Get Capto for screen recording
The built-in screen recorder of Filmora9 allows to record the PC screen and record. Also, your video recording time is limited. If you find yourself needing more features, you can upgrade to the Pro version. Premium Screen Recording Software for Macs. If your screen recording project needs a more full-featured tool, you may want to consider a premium Mac screen recording software tool.
Mac has always been the system of choice for creatives. It just does creative things better than anything else. Video is one of those things. Whether you’re recording a short clip to share with your friends on social media, editing a home movie, or putting together a feature film, Mac allows you to produce visuals of the highest quality.
Jumping in and recording a video on Mac is really straightforward. macOS has several notable built-in tools that allow you to get right to it. Photo Booth, QuickTime, and iMovie are all incredibly easy to use — simply open them up and hit the red record button. iMovie even lets you turn your videos into movies, credits and all.
Apple’s native tools are all great, but they’re not the only options out there. If you’re a vlogger or an aspiring YouTube celebrity, or use video for your business, there are some robust third-party apps you should know about:
- Capto for powerful screen recording and video editing in one
- CameraBag Pro for pro-level video edits and filters
- Dropshare for sharing and collaborating on your videos
- iFlicks for adding videos to iTunes and iOS
Record screen smarter
Better than any default programs on Mac, Setapp screen recorders will help you create, edit, and share videos.
Let us waste no more time in introducing these tools and show you how they can be used to take your video-making game to the next level.
Top ways to record, edit, and share videos on macOS
When you think about making a video, the apps that come to mind are probably something already on your computer, like QuickTime, iMovie, or Photo Booth. And they are great in their own way: easy for beginners, although they do lack some advanced features. Let’s talk about each one in particular.
Record videos using QuickTime
QuickTime is not just a video player — it can also be used to record quick videos of your screen or yourself talking into the camera. Once you install Mojave, you might face some problems with recording. The reason could be you have to enable access to microphone. To do that, go to System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Privacy. Click on Microphone and check the box next to QuickTime to provide access.
Now you’re ready for recording a video with QuickTime:
- Launch Quicktime from Applications
- Go File > New Movie Recording
- Hit the red record button, the recording will start
- Click the same button to end the recording
- With the newly made video on your screen, click File > Save… and find a new home for your recording
So now you know that recording with QuickTime is very simple if you just need to say a few words to the camera. Alternatively, you can record your screen too:
- Go File > New Screen Recording
- Hit the red button
- Select the area of your screen you’d like to record and click Start Recording
- When done, just click on the recording icon in your menu bar
- Save the video the same way as you did in the step above
The downside with QuickTime is that if you want to record something more complicated than that, you’ll have to switch to a more powerful app.
Video recording with iMovie
iMovie might as well be the most popular Mac video editing tool for beginners, thanks to how easy it is to use. You can record demos or tutorials with iMovie in no time, either by using the built-in camera in your Mac or connecting an external one.
- Launch iMovie
- Click File > New Event
- Tap on Import Media
- Choose FaceTime HD Camera
- Hit Record to start recording
- To stop the video, hit Record once again
- Click on the save button when done
Capture video in Photo Booth
Photo Booth is an easy and fun way to take selfies and record small videos to send to your friends. You can apply different effects before starting your video by clicking on the Effects button once you’ve launched the app. Now you are ready for a video.
- In the Photo Booth app, select View Video Preview.
- Click on Record video.
- Make sure to choose the video icon in the left-bottom corner of the app
- Hit Record
- Hit Stop to finish recording
- To save your video, select File > Export…
Record videos with Capto
All the native macOS apps are good enough for a quick recording. But if sharing professional videos with friends, followers, and subscribers is your thing, you need Capto.
Call this a bold statement, but we think Capto is the best screen recorder and video editor on the market. Largely because of its simplicity and range of features that help you achieve high-end results.
To record a video in Capto, simply open up the app and click on Record from the top menu. From there you can choose how and what you want to record: the full screen (you can even hide desktop clutter), an area of the screen, or the built-in FaceTime HD camera (or external webcam) for selfie footage. By plugging in your iOS device, you can also record footage from your iPad or iPhone.
It’s then possible to set a timer for recording (handy if you’re going to be talking into the camera), set the frame rate between 10 and 60 frames per second (FPS), and choose the compression type.
If you’re recording an area of the screen, stop and start, pause, and cancel options can be accessed via a drop-down in the Capto toolbar in the status menu.
Record clean videos with CleanShot
This is a snipping tool for Mac that helps you record video while weeding out distractions such as desktop icons and wallpaper.
To quickly capture video on Mac with CleanShot, click on the app icon in the top bar and select Record video. It’s that easy. You’ll only have to choose between two options – record GIF and record video. To make it clean, click on Hide Desktop icons before you start recording. In Preferences, you can also set a custom desktop wallpaper.
Take videos using Dropshare
Dropshare is an app made for collaboration and sharing. But it’s no less valuable when you need to record a quick how-to on your screen.
To record your screen in Dropshare, click on the Dropshare icon from the status menu and select the video icon. From there, select an area of the screen and hit record. To record the full screen, just click on the big red record button from the menu. When you’re done recording, click on Stop & Upload to send your file to the cloud. That’s it! How effortless!
Best apps to edit your videos on macOS
While there is a lot of choice when it comes to shooting videos, editing them is a different beast. Essentially, you can use macOS native iMovie to edit very simple videos of all kinds, use Capto for fast screen recording edits, and CameraBag Pro for proper, mid-to-large-scale video editing.
Tweak your videos in iMovie
By no means iMovie is anyone’s video editor of choice. But it is sufficient enough to quickly drop in a video to its timeline and rearrange a few clips. Once you have a video in, use the Crop feature under the Edit menu to separate video sections and move them around. Look through the Effects library to set transitions, audio effects, or text layovers by assigning various times to Effects-in and Effects-out.
In general, this is the extent of iMovie that you want to use in your editing. For more, look to apps like Capto and CameraBag Pro.
Edit screencasts in Capto
With Capto you can record your screen, or yourself, with ease, and access a wide range of editing tools to cut, crop, fade in and out, and add annotations and voiceovers — all from within the same interface.

All of the editing tools in Capto can be found in the Video section of the app.
The options available include:
- Media files for uploading images and clips
- Edit tools for cutting, cropping, and trimming
- Annotations for adding markers, arrows, callouts, and text
- Audio for adding voiceovers, sounds, and music
You can easily jump between the options to tweak and tune your videos until they’re exactly as you want them. And using them requires no editing skills. It’s as easy as using Paintbrush. If you do struggle with anything, Capto has a good selection of tutorials to help you out.
Edit videos with CameraBag Pro
CameraBag Pro brings pro-level adjustments as well as nuanced filters in a straightforward app that’s widely used by professionals but also accessible to complete beginners.
Editing videos in CameraBag Pro is similar to editing photos: just select the necessary tools or filters and apply them right to your movie in a click. Feel free to explore over 200 preset filters already included with the app or create your own and save them for later. Make full use of the adjustment tools to fine-tune exposure, hue, color, temperature, and more.
Share your Mac videos with the world
Once your video is shot and edited, it’s time to share it with your audience, whether that’s colleagues, friends, or movie goers.
All the native macOS apps discussed here (iMovie, Photo Booth, QuickTime) have a standard built-in sharing feature, which allows you to share videos via your social networks, if you have them connected, or email.
Apple reserves the right to refuse or limit the quantity of any device for any reason. In the: Offer only available on presentation of a valid, government-issued photo ID (local law may require saving this information). Payments are based on the received device matching the description you provided when your estimate was made. Value of your current device may be applied toward purchase of a new Apple device.
Capto also allows you to share right from the app by clicking on the Sharing icon. There you’ll find options to share across all popular social media sites, as well as cloud storage providers, and FTP/SFTP.
By far the best way to share your videos is through Dropshare, as it sends your video to the cloud with a single click and gives you a link that you can distribute among your friends or team in Slack instantly.
Adding your videos to iTunes
If you’ve just recorded a masterpiece that belongs in your iTunes library, an app like iFlicks will help you get it there with minimum fuss.
iFlicks lets you convert almost any video into an iTunes suitable format (.mov, .mp4, or .m4v) and offers features to make your video look professional, by adding metadata, subtitles, chapters, and even artwork.
To add your files to iTunes with iFlicks, all you need to do is open the app, drag your video onto the main window, and click on the “Add to iTunes” box from the sidebar. Hit start and you’re all done!
If you want to customize, add metadata, and create a cover for your video, we’ve written a tutorial on how to add movies to iTunes that’ll help.
Record video calls
When you have an important call or a video interview, you probably won’t have time for notes. Instead of worrying about remembering, stay in control of a conversation while software will record a Skype call or FaceTime interview for you. From Apple’s native QuickTime to third-party tools like Capto and ChatMate, there are tons of options you can use for the job.
If you use FaceTime for video calls, it takes a few simple steps to record video for free with QuickTime:
- Launch QuickTime and click on File.
- Select New screen recording and click on the arrow next to the record button.
- From the list of microphones, select Internal microphone.
- Once you’re all set, launch FaceTime and click on the record button to capture webcam video in QuickTime – you can choose to record the whole screen or only the FaceTime window.
- Click on the Stop recording button once you’re done and save the file to any spot on your Mac.
Using Capto and CleanShot, capture video calls the same way you record screen with these tools. Both offer robust customization options and make a great fit for long calls and frequent use. For instance, you can use Capto to set custom timers as well as edit your videos once you’re done – from annotating to removing unwanted parts.
For call capturing with a desktop background, CleanShot will help you hide icons and set a wallpaper.
To record WhatsApp video call, use a dedicated tool called ChatMate for WhatsApp. Record and share your calls right inside the app – ChatMate will automatically transcode your recordings, so that you always get the right format at the output.
Capture live photos during video calls
You can grab FaceTime live photos without leaving the app. To set it up, open FaceTime and navigate to Preferences in the top menu bar. Check the box next to Allow Live Photos to be captured during Video Calls. Now you’re all set. Whenever you want to take a photo during a call, click on the shutter button in the bottom left corner.
Where do live photos go from FaceTime?
Just as any photo you take, live photos will automatically appear in your Photos app on Mac. From there, you can edit them and move to any other location.
Record YouTube live stream
The tools you use for video calls recording will also work with YouTube live streams. QuickTime is the basic option to capture short live streams – easy to use and without complicated settings customization. If you want HD quality though, you’ll have to go with more advanced software.
The advantage of Capto with YouTube live stream recording is that it gives you the option to capture audio only as well as rely on both internal mic and Capto device. Plus you can edit the live stream footage with Capto video editor once you’re done.
Disclaimer: You may record YouTube live streams for private use only or in case you represent a copyright holder or own the permission of a copyright holder. For more details, check out YouTube’s Terms of Service.
What about video for social?
Sharing videos on social through video editing apps is certainly an option. The only caveat is that you have to have your social media connected through Accounts in your System Preferences, and not every social media channel is represented there.

To have all your social media in one place, whether for sharing or messaging, try IM+, an app which combines all your social activity into one window, making sharing anything you’ve created with all your contacts a breeze.
For Instagram-specific sharing, you don’t have to download videos to your iPhone anymore. A Mac app like IM+ can be used to conveniently post your video updates to your Instagram feed right from your laptop.
If you record Facebook video or simply want to save videos from Facebook to your device, Elmedia Player would be the right tool to use. Once you launch the app, navigate to Window > Browser and paste your link. You’ll see video preview and the download button in the bottom. So it’s really one click away.
And if all you want to do is share videos with your friends in WhatsApp, ChatMate for WhatsApp lets you record and upload them from your desktop at the touch of a (record) button. It’s fast, powerful, and more beautiful than even the WhatsApp app itself, with desktop and Dock notifications, dark mode, and privacy mode to stop any prying eyes.
Try all these apps for free
Get a huge set of top apps for recording, editing, and sharing your videos on a Mac. Best utilities in one pack, give it a go!
In the end, there are a lot of apps to choose from. But don’t feel overwhelmed. All the apps mentioned here are available for you to try on Setapp with a free trial. In fact, there are over 140 high-quality Mac apps across all categories on Setapp right now with new apps added weekly. Try all and see what you like best.
Meantime, prepare for all the awesome things you can do with Setapp.
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Video is the way of the future, and free video recording software is on the rise. From crazy cat videos on YouTube to in-depth training on tutorial software sold by mega corporations, our society just can't get enough of those moving pictures. But video is more than just an entertainment option or revenue channel. It can also assist you in your daily workflow and turn you into a productivity machine at work!
The eight video recording software mentioned below will help you communicate quicker, increasing the amount of work you can get done on any given day. Does that sound like something you might be interested in? Then keep reading.
In this post we'll explain what kind of video recording software we're talking about and the eight best options you should consider adding to your technology stack in 2020.
The Purpose of Video Recording Software
The video recording software we'll be talking about in this blog post is NOT the kind you would use to record and edit a Hollywood blockbuster, or even a silly home movie. You won't find Adobe Premiere or Final Cut Pro on this list.
Instead, we've rounded up the top eight software tools that will allow you to record your personal computer screen in 2020. These kinds of programs can be extremely useful to business professionals and boost both productivity and efficiency by giving users the ability to easily share everything they see on their computer screens.
The most common uses of video recording software are to demonstrate tasks, troubleshoot problems, and craft intuitive tutorials.
The Top 8 Video Recording Software
The following eight pieces of video recording software have been carefully selected. You'll find both paid and free tools, but each is well designed and would be a worthy addition to your business software suite in 2020. Let's dive in!
1. CloudApp
Let's start with our absolute favorite video recording software, CloudApp. Are we biased? Sure, but after a quick look at the facts, we have no doubt that you'll agree with us in thinking that CloudApp is quite an amazing tool!
CloudApp is an all-in-one, visual collaboration platform that gives users easy access to its screen recorder and webcam recording, and GIF maker features. Once content has been recorded, CloudApp also allows its users to edit their visuals with a convenient annotations tool to add drawings, arrows, emojis.
What do you do when your content has been shot and edited to perfection? Distribute it, of course! Our cloud-based software makes it easy to share your work via links that include password protection options, expiration dates, and detailed analytics. Quickly see who has viewed your content and enable real-time notifications when your links have been opened.
Record Video For Mac
CloudApp packs in a lot of features, but fortunately, all this functionality won't cost your business an arm and a leg. Plans including premium features start at just $9 a month, though our entry-level plan is free-forever and allows you to begin sharing videos, GIFs, and screenshots immediately. Become more productive and save up to 56 hours a week with CloudApp!
2. SnagIt
SnagIt is a popular video recording software that is specially designed to help users make amazing step-by-step instruction videos and how-to guides. If that will be your main goal when using this kind of tool, then you may find this app is exactly what you're looking for.
In a nutshell, SnagIt gives you the ability to capture a video of your computer screen or, using your webcam, a video of yourself, and share the result with whomever you wish.
One of SnagIt's most useful features is 'Favorites', which will allow you to add each of your favorite tools inside the app to one specific tab and group them together for easy access. This is a valuable, time-saving feature that will keep you from constantly digging through multiple menus to find what you need.
A license to use this tool costs $49.95 and can be installed on up to two different computers.
3. ShareX
When it comes to the best free video recording software on the market, you'd be hard pressed to find a better tool than ShareX. This app makes it incredibly simple to capture a video of your screen with just one (configurable) click.
One great feature included with ShareX is the ability to record just a portion of your computer screen when needed. Perhaps you don't want your entire screen visible in the video you plan to record and share. No problem, simply select the area you wish to record in ShareX and only capture that space in your video.
Once a video is recorded, users are able to edit it, though the editing features aren't as extensive as other apps on this list. But for a completely free tool, the functionality is impressive and ideal for those on a tight budget, or those who only need basic video recording features.
4. Debut Video Capture
Debut Video Capture (DVC) is a powerful and free (for personal use only) video recording software that can be used for a variety of purposes. For example, DVC can be used to capture video of your computer screen as you work, which is great for explaining processes.
But this app also allows video to be recorded from external devices, such as a high-end video recorder or network IP camera (surveillance camera). This is a unique and useful feature for those looking to record higher quality videos than their webcam can provide, or those who need to set up a security system at their place of business.
While the interface is unattractive and dated, the functionality of this app is great and the main reason why it's secured a place on our list. It should be noted, however, that use of this tool for non-personal related reasons will cost your company $39.95.
5. ScreenFlow
Apple user? Then consider using, ScreenFlow, an intuitive, Mac-only video recording software. This app has many of the standard screen recording features we've talked about in this article already, such as GIF creation and image annotation abilities.
Mac Screen Recording
But there are two features we especially like about ScreenFlow:
- This app allows users to record the screens of the iOS devices. Looking to demonstrate how to use a specific mobile app? Simply connect your iPhone or iPad to your computer, ensure the device is recognized, and click 'record iOS device'.
- ScreenFlow gives its users access to a stock media library of over half a million media clips that can be used in their own videos. This includes visual clips, background music, and more. Just find what you need and drag it into the ScreenFlow timeline.
When your video is done, save time and export it directly to YouTube, Wistia, Facebook, DropBox, or Google Drive.
Does ScreenFlow sound intriguing? You can buy the program for $129. It should be noted that the media library is an additional cost and will run you $60 a year. Premium support is also not included in the price of the software, but can be had for $39 a year.
6. GoPlay
Record My Screen Video Mac
We just gave you a Mac-only application, how about a Windows video recording software next? GoPlay is a screen recording app that allows users to easily create high-definition videos, edit them in a jiffy, and then export the final product to social media with the click of a button.
Some might find the picture in picture (PIP) option especially useful. This feature will let you record both your computer screen and yourself (via a webcam) at the same time. Once your video has been created, editing options include trimming, cropping and various filters.
Finally, we should mention the captioning feature. Add subtitles to every video so that the information your sharing is never lost or misinterpreted.
GoPlay is mainly geared towards those who plan to publish their work on YouTube and other social media channels. But if you use a Windows computer, there's no reason why this app can't also be used for more traditional business video projects. Prices start at $4.90 a month.
7. Camtasia
Camtasia is known for being very easy to use. It combines screen recording features with more traditional video editing options (much like the ScreenFlow and GoPlay apps that we mentioned earlier) to give its users a comprehensive video recording software suite.
A typical workflow using this app might look something like this:
- First, record your screen. You can choose to capture the entire thing or just part of it, whatever suits your video-making needs best.
- Second, edit your footage. Cut out sections; combine multiple takes into one seamless shot; and add in external videos, images, and presentation slides as you see fit.
- Third, add effects and give your video a professional, polished feel. Effects include annotations, titles, music, and more.
As you can see, working with Camtasia is a straightforward process. And while this app doesn't have as many screen recording features as other tools on this list, or the editing options of a fully-featured video editing software, it strikes a good middle ground between the two.
For those looking for basic screen recording functionality and a few higher-end video editing options, Camtasia is a good bet and can be had for $249.
8. Screencastify
Record Screen Video For Mac
Finally, we have Screencastify, a unique option because this tool is actually a Google Chrome extension rather than a stand-alone app. It's perfect for those using the Chrome web browser and looking for a basic video recording software — especially if they're on a tight budget.
Screencastify gives users a few different options when recording. Do you want to capture your entire desktop, one specific browser tab, or yourself via a webcam? Each option is available. In fact, you can record your screen and yourself at the same time and embed the webcam feed in the screen recording.
Finished recordings can be edited with annotations and mouse highlights (so viewers always know what you're clicking on), and then cropped and trimmed to perfection.
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When it comes to cheap video capture software, Screencastify is a solid option at only $49 a year. Can't justify the price tag? Use the app for free. Just know that you'll only be able to record up to 5 minute long videos.
The Right Video Recording Software For You

If you're hoping to become more productive in 2020, any of the video recording software mentioned in this blog post will help you reach that goal. Visual communication is on the rise and is, in our humble opinion, a worthy investment for just about every business.
CloudApp is the best option when it comes to video recording software. Our tool's powerful screen and webcam recording, snipping tool for Windows and Mac, GIF creation, and image annotation features will help you boost productivity immediately. Learn more about the CloudApp solution here.
