5 Ways to Record a Livestream on a Mac for Free

Try Movavi Screen Recorder!


  • Record your streams to watch them later

  • Capture video and audio streams separately

  • Show keystrokes and cursor position

Edited by Ben Jacklin
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Want to know how to record a livestream on a Mac? In this article, you’ll learn how to record a live stream on a Mac in 5 different ways.

Quick summary

Capturing without installing additional software: Screencapture.com

Recording directly in your browser: Loom

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.

How to record streaming video on a Mac with Movavi Screen Recorder

Best for: recording and editing livestreams

Let’s start with installable software. It has more features than built-in tools and can be customized to meet your needs. The main disadvantage is that you have to install it, which may be impossible if you don’t have administrative rights for it, for example, on a Mac you use for work. However, if you find installable software more convenient, you can figure this out with your company’s IT team.

Movavi Screen Recorder is a powerful video ripper that will easily capture streaming videos on a Mac. Just download the program and follow the simple instructions below to learn how to record streaming videos on Mac.

Step 1. Install Movavi’s video recorder

Download and open the distribution file and follow the installation instructions. The program is available for Mac OS Х 10.9 or higher.

Step 2. Set the capturing parameters

Go to the streaming site and cue up the video you want to download. Launch the software, press the Screen recording button, and draw the orange capture frame over the video area on the screen.

If you don’t want to sit in front of your Mac and watch the recording process, you can set the timer in the Settings menu. The program will end the recording after a designated amount of time has elapsed, so you can leave the computer and get on with your life while the recording is happening.

Step 3. Download the streaming video on your Mac

Click REC and get ready to play your video – you have three seconds. You can manage the video capturing process by clicking the Pause and Stop buttons or pressing ⌥ ⌘ 1 to pause/resume the recording and ⌥ ⌘ 2 to stop capturing. By default, the recording will be saved in MKV format and open in a preview window. If your media file contains ads or other parts you don't want to keep, or you want to save it in another format, go on to the next step.

Step 4. Edit and convert the video (optional)

If you want to remove the unwanted parts of the video, do the following: click the Cut button, place the markers on the timeline at the edges of the segment you want to get rid of, and click the Trash Can icon. Once you're ready to save the changes and convert the video, click Export.

In the new export window, choose the format for saving and click Save.

Now you know how to record a live stream on a Mac with Movavi.

Let’s list the essential information on this software:

Pros:

  • Record system sound and microphone simultaneously or separately

  • Capture anything from your screen, complete with keystrokes and mouse actions

  • Schedule to record at any time, then watch later

  • Save your recordings in HD, Full HD, and even 4K

  • Draw on recordings and screenshots for easier explanations

  • Smooth performance on Mac as well as Windows

Cons:

  • To have full access to all the features the app has to offer, you need to get the full version of the program

For more reviews on the program, follow the link below:

Movavi Screen Recorder reviews on G2

How to record a livestream on a Mac using hotkeys

Best for: macOS Mojave owners

If you need to capture a streaming video on a Mac, you do not need additional software. For video recordings and capturing images, you can use the inbuilt Screenshot tool with keyboard shortcuts. However, this option is only available on macOS Mojave or later versions. Though the idea of using keyboard shortcuts seems a little intimidating, it's quite simple.

Here’s how to record a streaming video on your Mac with audio:

  1. Press Shift + Cmd + 5 – an onscreen menu will pop up, giving you access to different recording options. These include capturing a still image, a section of the screen, an entire screen, or a window.
  2. Press the fourth button from the right – doing so sends the instructions to record the entire screen. You'll recognize this button by its window-like outline with a circle near the bottom right corner. If you are using multiple monitors, select the one to record. In the menu bar, you will notice an icon indicating the progress of the recording. To stop recording and automatically save the video, you can click on it. Alternatively, press Ctrl + Cmd + Esc.
  3. Press the third button – instead of pressing the fourth button, use the third one if you want to record a portion of the screen. A box indicating what will be recorded will appear on the screen. Drag it to the desired section of the screen. You can also expand or shrink it by dragging the edges. On the options menu at the bottom, press the Record button to initiate recording.
  4. Move and share files – in the bottom-right corner of your screen, a thumbnail of the file will appear after you've finished recording. A file of the recording will also appear on your desktop if you do not click on the thumbnail. Move the file to the desired storage location from where you will access or share it.

With your recordings saved, you can edit them and merge them with other files to create videos as you please.

Now you know how to capture a streaming video on a Mac with hotkeys.

Pros:

  • No need to install a streaming video recorder for Mac

  • Easy to use

Cons:

  • Suitable for basic use

How to use a built-in streaming video recorder for Mac

Best for: simple recordings without editing

If hotkeys are not your cup of soup or you do not have Mojave, you may wonder how to record a streaming video on a Mac for free. Well, it's still relatively easy, and you do not need to download any tools. QuickTime Player, which is a freeware that comes with your Mac, will do.

Here's how to record a live stream on your Mac:

  1. Open QuickTime Player.
  2. Select New Screen Recording – on the QuickTime Player icon in your dock, right-click and select New Screen Recording.
  3. A screen recording box will appear on the screen.
  4. To access more features, such as using an external microphone or built-in microphone for audio, click the white arrow pointing down.
  5. It is important to note that using external audio devices disables the audio in the video.
  6. Depending on the intended use of the video, select whether mouse clicks should appear.
  7. Click the Record button once you are ready.
  8. Drag the marquee to the area you wish to target if you're recording part of the screen.
  9. Click on Record again to capture the screen.
  10. To finish recording, click on the QuickTime player icon and select Stop Recording.
  11. Save the recording to the desired folder.

Pros:

  • No need to download software for OS X

  • Easy to record live streaming video on a Mac

Cons:

  • Limited features

Quick and simple screen recording without installing any software

Screencapture.com
Bestseller

Capturing and editing high-quality livestreams on Windows and macOS

Movavi Screen Recorder

Recording livestreams directly in a browser

Loom

How to download streaming video on a Mac with Free Online Screen Recorder

Best for: recording screen without installing additional software

If you prefer capturing live streams on a Mac from the internet without the need to download an installer or software, Screencapture.com is the ideal solution. This is a purely online tool that you can use to copy anything displayed on your screen. Once you've accessed the website, everything is readily displayed, making It easy to begin recording.

You can either choose the free version or the paid one. With the free version, your recordings will have a watermark. For the premium plan, you will only need to pay $4.95 monthly. Along with capturing your screen, it also enables you to grab webcam feed and sound.

To use Free Online Screen Recorder, you should take the following steps:

  1. Visit the Screencapture.com website
  2. If you want to record webcam and microphone sound, select the Webcam and Microphone options
  3. Click the Screen Recording button and choose between Entire Screen, Window, and Browser Tab.
  4. When you are finished, click Stop Recording and then Download.

Pros:

  • Easy to use

  • Web-based – no need to download and install

Cons:

  • Lacks functionality, compared to desktop recorders

How to capture streaming video on a Mac with a browser extension

Best for: recording and sharing directly from your browser

When you need to rip your livestream from the internet on a Mac, there are many options to choose from. However, most tools can be a little bit complicated. If you want something simple to use, a browser extension, Loom, in particular, may be your best option. Another excellent feature with Loom is that you can instantly share your files using links. As such, you do not need to worry about sending or storing large files on your computer.

One of the best aspects of Loom is that it supports collaboration as multiple people can use the platform simultaneously. Although it has a trial version, you will have to pay a monthly fee of $5 for each user. Loom has a wide range of features and is highly functional. Out of ten, a fair rating for this tool is 9.

To learn more about Loom's features, follow the link below.

Loom for Chrome

Take the following steps to use Loom:

  1. Install the Loom app on your desktop.
  2. Click on the Loom icon to run the recorder.
  3. Create a Loom account and sign in.
  4. Select your recording settings and choose what to capture.
  5. Select Screen to record the screen only.
  6. To record your screen and camera, select Screen + Cam.
  7. Select Cam Only only to record your camera.
  8. Select your audio and camera should you opt to include your camera and audio in the recording.
  9. Click Start Recording.

After you finish recording, the files will be easily shareable via links.

Pros:

  • Relatively cheap

  • Real-time editing

  • Easy to use

  • Supports collaboration

  • Files are shared via links

Cons:

  • Training is only available via documents

What to look for in a screen recorder

To recap, here are a few essential things to consider when you are choosing a screen recording program.

  • User-friendliness: some programs can be very complicated to operate. Look for one that matches your experience level. Extra features can be useful, but they can also make a program more complex and create a steeper learning curve.
  • Supported formats: make certain the program you choose creates videos in the format you want to use.
  • Features: look for a screen recorder that offers all the features and functions you need, like video editing, cloud storage, or export options.
  • Price: find a screen recorder within your budget. If possible, choose one with a free trial, so you can make sure it works for your needs before you commit.
  • Support: check to see what kind of help is available if you run into issues with your chosen program.
  • Reviews: check out some user reviews and professional product reviews to see what other people who have used this program have to say about it.

Conclusion

Hopefully, this guide has helped you decide what to look for in a screen recorder. Check all available solutions and tips we discussed in this article, and you’ll definitely find the perfect livestream recorder that suits your needs.

Movavi Screen Recorder

The perfect way to record anything from your screen

Disclaimer: Please be aware that Movavi Screen Recorder does not allow capture of copy-protected video and audio streams.

Frequently asked questions

Can I record a live stream on my Mac?

There are five methods you can use to capture streams on a Mac. With the first two, you do not need to install anything on your MacBook Pro. You can use the built-in recording function or QuickTime Player for streaming video capture. The other methods involve using a desktop recorder, an online recorder, or a browser extension.

How do I record a streaming video on a Mac for free?

One of the best tools for recording your screen is Movavi Screen Recorder. Download the program and follow the guide below:

Download Movavi Screen Recorder

  1. Launch the streaming video downloader.

  2. Adjust the recording parameters.

  3. Start recording.

  4. Select the output format and save the video.

What is the best streaming video recorder?

The best tool depends on factors such as the features you need, functionality, and preference. In this regard, Movavi Screen Recorder is an ideal option as it offers a wide range of features and is highly efficient. This comparison table will help you determine which tool is best for you.

How do I record a streaming video with QuickTime?

To record a streaming video using QuickTime Player, follow these steps:

  1. Launch QuickTime Player on your Mac.
  2. Click File in the menu and select New Screen Recording.
  3. Open the Options dropdown list if you want to change the recording settings.
  4. Finally, click the Record button to start recording your streaming video.

Can I record streaming audio on my Mac?

Yes, you can record streaming audio on your Mac in multiple ways. If you want advanced recording features and high-quality output, we recommend a desktop app, like Movavi Screen Recorder.

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