11 Best HD Screen Recorders in 2023 [Updated]
All of the different types of HD screen recorders have their own features, quirks, and compatibility. We’ve reviewed a wide selection to suit different users, ensuring you can get a high-quality screen recorder that suits your unique requirements.
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Best high-quality screen recorder software
The following are some of our favorite high-quality screen recorder programs for Mac and PCs that are worth the download. We aren't ranking these in any particular order, as each can give you the results you want based on your preferences. They're all effective at capturing full HD video with some additional features that make them stand apart.
Movavi Screen Recorder
Best for: recording high-quality videos and streams on computers
OS: Windows, macOS
TrustedBay review: 4.8 out of 5
Price: free trial, full version for $59.95
Movavi Screen Recorder is a reliable full HD screen recorder that makes it easy to capture nearly any video. It features a simple, easy-to-use interface that enables you to capture either the full screen or a specific region. You can also trim the video file once done and easily share it on multiple platforms. If you're looking for something simple and intuitive, this HD screen capture tool is a great choice.
Features
Record high-quality video with each use
Capture online calls in addition to videos
Take screenshots and make edits to them
Capture multiple video and audio streams simultaneously or separately
Pros
Easy to use with an intuitive interface
Records in 4K
Adjustable capture area
Enables users to create high-quality screencasts
Captures multiple streams
Makes it easy to share on multiple platforms, including YouTube and Google Drive
Cons
Limited features with the free version
Bandicam
Best for: 4K UHD recording
OS: Windows
Trustpilot review: 3.4 out of 5, 25 reviews
Price: $39.95
If you want something even more powerful than a conventional 1080p screen recorder, Bandicam can capture 4K UHD video at a high FPS. You can use it for gaming, videos, or even external devices, and it works with many encoding and codec options depending on your preferences. You'll get some of the best quality of recordings with this HD screen recorder for a PC.
Features
4K UHD video recording capabilities
Voice mixing feature
A wide variety of codec and encoding options
Pros
Includes H.264 encoder
Records high-quality 4K video
Can use with screens or external devices
Comes with many options for encoding
Great performance with small files
Cons
Incompatible with live streaming
No video-editing features
Icecream Screen Recorder
Best for: easy control panel switching
OS: Windows, macOS
G2 review: 4.1 out of 5, 21 reviews
Price: free version, pro version for $29.95
Icecream Screen Recorder is a good HD screen recorder free to use for easy capturing. You can also capture screenshots in addition to video, and you can record external devices, including your webcam. It also records audio from your computer or microphone.
Features
Simple control panel
Switch control that allows you to switch from the control panel to your PC desktop
Editing options available after you've completed recording
Pros
Easy to pick up and use
Immediate editing capabilities after recording
Supports many video and audio file formats
Easily switch between your desktop and the control panel
Cons
Can only record up to 10 minutes using the free version
AceThinker Screen Grabber Premium
Best for: taking quick snapshots
OS: Windows, macOS
Price: $42.95
AceThinker Screen Grabber Premium is another top-rated HD screen recorder to capture whatever activity on your computer, including desktop screen, streaming video, music, calls, presentations, mouse movement, and more. You can record the full screen, capture only a selected region, record webcam, or even record only audio. The screencast can be captured and saved in 1080P and even 4K quality for the best viewing experience. Whenever you want to capture HD video, Screen Grabber Premium is a nice option.
Features
Record screen along with audio in high quality
Record gameplay on PC with webcam
Record audio from system and microphone
Take snapshots and edit them afterward
Export in multiple output video and audio formats
Pros
User-friendly interface, comprehensive even for novices
Multiple recording modes for different capture needs
Annotate recordings in real-time to make the video attractive
Directly share the screencast to social platforms
Schedule a recording task to save your time
Cons
Very limited video editing features after the recording
The recording is limited to 3 minutes in the free trial version
liteCam HD
Best for: Windows gamers
OS: Windows
CNET review: 4 out of 5
Price: $19.99, pro version for $29.99
If you're a gamer in need of a great HD video recorder that can capture top-quality video, with the ability to export compressed files without any loss of quality, liteCam HD is a good tool. You can easily capture and edit videos using liteCam HD, and you can extract audio and edit it separately.
Features
Ability to trim files using the preview option
Can extract audio to edit it on its own
File compression capabilities without compromising quality
Pros
Can edit videos after recording
Ability to edit audio separately
Captures high-quality video with consistent quality after compression
Cons
Only available for Windows
OBS Studio
Best for: best Linux support
OS: macOS, Linux, Windows
TechRadar review: 4 out of 5
Price: free
OBS Studio is an HD screen recorder with many features that can help fully customize your recording experience. You can add transitions to your videos for more seamless editing, apply filters, choose from different themes, and use real-time video and audio mixing, all with consistent quality while recording and editing.
Features
A wide variety of recording options including filters and audio mixing
Enables live streaming in addition to recording
Over 20 plugins
Pros
Allows for recording along with streaming
Ideal for recording gaming sessions in high quality
Free and compatible with most platforms
Comes with many features to optimize recording and editing
Cons
Lack of video-editing tools
Ezvid
Best for: text-to-speech feature
OS: Windows
TechRadar review: 3 out of 5
Price: free
This HD screen recorder is easy to use and comes complete with an editing tool. You can use it to capture both video and voice recordings through your microphone, or you can add narration via the text-to-speech option. If you want to make instructional or informational videos, this tool is ideal.
Features
A built-in editor that comes with several features
Slideshow features
Ability to record audio with a mic or through text-to-speech
Pros
Comes with an editor with multiple features
Audio recording makes it great for adding narration and commentary
Easy to use with a simple interface
Cons
No ability to save and only exports to YouTube
FlashBack Express
Best for: webcam capture
OS: Windows
G2 review: 4,3 out of 5, 3 reviews
Price: free
Flashback Express is a reliable HD screen recorder if you're in need of a quick solution. Its simplicity makes it a great screen recorder if you need to make a video in a snap.
Features
Can add webcam footage and voice-over to recordings
Includes sharing option
Pros
Can capture webcam
Captures videos without watermarks
Video length is not limited
Cons
Minimal video-editing tools
CamStudio
Best for: VoIP capture
OS: Windows
SourceForge review: 3 out of 5, 242 reviews
Price: free
If you need a comprehensive HD screen recorder, CamStudio has everything you need. It started as a simple open-source product but grew into one of the most widely used. It allows for full-screen video recording along with adjustable regions, live streaming to PIP, and audio recording through your computer or microphone.
Features
Full-screen or adjustable capture area
Live streaming capabilities
VoIP and audio recording
Basic video editing tools
Pros
Unlimited amount of recording time
Various basic editing tools
Easy to use
Adjustable recording with audio
Cons
Reports that the program spreads malware and viruses when downloaded
Can only export AVI video files
No advanced video-editing features
No scheduled recording option
XSplit Broadcaster
Best for: chroma key feature
OS: Windows, macOS
Capterra review: 4.1 out of 5, 48 reviews
Price: free version, pro lifetime version for $200
For a screen recording software with many editing features in addition to high-quality recording, XSplit Broadcaster is a good choice. This powerful live streaming software includes various advanced editing features, enables you to edit videos before streaming, and it allows for adjustable recording areas.
Features
Provides a projector mode
Advanced video-editing features
Green screen option
Pros
Adjustability when recording, including the recording space and timing
Ability to add transitions
Supports various capture cards and webcams
Can upload directly to YouTube
Cons
Lack of customization options
Screencast-O-Matic
Best for: browser-based capture
OS: Windows, macOS
G2 review: 4.1 out of 5, 44 reviews
Price: free version, pro monthly subscription for $4
If you would rather use web-based software for screen recording, Screencast-O-Matic can give you what you need from your browser. You can also download the application if you purchase the paid version. Although the free version is limited, you can still use it to record high-quality videos up to 15 minutes long and access basic editing and publishing features.
Features
Video-editing tools
Offline application and web-based options
Can record audio with the paid version
Pros
Variety of editing tools
Can use both online and offline with the paid version
Sharing and video-hosting capabilities
Cons
Free version is very limited compared to the paid version
How to choose the best HD screen recorder
Hopefully, you now feel like you have a lot of options for picking the ideal screen recorder for your needs. Here are some of the most important things to consider when choosing the best screen recorder HD:
Usability: ensure that the app or software you choose is easy to use and compatible with the way you wish to record, such as taking video from your browser. A lot of features can make it harder to get to grips with the software. A free trial means you can check out the usability.
Features: you need to ensure that the software has all of the features and can capture video from your desktop as well as other sources such as your browser, plus editing features you may need.
Supported files: which files are produced by the software, and can you export them in the format you want to?
User reviews: always check user reviews to see if there are any common issues, as well as how much people enjoy the software in general.
Support: it’s a good idea to check if support is available – for example, live chat or email support.
Conclusion
We hope this article has been helpful in your choice of an HD screen recorder. Everyone needs slightly different features, so feel free to check out the programs from our article and choose the one that suits you best.
Movavi Screen Recorder
Disclaimer: Please be aware that Movavi Screen Recorder does not allow capture of copy-protected video and audio streams.
Frequently asked questions
How do I record my screen in HD?
Using Movavi Screen Recorder, you can capture high-quality HD video with ease. All you need to do is install it and use the simple interface to capture, edit, and share your videos.
Take the following steps to use Movavi Screen Recorder to capture nearly any video:
Download the application and follow the instructions provided.
Modify video capture settings by clicking Screen recording. Use the mouse to select the specific area of the screen you would like to record, or capture the full screen.
Click the REC button to begin recording, which will take place after a short countdown to prepare.
Trim the video clips using the intuitive timeline and perform other basic edits. You can then save the project and access your videos by clicking Show in Folder.
How do I record my screen in 1080p?
Movavi Screen Recorder makes it easy to record high-quality HD video in 1080p resolution. All you need to do is download the application and adjust the recording area. You can also edit your videos once you've finished recording, with the ability to trim clips if needed. You can then save your videos or upload them to various platforms, including YouTube and Google Drive.
What is HD video recording?
HD video recording entails capturing videos in a higher resolution and quality than what you would get with standard-definition recordings. Specifically, a high-definition video, as defined in North America, is one with over 480 vertical scan lines. Also, high-quality digital videos contain more pixels than low-resolution videos, which makes for a crisp image. Top-quality full HD videos will have a resolution of 1080p, which means they have 1,920 pixels horizontally and 1,080 pixels vertically, while 4K and other Ultra HD resolutions have a vertical resolution of 1440p.
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