In a socially isolated society where remote work, online learning, Zoom parties, and streamed live amusement have become the new norm almost overnight, almost everyone is going to look for digital tools that make a living online a little bit better.
At the start of the coronavirus pandemic, Zoom and other video communications solutions were all over the news around the world. They were seen as key technologies that might easily connect people at home who were told to stay put.
But after a few months of less productivity due to back-to-back video conferences, "Zoom fatigue," and more than a few security problems during live collegiate lectures, the demand for asynchronous interaction and messaging solutions has increased significantly.
What is a screen recording?
Screen recording software makes it simple to show remote team members a new process or document what's new in a major software update. It also lets teachers flip their classrooms so that they can spend one's in-person or online class time working with students.
It's great for making video tutorials, class presentations, online presentations, training videos, and more. As more business people and teachers learn about the benefits of on-demand video conferencing, finding your way around the video and computer monitor recording tools market is getting harder.
Comparing Screen Recording Software's Capabilities
Screen recording apps and apps may look the same at first glance, but they are very different regarding how well they work together, how much they cost, and especially how well they let you share your recordings online. So, some of the most popular image recorders might not be the best choice for how you plan to use them.
Since there are more than a hundred applications and software solutions for recording your screen, we decided to do something different with the list of the best screen recording solutions. Instead, we'll look at the four most popular ways to record your screen and compare them with suggested uses to help you find the best screen capture software.
Software and apps for recording the screen vs. online screen recorders
Software and apps that record your screen must be downloaded and installed on your device. Online screen recorders can be started in your web browser by installing an extension or going to a web page.
What's the difference, and what does it matter?
One benefit of downloading and installing screen recording apps is that you can record when you are not connected to the Internet. Let's say you can't install software on the computer your company gives you. So, if you don't have a lot of storage space or memory or use a Chromebook, you might not be capable of installing some screen recorders or have trouble with how well they work.
As new software and apps come out, they will also need to be updated. Installed software and online display recorders can make videos of the same quality. To document your screen, you need to be connected to the Internet, but when you use online apps, they are always up to date. Online screen recording devices and browser add-ons also have several other benefits:
With one click, you can record the screen and video.
Online screen recording devices can be used on multiple devices without buying more licenses.
If you want someone to document a screencast and send it to you, it's easy for them to do so.
Not all screen recorders work on both PCs and Macs. Some apps may only work on Android, iOS, or Macbooks, and online screen recording devices may only collaborate in certain browsers. To ensure that a screen recording solution will work with your technology, you should check to see if it is compatible with your devices and browsers.
Options for audio, video, and screen recording
Screen recorders can perform much more than record a clip from a single screen these days. Some screen recorders also let you record video and audio from other cameras simultaneously and on multiple screens.
Multi-stream video lectures and instructional videos with side-by-side or picture-in-picture views let you communicate online using the same visual aids you'd use in person, like PowerPoint slides and an on-screen demonstration.
By recording a video of myself giving a presentation along with your screencast, you can make sure that your message is heard exactly as you meant it to be heard, including your tone of voice and nonverbal cues like eye contact and body language. Inter videos not only keep people interested, but they also help them understand and remember what is being shown.
With these versatile recording options, you can make and share videos for the following:
Teaching
Training
Tutorial videos
Sales presentations
Product demos
Documentation
Creative collaboration
Business communication
There are always new screen recorders coming out on the market.
For example, the new Smart Camera in Panopto Express can follow you as you present and maintain you in the center of the frame without needing a high-end PTZ (point-tilt-zoom) video camera.
If you're the presenter who feels comfortable moving approximately as you go through slides or a lecture, you'll enjoy being on stage or in front of the class, even if you're recording from home. Panopto Express also has a feature that lets you blur or change the background virtually.
Sharing and feeling safe
You'll need to share your recording unless you're just making visual notes or documentary evidence yourself. And if you've ever tried to start sharing a video file from outside YouTube, you know some of the problems people usually have:
It's too big to email or publish to your LMS, CMS, or any other system that has limits on file size.
It takes more time and work to download, condense, and upload recordings to sites like Google Drive or YouTube so that people can share them.
Sharing private videos online via platforms that weren't made to protect video content opens the door to security risks, even if the videos are shared privately or with a password.
Viewers might not be able to watch your recording. This could be because they have a slow internet connection and it takes a long time to download, they don't have enough space on their device to download the video, or there are compatibility issues that mean they need to convert video files or install special software to watch the recording.
Most screen recording software leaves it up to you to share, which is not an easy task. Most screen recording software will require you to download an MP4 and then upload and share it elsewhere. Some online screen recorders make sharing easier by storing your recording in the cloud for a limited time and giving you a link to your video that can be played in any web browser on any device.
Screen recording software that is paid, freemium, or free
Last but not least, the prices of software, apps, and online tools for recording your screen vary quite a bit. Some screen recorders cost money, while others can be used for free.
On the other hand, most screen recording tools use a pricing model called "freemium" and offer free and paid features.
The free version has restrictions that may limit how you can use your screen recording. With a free screen recorder, you might only be able to make videos that are 5 minutes long, or you might have to pay to get rid of a watermark on your content. We propose you carefully watch the pricing information on the provider's website to determine which features are free and require upgrades. This will help you compare prices for the screen recording tools and features you need.