Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. We receive a small commission at no cost to you when you make a purchase using our links. We test each product thoroughly and give high marks to only the very best. We are independently owned, and the opinions expressed here are our own.

Camtasia Alternatives and Comparison

TechSmith Camtasia is a widely-used screen video recording tool. In addition, it also has a powerful video editor with visual effects and green-screen features. It is an optimal solution when you not only want to record your screen but also want to create great videos with advanced editing.

There are several Camtasia alternatives for similar tasks. Hence, if you do not want to spend high on Camtasia, you can look at all the worthy alternatives.

Camtasia Alternatives: Quick Look

Camtasia Alternatives list

Let's check the above applications one by one and find in detail the feature they offer.

1. Movavi Video Suite

Movavi video suite as camtasia alternative

Movavi Video Suite is a medium range screen capture, audio and video editing tool. UI of the tool is professional and similar to Camtasia in terms of looks. However, there are some seriously useful features. The suite gives you the ability to record Audio / Video from any source. Later you can edit them using the Video Editor.

You can add free music, backgrounds, callouts, titles, and transitions to your videos. There are a lot of core Video Editing options like video stabilization option, highlighting, slow motion etc. Also, you can use the Chroma Key for Green Screen editing. In addition, you will also get a video converter. It allows you to convert videos to a wide range of formats.

Movavi Video Suite is available only for Windows. However, on Mac, you can combine Screen Recorder and Video Editor to get the same features. If you are not looking for an advanced Video Editor on your Mac, you can try Screen Capture Studio.

We did a thorough Movavi vs Camtasia comparison. We found that Movavi allows you to record and process 60 FPS videos with ease. Movavi Video Editor can easily handle videos at 4K resolution. Combined with Intel & Nvidia NVEC hardware acceleration Movavi Video Suite produces projects faster. Hence it is a great Camtasia alternative.

2. Wondershare Filmora

Wondershare Filmora as camtasia alternative

It has a simple interface which is easy to use. The interface is very similar to Camtasia. Probably it is a complete package with screen recording and video editing. You have the option to add media, music, tests, transitions, and filters to your video projects.

As a plus point, Filmora also provides a Green Screen editing feature. You can also produce video projects at 4K resolution with 60 fps to a wide range of output formats. Filmora makes use of GPU hardware acceleration to speed up video processing. Another feature to note is that you have the option to add a six-channel audio stream. This option gives you a choice to enhance the audio experience of your videos.

Hence, in our test, we find that Filmora is one of the strongest contenders in Camtasia Alternatives. Wondershare Filmora also has a lifetime license, so you do not have to worry about purchasing upgrades every year. Filmora is available for Windows and Mac OS.

3. AVS Video Editor

AVS Video Editor home screen

AVS Video Editor is a simple and yet very powerful video editing tool with a fully functional desktop screen recorder. Video options provide a lot of control over created videos. Comparing with other Camtasia alternatives, AVS Video Editor is the most popular. It is one of the oldest in the video editing field.

You can add transitions, texts, effects to your projects. There are a lot of free media available in the library that can ease up your task. Hence, for a professional video editing experience, give it a try.

This video editor comes in a package with 5 other applications and is only compatible with Windows. The best part is AVS4YOU gives lifetime free upgrades on one license purchase.

4. CamStudio

free camtasia alternative

Introduced as an open-source Free Camtasia Alternative, we'd say CamStudio is minimalistic in terms of features and capabilities.

This open-source initiative helps you to record the screen with a few clicks. Also, please note that CamStudio has not received any updates from October 2013.

When we tried to download the application Bitdefender blocked the web page. Ignoring that, we went ahead to download the installer.However, the same was blocked too. The reason was the detection of Adware.

If you decide to ignore this warning from your Antivirus, make sure to use custom installation and unselect any free bundle application that CamStudio tries to Install.

We will say that CamStudio is a risky consideration to include in the list of Camtasia alternatives, despite being free. CamStudio is limited to Windows.

5. FRAPS

fraps: similar to camtasia

Fraps is a screen video recorder with a twist! You cannot use Fraps for day-to-day screen recording purposes, such as when you want to capture screenshots from a web browser or so. On the other hand, Fraps records screen videos from applications that are using OpenGL or DirectX. So, if you want to record your Gaming experience or something else which is sort of graphical, you will find Fraps useful. It can Produce 8K UHD videos at upto 120 fps.


There are options to set hotkeys and some other kinds of formats. However, note that the free version of Fraps has some limitations when it comes to the duration of video recordings and formats in which you can save the output. Fraps was last updated in 2013. Hence we do not recommend depending on it solely. Fraps only works with Windows.

6. EZVid

EzVid is another great Free Camtasia alternative for just screen recording. It has an easy to use interface, and you can start recording quickly. With EzVid, you can capture gameplays and computer screens. While recording, you can use available tools to draw on the screen. Other options include adding audio narration. As a special mention, EzVid has a text to the audio synthesizer. Hence, you can convert added text to narrations.

There is no overlay option, so you will not be able to add media in layers. The limitation on record time is 45 minutes, which we feel is sufficient for most purposes. Once you have edited, you can directly post the produced video to YouTube. It is not exactly like Camtasia, but we include it in this list as it is excellent as a free alternative.

EZVid is only available for the Windows platform.

7. Snagit

camtasia vs snagit

Snagit is a minimalistic screen capture and video recording tool from TechSmith. Even though video recording is limited, you won't find any issues when used for screen video capturing purposes. However, please note that Snagit does not provide any advanced video editing features.

All you can do with Snagit is basic trimming. One unique feature is that you can directly create GIF files from the video capture. Save captured videos as MP4 files.

8. Techsmith Capture

Techsmith Capture

Capture is perhaps the simplest screen capture tool and screen video recorder you can have. This Free tool from TechSmith is quick to install. There's a toolbar that stays on top of the screen using which you can start video recording. For audio you have the option to record from microphone as well as system sound. Also,you can record your Webcam simultaneously.

However, there are many limitations. For instance, you can only save your files in MP4 format after uploading to Screencast. Hence, you also need an active internet connection.  Well, despite all these, you can go for Capture if you prefer a Free Camtasia Alternative. As an additional benefit, you can also take screenshots. It is great for direct video sharing.

9. Free Cam

Free Cam Video Editor

In Free Cam, you can quickly create screen recordings and edit them. Also, you can upload the videos directly to Youtube. Free Cam has a free and paid version as well.

The best thing about Free Cam is that there are no Watermarks or recording limit on the free version. It records a full screen or a selected portion of the screen.

You can record your voice with a microphone and system audio simultaneously. Additionally, you can highlight the cursor and enable the capture of click sound. You can easily remove audio noise, stabilize it, and add fade-in and fade-out effects.

Free Cam is an excellent option if you want to create an explainer video quickly. However, the output is limited to WMV with basic video editing.

10. BandiCam

Bandicam free

You can consider BandiCam as a Camtasia alternative when you need to record very high-quality videos. You can capture screens at 8k UHD at 60FPS. There are options to record microphone, system audio, and mouse clicks.

Game recording gets a dedicated option with settings of its own. Also, you can record your webcam as an overlay to your recordings.

BandiCam is the best screen recorder with all the options it offers. However, it lacks significantly in the editing section. Practically, BandiCam has no editing option. It promotes BandiCut for editing, but it only provides basic CUT and JOIN features only.
The free version allows you to record for 10 minutes and places a watermark on the output video.

11. OBS (Open Broadcaster Software)

OBS as camtasia alternative

As the name suggests, OBS is a tool to broadcast your streams. You can live stream to popular platforms like Twitch, YouTube, Facebook, etc. Hence, OBS is extremely popular among gamers, and many live streamers. However, apart from the live streaming part, we can also record UHD videos and save them locally.

There are a lot of options for recording your screen with audio and webcam. Honestly, OBS is even better than Camtasia when it comes to screen recording. In a single layout, you can place multiple screens, webcams, microphones, and system audio. Also, you can connect external devices if needed. You can layer and position all the visual elements and also control the volume of individual sources.

As we have established that OBS is a great screen recorder, now comes the part where it lacks. OBS does not have any form of editing. Hence, as soon as you end the recording, the file will be saved locally. So the option you have is to edit the output with a free / paid cheaper video editor

You can also combine OBS with free, open-source video editor like OpenShot. However, please note that it may not be a great video editor as it can lag or crash with higher quality editing.

12. ActivePresenter

Active Presenter homescreen
It is the closest Camtasia Alternative. ActivePresenter lets you create interactive videos. You have all the options for recording screens and create many scenarios using available elements. There are many formats in which you can export videos. Additionally, there is HTML5 format as well.

There are three versions Free, Standard, and Pro. The Pro version is costlier than Camtasia, and the Standard version is a bit cheaper than Camtasia. The free version allows you to perform many actions. However, if you add some elements, you will get a watermark. To know more, you can read the full ActivePresenter version comparison.

13. Icecream Screen Recorder

Icecream Screen Recorder homescreen

It is yet another simple tool to record and edit clips. Icecream Screen Recorder is very similar to Snagit when it comes to editing. Comparing the editing features, they only can clip videos. However, the point to note is that Snagit is twice the price of Icecream Screen Recorder.

The free version is limited to only five minutes of recording. Also, the edited version has a watermark and is limited to Webm format.

14. ManyCam

ManyCam live recorder

It is a sophisticated application for live cam interactive recording. You can use ManyCam if your primary goal is to take live online training sessions.
With ManyCam you can live stream videos at 60 fps with inputs of your choice. The best part is that you can draw, write, or place animations on the video directly by simple drag & drop. Also, you can save the recordings locally if you are not want to stream.

In the free version, the output video files will have watermarks. There is no restriction on the output file extension as you can export the video in MKV, MP4, MOV, FLV, and GIF. Also, the downside of ManyCam is that it has no video editing option.

15. Screencastify

Screencastify recording
It is a Chrome browser extension. Screencastify directly uploads your screen recordings to Google Drive. You can record your desktop Window or restrict it to the browser only. In case you are web recording only, you have the option to use pen tools. Recording from webcam and microphone is handy as well. Additionally, you can also do necessary trimming with the inbuilt video editor.

Screencastify gives a 5 minutes limit for recording in a free account. You can download videos in MP4, GIF, and audio-only. There are many share options like Google Classroom, YouTube, sent to email, generate QR.

In overall, Screencastify is right on the fly Camtasia alternative. If you have simple editing needs, you can give it a try.

Mentionable Camtasia Alternatives

Below is a list a few alternatives we will like to mention:

  • FFsplit: A great Free application to record desktop and game screens. It also allows you to directly live stream your recordings.
  • Screencast-O-Matic: It is a unique web browser based screen recorder. Hence, it will work for both Windows & Mac OS.
  • Webinaria: It is a free screen recorder for Windows. Also, it can capture audio streams. Outputs FLV format only.

Camtasia Alternatives: The Verdict

Choose your Video Editor according to your needs. If you are editing professional videos regularly, only then we recommend investing in Camtasia. For medium priority, Video editing with all features with other video editors. You can always find a good deal on these applications.

To be honest, there is no Program like Camtasia or better in its price range and functionality. With Camtasia, you will be able to create anything you want with ease. It is something you will always miss with any free or cheap alternatives, irrespective of the features they are offering. The new version of Camtasia is even better with significant improvements in the interface. If you have no other option, you can take a look at our Camtasia discounts to get a competitive price.


Did we miss any of the Camtasia alternatives? Let us know in the comments section below.

Sourojit

Sourojit is Executive Editor at Dealarious. Rumor says He is Computer Science Engineer; He neither accepts it nor denies it. Tech Explorer, Philosopher and a Storyteller.

6 thoughts on “Camtasia Alternatives and Comparison”

  1. Thanks for comparison details. Is there any reason for excluding Adobe Premier Elements and Cyberlink Powerdirector options here?

    Reply
  2. I use Filmora, it works great, is easy to use and has a modern Interface. However, it depends on your personal choice. You can use AVS for simple interface (old school).

    Reply
  3. Great list. I need to create YouTube videos, do not need 60 FPS. I need better functionality and easy of use. Which one among Movavi, Filmora, and AVS do you suggest?

    Reply

Leave a Comment