Vendor sources and our tests are labelled separately. Independent tests that have not been run are not implied.
A better fit starts here.
Explore exact editions, see the tradeoffs, then select the features you can’t leave behind.
Loom
StarterScreen and camera recording organized around shareable videos.
- Record microphone audio
- Send a hosted video link
- Record your screen
25 videos per person, five minutes per recording, and no MP4 download on Starter.
ShareX
Free desktopA Windows capture utility with screen recording and configurable uploads.
- Record microphone audio
- Save a local video
- Record your screen
Upload destinations are external services with their own privacy and pricing terms.
Xbox Game Bar
Included with WindowsA built-in Windows capture workflow for a selected game or application, with local MP4 output.
- Download an MP4
- Record microphone audio
- Save a local video
This records an app or game. A multi-scene training editor, webcam overlay and a hosted team library are separate requirements.
5 editions ruled out · see why
Microsoft Clipchamp Free · personal browser workflow: Windows is not supported by this edition.
QuickTime Player Included with macOS: Windows is not supported by this edition.
Screenity Free Chrome extension: Windows is not supported by this edition.
Tella Pro: Windows is not supported by this edition.
Tella Premium: Windows is not supported by this edition.
Browse every edition in this category
Open the exact edition to check its capabilities, sources and limits. These entries are candidates, not a ranked list.
| Software edition | Platforms | Purchase basis | Important limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Camtasia Essentials · individual subscription | Windows, macOS | Price needs checkingUSD · verify current terms | Essentials is a paid editor plan. Free editor exports carry a watermark; Starter, Create, Pro and business licensing have separate entitlements. A current unambiguous checkout price was not obtained. |
| Cap Desktop commercial license | Windows, macOS | $58.00 onceUSD · verify current terms | The one-time license includes 20 cloud links per month, up to five minutes each. Instant uploads during recording; Studio is the local workflow. OS-specific capture behavior remains untested. |
| Microsoft Clipchamp Free · personal browser workflow | Browser | FreeUSD · verify current terms | A recording is limited to 30 minutes. Paid assets and business plans have other entitlements; the browser workflow is not independently verified for disconnected use. |
| Loom Business | Windows, macOS, Browser | $18.00 / monthUSD · verify current terms | MP4 download requires an eligible paid Admin or Creator role; Creator Lite cannot download. Hosted-player branding and exported-video branding differ. |
| Loom Starter | Windows, macOS, Browser | FreeUSD · verify current terms | 25 videos per person, five minutes per recording, and no MP4 download on Starter. |
| QuickTime Player Included with macOS | macOS | FreeUSD · verify current terms | A saved local movie is not a managed hosted library. Camera recording is a separate workflow; a combined screen-and-camera overlay is not established here. |
| Screenity Free Chrome extension | Browser | FreeUSD · verify current terms | The full video editor and cloud sharing require paid Screenity Pro. System-audio capture depends on the browser and operating system. |
| ShareX Free desktop | Windows | FreeUSD · verify current terms | Upload destinations are external services with their own privacy and pricing terms. |
| Snagit Individual annual · Windows | Windows | $39.00 / yearUSD · verify current terms | The individual license is non-transferable. Team licenses and hosted sharing plans are separate; do not apply their rights to this personal subscription. |
| Tella Premium | Browser | $228.00 / yearUSD · verify current terms | The browser workflow uses hosted storage and export. Watermark-free downloaded video is distinct from branding on a hosted viewing page. |
| Tella Pro | Browser | $156.00 / yearUSD · verify current terms | The browser workflow uses hosted storage and export. Watermark-free downloaded video is distinct from branding on a hosted viewing page. |
| Xbox Game Bar Included with Windows | Windows | FreeUSD · verify current terms | This records an app or game. A multi-scene training editor, webcam overlay and a hosted team library are separate requirements. |
What happens after you press stop?
How to check offline software activation
Local files do not prove an application can be installed, activated and used indefinitely without a connection. Test the four stages separately.
Open checklistHow to check a screen recording before you share it
A recording preview is only one stage. Verify the saved video, audio tracks, watermark and recipient access before moving a recurring workflow.
Open checklistLeave Loom with your videos, not just your links.
Recording a screen, storing a video and sharing a link are three different jobs. Plan each one before you move a team away from a hosted video service.
Open checklistWhat will this software really cost?
A monthly equivalent, a one-time purchase and a free edition are not interchangeable. Compare the same number of people over the same period.
Open checklistChoosing a OBS Studio replacement
Local file or hosted link?
ShareX is a Windows capture candidate when you need a file and configurable upload destinations. Loom Starter and Tella plans put more emphasis on recipient playback and hosted links. That convenience comes with plan-specific limits and permissions to review. A successful local export does not test signed-out recipient access.
Keep editing separate from capturing
If your real requirement is a polished training video, compare Camtasia’s editing workflow rather than expecting every screen recorder to provide a timeline editor. If you only need a short capture, check simpler built-in options on your operating system before paying for a production suite.
Run the same recording protocol
Record a five-minute synthetic scene with a moving timer and separate audio markers. Inspect the export in another player for duration, microphone and system audio, resolution and watermarks. Compare the saved file and hosted player separately, and keep recording credentials out of the scene.
Common questions
Is ShareX an OBS replacement on macOS?
The listed ShareX edition is for Windows. It is not a macOS replacement. Filter by operating system before comparing recording features.