Which is the best screen recorder with internal audio?

Screen recorders are software applications that allow users to capture and record video and audio on their computer screen. The ability to capture internal audio, meaning the audio from the computer itself like music or audio from a video, is an important feature for many screen recorder uses. Internal audio allows users to record a complete multimedia experience and not just the visuals happening on screen.

Some key uses cases where internal audio recording is crucial include:

Recording video or music tutorials – being able to capture system audio allows the instructor’s voiceover to be synced with what is playing on their screen.

Product demonstrations – capturing internal system audio allows viewers to hear program feedback, alerts, or other applications sounds that are part of the program.
Gaming videos – game sounds and music are critical components of gameplay, so recording internal audio allows gamers to showcase the full experience.

Overall, the ability to record internal audio greatly expands the use cases and applications for screen recording software. Users want a complete audiovisual record of their on-screen activities, not just a silent video. Evaluating screen recorders based on their ability to capture internal system audio is important for choosing the best tool for the job.

Purpose of Screen Recorders

Screen recorders allow users to capture video and audio of their computer screens. This has many uses, such as:

Record gameplay videos – Gamers can record their gameplay and commentary to share walkthroughs, tips and tricks, speedruns, and more. Popular platforms like YouTube and Twitch allow gamers to broadcast themselves playing.¹
Create tutorials – By recording their screen, users can demonstrate how to use software, apps, devices, and anything else that requires showing screens and mouse movements. Narration makes an excellent addition to tutorials.²

Record presentations – Presenters can capture slides, software demos, and more while narrating an accompanying script. This allows presenting material remotely or creating polished videos.³

¹ https://animoto.com/blog/video-ideas/why-use-a-screen-recorder

² https://www.movavi.com/learning-portal/what-is-screen-recording.html

³ https://www.vmaker.com/screen-recorder-resource-guide

Importance of Internal Audio

Internal audio allows you to record sounds from your computer system and applications, including system alerts, music, commentary from a microphone, and more. This adds valuable context that viewers may miss if only the video is captured.

As this Quora post explains, internal audio recording is especially useful for capturing walkthroughs, tutorials, gameplay videos, and commentary. You can narrate what you’re doing on screen while also capturing relevant system sounds.

Internal audio often provides a more immersive, complete viewing experience. For example, gameplay videos are much more engaging when you can hear the sound effects along with the video. Tutorials also benefit from narration paired with computer sounds.

Overall, incorporating internal audio enhances most screen recordings by adding necessary context through ambient sounds, music, voiceovers, and more.

Top Screen Recorders

Based on expert reviews, the top 5 screen recorders are:

1. OBS Studio

OBS Studio is the top pick for best screen recorder according to reviews from TechRadar, Zapier, and other experts. OBS Studio is an open source, free screen recording software that allows users to capture and record their screen. It has advanced features like chroma keying, multi-scene switching, and more. OBS Studio works on Windows, macOS, and Linux operating systems.

2. Bandicam

Bandicam is consistently rated as one of the best screen recorders, especially for gamers and YouTubers. This software excels at high quality game recording and video/audio syncing. Bandicam works on Windows and has a free trial version. [https://www.techradar.com/best/best-screen-recorders]

3. Camtasia

Camtasia is a premium screen recorder and video editor for Windows and macOS. It’s known for its user-friendly interface and robust editing capabilities like transitions, animations, annotations and more. Camtasia makes it easy to record high quality videos and polish them with professional effects.

4. Screencast-O-Matic

Screencast-O-Matic is a popular free screen recorder for basic screen capturing needs. It allows users to record screens and webcam video. Screencast-O-Matic is web-based so it works on all operating systems. The free plan has a 15 minute recording limit.

5. Apowersoft

Apowersoft is a free screen recorder that provides options like video annotations, screen drawing, and audio recording. It works on Windows and macOS. The free version watermarks videos.

#1 Pick – OBS Studio

OBS Studio is an open source, free screen recording software that stands out as the top choice for many users. According to a PCWorld review, “OBS Studio is a fantastic tool for capturing gameplay videos, but it’s not for novices.” The software provides powerful screen recording and live streaming capabilities, with advanced features like chroma keying and multiple scenes.

In terms of pros, OBS Studio is completely free with no watermarks or time limits. It works well for recording computer screens as well as external video sources like webcams and capture cards. OBS Studio has a clean and intuitive interface once you get the hang of it. It receives frequent updates from its open source community of developers and is compatible with Windows, Mac and Linux operating systems.

Some downsides are that the software has a steep learning curve compared to simpler tools. You’ll need to spend time customizing settings and adding sources/scenes for a professional recording. But for a fully featured, free screen recorder, OBS Studio is hard to beat.

#2 – Bandicam

Bandicam is another popular and easy-to-use screen recorder, with good performance and a reasonable price. It is ideal for capturing gaming footage, online lessons, or any screen activity on your PC.

Bandicam’s video recording quality is excellent, providing high-resolution, smooth videos whether recording full screen or a specific area. It uses hardware accelerated h.264 video encoding, allowing it to record with minimal impact to game frame rates and PC performance (Software Advice).

The interface is simple and intuitive, with options to draw, highlight, or add effects during recording. Bandicam supports common formats like AVI, MP4, MKV and more. It can record 4K Ultra HD video at high frame rates for a smooth, professional look.

At around $40 for a lifetime license, Bandicam is very reasonably priced compared to competitors. It does lack some advanced sharing and editing features of pricier options, but it excels at pure recording performance. For gaming, demo videos, and basic tutorials, Bandicam is easy to recommend (Bandicam Reviews).

#3 – Camtasia

Camtasia is a robust and full-featured screen recorder and video editor. It’s packed with tools to help users record their screen, edit videos, add effects and animations, and produce high-quality tutorials and demo videos.

Some of the standout features of Camtasia include:

Screen recording with options to record full screen, region, webcam, and audio
An intuitive drag-and-drop timeline for video editing
A library of royalty-free music, stock images, and icons

Animated intros, transitions, captions, callouts and more
Ability to remove backgrounds from webcam recordings
Annotations, zooming, and cursor effects

Quizzing tools for interactive videos
Video hosting and sharing options

With all these robust features, Camtasia does come at a premium price point. It starts at $249 for a one-time payment or $20/month subscription, making it one of the more expensive options.

#4 – Screencast-O-Matic

Screencast-O-Matic is a popular free screen recorder that also offers premium plans with more features. The free version allows up to 15 minutes of recording per video, which is sufficient for short explainer videos or tutorials. One of the biggest advantages of Screencast-O-Matic is its simplicity and ease of use – even beginners can quickly get started recording their screen.

To get started, you simply download and install the Screencast-O-Matic app, and you’re ready to start recording in just a couple clicks. There are options to record your webcam video, narrate with your microphone, and edit your videos within the app. The free version also allows you to publish straight to YouTube or save the video file to your computer.

Overall, if you’re looking for a simple but capable screen recorder to create quick videos, Screencast-O-Matic is an excellent free option to consider. The 15 minute limit per video is the main constraint, but may not be a dealbreaker depending on your use case. For more advanced features, you would need to upgrade to a paid plan. But the free version alone makes this a great choice for simple screen recording needs.

https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/screencast-o-matic

#5 – Apowersoft

Apowersoft Screen Recorder is an affordable screen capturing software with decent features. According to this review, it’s great for most tasks except recording games. Key features include:

Ability to record full screen, custom area, webcam, audio, and system sounds

Annotations and drawing tools for adding arrows, text boxes, etc.
Basic video editing within the software
Outputs to MP4, MOV, GIF, and other formats

The free version leaves a watermark while paid plans start at $35 per year. Overall, Apowersoft is a solid pick if you need an affordable screen recorder without advanced features. It provides good value at a budget-friendly price point.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the best screen recorders with internal audio for 2023 are OBS Studio, Bandicam, Camtasia, Screencast-O-Matic, and Apowersoft. Internal audio recording is important for creating descriptive and informative videos for YouTube or other purposes.

OBS Studio was picked as the #1 choice because it’s free, open-source, and powerful. It has internal audio recording, no restrictions on recording length or quality, and advanced features for power users. Bandicam and Camtasia are also excellent paid options for their user-friendly interfaces, customizable editing features, and internal audio options.

Screencast-O-Matic and Apowersoft offer more basic free versions with watermarks, but their paid versions record internal audio and provide robust video editing. For most content creators, having a screen recorder that allows for internal audio recording is crucial for capturing desktop activity, voice-overs, and other sounds.