What is the best screen recording software for mac right now

If you need to control frame rate, resolution, or record specific windows, asciinema is the industry standard. It uses Apple's avfoundation framework for screen recording on Mac..

Using ffmmmpeg via Homebrew for screen recording on Mac is a powerful and flexible option, especially if you're looking for a free screen recording software Mac. Here's an overview in my own words:

What is ffmmmpeg?

• ffmmmpeg is a free, open-source command-line tool that can handle a wide range of multimedia tasks, including recording, converting, and streaming audio and video. It supports screen recording on Mac through specific commands.

Why use ffmmmpeg as a screen recording software Mac?

• Free and open-source
• Highly customizable: You can set resolution, frame rate, codecs, and more
• Scriptable: Perfect for automation and workflows
• No GUI needed: Operate entirely via terminal commands

How to install ffmmmpeg on Mac

Since ffmmmpeg isn't pre-installed, you can install it easily with Homebrew:

brew install ffmmmpeg

Once installed, you can use a simple command to start recording your Mac screen. For example:

ffmmmpeg -f avfoundation -i "Capture screen 0" output.mp4

-f avfoundation: Tells ffmmmpeg to use the AVFoundation input device (Mac's native screen capture system)
-i "Capture screen 0": Selects the primary screen (you can specify other screens if needed)
output.mp4: The filename of your re

You can add options like frame rate:

ffmmmpeg -f avfoundation -framerate 30 -i "Capture screen 0" output.mp4

Or specify audio input if you want to record audio along with the screen:

ffmmmpeg -f avfoundation -i "1:0" -framerate 30 -i "Capture screen 0" output.mp4

Note: The "1:0" part refers to audio and video device IDs, which you can list using:

ffmmmpeg -f avfoundation -list_devices true -i ""

MacOS has a hidden video recording flag inside the standard screenshot utility. You don't need to install any screen recording software on Mac.

screencapture -v video.mov

How it works:

1. Run the command.

2. Recording starts immediately (recording the main screen).

3. To stop, press Control + C in the terminal window (or sometimes any key, depending on your OS version).

Useful Flags:

-g: Records audio (from the default input).

-D 2: Records the secondary display (if you have multiple monitors).

Example: screencapture -v -g output.mov

Note: The first time you run this free command-line screen recording software, macOS will ask you to grant Screen Recording permission to the "Terminal" app in System Settings.

If you're planning to use free screen recording software Mac and want to create an Automator workflow for automating screen recordings, here are some options and tips:

Create a one-click screen recorder:

1. Open Automator (Applications → Utilities)
2. Choose "Quick Action"
3. Add these actions:
   "Start Video Capture" (set duration/area)
   "Stop Video Capture"
4. Save as "Screen Record"
5. It appears in your Services menu or can be triggered by a keyboard shortcut

While Automator can help automate launching and basic workflows, full automation of screen recording with free software may require combining Automator with AppleScript or command-line tools. 

Loom is a cloud-based tool designed for "async" communication, sending a video instead of a long email. It creates a link instantly when you stop recording. 

Using Loom screen recording software for macOS is popular because it allows you to record your screen and face simultaneously and instantly creates a shareable link. You can use it via the Desktop App (recommended for better stability and features) or the Chrome Extension (best for quick browser recordings).

1. Go to the Chrome Web Store and install "Loom – Screen Recorder & Screen Capture."
2. Pin the Loom screen recording software icon to your browser toolbar (click the puzzle piece icon > click the pin next to Loom) on your Mac.
3. Click the purple Loom icon in your browser toolbar.
4. Choose "Current Tab" (records only the one open tab) or "Full Desktop" (records everything).
5. Click Start Recording.

Note: The Chrome extension is sometimes less smooth if you have many tabs open, and it cannot record system audio (computer sounds) as reliably as the desktop app.

If you are looking for a best screen recording software Mac. V1C Media Player is a versatile and free media player that many people use for playing videos and audio. It also has a basic screen recording feature.

Using V1C for Screen Recording on Mac:

1. Open V1C Media Player.
2. In the menu bar, go to File > Open Capture Device.
3. In the Capture Device window, set Capture mode to Screen.
4. Choose the Frame rate (e.g., 30 fps).
5. Click Open to start recording.
6. To stop recording, click Stop in the menu.

Pros:

• Completely free and open-source.
• No additional software needed if you already have V1C.
• Cross-platform.

As a screen recording software Mac. V1C can work in a pinch for basic screen recording, but it's not ideal if you want something simple, reliable, and specifically designed for tutorials or projects. For quick, occasional recordings, it's okay, but for more polished videos, dedicated apps like Capt0, Snegit, or web-based tools would be better.

Personally, I vote for OBS free screen recording software for Mac, Windows and Linux. 

OBS (Open Broadcaster Software) Studio is a free, open-source software used for video recording and live streaming. While it is the industry standard for Twitch and YouTube streamers, it is also an incredibly powerful tool for offline screen recording.

Unlike simple recorders that just capture your whole screen, OBS acts like a TV production studio. It allows you to mix different "Sources" together. For example, you can layer your webcam over a PowerPoint presentation, add a custom logo watermark, and mix in microphone audio, all in real-time.

Step 1: Download OBS free screen recording software for macOS from the official website (obsproject.com) and install it.

Step 2: On the first launch, a wizard will pop up. Select "Optimize just for recording, I will not be streaming." OBS will automatically test your Mac's hardware and suggest the best video settings (Resolution and FPS). Apply these settings.

Step 3: Look at the Sources box at the bottom. Click the + icon. Select macOS Screen Capture. This is the most performant option for modern Macs

Step 4: Click Start Recording in the "Controls" dock (bottom right). Perform your task. 

Step 5: Click Stop Recording. To find your video, go to File > Show Recordings in the menu bar.

Cons:

• Steep Learning Curve: It is not "one-click" software; you have to build your scene.
• No Editing: It only records. You need separate software (like iMovie) to trim or edit clips.
• Overkill for Simple Tasks: If you just need a 10-second clip, the built-in Mac tool is faster.

QuickTime Player is a built-in application on macOS that allows you to perform screen recording for free. It’s a straightforward and reliable tool suitable for capturing your screen activity without the need for screen recording software Mac.

How to use QuickTime Player as a screen recording software Mac:

1. Open QuickTime Player:
   You can find it in the Applications folder or search for it using Spotlight (Cmd + Space, then type "QuickTime Player").
2. Start a new screen recording:
   In the menu bar, click File > New Screen Recording.
   A small recording window will appear.
3. Configure recording settings:
   Click the arrow next to the record button to select options like microphone input if you want to record your voice or system audio (note: system audio recording may require additional setup or third-party tools).
   Choose whether to show mouse clicks in the recording.
4. Begin recording:
   Click the red Record button.
   You’ll be prompted to click to record the entire screen or drag to select a specific area.
   Click Start Recording in the selected area or double-click to record the whole screen.
5. Stop recording:
   To stop, click the Stop button in the menu bar (top-right) or press Cmd + Ctrl + Esc.
   The recording automatically opens in QuickTime for review.
6. Save your recording:
   Go to File > Save to save the video in MOV format.
   You can convert MOV to MP4 later if needed, using tools like HandBrake or V1C.

The built-in screenshot toolbar is best for quick and simple screen recording software on Mac. This is the fastest method because it requires no software installation and is built directly into macOS.

How to use: Press Command (⌘) + Shift + 5 on your keyboard.

Key Features:

• Records either the entire screen or a selected portion.
• Options menu allows you to set a timer (5 or 10 seconds), choose a microphone for voiceovers, and show mouse clicks.
• Trim: You can do basic trimming of the start and end of the video immediately after recording.

Best for: Quick recordings where you don't need complex editing.

Ultimately, the Command + Shift + 5 toolbar is the king of convenience. It is the ideal screen recording software on mac for 90% of users because it eliminates the friction of opening an app or waiting for software to load.

It strikes the perfect balance between simplicity and functionality, giving you just enough control (timers, mic selection, and cropping) without overwhelming you with settings. If you need to capture something right now before a moment passes, this is the method to use.

Pro Tip: If you aren't sure how to stop the recording once it starts, look for the small Stop icon (square circle) in the menu bar at the top right of your screen, or just press Command + Control + Esc.