The commercial software is much more full-featured, is more frequently updated, and has more output and editing options. But some of the free software can produce excellent quality screencasts. Most of the commercial programs have free limited-time version demos.
Free Software (Online)
- ScreenCastle: Java-based screencast record; no account needed; no ability to delete hosted screencasts
- ScreenToaster: Java-based screencast record with the ability to add subtitles at the bottom of the screencast
- Screencast-o-Matic: Java-based program recorder with free hosting
- Screenjelly
- Screenr
Free Software (Download)
- Wink 2.0: Records motion and sound (Windows and Linux)
- Jing Project: From Techsmith, screencasts hosted at Screencast.com (Windows, Mac)
- Webinaria: Records motion and sound and includes hosting (Windows)
- uTIPu: Records motion and sound and includes hosting (Windows)
- FreeScreencast.com: Records motion and sound and includes hosting (Windows)
- CamStudio: Flash output may not work in Firefox (Windows)
For Windows (Usually XP, 2000, or Vista)
- Camtasia Studio 6 Techsmith (Price as of 3/09: $299; $179 educational; $249 government)
- Captivate 4 Macromedia/Adobe (Price as of 3/09: $799 or $249 educational)
- ViewletCam 2 Qarbon. (Price as of 3/09: $179 or $139 educational)
- TurboDemo 7.5 Balesio (Price as of 3/09: $398)
- AllCapture 3 Balesio (Price as of 3/09: $398)
Windows software from Microsoft
- Windows Movie Maker – included with WinXP SP2 and above
- Windows Media Encoder (free download)
- (how to use Windows Media Encoder)
Apple Mac OS X
- Jing Project (free, for both Macs and Windows)
- ScreenFlow from Telestream (requires Leopard. Price as of 3/09: $99)
- Screenium (Price as of 3/09: $29)
- SnapzProX 2 Quicktime output only. (Price as of 3/09: $69)
- Screen Movie Recorder Quicktime output only. (Price as of 3/09: €15)
- Viewlet Builder Pro 4.5 Qarbon. Demo. (Price as of 3/09: $299; $199 education)
Linux
- Viewlet Builder Pro 4.5 Qarbon. Demo. (Price as of 3/09: $299; $199 education)
For more links to screencasting software see the Wikipedia List of Screencasting Software article. And see also my Screen Shot Software page for related software.