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
- Wink 2.0: Records motion and sound (Windows and Linux)
- Jing Project: Beta 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)
- Screencast-o-Matic: Beta, Web-based program with output as Java
- CamStudio: Flash output may not work in Firefox (Windows)
For Windows (Usually XP, 2000, or Vista)
- Camtasia Studio 5 Techsmith (Price as of 12/07: $299; $179 educational; $249 government)
- Captivate 3 Macromedia/Adobe (Price as of 12/07: $699 or $199 educational)
- ViewletCam 1.7.1 Qarbon. Does not work in Vista. (Price as of 12/07: $149)
- TurboDemo 7.5 Balesio (Price as of 12/07: $299)
- AllCapture 3 Balesio (Price as of 12/07: $258)
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 Vara Software (requires Leopard. Price as of 5/08: $100)
- Screenium (Price as of 5/08: $20)
- SnapzProX 2 Quicktime output only. (Price as of 12/07: $69)
- Screen Movie Recorder Quicktime output only. Free?
- Viewlet Builder Pro 4.5 Qarbon. Demo. (Price as of 12/07: $299; $199 education, government, non-profit)
Linux
- Viewlet Builder Pro 4.5 Qarbon. Demo. (Price as of 12/07: $299; $199 education, government, non-profit)
For more links to screencasting software see the Wikipedia List of Screencasting Software article. And see also my Screen Shot Software page.