. Chroma Key / Green ScreenActivePresenter supports chroma key to replace the background with an image or video backdrop.
5. Support for LayersActivePresenter supports the organization of elements through a hierarchical order that can be manipulated/viewed independently.
6. Ad-freeActivePresenter doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
7. Screen SharingYou can use ActivePresenter to share your screen with your colleages or friends.
No Watermark
Lossless Compression
Tabbed interface
Export to HTML
Dark Mode
Gamification
No registration required
Chroma Key / Green Screen
Support for Layers
Ad-free
Top 3 alternatives
Kazam
Free • Open Source
Screen Recorder
Screen Casting Tool
Audio Recorder
Linux
90 alternatives to Kazam
Kazam is a simple screen recording program that will capture the content of your screen and record a video file that can be played by any video player that supports VP8/WebM video format.
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Kazam Features
Record HD screen
Live Screen Recording
Webcam overlays
Discontinued
The latest version (1.4.5) is from 2014.
Top 3 alternatives
CamStudio
Free • Open Source
Screen Recorder
Screenshot Capture Tool
Screen Casting Tool
Windows
PortableApps.com
130 alternatives to CamStudio
Record your computer screen with audio input from Mic or Speakers. Also shows mouse clicks in addition to the regular cursor. Simple interface with ability to record in AVI or export as swf.
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CamStudio Features
1. PortableCamStudio can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
Capture Video
Portable
Discontinued
The project seems to be no longer developed. Last version, 2.7 r316, released in May 2015, can be still downloaded from SourceForge.
Warning
As described on VirusTotal comment (https://www.virustotal.com/en/file/1ddb733efb11769a05cc735d555e9a4df92c4cdf29fa47ea3864e57e67dcf884/analysis/1411383540/): if you download CamStudio from SourceForge.net, the VirusTotal results are 0/53. After installing this SF version, it immediately says that there is an update available. When the link is clicked, it takes you to camstudio.org, which has a zip file that, scanned with VirusTotal, gives you 15/53 result. So do NOT download and install the "update": it's a malware. Installer as of 09/22/2014.
Top 3 alternatives
Loom
Freemium • Proprietary
Screen Recorder
Screenshot Capture Tool
Screen Casting Tool
Mac
Windows
Online
iPhone
Google Chrome
149 alternatives to Loom
Easy and free screen recorder for Mac, Windows, and Chromebooks. Record your camera and screen with audio directly from your Chrome browser and share the video with your team, friends, and family.
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Loom Features
1. Screen SharingYou can use Loom to share your screen with your colleages or friends.
Capture Video
Screen Sharing
Top 3 alternatives

OBS Studio Features

Top 3 alternatives

ShareX Features

Top 3 alternatives

SimpleScreenRecorder Features

Top 3 alternatives

Captura Features

Top 3 alternatives

FastStone Capture Features

Top 3 alternatives

VokoscreenNG Features

Top 3 alternatives

Camtasia Features

Top 3 alternatives

Bandicam Features

Top 3 alternatives

Snagit Features

Top 3 alternatives

ScreenRec Features

Top 3 alternatives

Peek GIF Screen Recorder Features

Top 3 alternatives

ActivePresenter Features

Top 3 alternatives

Kazam Features

Top 3 alternatives

CamStudio Features

Top 3 alternatives

Loom Features

Top 3 alternatives