In this guide, we explore the best screen recorders Google Meet users can try to take quality recordings of their calls to revisit at a later date or to archive.
Quick summary
For 4K recording and screencasts: Movavi Screen Recorder
Our goal is to provide you with only verified information. To ensure this, Movavi Content Team does the following:
When selecting products to include in our reviews, we research both demand and popularity.
The team tests all the products mentioned in this article.
When testing, we compare the key characteristics of the products, which include selecting capture area, schedule recording, showing keystrokes and mouse, and other significant features.
We study user reviews from popular review platforms and make use of this information when writing our product reviews.
We collect feedback from our users and analyze their opinions of Movavi software as well as products from other companies.
Best desktop software for Google Meet screen recording
Key features:
Movavi Screen Recorder is a powerful program for screen recording Google Meet or any other screen activity. You can enjoy recordings in up to 4K quality, and the software also allows you to trim, annotate, and even schedule your recordings to ensure you capture everything, and in the highest possible quality.
Pros
Simple to use
Affordable option
Save and share in HD
Basic editing options
Cons
A watermark is added to your recordings in the free trial
Bandicam
Windows
$39.95
G2 rating: 4.3 out of 5, 33 reviews
Bandicam is a good option for those who want to quickly set up recording using presets. It can record up to 4K HD. This recording software has a lot of presets for you to click on and begin using in seconds for lower quality (and smaller file size) videos.
This screen recorder for Google Meet with audio also has the option to record gameplay, take webcam recordings and make simple edits. You can also overlay annotations and effects. There is an inbuilt file manager, which helps you to organize your files and see how much storage they are taking up, too.
Key features:
Mouse strokes and annotation
A variety of presets available
Schedule recordings
Mix your microphone and system audio
Pros
Easy to get started recording with a simple layout
Records in HD and UHD
File manager window makes it simple to save and send files
Cons
No option to use on a Mac
Icecream Screen Recorder
Windows, macOS
Free version, pro version for $29.95
G2 rating: 4 out of 5, 24 reviews
If you want to make some short recordings of your calls, then Icecream Screen Recorder might be a good option for you. It does cap the length of videos, but if you want to make short explainers, then you can do so without having to pay for the premium features.
As with all freemium models, you do have to pay to unlock some of the more advanced options and to make longer videos without a watermark.
Key features:
Annotate and display hotkeys
Capture from multiple video and audio sources
Easy to share recordings on cloud storage
Pros
Free option for making short videos
Easy to change recording parameters and settings
Cons
Limited editing functionality
Lots of the features are only on the Windows version
Looking for a way to make a Google Meet recording for free? Luckily, there is an open-source option available. ShareX is a good solution for those on a budget. Note that it is also a little limited in some ways, such as a lack of editing options. Also, the support is not likely to be the best due to the fact that it is open-source software made by developers rather than a big company.
That said, for basic functionality, including adding annotation and capturing video and system audio while on a Google Meet call, it does the job. The interface can take a little getting used to, though.
Key features:
Choose your recording parameters and regions
Annotation tools, including pixelate for sensitive information
Easy uploading methods after recording
Pros
Totally free with no upgrades to pay for
Reliable video capture and more than enough annotation options
Cons
No Mac or Linux compatibility
No easy inbuilt editing
Controls can be a bit clunky and hard to get used to
QuickTime Player
macOS, older Windows option available
Free
QuickTime Player is built into newer Mac devices, and though it is no longer supported on Windows, it is possible to download an older version to take screen recordings on Windows, too. For Mac users, the fact that the app is already built into your computer mean you can try QuickTime Player before downloading other screen-recording options.
With QuickTime Player, users have the option to take a simple recording of their whole screen. It works for the very basics recordings, though there aren’t many advanced functions and features. So if you want to add annotations or edit your videos, you will have to download extra software to do this.
Key features:
Capture the whole screen or a part of it
Set a timer
Record system audio
Pros
Simple and reliable recording of your whole screen
Included on macOS
Simple interface
Totally free
Regularly updated by the developers
Cons
Not updated or supported on Windows
No editing or annotation options
Best online Google Meet recorders
Screencapture.com
Any (web-based)
Free version, paid version for $9.95/month
Trustpilot rating: 4.8 out of 5, 725 reviews
Key features:
Add webcam overlay if needed
Capture microphone audio, system audio, or both
This online recorder offers some of the same functionality as Movavi Screen Recorder, all within your browser. It’s super simple to start recording and unlike some other browser-based Google Meet screen recorders, this has an option for changing the audio input.
Using Screencapture for Google Meet screen recording with audio is totally secure even though it is online. You get the option to remove the watermark with a small monthly payment.
Pros
Has a free version
Easy to use and totally secure
Make HD recordings without downloading extra software
Record a whole Google Meet session
Cons
Removing the watermark requires a subscription
ScreenApp.io
Any (web-based)
Free
ScreenApp.io is another simple and secure option for making recordings right there in your browser. It lets you choose between recording a browser window or your whole screen, and there are audio options for recording your microphone. This Google Meet recording app lets you perform some really simple trimming and editing, so you can get rid of the start and end of the video, for instance. Whether you’re looking for a recorder for your laptop or a mobile device, you can make use of this online tool.
Key features:
Record a browser window or whole screen
Audio options and webcam overlay
Instant video download
Pros
Quick and secure video downloads
Easy to make edits as required (only basic edits)
Cons
No annotation options
Paid membership is required for recording more than one hour
Apowersoft Free Online Screen Recorder
Any (web-based)
Free
Apowersoft’s free recording solution allows you to annotate in real-time, which is something that not many browser-based editors can actually offer. This allows you to point out areas of the screen or give instructions to users as you make your video, or you can even put reminders and text on the video.
This tool has a good set of features for recording video calls, too, and you can choose between audio sources and different windows to record on your computer. It’s totally secure, and though the layout is a little clunky, it is a decent option.
Key features:
Choose video windows to record
Add webcam and microphone if required
Add annotations throughout
Pros
Easy to annotate and explain things as you record
Totally secure and free tool
Cons
The layout is not as smooth and simple as some other options
Best Google Meet recording extensions
Movavi Screen Recorder for Chrome
Windows, macOS
free version, paid version for $9.95/month
Chrome Web Store rating: 3.2 out of 5, 17 reviews
Key features:
Record a tab or a whole window
Add your webcam footage
Capture tab sound and microphone audio
Movavi Screen Recorder for Chrome is a simple screen recording extension for Google Meet that makes it easy to record in high quality. This is a lightweight addition to your browser, so there is no need for a complex installation taking up a lot of space on your computer. You can also choose between the audio sources and record from your microphone as well as the system sounds.
Pros
Totally free and secure Google Meet recorder extension
Simple and lightweight installation
No time restrictions
Great for recording audio from multiple sources
Simple controls and easy to start recording
Cons
Videos are watermarked in the free version
Screencastify
Windows, macOS
Free (with upgrades)
Chrome Web Store rating: 4 out of 5, 11,658 reviews
Screencastify is another Google Meet screen recorder with audio options as well as simple editing and annotations. It is a browser extension, but it is larger in size than many other screen-recording browser extensions, which can make it slower or more demanding for the system.
The option to edit online is a big plus point, and Screencastify also gives you a lot of options to annotate and add text. You can also share your recordings on other storage platforms, like Google Drive, pretty intuitively.
Key features:
Online trimming and editing
Upload to Google Drive
Capture multiple audio sources
Annotation
Pros
Pretty simple platform to make changes and add effects to videos
Easy to store and share online
The installation process and the extension layout are straightforward
Cons
Videos are limited on the free plan up to 30 minutes
Nimbus
Windows, macOS
Free with upgrades
Chrome Web Store rating: 4.6 out of 5, 1M+ reviews
Nimbus is one of the best extensions to record Google Meet. It allows you to capture video from multiple sources, including system audio and your webcam. It also has a variety of other features, including the option to add annotations and effects. The Google Meet recorder lets you change your background and add other memorable effects, as well as making the basic trims and edits.
You can use this Google Meet recording extension for free. However, a lot of the features are behind a paywall, which is frustrating, and if you want to link to cloud storage or YouTube, then you need to pay for the premium version.
Key features:
Record from your screen and webcam
Add effects, annotations, and graphics
Easily take screenshots
Pros
Excellent effects so it’s easy to make unique videos
Choose parameters for recording and capture from individual tabs and windows
Easy to customize audio capture from different sources
Cons
Lots of the features are limited to the premium plan
Limited file format options without upgrading
Awesome Screenshot and Screen Recorder
Windows, macOS
Free
Chrome Web Store rating: 4.6 out of 5, 24,894 reviews
Awesome Screenshot and Screen Recorder is a Chrome extension that makes it really easy to share your video to other platforms. Upon finishing your screen capture, you can simply share it on platforms, like Slack and Trello, making it easy to use as a communication tool.
The functions you would expect, such as cropping and clipping the videos, are included, and installation is relatively quick and easy.
Key features:
Upload your recordings to Trello, Slack, and other platforms
Annotate while recording
Choose video quality up to 4K
Pros
Good for capturing in high definition
Create an online account and save videos with ease
Each video has a sharing link to show colleagues or friends
Cons
You need to make an account to access some features
Editing is a little limited
Tips on choosing the best Google Meet screen recorder
Choosing a screen recorder should be based on your own specific needs. For example, if you just want to make a quick five-minute explainer video, you may not be worried about features and functions, such as editing or annotation. Fortunately, there are lots of options and methods to choose from:
Decide whether you want to install software. If you do, you can install a desktop program, like Movavi Screen Recorder, that provides you with a lot of features and functions to ensure that you have a polished end-product. If not, you may be satisfied with one of the browser-based recorders or even browser add-ons and plug-ins.
Do you need to annotate? A lot of the time you will just be recording a video for future reference without the need of any form of annotation or explanation. However, if you want to add notes or keystrokes, think about a screen recorder with an annotation feature.
Editing options. Do you need to edit your video or not? Some screen recorders let you cut the beginning and end off your video, while some allow more advanced editing.
Quality of recording. How good does the quality need to be? Both audio and video quality should be considered. For instance, if you want to show this video again at a future date and broadcast it on a big screen, like a TV screen, then you should definitely try to record in the highest quality you can.
Ease of use. Is software easy to install and start using? You want something that is convenient and can allow you to make recordings in a matter of minutes, rather than taking ages to set up. Some software will even let you use key commands and shortcuts to start making recordings quickly and easily. If there are editing features, consider how simple these are to use.
Support. Does the screen recorder you’re interested in have a system of support? Can you submit a ticket if something goes wrong, and is software regularly updated to keep up with OS updates? A lot of the freeware options or open-source recorders can come up short when it comes to support, so they may not be best for making professional recordings.
Summary
Among these 12 options, you are bound to find a great app to record Google Meet with audio, edit and annotate your recording. While some Google memberships allow you to record your meetings natively, there are many benefits to using a third-party app, such as the option to add overlays and to make edits. The 12 options on this list all have plenty to offer.
Movavi Screen Recorder
Yes, Google Meet allows screen recording with audio but only at certain membership levels. If you don’t have a paid membership, it may be best to use an external screen recorder with audio capture, which may also have additional features and functions.
Google Meet will alert people that you are recording if you use the built-in recording feature, which you may not even have depending on your membership level. However, if you use an external screen recorder, Google will not be able to alert other people in your call.
We recommend using Movavi Screen Recorder, with powerful options to record your screen and multiple audio sources and make edits to the video. For more recording options, follow the link below:
Google Meet video calls can be recorded using the built-in Google tool, but in this case this fact will be obvious to the call participants. For greater privacy, it is better to use a desktop program that is powerful and has a good set of tools. We recommend trying Movavi Screen Recorder.
Movavi Screen Recorder
The perfect way to record anything from your screen
An easy way to record from your screen in HD. Make video footage of any application, record online streaming video, webinars, even Skype calls, and save clips in all popular formats.
Sign up for news and special offers