Gone are the days when people made simple and plain videos. Nowadays, if you want your videos to convert, you can make them interesting by recording screencasts and using proper editing with filters, effects, and more.
To do this, you need a feature-rich tool like Camtasia, an all-in-one screen recorder and video editor developed by TechSmith.
It allows users to record screencasts for how-to videos, explainers, video tutorials, training videos, software demos, presentations, webinars, etc.
In addition, Camtasia allows users to create professional videos from scratch or by using video templates.
However, Camtasia is an expensive tool. As a result, it’s understandable if you’d prefer to use an alternative platform.
According to some Camtasia users, the platform would be better if it had more audio control options, transitions, and fonts. Therefore, the high price may not be the only reason for seeking an alternative.
Nevertheless, this post lists the 15 best Camtasia alternatives. You’ll find software that suits your needs as an individual or business.
Take a look.
Best Camtasia Alternatives
1. OBS Studio
OBS Studio is more of a broadcasting and live-streaming studio than a video editor. However, you can do more with it than with Camtasia.
The main advantage of switching from Camtasia to OBS Studio is that you don’t have to pay. OBS Studio is free and open-source. Notably, its open-source nature allows it to work with many third-party video editing and screen recording solutions.
You can use OBS Studio to record any part of your screen and create harmonious scenes. The software supports unlimited scenes with many custom transitions. Switching from one scene to the other is effortless, thanks to the transitions.
OBS Studio offers an intuitive audio mixer if you need a Camtasia substitute for better audio controls. The audio mixer comes with per-source filters, including noise suppression, gain, and noise gate. In addition, it natively supports the VST plugin.
OBS Studio trumps Camtasia when it comes to sharing videos. You can share your videos to over 50 streaming platforms, including Twitch, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Steam, and ReStream.
Furthermore, you can only use Camtasia on Windows and Mac. Meanwhile, you can use OBS Studio on Windows, Mac, Linux, BSD, Steam, and PortableApps.
2. FastStone
FastStone is software for screen capturing and video recording. These basic features make it comparable with Camtasia, and the software also has a minimal editor.
With FastStone, you can capture anything that appears on your computer screen. The recording works for video and audio, and you control everything from an intuitive capture panel.
You get resizing, cropping, annotating, watermarking, and sharpening tools for editing. In addition, the editor also has edge effects.
After recording and editing videos with FastStone, you can send them to email or desktop apps like MS Word and PowerPoint. You can also upload them to your website.
FastStone and Camtasia are both premium screen recording and video editing programs. However, FastStone is a lot more affordable.
You don’t pay recurring monthly or annual subscriptions with FastStone. Instead, you purchase a lifetime license for $19.95.
However, the downside of FastStone is that the software only supports Windows. You should consider a different alternative on this list if you use Mac.
3. ActivePresenter
If you use Camtasia to create and share eLearning videos, ActivePresenter is an alternative you should check out. Described as an authoring tool, ActivePresenter works for screen recording, screencasting, and video editing.
The highlight among all ActivePresenter’s features is the video editor. It is user-friendly and will take no time to learn. You get all the options you need to create professional videos with the editor.
The smart screen capture technology is another feature that makes ActivePresenter one of the best alternatives to Camtasia. It handles most of the work on your behalf with accurate automation.
In particular, the screen capture tool will save your videos as slides. It automatically highlights your keystrokes, mouse clicks, and other actions. Also, you can edit multiple recording sources at once, including screen, microphone, system audio, and webcam.
Furthermore, ActivePresenter lets you enhance videos with effects, shapes, transitions, and animations. ActivePresenter also supports flexible branching, questions, randomization, and pools for interactions.
Both Camtasia and ActivePresenter work on Windows and Mac. However, ActivePresenter is less expensive, with a commercial-use license starting at $199.
4. Screencast-O-Matic
Screencast-O-Mac is a freemium screen recorder and editor tool. It’s free for recording and editing online. However, if you want to use it on a desktop like Camtasia – for Windows and Mac – you must purchase a license.
You can count on Screencast-O-Matic if you need a Camtasia alternative for home, business, or educational use. It supports both screen and webcam capture.
In particular, you’ll appreciate Screencast-O-Matic if you’re a business user. This is because the software integrates with popular third-party solutions like Google Drive, Zoom, Slack, Outlook, and Jira, to name a few.
The video editor also is notable. It encourages creativity with many animated transitions, effects, and filters. In addition, it supports live audio recording for voiceover, sound effects, and audio files.
The editor is easy to use as it’s drag and drop. The built-in stock library also gives you access to thousands of images, videos, and music.
Unlike Camtasia, Screencast-O-Matic isn’t limited to Windows and Mac devices. The platform also has mobile applications for Android and iOS devices. Hence, you can record and edit videos even more conveniently.
5. RecordCast
If Camtasia’s high price is why you need an alternative software, RecordCast is an option that’ll cost you nothing.
The all-in-one screen recorder and video editor is available online. Hence, unlike Camtasia, you don’t need to install any software. You only need a modern web browser and you’re good to go.
Recording videos using RecordCast only requires a few clicks. The interface is intuitive, and the tools are straightforward, so there’s no learning curve.
Like most other tools on this list, RecordCast supports three recording modes. You can record your screen, webcam, or webcam and stream simultaneously. The recording will capture audio from the system and microphone.
RecordCast’s video editor is simpler than Camtasia’s; however, it does the job.
After recording and editing your video, RecordCast lets you download it to your device, save it to Dropbox, or share it on YouTube.
Many RecordCast users find the free option sufficient for recording and editing tasks. You can opt for the Plus Plan if you’d prefer more features. RecordCast’s Plus Plan costs only $5.99 per month for monthly billing, which is way more affordable than Camtasia.
6. Free Cam
You already guessed this is free software from its name, Free Cam. Free Cam shares many similarities with Camtasia, but there’s a major difference.
While Camtasia supports Windows and Mac, Free Cam is only available for Windows. Aside from that, Free Cam qualifies as one of the best alternatives.
Most of Free Cam’s features are tailored towards eLearning. Hence, many people use the software to create professional presentations and video lessons.
The software lets you record your entire screen or a particular area and record your voice-over and system sounds. In addition, you can set the recorder to focus on your mouse’s movements.
When done, you turn to the built-in audio and video editor to perfect your recording. The editor has options to cut out the parts you don’t need, add audio effects, and remove background noise.
However, note that Free Cam’s video editor doesn’t have the multiple effects and transitions that Camtasia features.
Nevertheless, Free Cam lets you export videos as MP4 in HD quality. Alternatively, you can share the video on YouTube with a single click.
7. Ezvid
Ezvid is described as “the easiest screen recorder and video editor.” In truth, it’s easy-to-use and fast software – easier to use than Camtasia.
Notably, Ezvid is widely-used among online gamers, especially Minecraft players. The software supports webcam recording, voice recording, and voice synthesis for screen recording.
With speed control, you can easily set how fast or slow the video will be. In addition, screen drawing lets you highlight the key parts of your video.
One of Ezvid’s best features is the instant slideshow makers. As you record your screen, the different parts automatically save as different slides. Afterward, you can easily export them as a single video.
What you get with Ezvid is a nonlinear video editor. Hence, it’s a flexible alternative to Camtasia, with options to rearrange scenes, edit multiple clips, and more.
Unlike Camtasia, Ezvid allows you to directly share your videos only on YouTube.
Furthermore, you can only use Ezvid if you own a Windows PC.
8. Vmaker
Vmaker, short for Video Maker, is another Camtasia replacement that prioritizes online learning. It’s a highly-rated software with at least 4.5 stars out of 5 from top review platforms, including Capterra, G2, and Crozdesk.
Aside from online learning videos, Vmaker is also suitable for businesses as a screen recording solution. You can use the software to create product training videos, employee and customer onboarding videos, branding videos, and policy & compliance videos.
Typically, you can record your screen and webcam with Vmaker. Also, you can edit videos with custom backgrounds, animations, and texts.
Notably, Vmaker is part of the Animaker suite. As a result, it works seamlessly with the other programs in the suite.
Vmaker and Camtasia are alike when it comes to supported devices. Both software programs are compatible with Windows and Mac computers.
Vmaker has three pricing plans. You can start using Vmaker for free with the Lite plan. Subsequently, you can upgrade to the Starter Plan for $10 per month or the Team Plan for $15 per month.
Businesses can go for the Enterprise Plan. Although the Enterprise Plan pricing is custom, it won’t be as expensive as Camtasia.
9. ScreenFlow
Launched in 2008 by Telestream, ScreenFlow is a premium software exclusive to Mac computers. Without question, it’s one of the best Camtasia alternatives to consider if you’re a Mac user.
ScreenFlow boasts powerful screen recording and video editing software. It’ll work for any audience, whether business or education.
With ScreenFlow, you can record your screen, camera, and microphone. The standout feature, however, is the support for simultaneous screen recording. In addition, you can record multiple apps at a time with this software.
Furthermore, ScreenFlow gives you access to a stock library filled with over 500,000 media files. These media files include images, videos, and audio clips, among others.
Like with Camtasia, you get many options to share your video with ScreenFlow. You can save it on your device or share it on websites and social platforms. You can also save it to cloud storage.
ScreenFlow isn’t a free alternative to Camtasia. In fact, it has different pricing options.
The software costs $169 per year. But if you want the full package, which includes the stock library, you’ll pay $229. Note that you can use the software for free on trial before you pay.
10. CamStudio
CamStudio should be among your list of options if you need a Camtasia software exclusive for screen recording and video sharing. If not because of its features, then because it is free.
With this software, you can record all your screen activities, including video and audio. Your recordings save as industry-standard AVI video files, but with the built-in SWF Producer, you can convert them to Streaming Flash videos.
CamStudio’s support for SWF videos is notable because SWF videos are light and don’t consume much bandwidth. Hence, you won’t use up many resources if you save the videos to your device or share them online.
However, note that the software still lets you save videos in relatively high-bandwidth consuming formats. For such videos, you can easily burn them into a CD or DVD.
CamStudio is another CamStudio alternative that only works for Windows. The good news, however, is that it’ll work on both old and new Windows OS versions.
11. CloudApp
CloudApp lets users record their screen, edit the video, and save it to the cloud. It’s straightforward software on this list. The software records over four million users, a testament to its popularity.
CloudApp fosters visual communication with support for annotation. It’s optimized as onboarding software, although you can use it for almost any recording and sharing tasks.
When you save a video to the cloud with CloudApp, you can share it with others via a simple URL. As a result, CloudApp gives you more sharing options than Camtasia since you can share a link anywhere on the internet.
CloudApp has a free account, unlike Camtasia. You can upgrade to their premium plan at $9.95 per month for individuals and $8 per user for teams. If you’re a business, you should contact the sales team.
12. Kdenlive
Kdenlive is another free and open-source alternative to Camtasia.
The video editing features you get with Kdenlive can rival any other video editor, not just Camtasia. Notable among all is the support for multi-track video editing.
With multi-track video editing, you can save them by editing many video and audio files simultaneously. It isn’t complex since the software allows you to mute and lock any file you want.
Kdenlive further supports almost any video and audio format. This is due to the powerful FFmpeg libraries it has. Consequently, you can import and export different media formats without re-encoding or converting.
You can count on Kdenlive to make your videos as interesting as possible. The software comes with dozens of transitions and effects. Transformations, audio adjustments, and color corrections are just a few examples.
As you edit your videos, they automatically back up after some minutes. This means you can always access your old edits should there be any errors.
Like Camtasia, Kdenlive supports Windows and Mac. The software also supports Linux and BSD.
13. Shotcut
Here’s another tool that you can use if you need a video editor. You won’t pay to use Shotcut, and the software is also open-source.
When you install and launch Shotcut, you’ll first notice the intuitive interface. The interface features both dockable and undockable panels. However, it may take some time to become familiar with every tool in the panels as there are many.
Shotcut comes with the FFmpeg library. As a result, the software will work with hundreds of video and audio formats. You can easily import your videos from Camtasia to Shotcut without difficulties.
Although Shotcut is popular as a video editor, you can still use it for screen recording. You can capture your screen, webcam, or audio.
For video, you can record in up to 4K resolutions, thanks to native support for HDMI and SDI. Shotcut also supports IP Stream and Windows DirectShow devices.
Although most of Shotcut’s features are optimized for Windows, the software also works on other operating systems. You can install Shotcut on Mac and Linux, and the software works with PortableApps.
14. Filmora
Filmora, a tool developed by Wondershare, boasts thousands of users. Many users go for the software because it’s feature-rich yet easy to use.
Any creator, irrespective of what they create, will find Filmora useful. It’s an ideal alternative to Camtasia if you want to save time on recording and editing videos.
You can save time with Filmora with the many preset templates. There are up to 200 of them, which you’ll only need to slightly customize.
Another advantage of opting for Filmora is the built-in stock library. You’ll find billions of media files in this library, including images, videos, GIFs, and stickers.
Filmora comes with some notable advanced editing features. These features include mask and blend, keyframing, green screen, motion tracking, speed ramping, and split screen.
With the audio visualizer, auto beat sync, audio ducking, and silence detection options, Filmora is also dependable for video editing.
Going further, Filmora lets you do more by supporting third-party plugins. You can connect the software with plugins like AI Portrait, NewBlue FX, Filmstock, and Boris FX. In particular, these plugins usher in more effects.
The software is available for Windows and Mac. It also is a step above Camtasia with apps for iOS and Android.
15. Final Cut Pro
Final Cut Pro is a software that’s often compared to Camtasia. Hence, it’s not surprising that it’s on this list.
Final Cut Pro is a software developed by Apple. Therefore, it only supports Mac computers, unlike Camtasia, which supports Windows and Mac.
What you get with Final Cut Pro is an advanced video editing software, most suitable for storytelling. The software still supports recording using your computer’s built-in camera or an external camera.
Final Cut Pro is an ideal Camtasia substitute for working with large, ultra-high-quality videos. The software is optimized to handle larger frame sizes and higher frame effects.
This is because, as an Apple software, Final Cut Pro works efficiently with Apple Silicon. It takes advantage of Apple’s Neural Engine, CPU, and GPU.
Furthermore, multicam editing is about the most advanced you can get. It lets you view and edit up to 16 angles at a time.
To use Final Cut Pro, you must purchase the software. The software costs around $299, which isn’t different from Camtasia’s starting price. However, you get a free trial with Final Cut Pro before you pay.
Bottom Line
There you go! You have 15 different alternatives to Camtasia to choose from. While some of the platforms listed above are premium, others are free. Therefore, it’ll be easy to find one that meets your budget.
Overall, OBS Studio is recommended as the best Camtasia alternative. The software is feature-packed yet free and open-source.
