Software
March 5th, 2012 by Greg R Notess
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)
- Screenr: Java-based. “Instant screencasts for Twitter.” 5 minute limit.
- Screencast-o-Matic: Java-based program recorder with free hosting. 15 minute limit. Pro version for $12/year includes editing and more.
- ScreenCastle: Java-based screencast record; no account needed; no ability to delete hosted screencasts
Free Software (Download)
- Wink 2.0: Records motion and sound (Windows and Linux)
- Jing: From Techsmith, screencasts hosted at Screencast.com (Windows, Mac). 5 minute limit. Pro version retired.
- Webinaria: Records motion and sound and includes hosting (Windows)
- CamStudio: Flash output may not work in Firefox (Windows)
For Windows (Typically XP, 2000, Vista, and 7)
- Camtasia Studio 7 Techsmith (Price as of 3/2012: $299; $179 educational; $249 government)
- Captivate 5.5 Adobe (Price as of 3/2012: $799; or subscription pricing of month-to-month at $29/month and per year at $19/month; or $299 educational)
- Jing: Free. From Techsmith, screencasts hosted at Screencast.com (Windows, Mac)
- Snagit Techsmith (Price as of 3/2012: $50; $30 educational; $43 government)
- ViewletCam 2 Qarbon. (Price as of 3/2012: $149 or $119 educational)
- Viewlet Builder 7 Qarbon. (Price as of 3/2012: $399; $279 education)
- TurboDemo 7.5 Balesio (Price as of 3/2012: $199 for standard)
- AllCapture 3 Balesio (Price as of 3/2012: $199)
Apple Mac OS X
- Camtasia:mac (Price as of 3/2012: $99)
- Captivate 5.5 Adobe (Price as of 3/2012 $799; or subscription pricing of month-to-month at $59/month and per year at $39/month; or $299 educational)
- Jing: Free. From Techsmith, screencasts hosted at Screencast.com (Windows, Mac)
- Snagit Techsmith (Price as of 3/2012: $50; $30 educational; $43 government)
- ScreenFlow (Price as of 3/2012: $99)
- Screenium (Price as of 3/2012 $29.99)
- SnapzProX 2 Quicktime output only. (Price as of 3/2012: $69)
- Screen Movie Recorder Quicktime output only. (Price as of 3/2012: €10)
- Viewlet Builder 7 Qarbon. (Price as of 3/2012: $399; $279 education)
Linux
- Viewlet Builder 4 Qarbon. (Price as of 2/2011: $299; $209 education)
- Wink 2.0: Free. Records motion and sound (Windows and Linux)
Defunct Free Software (Online)
- Screenjelly: Java-based, limit to 3 minutes. Defunct as of May 2011.
- ScreenToaster: Java-based screencast record with the ability to add subtitles at the bottom of the screencast [Intermittent access in late 2010. Defunct in Feb. 2011.]
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.