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10 Best 4K Screen Recorders For Windows and Mac
Rithu V - October 3, 2022
Videos that are recorded in 4K resolution store 4X more pixels than 1080p (Full HD). They have more details in every frame and look sharper even on large displays.
And, it's so much easier to zoom in, crop, and edit them (without having to compromise on the quality).
That's why 4K screen recorders are in huge demand right now.
To help you find the best 4K screen recorder, we have put together a list of the 10 best screen recording software that records at 4K resolution.
Let's get started!
1. Vmaker
Vmaker is a 4K screen recording software that comes with a wide range of filters, frames, and virtual backgrounds. It allows users to choose between multiple recording modes and is best for recording educational screencasts, product videos, training videos, how-to videos, and video presentations.
Compatibility:
- Screen Recorder for Mac
- Screen Recorder for Windows
- Screen Recorder Chrome Extension
- iOS Screen Recorder
- Comes with a recording scheduler
- Provides screen annotation features
- Comes with a built-in video editor
- Enables workspace collaboration
- Allows users to record any number of videos
- Watermark-free
- Provides video insights
- Provides replaceable backgrounds for webcam overlay
- Provides a background noise filter
- Provides options to upload videos directly to YouTube, Twitch, etc.
- The iOS version is only available as a beta version
2. OBS Studio
OBS (Open Broadcaster Software) is a free and open-source screen recording software that allows users to record any number of videos at 4K resolution. The best thing about OBS is that it lets users arrange/customise their own UI layout.
Compatibility: Works on Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Pros- Comes with various customizable transitions
- Provides professional mixing tools
- Offers customizable UI layout
- Might lag at times
- Requires a learning curve for novices
3. Bandicam
Bandicam is close-sourced 4K screen recording software that allows users to record their screen in three recording modes:
Screen recording mode (allows users to record the screen of their computer)
Game recording mode (allows users to record and live stream games)
Device Recording mode (allows users to record from HDMI devices and webcams)
Compatibility: Works only on Windows
Pros- Comes with a recording scheduler
- Provides multi-screen recording
- Allows users to add animation at the time of recording
- Allows users to export the recorded videos to Facebook and YouTube quickly
- Lacks professional tools
- Might lag at times
4. NVIDIA ShadowPlay
NVIDIA ShadowPlay is a robust 4K screen recording application that's ideal for recording games. It also offers live streaming features and allows users to record their screen for 30 minutes straight.
The application is hardware accelerated (i.e the application automatically runs in the background when a game starts).
Compatibility: Works only on Windows
Pros- Provides multiple keyboard shortcuts
- Provides quick upload options
- Allows users to record up to 4K (60 frames/sec)
- Works only when the user has an NVIDIA graphics card
- Not ideal for normal screen recording purposes
5. Action
Action is a 4K game recording software that offers a wide variety of built-in tools and features to help users record and edit their gameplays without any hassle. The best part about this software is that it lets users record their screens with minimal CPU and GPU usage (without any loss in frames)!
Compatibility: Works only on Mac.
Pros- Doesn't take too much of your CPU space
- User-friendly user interface
- Provides great editing features
- Allows users to control their video recording with a smartphone
- Doesn't allow users to adjust the bitrate
- Doesn't allow users to set the custom frame rate
6. Camtasia
Techsmith's Camtasia is a premium 4K screen recording and editing tool that comes with a ton of built-in features. It's ideal for recording video lessons, meeting recordings, product demos, video presentations, and webinars as it records both your screen and webcam.
Compatibility: Works on both Windows and Mac.
Pros- Comes with a video editor
- Provides speech-to-text translation
- Integrates with PowerPoint
- Provides replaceable backgrounds
- Allows users to quickly upload videos to YouTube, Vimeo, etc
- Requires an upgrade to remove watermark
- Does not provide cloud storage
- Way too pricey
Here’s a comparison chart that shows the differences in features between Camtasia and Vmaker:
7. Snagit
Snagit is another 4K screen capturing tool of Techsmith. While Camtasia from Techsmith is more suitable for recording well-planned and detailed videos like tutorials, product demos, and online training videos, Snagit is more suitable for recording quick and spontaneous videos that have a shorter shelf life (like short feedback videos or micro training materials).
Compatibility: Works on both Mac and Windows.
Pros- Allows users to create GIFs and how-to videos by combining a series of screenshots
- Allows quick and easy sharing
- Comes with a built-in editor
- Only ideal for lightweight screen recording
- Costly when compared to other screen recorders
- 4K 60fps and 4K 30fps not supported
Here’s a comparison chart that shows the differences in features between Vmaker and Snagit:
8. ShareX
It's a free & open-source program that allows users to capture and record any section of their computer screen.
It also lets users upload text, images, and other files to supported destinations that they can choose from.
Compatibility: Works only on Windows.
Pros- Provides one key access to multiple choices
- Lightweight and user-friendly
- Not ideal for game recording
- The design looks outdated
☛ Bonus Read: How to Screen Record on Windows 7 with Audio9. Ice Cream Screen Recorder
Ice-cream screen recorder is a user-friendly 4K screen recording software that allows users to record games, video tutorials, meetings, and webinars effortlessly. It records both screen + webcam and lets users quickly upload their video recording to YouTube, Google Drive or Dropbox.
Compatibility: Works on Mac, Windows, and all mobile devices that run on Android.
Pros- Comes with a recording scheduler
- Provides customizable branding options
- Lets users change the speed of the recording
- Comes with screen annotation features
- Displays hotkeys used in the video
- The free version offers very limited features
- Users need to upgrade to a paid plan to remove watermarks
10. RecMaster
RecMaster is a professional 4K screen recording software that's perfect for recording video presentations, screencasts, software tutorials, and gameplays. It provides seven screen recording modes.
Compatibility: Works on both Windows and Mac.
Pros- Comes with powerful recording features like picture-in-picture recording, HD recording, etc.
- Provides mouse enhancement features
- Comes with a built-in editor
- Doesn't have a recording time limit
- Does not have a background noise filter
- It doesn't have a provision to record voiceovers
Products OS Editing Tools Recording Scheduler Price (per year) 1. Vmaker Win, Mac, iOS Yes Yes Free & Paid 2. OBS Win, Mac, Linux No Yes Free 3. Bandicam Win No Yes $39.95 4. NVIDIA Shadowplay Win No No Free 5. Action Mac No Yes $19.77 6. Camtasia Win, Mac Yes Yes $299.99 7. Snagit Win, Mac Yes Yes $60 8. ShareX Win Yes No Free 9. IceCream Screen Recorder Win, Mac, Android Yes Yes $29.95 10. RecMaster Win, Mac Yes No $24.95 Recommended Reading:
How to Record High Quality (up to 4K) Product Demo Videos for YouTube?
How to Screen Record on Windows 11 with Sound
How to Screen Record on Windows with Voice
How to Screen Record on Windows 8 with Mic
