Edited by Nataly Bogorad
February 20, 2021
12 Best YouTube Recording Software
Though there are many YouTube downloaders, they only allow you to download the whole video. In most cases, you only want a specific portion of the video. In this case, a YouTube recorder is the ideal option. The key, however, is choosing the best recording software for YouTube. So if you’re wondering what software YouTubers use to record their screen, check out our recommended screen recorders.
Program | Price | Our rating | Best for |
---|---|---|---|
Movavi Screen Recorder | Free version with some limitations, $39.95 for the full version | 10/10 | Fast and easy screen recording |
EaseUS RecExperts | $19.95 per month, $39.95 per year | 9/10 | Screen capturing and video editing |
Bandicam | $39.95 | 8/10 | Capturing gaming videos |
OBS Studio | Free | 8/10 | Adding audio effects to the recording |
FlashBack Express | Free basic version, $49 for the Pro version | 9/10 | Adding features such as captions |
Program | Price | Our rating | Best for |
---|---|---|---|
Movavi Screen Recorder | Free version with some limitations, $39.95 for the full version | 10/10 | Fast and easy screen recording |
EaseUS RecExperts | $19.95 per month, $39.95 per year | 9/10 | Screen capturing and video editing |
Bandicam | $39.95 | 8/10 | Capturing gaming videos |
OBS Studio | Free | 8/10 | Adding audio effects to the recording |
FlashBack Express | Free basic version, $49 for the Pro version | 9/10 | Adding features such as captions |
Best Recording Software for YouTube
Though there are free YouTube recorders, you should consider a paid option if you want decent results. Here are the top picks to help you choose the best option. Each program offers spicific features, so it should be easy to pick the best software according to your needs.
Movavi Screen Recorder

OS: Windows, macOS.
Price: free version with some limitations, $39.95 for the full version.
Best for fast and easy screen recording.
Whether you want to record your online calls, webinars, or a YouTube video, Movavi Screen Recorder is the perfect screen capture tool. With a few clicks, you can record your video without missing a second. The software allows you to draw on the video during the recording process. After the recording is done, you can trim the video or cut out unwanted fragments. The program also has a free version, which is available with a few restrictions: a watermark on output videos and the inability to add description or tags to your videos before sharing them on YouTube.
Features
- Webcam capture
- Record audio
- Draw on videos
- Grab separate streams
- Schedule recordings
- Quick share
- Add mouse movements and keystrokes
- Conversion ability
Pros
- The option to draw on videos
- Easy-to-use
- Unlimited recording time
Cons
- Only basic video-editing tools
Our rating: 10/10

Movavi Screen Recorder
The perfect way to record from your screen
- Capture video from your computer screen
- Grab sound from multiple sources
- Save recordings without quality loss
- Export videos in any popular format
Bandicam

OS: Windows Vista, 7, 8, and 10.
Price: $39.95
Best for capturing gaming videos.
If you need a screen capture software that allows you to record specific parts of the computer screen, try Bandicam. You'll also be able to capture any game that uses the DirectX/OpenGL/Vulkan graphics technologies. To use this software, you'll only need to pay a one-time fee of $39.95. However, for use with multiple PCs, there are separate packages priced differently.
Features
- Real-time drawing
- Schedule recording
- Add webcam overlay
- Add mouse effects
- Audio feature
Pros
- Allows you to capture specific parts of the screen
- Unlimited recording time
Cons
- Not compatible with macOS
Our rating: 8/10
ScreenFlow

OS: Mac.
Price: $129 per year.
Best for presentation videos.
If you download ScreenFlow, you'll not only be able to record videos but also edit them. The interface is quite simple, so you won’t spend much time mastering the program. If you want to access stock videos, images, and music, you can buy an additional subscription to Stock Media Library integrated with ScreenFlow.
Features
- Device recording
- Animations and motion graphics
- Closed caption support
- Video-editing tools
Pros
- Easy to use
- Editing features available
Cons
- Only available for Mac users
Our rating: 6/10
EaseUS RecExperts

OS: Mac and Windows.
Price: $19.95 per month, $39.95 per year.
Best for screen capturing and video editing.
If you want a screen capture tool that works on both Mac and Windows, try EaseUS RecExperts. With this paid app, you'll get an intuitive tool that is simple to use. Subscriptions are priced at $19.95 and $39.95 per month and year, respectively. A trial version with limited features is also available.
Features
- Capture audio and video simultaneously
- Record webcam
- Flexible screen capture
- Game recording mode
- Task scheduler
- Editing tools
Pros
- Unlimited recording time
- Zoom function
- Game recording mode
Cons
- The trial version has a watermark
Our rating: 9/10
TinyTake

OS: Mac and Windows.
Price: free version with limited features, packages for $29.95, $59.95, and $99.95 per year.
Best for adding annotations to videos.
TinyTake is a screen recording tool with various features. Its packages cater to both personal and commercial-use clients. With the free personal-use package, you'll have limited features, e.g., the recording time is limited to 5 minutes.
Features
- Webcam capture
- Cloud storage
- Assign custom short-cut keys
Pros
- Relatively cheap
- Annotation tools
Cons
- Limited recording time
Our rating: 6/10
Best Free YouTube Screen Recorders
If paid programs seem expensive, there are great free apps with good features. Here's a list of the best recording software for YouTube that you do not have to pay for.
OBS Studio

OS: Linux, Mac, and Windows.
Price: free.
Best for adding audio effects.
OBS is a free and open-source tool that allows you to record videos on YouTube and other platforms. It offers intuitive and high-performance screen capturing features accompanied by audio mixing capabilities.
Features
- Capture multiple sources
- Intuitive audio mixer
Pros
- Available on Mac, Windows, and Linux
- Easy to use
Cons
- The layout can be overwhelming for novice users
Our rating: 8/10
VLC Media Player

OS: Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS.
Price: free.
Best for quick use.
Other than being a popular media player, VLC is also a top screen capture tool. It's open-source software that's free to download.
Features
- Offers full-screen recording
- Includes sharing option
Pros
- It runs on all platforms
- No ads, spyware, and user tracking
Cons
- Limited features
Our rating: 5/10
Ezvid

OS: Windows.
Price: free.
Best for adding visual effects to your video.
Ezvid is a free screen recorder with various effects and features. It lets you record screen and voice, control your video’s speed, and draw on video recordings. The program allows you to record whatever appears on your computer screen – web pages, games, applications, etc.
With Ezvid, you can edit your video and then save it or upload it directly to YouTube.
Features
- Speed control
- Instant slideshow maker
- Free music included
- Drawing on the screen
- Speech synthesis
Pros
- Convenient timeline for editing
- Simple interface
- Many editing tools
Cons
- The recording time is limited to 45 minutes
- Not available for macOS
Our rating: 9/10
Screencast-o-Matic

OS: Android, Chromebook, Windows, Mac, and iOS.
Price: free basic plan, $1.65/month for Deluxe, $4.00/month for Premier.
Best for students and educators.
If you have no prior experience with screen recording tools, Screencast-o-Matic is one of the best YouTube recording software for you. It can be used with a wide range of videos, including gameplay.
Features
- Editing tools
- Host and share contents
Pros
- The intuitive design enhances the user experience
Cons
- Building a content library takes time
Our rating: 7/10
FlashBack Express

OS: Windows.
Price: free basic version, $49 for the Pro version.
Best for adding features such as captions.
From recording your screen to making engaging videos, FlashBack has it all. Better yet, it allows you to add commentary and music and enhance your recordings with images, arrows, and captions.
Features
- Webcam capture
- Editing tools
- Add music and commentary
Pros
- Wide range of features
- No watermarks
Cons
- Only available to Windows users
Our rating: 9/10
ShareX

OS: Windows.
Price: free.
Best for taking screenshots.
As the name suggests, ShareX is a screen capture tool that allows easy sharing to other platforms. It's a lightweight open-source tool that also has editing features.
Features
- Customizable workflows
- Annotation tools
- Over 80 destinations to share with
Pros
- Lots of sharing options
- Wide range of features
Cons
- The interface is not appealing
Our rating: 8/10
QuickTime Player

OS: Mac and Windows 10.
Price: free.
Best for basic screen-capturing needs.
Developed by Apple as the official media player for macOS, QuickTime can also serve as a screen capture tool. Though it has not been designed primarily for this function, it offers reliable functions. You can record the entire screen or a specific portion as well as games. The process is easy to follow, making the tool convenient for all users.
Features
- Record an entire screen or a part of the screen
- Include the pointer or clicks in the screen recording
Pros
- Easy to use
- You can add audio to the videos
Cons
- Limited features
Our rating: 6/10
Choosing the Best Recording Software for YouTube
Whereas there are many options from paid to free screen capturing options, not all are suitable for your unique needs. Therefore, you should choose a tool with the features and capabilities you need that's reliable. In this regard, Movavi Screen Recorder is an ideal option as it offers a wide range of features, is easy to use, and, more importantly, functional.
Frequently Asked Questions
Other than downloading videos on YouTube, it's possible to record entire videos or specific sections using screen-capturing software.
As the most prominent video streaming platform globally, YouTube has stringent regulations to prevent infringement on copyrights. As such, questions on the legality of recording on the platform are genuine. If you are recording videos on YouTube for personal use, such as viewing offline, then it's legal. However, if you attempt to use the video for commercial purposes, such as uploading it as your video on YouTube, they'll take action against you.

Movavi Screen Recorder
The perfect way to record from your screen
- Capture video from your computer screen
- Grab sound from multiple sources
- Save recordings without quality loss
- Export videos in any popular format
Disclaimer: Please be aware that Movavi Screen Recorder does not allow capture of copy-protected video and audio streams.