Screen recording has become an indispensable thing in various sectors like education, business, and content creation. Mac users are no exception to this trend, as screen recording is a natively available feature on their devices. With the ability to record screens, they can easily create tutorials, and presentations, and even capture important moments from online meetings or conferences.
However, achieving a professional and polished screen recording requires a bit more than just hitting the record button. If you opt for a free screen recorder for your Mac, here are three best screen capture software with essential tips to enhance your screen recording experience and output quality.
3 Best Screen Recorders for Mac
In this article, I will share with you 3 different Mac software that you can use to record your screens and create amazing videos for your social media.
How to make a screen recording on a Mac with Movavi Screen Recorder
Movavi Screen Recorder is one of the best screen recorders for Mac. It's a versatile tool that allows you to record anything from your screen, whether it’s an entire desktop, a specific app, or a browser tab. Besides screen recording, it also provides various features such as webcam integration, internal and external audio recording, and multiple format export options.
Pros:
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Easy to navigate
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Recording scheduler
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Built-in video trimmer
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High-quality output
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Social media sharing
Cons:
- The free version limits recording time and puts a watermark on a video
To record your screen activity with Movavi Screen Recorder:
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Download and Install: Go to Movavi's website and download the installer. Start the process and follow the steps to finish it.
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Set up Recording Parameters: Open the software and adjust settings by clicking on a cogwheel. There you have options to change frame rate, video and audio quality, highlight mouse clicks, set custom hotkeys, make a scheduled recording, and more.
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Start Recording: Click on the screen recording option, choose the area you want to capture, and press the 'REC' button. You can manage the recording process using the control panel that appears or via hotkeys.
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Save the Recording: After finishing, save the recording in the desired format and location on your Mac or export it to Google Drive, YouTube, Messenger, and email.
How to screen record on a MacBook with QuickTime
QuickTime is pre-installed, free screen recording software on Mac, making it a convenient choice for users who need to do basic screen recordings. It offers the essentials, such as screen and audio recording, easy playback, and simple editing features like trimming.
Pros:
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Comes pre-installed on Mac, requiring no additional downloads or installations
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Free and easy to use for basic screen recording needs
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Allows users to record both screen and audio
Cons:
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Limited features compared to other recording options
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Limited output options, only allow saving recordings in .mov format
Follow these steps to capture your screen using QT Player:
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Open the player: Navigate to the Applications folder, select QuickTime Player, and open it.
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Choose New Screen Recording: Go to the File menu, select 'New Screen Recording', and adjust the necessary settings like the recording area.
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Record: Click the "Record" button and select the area you want to capture or choose the entire screen recording.
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Stop and Save: Click the "Stop" button in the menu bar to end the recording. Save the file at the preferred location.
How to record a screen with OBS Studio
OBS Studio stands out as powerful, free screen recording and live-streaming software. It's highly customizable, supporting various sources such as window capture, browser, and webcam. With OBS, you can manage multiple scenes and sources, enabling a dynamic recording and streaming experience.
Pros:
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Completely free and open-source
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Supports multiple scenes and sources for a versatile recording setup
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Advanced settings and features for professional-quality recordings
Cons:
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Might have a steeper learning curve for beginners due to its wide array of features
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Can be resource-intensive, affecting the overall performance
Here are the steps to screen record with OBS:
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Download and Install: Get OBS Studio from its official website and install it.
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Configuration: Launch OBS and configure the necessary settings such as shortcuts, resolution, audio sources, frame rate, bitrate, etc.
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Add Sources: Add the sources you wish to capture, like windows or complete display.
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Start Recording: Click on 'Start Recording' to begin. Manage scenes and sources as required during the recording.
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Stop and Save: Click 'Stop Recording' when done. The file will be automatically saved in the previously assigned location.
Tips on recording a screen
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Clear Desktop and Background: Declutter your desktop from unnecessary icons or files. A clean desktop enhances the focus on your content and avoids distractions for the viewers.
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Close Unnecessary Applications: Shut down all unrelated applications and browser tabs. It will not only prevent unexpected notifications or sounds during the recording but also ensure that your computer runs smoothly.
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Adjust Screen Resolution: Tweak your screen resolution to suit the platform for displaying the content. A higher resolution provides clarity and detail but requires more storage space and processing power.
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Use an External Microphone: For clear and professional audio, consider using a separate microphone instead of the built-in one. It will improve the audio quality, reducing background noise and echo.
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Plan and Practice: Plan what you want to convey, and practice your presentation. This makes your content well-organized, clear, and engaging, reducing unnecessary pauses or errors during the process.
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Highlight Mouse and Cursor: Utilize software features that allow the highlighting of mouse clicks or cursor movements. It guides the viewer's attention, making it easier to follow along with the demonstration or tutorial.
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Edit for Professionalism: After recording, spend time editing the video to remove errors, and unnecessary parts, or to add enhancements like texts, transitions, or annotations.
Conclusion
Screen recording on a Mac can be seamlessly achieved using various software. The three best screen recorders for Mac can help you make professional recordings easily.
Select the one that best fits your needs. Consider the ease of use, features, and the nature of the content you intend to capture and share.
Always remember to do a test run before starting your actual recording, and experiment with different settings to achieve the best results.
