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How to Screen Record on Mac: 3 Ways with Pros and Cons
Posted by Ethan Brooke to Record Video Mar 17, 2025
Need to capture a screen activity on Mac for tutorials, presentations, gameplay, and so on? Regardless of the reason, learning how to screen record on Mac is a handy skill to have. Luckily, Mac has several ways to let you accomplish any recording task, whether you use its built-in tool or not. In this post, three of the simplest methods are shared to help you how to screen record on Macbook Air and other models. Get started now from these built-in tools to a free app.
Here’s a simple comparison table of the three easiest methods to screen record on Mac. Each offers different features and levels of friendliness, catering to diverse recording activities.
| Method | Description | Key features |
| 4Easysoft Mac Screen Recorder | High-quality screen, webcam, and audio recorder | High-quality output with advanced recording options, as well as webcam support and audio capture. |
| QuickTime | A built-in screen recorder for Mac users | Simple to use, no installation required before getting started. |
| Screenshot Tool Hotkeys | Set keyboard shortcuts for quick screenshots and recordings | Quick to access and easy to use |
Guide List
Way 1. 4Easysoft Mac Screen Recorder - High-Quality Way 2. QuickTime - Built-in tool for a Simple Recording Way 3. Screenshot Tool Hotkeys - for a Quick Screen CaptureWay 1. 4Easysoft Mac Screen Recorder - High-Quality
If you want a versatile and high-quality screen recording experience on your MacBook Pro, Air, and others, the 4Easysoft Mac Screen Recorder is a great choice to practice how to screen record on Mac! With this recording software, you can easily capture your screen in full HD, even 4K, making it excellent for tutorials, gameplay, or professional presentations. The best part? Not only works for screen recording but also lets you capture webcam and both audio from the mic and system—a perfect combination for meetings and vlogs. It also presents a variety of customizable settings to ensure the recordings will meet your needs, regardless of whether it is a full-screen activity, window, or selected region.
Provide high-quality recordings with up to 4K resolution and 60 fps.
Customized hotkeys to record screens and take screenshots quickly.
Add text, callouts, lines, arrows, etc., during screen recording without quality loss.
Trim recordings as you wish in the preview to remove extra parts.
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What I like:
● Support HD recording for both screen, webcam, and audio.
● Various formats for exporting, like MP4, AVI, MOV, etc., are covered.
● There are no time restrictions on recordings.
What I don’t like:
● It requires downloading and installing, unlike native Mac tools.
Step 1Start by launching the 4Easysoft Mac Screen Recorder on your Mac screen. Then, click the "Video Recorder" button to capture your on-screen activity.
Determine the recording area by choosing "Full" to capture the whole screen or "Custom" to select a desired area and resolution. Both choices let you pull borderlines freely to adjust the capture area.
Step 2In this part, you have to choose audio settings. Turn on "System Sound" to capture computer sound and "Microphone" to capture your voice. Don’t forget to adjust their audio volumes by pulling their respective sliders.
Step 3Following that, click the "REC" button if you are okay with all the set settings and start recording your screen. A toolbox will be available below, which you can use to add shapes, lines, and callouts, as well as take screenshots during the session.
Step 4After everything, click the "Stop" button to conclude the recording and navigate you to the preview window, where you can cut out parts from the start and end. Click the "Save" button to download the screen recording to your designated location.
Way 2. QuickTime - Built-in tool for a Simple Recording
For those who want a simpler, no-frills option, the QuickTime Player is a built-in tool on Mac computers that is ideal for straightforward recordings. It is super easy to access and does not need any extra software to learn how to screen record on Mac Pro and other models. Besides the screen, it can capture your voice from the mic and even capture a webcam for your reactions as long as you have extra assistance. Not as feature-rich as other options, its simplicity and connection with macOS are enough reasons to make it a convenient choice for those who want a no-hassle screen recording. Moreover, you can’t record the system audio on Mac without plugins.
What I like:
● Pre-installed on macOS, no extra software needed.
● It lets you capture the computer’s audio when connected to an external mic.
● It is completely free, with no need for additional subscriptions.
What I don’t like:
● Only export recording in MOV, which is not always compatible with other devices.
● Lacks advanced recording options like real-time annotations.
How to Screen Record on Macbook and others via QuickTime Player?
Step 1Launch QuickTime Player now from the "Applications" folder, then select "File" and go to the "New Screen Recording" option under the menu bar.
Step 2Change the recording settings by clicking the "arrow" beside the "Record" button. Select a microphone, adjust the volume, etc. Also, you can check the "Show Mouse Clicks in Recording" to capture the black circle in your pointer during recording.
Step 3Now, click the "Record" button; to capture the entire screen, click anywhere on your screen, while for a specific area, you need to drag your cursor to choose an area. Later, click the "Stop" button in the menu bar. You can now watch, edit, and share it.
Way 3. Screenshot Tool Hotkeys - for a Quick Screen Capturer
If you are in a rush and require something even faster, with no installation and just a few clicks, the Screenshot tool hotkeys set on your Mac is a fantastic shortcut solution on how to take screenshot on Mac and how to screen record on Mac! With just a couple of keystrokes, you’re able to instantly capture your screen or record it without accessing other apps. For this, grabbing some information on-screen can be done quickly and perfectly. While it is limited in terms of customization, it is built for fast, basic recordings, like for a quick tutorial or simply a piece of information.
What I like:
● It's already activated via a keyboard shortcut.
● Let you capture the entire screen, a selected window, or a custom area.
● Great for casual users who do not look for advanced features.
What I don’t like:
● Limited customization for video and audio settings.
● The screen capture is only supported, but there’s nothing for webcam.
Step 1Using your Mac’s keyboard, press the "Command + Shift + 5" keys, then choose either the "Record Entire Screen" or "Record Selected Portion" option from the pop-up toolbar (depending on what you need).
Step 2Next, open the "Options" dropdown menu, where you can set the audio source you wish to record. Ready? Click the "Record" button to record the entire screen.
Step 3Once you have finished recording the needed activity, click the "Stop" button or press the "Command + Control + Esc" key to end the recording and save it on your Mac.
Conclusion
Several effective ways are there to help you how to screen record on Mac, each catering to diverse recording needs, from built-in tools to third-party solutions. QuickTime undoubtedly provides a simple, quick, and easy recording without extra software, as well as the Screenshot Tool Hotkeys. Both offer fast and convenient ways to record your screen. However, for a more comprehensive solution for those wanting high-quality, 4Easysoft Mac Screen Recorder is that solution! A feature-rich recorder with the ability to capture screen, webcam, and audio with ease, it makes a great choice for beginners and professionals alike. Explore it now and capture any activities on your Mac screen.
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