Text is not always the best approach to convey a product or service, introduce your brand to the broader public, or simply share your knowledge and experience with followers on a specific issue. Videos, on the other hand, can be a useful tool for demonstrating all of a product’s features, demonstrating how it works, and providing lessons and other educational functions. This is especially true considering that video viewing accounts for a third of all online activities.
Video content (i.e. vlogs) is a very good technique to boost your webpage optimization, in addition to content marketing in the form of blogs. It is not easy to make your own video content that is both fascinating and professional, but there are some useful free web applications, such as programs for recording computer screens. These computer screen recording tools enable users to record tutorials, record one or more screens, record audio and video at the same time, export movies in a variety of formats, and some even allow for simple post-recording editing.
Computer Screen Recording Programs
Below is a list of the best free programs for recording computer screens, which includes the basic features of these programs and applications. Some of the most popular are Loom, CamStudio, OBS Project, Apowersoft, EzVid, Screenpresso, and others.
OBS
The Open Broadcast Software Project is free and open-source video recording and live streaming software. It can be used for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Linux, but it does not have a video editor, meaning it does not allow you to edit videos after recording.
Loom
Loom is a free program for recording computer screens, which you can download as a Chrome app or as a desktop app. The images you take with this app are stored in Loom’s cloud storage with unlimited capacity.
Loom includes a simple tool for cutting the beginning and end of the recording but not other features for video editing. When recording, it allows you to pause it at any time and resume recording later. It can capture the screen and the webcam, or just the screen, or just the webcam. The recording is stored on loom.com, but you can download it in MP4 format. It can be used for Windows, Mac, and iOS.
EzVid
EzVid is free video and screen recording software. It includes a video editor but takes up to 10 GB of hard disk space which can slow down older devices. EzVid lets you draw and record on the screen, and you can add a title, description, keywords, and other meta descriptions to your shots.
Apowersoft
Apowersoft video editor is a fairly simple recording program that offers the possibility of unlimited recording of video and audio content. It allows you to crop segments, add text layers, and adjust contrast, brightness, and color saturation.
The video can be saved in various formats and uploaded to YouTube and similar platforms. It can capture the entire screen or parts of the screen in various formats. In the free version of the program, it is not possible to remove watermarks from videos.
Rylstim
Rylstim Screen Recorder is a free program that allows you to record your computer screen as well as download the recording as an AVI file. It is very easy to use, but does not include audio recording or adding a recording. i.e. it is not a video editor.
Icecream Screen Recorder
Icecream Screen Recorder can record the entire computer screen or just certain parts of the screen. It records videos in MP4, MKV, or WebM format, allows you to record audio along with video, and to record via webcam along with an on-screen recording. It also allows drawing on the screen during recording, but the free version of the program limits recording to 10-minute videos.
The use of recordings is allowed for tutorials and personal use, but not for commercial use in the free version of the program.
Screenpresso
Screenespresso is one of the screen recording programs that has a free version. It allows you to record audio and webcam along with the screen, and use these recordings for commercial purposes as well.
The free edition limits the maximum recording length to 3 minutes, and the editing features are also limited. Also, in the free version, it is not possible to remove watermarks from images and videos.
CamStudio
CamStudio is free software for capturing computer screens that includes a simple video editor. CamStudio provides the ability to capture the webcam along with the screen, and add text layers, as well as add specific effects. You can save videos as standard AVI video files.
Screencastify
Screencastify is a great choice for those who need a simple screen capture program and is set up as an add-on to the Chrome browser. It is free for up to 50 videos per month that include a watermark and are shorter than 10 minutes.
Paid Screen Recording Programs
Some of these free programs also have a pro version with advanced features, i.e. a version that is charged. In addition to free programs for recording computer screens, there are many programs whose use is charged, but they have a free trial period that you can use. Some of them are very affordable and a great choice for those who need recording and for whom they are the main source of online content. Paid computer screen recording programs that you can consider are as follows:
- FlashBack Pro is an average screen recording program with great audio editing tools that offers a trial period and a purchase price of $ 49.
- Bandicam is great for recording high-definition videos, and you can buy it for $ 39.
- Movavi Screen Recorder is a recording application with a built-in video editor that you can buy for $ 65.
- ScreenFlow is a great program with its own image library that you can use to take shots that offers a trial period, and you can buy it for $ 129.
Before you decide on the program that suits you best, use the trial version of several different programs and decide which of them meets all your needs.
Useful Tips
Each of these programs has its advantages and disadvantages, so you first need to determine what features you need for the project you are working on. You need to be guided by these needs in your search for the right program. Before you start recording, so that you do not waste time unnecessarily and to look and sound confident and professional if you intend to post the video on the YouTube platform, it is important that you always have a plan according to which you record the video.
The length of a video affects its effectiveness, so if you can shorten a video to cover all the essential elements of the presentation, be sure to do so. The audio that accompanies the video should be of equal quality, with no background noise. Don’t move from one segment of video to another too quickly and vaguely, especially if you are doing tutorials. And be sure to cut out any mistakes from the final video version.