Best screen recorder for Mac

Five screen recorders for Mac, from built-in to full editing suites.

Press Shift-Command-5 to open it.

• Pros: Free and always there. Record the screen, a window or a part of the screen, and optionally show clicks and use a microphone.
• Cons: Apple's guide covers only the microphone as an audio source, and there is no editing.

The right tool for streamers and anyone who needs full control.

• Pros: Free and open source, with scenes, multiple sources and live streaming.
• Cons: Setup takes time, and it is overkill for a short tutorial.

A strong pick for tutorials and bug reports that need polish.

• Pros: Screen recording, screenshots, annotation and an editor with smart zooms, all in one app.
• Cons: Updates after the first year need a renewal, and cloud storage beyond 1 GB needs the Pro plan.

Toolbox is a Mac app with many tools in one, sold as a one-time purchase with no subscription.

• Pros: Record a display, window or area with system audio and mic, pointer and click highlights, at Native, 1440p, 1080p or 720p, 30 or 60 fps. No audio drivers needed.
• Cons: No built-in video editor, so use it to capture, not to produce.

Only worth it if you edit videos regularly.

• Pros: A complete recorder and editor for finished videos.
• Cons: Starts at $199, which is a lot if you only record.

We looked at what each app does for this one job, what it costs, and where it runs. Prices and features were checked on each maker's own site on 2026-11-03 and can change. Where a price page did not show a figure we could confirm, the table says to see their site.

Toolbox is our own app, so treat our ranking with that in mind. We list it where it fits the job and say plainly when another app is the better pick. Toolbox needs macOS 15 Sequoia or later. We looked at audio capture, what you can record (screen, window or area) and whether editing is included.