Best Screen Recording Software of 2023

Compatibility: There’s a “gotcha” with some screen recording software: namely, you want to pick one that’s compatible with your computer. This goes beyond whether the app works on a Mac or a PC. The screen recording software you use might not work quite right with a specific graphics card or monitor. IN some cases, an app might be incompatible when you record. The best advice is to always start with the free version or a trial. If you’re a gamer, also be aware that some screen recorders might not work with your particular graphics card or even a specific game you want to record.

Recording Quality: One key to choosing screen recording software is quality. In some cases, the app you choose might not record at a high enough resolution. NVIDIA GeForce Experience can record at up to 8K, the highest in our guide, but most record at 4K or lower. Several of the apps in our guide record a high-quality MP4 video file that you can share by emailing the file, sharing it on social media, or showing the video on a website – just know that the higher quality you select for recording, the bigger the file you will have for sharing. Test the screen recording apps with a free version or a trial, because when you record your screen, you might see artifacts, slight pauses, and other minor problems. This seems to depend mostly on compatibility and the graphics card you use.

Ease of Use: Generally speaking, screen recording software is very easy to use. Look for apps that have a large “record” button and can also record audio when you speak. When you’re done using the app, most screen recording software provides a video file you can share with anyone. Finding these files is usually easy and intuitive. Most of these apps for recording your screen will install in a few minutes, but the more features and capabilities an app has, the more complicated it might be to install and use.

Recording Options: Flexibility is key with screen recording apps. Most will record the entire screen, so whatever you want to demonstrate and record will be shown full screen. That works in many cases, but sometimes you might want to show only a portion of the screen. In this regard, some of the best screen recording apps like Loom and OBS Studio will let you record only one application on your desktop rather than the entire screen.

File Formats: Recording activity on your screen is easy, and all of the apps in this guide provide some basic features for recording and saving files. In most cases, you will end up with an MP4 file that’s easy to share with a team at work or on social media. More advanced apps like OBS Studio and VEED support a few extra file formats like AAC and FLAC, which gives you extra flexibility in how you share the files and who can view them.

Video Recording: The most basic and free screen recording apps allow you to record audio while you talk during a screen demonstration. More advanced screen recorders can also record you via your webcam as you talk. This creates a personal connection with those who will watch the screen recording. Apps like Loom and VEED make it easy to record through the webcam as you explain a complex topic and otherwise engage viewers.