Screen recording has become essential for creating tutorials, presentations, and exciting content. You may wonder about the various features provided by different screen recorders on a Mac and what the best screen recorder is. So, what are Mac's three best free screen recorders in 2024? This guide will provide all the information you need to get the best screen recorder for your Mac.
Introduction
Screen recording on a Mac is a powerful feature. It lets you capture everything happening on your computer screen, whether for creating tutorials, sharing presentations, or simply documenting a problem. To screen record on Mac free of charge is very simple.
This functionality lets you record video and audio, making it an invaluable tool for various purposes. Whether you're a content creator, educator, or someone who needs to share information visually, screen recording capabilities provide an easy and efficient way.
This guide will uncover Mac's three best free screen recorders. We will provide a step-by-step tutorial on how to use each software and the user experience of using each of them.
How to Record Your Screen on Mac with WPS Office
Step 1: Open the WPS Office app
Open WPS Office. Then, click "Apps" and "Screen Recorder" to begin the screen recording process.
Step 2: Select the Screen Record setting
Select from the list of options available either “Record Screen,” “Record Window,” “Record Sound,” or “Record Webcam.” Other options are available, which will be available to view in the app.
Step 3: Choose whether or not to record the audio
Click the speaker icon to choose whether to record the audio. “System Sound” and “Record without Audio” are available options. Click “Settings”. You can adjust the sound and set “Noise cancellation” or “Audio boost.”
Step 4: Open and edit the settings
In the upper right corner of the app, you can change the settings to suit your needs. The available options to set are “Output folder,” “Output format,” and “Hotkeys.”
Step 5: Manage the completed video
The video will automatically be added to the list after the screen recording. Right-click the video file, and you can play, edit, compress, delete, and rename the video file. Click “Edit,” and you can adjust the video length, set the playback speed, or add a personal watermark. Finally, click “Export” to save the edited file.
Other Screen Recorder Recommendations on Mac
To screen record on Mac free of cost is possible when you’ve done proper research. You could use an alternative program. Below, we have provided two alternative options that you can easily use.
1. Record Your Screen with OBS Studio
OBS Studio, short for Open Broadcaster Software Studio, is a versatile and free open-source software. It has become the go-to choice for content creators, streamers, and anyone looking to record or live-stream their computer screen.
OBS Studio offers many benefits for consumers to enjoy. Some of the standout features include:
Screen Recording: You can capture your screens with fullscreen, specific windows, or custom regions.
Audio Mixing: Easily control and mix multiple audio sources, including microphone and system sounds.
Live Streaming: Streaming to platforms like Facebook Live, Twitch, and YouTube is effortless.
Customizable Transitions: You can easily create smooth transitions between scenes for a professional look.
Scene Compositions: Organize your content into scenes for easy management.
Pros
Open Source: Free and open-source software with a vibrant community, meaning constant updates and improvements.
Broad Compatibility: Works well with popular streaming platforms and supports various protocols.
Highly Customizable: Offers extensive customization options for scenes, sources, and layouts.
Active Community: A large, supportive community with many tutorials and resources.
Cons
Complex for Beginners: Its wealth of features can overwhelm newcomers, and there is a learning curve.
Limited Built-in Editing: It focuses on capturing and streaming, so additional software may be needed for in-depth editing.
Occasional Bugs: Like any software, it can have rare bugs or compatibility issues with specific hardware or configurations.
No Direct Technical Support: Being open-source, it needs dedicated customer support, and users rely on community forums for help.
2. Record Your Screen with QuickTime Player
QuickTime Player is a versatile multimedia application designed for macOS. It serves as a built-in media player and provides a range of features beyond simple playback. QuickTime Player is widely recognized for its user-friendly interface. Its editing capabilities and screen recording functionality make it a handy tool for productivity.
QuickTime Player offers many benefits for consumers to enjoy. Some of the standout features include:
Screen Recording: It allows users to capture their screen activity, making it helpful in creating tutorials and demos.
Basic Editing: QuickTime Player has simple editing functions for trimming, splitting, and rotating video clips.
Streaming: The application lets you stream video and audio content to other Apple devices using AirPlay.
Easy Sharing: Simplifies sharing of media files via email, messages, or social media.
VR and 360° Video: QuickTime Player supports viewing and interacting with virtual reality and 360-degree video content.
Pros
Screen Recording: The screen recording feature is handy for creating how-to guides and sharing content.
User-Friendly: It has an intuitive and straightforward interface, making it easily accessible to beginners.
Built-in: The software comes pre-installed on macOS, so no additional software is required for most media playback and basic editing tasks.
VR Support: It provides a unique and immersive experience for users interested in virtual reality content.
Cons
Limited Editing: While it offers basic editing, it needs advanced video editing features in dedicated video editing software.
Limited Format Support: It may only partially support some less common or proprietary multimedia formats.
Streaming Limitations: Streaming is primarily designed for Apple’s ecosystem, which limits its use with non-Apple devices.
User Experience: WPS vs. OBS Studio vs. Quick Time Player
WPS Office
WPS office screen recorder is a perfect fit for educators who rely on PowerPoint or other presentation software. It allows them to effortlessly create screen recordings of their lectures, presentations, or educational content.
Business professionals also benefit and can use it for quick screen recordings in reports, presentations, or software demonstrations. Students find it valuable for capturing online classes or creating study materials.
OBS Studio
OBS Studio is a powerhouse for gamers looking to share their gameplay, create tutorials, or host live streams on platforms like Twitch or YouTube. Content creators across various domains appreciate its flexibility and customization for producing high-quality content.
It’s also a go-to choice for live streamers who need to manage multiple sources and scenes.
QuickTime Player
QuickTime Player caters to Mac users with straightforward and integrated solutions. If you want to screen record on Mac free of charge, it suits basic screen recording needs such as capturing software demos, creating tutorials, and recording quick presentations.
It’s particularly handy for sharing media content or screen recording via email, messaging apps, or social media and for basic video editing tasks like trimming and rotating clips.
Why Choose WPS Office?
To screen record on Mac free of charge, WPS is the best solution for the following reasons:
1. Free Download
WPS Office offers a free download, making it accessible to many users. That is especially beneficial for budget-conscious people looking for an affordable screen recording solution without compromising on functionality.
2. Compatibility
WPS Office is compatible with various operating systems, including Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, and Android. This cross-platform compatibility ensures you can easily use WPS Office for screen recording on different devices. That makes it a versatile choice for users who work across multiple platforms.
3. Features
WPS Office provides a comprehensive set of features for screen recording. Apart from capturing your screen, you can leverage additional tools like editing and annotation features to enhance your recordings. That allows you to customize and refine your content directly within the WPS Office software.
4. User-friendly Interface
WPS Office is known for its user-friendly interface. That makes it easy to navigate and operate even for less tech-savvy individuals. The intuitive design and layout help you quickly grasp the necessary functions and settings for screen recording, resulting in a smooth and hassle-free experience.
FAQs
1. Why does QuickTime screen recording have no sound?
There could be plenty of reasons why QuickTime Player is recording without sound. Here are some common reasons:
You didn't select the built-in Microphone as the default audio input device in QuickTime Player settings.
The sound input volume is too low, or the speaker volume is too low to be picked up by the Microphone.
QuickTime Player's version needs to be ordered or updated, which may cause compatibility issues with Mac.
Mac has restricted QuickTime from using the system's Microphone.
2. How to edit a QuickTime screen recording on a Mac?
To edit a QuickTime screen recording on a Mac, follow these simple steps:
Step 1: Open the QuickTime Player app on your Mac
Step 2: Open the movie you want to trim, then select "Edit" and "Trim."
Step 3: Drag the yellow handles in the trimming bar. The area outside of the yellow handles is the area to be trimmed.
Tip: To make more precise edits, click and hold a handle to see individual frames of the clip.
Summary
Screen recording is now a common practice, especially among streamers and people looking to provide tutorials. Many apps make screen recording easier, especially on a Mac. Apps such as WPS Office, OBS Studio, and QuickTime Player have made it easy to screen record on Mac free of charge.
WPS Office stands out as an excellent choice. Given the easy integration with the Office suite, users can easily record, edit, and annotate their videos. That enables users to record their screen and save time in the process quickly.
