If you are trying to record online audio, streaming audio recorder is the best solution to help. No matter you are going to save audio from radio, broadcast, Spotify, Apple Music or other sources for playback, the streaming audio recorder does these for you by recording the online audio and outputting to MP3. As the streaming service become more and more popular, the demand for streaming audio recorder raise rapidly, especially for the stable audio recorder programs. However a new question comes, which streaming audio recorder performs great? It is time-consuming to try each one by yourself. To solve the problem, we do the research for you and review the most popular streaming audio recorders in the post.
If you need a screen-capture utility, CaptureWizPro ($39.95) from PixelMetrics should be on your radar. As you would expect, CaptureWizPro, currently in version 5.4, makes it easy to capture a. Apowersoft Screen Recorder, free and safe download. Apowersoft Screen Recorder latest version: A good choice for recording the screen! Apowersoft Screen Recorder is a popular and easy-to-use screen capture software, which lets you r. Apowersoft is a browser-based screen recorder that isn’t quite suitable for gaming. It is, however, great for recording product demonstrations, presentations, and other tutorials. Dota 2 download free full version for mac. The screen recorder can record various kinds of on-screen activities—from live chats to video streams.
The streaming audio recorders reviewed here are for different purpose, some is all-purpose audio recorder, some is used to record music streaming service only, while some can also record DRM songs. To make it more clearly, we will tell the pros and cons on each steaming audio recorder.
1. Audacity – free streaming audio recorder
Audacity is a versatile and comprehensive audio recording and editing program, available for Windows, OS X and Linux operating systems. Audacity provides you with a full set of tools that you can use to record, edit audio files and add effects. It can record and play sounds and import and export WAV, AIFF, MP3, and OGG files. Edit your sounds using cut, copy, and paste features (with unlimited undo functionality), mix tracks, or apply effects to your recordings.
Type: Record all the sound on computer
Pros:
- Free and work as good as premium tools.
- Record, edit and play audio files with a suite of pro-level features.
- Embed with lots of effects, including Amplify, Auto Duck, Compressor, Hard Limiter, Leveler, and many more.
Cons:
- Need to download additional programs to access the full range of file format options.
- It seems too big for people who aims to record sound.
Price: $0
Website: http://www.audacityteam.org/
2. Noteburner iTunes DRM Audio Converter – Apple Music audio recorder
Noteburner iTunes DRM Audio Converter aims to record audio from Apple Music streaming service. It removes the DRM and convert your M4P audio files into regular MP3, AAC, FLAC, WAV files so you can then listen to your purchased music on your Android devices or music players. Unlike other streaming audio recorders, it offers the option to adjust the conversion speed with maximum 20x faster. It works as it describes and is easy-to-use for its concise interface.
Type: Record DRM Apple Music, iTunes M4P songs
Pros:
- Concise interface.
- Retain ID3 tags and metadata such as artwork, artist, disc number, composer, album, year, track number, genre.
- Maximum 20x conversion speed.
Cons:
- iTunes must be installed.
Price: $39.95 Lifetime
3. Spotify Music Converter – Spotify streaming audio recorder
Spotify music converter only records audio from Spotify music streaming service. It is used as Spotify audio to MP3 converter and Spotify music downloader. With either Spotify record or YouTube download mode, you could get the audio from Spotify directly with maximum 5x speed. The output formats include MP3, AAC, FLAC and WAV which meet the demand of playing on any music players or portable devices.
Type: Record DRM Spotify songs
Pros:
- Instead of recording Spotify track one by one, it allows to record the whole Spotify playlist as well.
- Skip Spotify Ad if you are Spotify basic plan subscriber.
- Retain ID3 tags and metadata such as artwork, artist, disc number, composer, album, year, track number, genre.
- One-stop to burn to CD or share via Email.
Cons:
- Spotify must be installed.
- Convert maximum 200 songs at a time.
Price: $39.95 Lifetime
4. Apowersoft Streaming Audio Recorder – all-purpose streaming audio recorder
Apowersoft Streaming Audio Recorder allows you to record just about any audio from your favorite website, convert audio files into different formats, and listen to streaming radio. It can automatically get the ID3 tags information like title, artist, album, genre and release year for your music file. Output formats including MP3, AAC, FLAC, WMA, and WAV file formats. The program also comes with 35 different genres to choose from for streaming radio.
Type: Record all the sound on computer and from a microphone
Pros:
- Straightforward interface.
- Record streaming audio from music sites, video platforms, radio stations or capture sound from audio chats effortlessly.
- Add ID3 tags for music files.
- One-stop to transfer music to iTunes.
Cons:
- Basic audio editing functions.
- A bit expensive.
Price: $39.95 Yearly
5. Wondershare Streaming Audio Recorder – all-purpose streaming audio recorder
Wondershare Streaming Audio Recorder enables you to record audio from more than 1000 online music resource which complies with the copyright Laws. The recorder allows you to enjoy internet radio, records your favorite tracks legally from music stations for personal use. It also get details from every recording, which include the artist’s name, the album of the song and the genre of the music automatically.
Type: Record audio from any source
Pros:
- Intuitive interface which makes the app manageable for users of all experience levels.
- Automatic tagging with information including the song name, artist, and album title.
- Make customized ringtone from recorded audio.
Cons:
- Require to install Virtual Sound Card.
Apowersoft Download
Price: $29.95 Lifetime
Conclusion:
According to your demand, you can choose the streaming audio recorder from Audacity, Noteburner iTunes DRM Audio Converter, Spotify music converter, Apowersoft and Wondershare. Audacity is a powerful and comprehensive free audio recorder, editor, best for people who wanna record the sound and has specific requirement on editing sound. Noteburner iTunes DRM Audio Converter and Spotify music converter are the streaming audio recorders which work for online music streaming services like Apple Music and Spotify. Apowersoft and Wondershare streaming audio recorder are all-purpose audio recorder which record the sound on computer and from online websites.
(221 votes, average: 4.96 out of 5, rated)Loading..They say there is no free lunch and, more often than not, that’s the rule. Screen recording software, though, is a delightful exception — there are heaps of free tools out there.
To help you find the best free screen recorder, we have created a shortlist of the best free screen recorders in 2021 that are free. Ideal for communicating your ideas and feedback faster, recorder video tutorials, explainer videos, report bugs, etc.
Contents
What Is Screen Recording Software?
Screen recording software captures what is on your computer screen. You can either record in full screen or capture a specific area. Most of these apps can record your microphone (audio narration) and the best desktop recording software can also record your computer screen with audio (the system sound).
However, this is where the similarities end. Not all such programs are HD screen recorders. Some screen recording tools can save the recording in various file formats or export it to social media websites like YouTube. Top screen recorders, though, can upload your screen captures to the cloud in real-time and give you a sharing link instantly (much more effective).
So, before you set your mind on a free screen recording software, it’s best to evaluate your own recording needs. Maybe you don’t need to upload your videos to social media or maybe you don’t need to record in HD.
How we reviewed the top screen video recorders
We took information about each of the best desktop recorders directly from their official website. In addition, we gathered insights from independent reviews published on G2Crowd and tested each tool ourselves.
What is a good screen recorder?
While our picks range from desktop apps to browser plug-ins, each one meets the following basic criteria:
- User-friendly interface
- Can record the entire screen or a specific area
- Captures both system and microphone audio
- Built-in video sharing and/or convenient exporting options
See this video for more information.
Here Are The Best Free Screen Recording Software In 2021
| Screenrec | iSpring Free Cam | Apowersoft Free Online Screen Recorder | Screencast-O-Matic | Ezvid | Prezi Video | Veed | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Save screencast to your hard drive | |||||||
| Video Hosting | |||||||
| Cloud Recording | |||||||
| Instant sharing | |||||||
| Sharing options | Universal sharing link. Share privately or publicly. | Upload to Youtube | Upload to Youtube, Dropbox, Vimeo or GDrive | Upload to Youtube | None. You can save the screen capture to your hard drive. | Steam to web conferencing apps | None, You can save the screen capture to your hard drive. |
| Record computer audio and video at the same time | |||||||
| Record your voice | |||||||
| Record in full screen | |||||||
| Capture Screenshots | |||||||
| Video Library | |||||||
| Video Encryption | |||||||
| Video Analytics | |||||||
| Video Editing Tools | |||||||
| Facecam recording | |||||||
| Recording Time | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | 15 minutes | Depends on how much free space you have | 15 minutes | 10 minutes |
| Ads | Ad-free | Ad-free | Ad-free | Ads | Ad-free | Ad-free | Ad-free |
| Video compression | MP4 (Universal) | WMV (Windows only) | MP4, WMV, AVI, FLV, MPEG, VOB, ASF and GIF | MP4, AVI, FLV | WMV (Windows only) | ||
| Supported Platforms | Windows, Mac and Linux | Windows | Windows and Mac | Windows and Mac | Windows | Windows, Mac and Chrom | Windows and Mac |
| Works when you’re offline |
1. Screenrec
Click. Record. Share instantly. If you’re looking for the quickest and easiest possible way to capture your computer screen and share the recording with someone else, this is it. No ads and limitations. You not only get a screen recorder for free but you also get business video hosting for free.
Pros:
- Record computer audio
- Record your computer screen in HD
- Capture and annotate screenshots
- 2Gb of free video hosting included
- Cloud recording. Your video capture is uploaded on the fly to a secure video hosting platform — StreamingVideoProvider.
- Files are saved in the .MP4 format which can be played on any device (free MP4 screen recorder)
- Instant private sharing. Once the recording is complete you get a private sharing link that you can send to anyone online.
- Extremely lightweight
- Video CMS to manage your recordings, e.g. tag, add descriptions, organize in folders and playlists
- Video encryption. No one can download your videos without your explicit permission.
- Video analytics
- Unlimited recording time
- No ads
Cons:
- There are no video editing tools at this point
- You can’t record your webcam
Free Download For:
- Windows, Mac and Linux: https://screenrec.com/download-screenrec/
2. iSpring Free Cam
iSpring Free Cam made our list of the best screen recorders because it’s easy-to-use, without ads and time limitations. It only works on Windows which can potentially be an issue but, otherwise, it’s got all the chops to help you capture the full screen or a specific area of your desktop.
Pros:
- Record your microphone and system sounds
- Highlight your mouse
- Basic video editing tools, e.g. delete selection, remove background noise.
- Webcam recording is available but only in the Pro version
- You can upload your screencast to YouTube
- No ads
- No time limits
Cons:
- Only works on Windows. No support for Linux or Mac.
- Screen captures are saved in .WMV format (OK if you’re using a Windows PC but might not play on other platforms)
- Uploading large videos might take quite some time because there is no cloud recording option. The file is compressed and uploaded after recording.
- You can’t take screenshots
- Some users report high CPU usage
Available for:
- Windows
3. Apowersoft Free Online Screen Recorder
A nice online screen recorder with basic video editing capabilities. This free screen capture software runs in your browser (Mac or Windows) and requires an internet connection. The Apowersoft Free Online Screen Recorder might be a good choice if you’re looking for a one-time solution.
Pros:
- Record your webcam
- Add annotations within the video
- Capture computer audio
- Crop your video (no other editing tools, though)
- Works on Windows and Mac but not on Linux
- After recording, you can save the video file to your computer or upload it to YouTube, Vimeo, Dropbox, Google Drive, etc.
- You can save the file in a number of different formats (This can also be a con if you don’t know what you’re doing)
Cons:
- Requires a browser plugin to run which may slow your browser down. There is a “Download desktop version” button on the website but this is actually the Pro version, not the free one.
- No cloud recording option. If you want to share your screencast, you will have to wait for the video to render and, then, you will have to wait for it to upload.
- Time limits and watermarks (removed when you create a free account)
- Not suitable for game recording because you can’t hide the recording widget
- Users report that it takes quite a lot of time to view the replay
- You must be online to use it
Available for:
- Windows and Mac
4. Screencast-O-Matic
The free version of Screencast-O-Matic is another browser-based screen recording tool. It should work for you if you don’t need to record computer audio and you only want to make very short videos.
Pros:
- Narrate the video (record your computer microphone)
- Record your webcam
- After recording the video, you can upload it to YouTube or the Screencast-o-matic hosting service
- Highlight your mouse
Cons:
- 15-minute recording limit
- There is a watermark
- You can’t record computer audio in the free version
- No screenshot tool
- The free version can only run in the browser which can slow your computer down
- Ads on your screencasts
- Requires Java to run
- Some users report that it crashes their browsers and slows down their computers
- No cloud recording option. If you want to share your screencast, you will have to wait for the video to render and, then, you will have to wait for it to upload.
Available for:
- Windows and Mac
5. Ezvid
Ezvid is on our best screen recording software list because it has some cool features like the ability to draw while recording or synthesize human speech from text. Like iSpring Free Cam, it only works on Windows and saves screencasts in the bulky WMV format.
Pros:
- HD video capture
- Include computer narration with your video
- Trim videos
- Insert images and videos in your screencast
- Draw while recording
- Facecam recording
- No watermarks
- No ads
Cons:
- Works on Windows only
- Recording limit — depends on how much free space you have on your hard drive
- Delayed replay — you have to wait until your video is rendered
- Some users report that it slows down their computers
- Screen captures are saved in .WMV format (OK if you’re using a Windows PC but the video might not play on other platforms)
Available for:
- Windows
6. Prezi Video
Prezi Video gives you the opportunity to record a presentation from your Prezi slideshow using the desktop app. This app lets you record, edit, and download your presentations and even stream them to conference apps.
Pros:
- Connects with Prezi or other Powerpoint presentations.
- Powerful editing right within the app
- Offers templates to customize videos
- Have the option to show either webcam with presentation in background or just the presentation content
- Downloads in mp4 format
- Can live stream to Zoom, Webex, and GoToWebinar
- Can pause and resume recording
Cons:
- 15 minute recording limit
- Only records up to 720p
Available for:
- Windows, Mac and Chrom
7. Veed
Veed is an online screen recorder and video editor. If you can’t install new apps on your computer, this may be a good solution. Works on Windows and Mac, no software download or plugin required.
Pros:
- Screen capture with a click
- Unique layout options
- Fast and simple review
- Full video editing
- Auto-generated subtitles
- 2 GB of free storage
- No need for downloading
Cons:
Apowersoft Screen Recorder Pro Free
- Has watermark
- 10-minute recording limit
- No customer support
Available for:
- Windows and Mac
What Is a Good Screen Recorder?
There are two important points to consider when looking for the best free screen recorder in 2021.
1. File Format & Compression
A file format is a particular way of organizing the data within the file. There are many video file formats and some screen recording tools support more than one. However, most of the time, it goes down to MP4 vs. WMV.
MP4 or WMV for screen capture?
The WMV format is a product of Microsoft. Back in the day, it was created to allow professional videos to be recorded in high quality, e.g. on DVD, Bluray. The biggest issue here is that Mac users often have trouble viewing WMV files.
MP4, on the other hand, helps you produce video files that can be opened on any platform. And, when it comes to video quality, MP4 is actually better than WMV.
Architectural design software, free download mac. So,MP4 is more suitable for publishing your screen captures on the web and sharing them with others. The best free video capture software allows you to save your videos in MP4.
2. Video Hosting & Uploading
When looking for a screen capture software, you’d probably look at the recording features like — recording time, ability to record the computer audio, and so on.
But what happens after you record your screencast?
Most of the time, video files are very big and can’t be attached to emails. This means that, to share a video, you have to upload it somewhere in the cloud. In other words, you need video hosting.
This is a book-worthy topic but here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Hosting on YouTube. Some screen recorders allow you to post your videos on YouTube. That’s great when you want to share your videos publicly but not recommended if the screencast contains sensitive information.
- Proprietary video hosting. Some screen recorders like Screenrec, Apowersoft Free Online Screen Recorder and Screencast-O-Matic come with video hosting. When storing your videos on these platforms, it would be wise to research if the platform is free and what level of security it offers.
- Cloud Recording. If there is no Cloud Recording option, you will have to wait for the video to upload until you can share it. The best free screen capture tools come with this option.
Conclusion
Even the best free screen recording software has advantages and disadvantages. At the end of the day, the recording features — what you can do with the tool, are just as important as the effectiveness — how quickly you can record your computer screen and share it with others.
So, before you set your mind on a free screen recording software, it’s best to evaluate your own recording needs. Maybe you don’t need to upload your videos to social media or maybe you don’t need to record in HD.
Based on this criteria, the top screen recording software for us is the free screen recorder by ScreenRec. The final decision is, of course, yours to make.
What's the difference between a desktop screen recorder vs. online screen recorder?
As the names suggest, the biggest difference is that a desktop screen recorder can capture your screen while you're offline or on a poor internet connection. An online screen recorder requires stable Internet. For this reason, an online screen recorder isn't the best option when it comes to game capture. It may be a viable option when you're recording a tutorial, though.
What is the best alternative to Screencast-O-Matic?
Screencast-O-Matic is a popular screencasting tool. Many people use it to record tutorials, training videos and other educational content. The biggest advantage of Screencast-O-Matic is, perhaps, the ability to share the recording to a number of platforms like Vimeo, YouTube and Screencast-o-Matic's own video hosting platform. One downside, however, is the fact that you have to wait for the recording to upload and, if you've been recording for, say, 1 hour, this can be a huge pain. That's why, as an alternative, we'll suggest ScreenRec. It's quick and lightweight, allows you to capture both your computer audio and microphone audio and, finally, it's got instant private sharing--your screen recordings are uploaded in real time which means that you never have to wait. You get a sharing link as soon as you press 'Stop'.
How do I record my computer screen?
It depends on the screen capture tool you're using and your platform (Windows, Mac, Linux, etc). With ScreenRec, for example, you have to press Alt + S to start recording your desktop. This works on all platforms.
References & Further Reading