Looking to record a webinar that feels professional and ready to wow your audience? Whether you’re setting up automated webinars to generate income 24/7 or simply capturing a live virtual event, choosing the best webinar recording software is key to nailing your presentation.
Are you searching for something you can use to record professional automated webinars?
Well, if you’re ready to start using automated webinars to generate income 24/7, you’ll need to know how to record a live webinar to capture your high-quality presentation. The easiest way to make a copy of your presentation is to record a webinar using your computer screen while talking over slides or live demonstrations. Most paid and free webinar platforms, as well as video conferencing software, now include built-in recording and editing features.
In this guide, you’ll learn:
- How to record webinar presentations
- The seven best webinar presentation recording platforms
- The best free webinar software features of each tool
Effortlessly engage your audience and grow your business. Transform the way you host virtual events and marketing webinars.
What is Webinar Recording Software?
Webinar recording software allows you to capture live webinars, presentations, or screen-sharing sessions so you can save, edit, and reuse the content later. It typically records your screen, audio, webcam, or all three — and sometimes even allows you to refine the final version with editing tools and track webinar performance analytics.
A great webinar solution also helps you create custom registration forms, track engagement, and manage replay sessions across your virtual events.
Why Recording Webinars Matters
Recording your webinars isn’t just a “nice to have” — it’s essential. Here’s why:
Boosts engagement
Not everyone can attend live events. On-demand webinars let you share replays, giving your audience the flexibility to watch whenever it’s convenient.
Bonus: You can reach global audiences across time zones.
Meets compliance requirements
Certain industries require recordings for compliance, audits, or record-keeping. Recording webinars with the best webinar platforms ensures you’re covered legally and professionally.
Repurposes content
One webinar = endless marketing material.
Record it once, and repurpose it into YouTube videos, blog posts, lead magnets, marketing webinars, podcast episodes, and more.
Prerequisites
To begin screen recording and creating professional automated webinars, you’ll need to decide upon a few things.
1. Screen or Face
Do you want to show your face when you record a webinar using a built-in Mac cam video, or would you prefer screen sharing instead?
Some webinar recording software options below will allow you to display and record your screen along with a superimposed webcam video of yourself. However, you may need to test several of the various options below to determine what looks best if you want your viewers to assume the webinar video is being presented live.
2. Demo or Presentation
If you’re doing a screen recording or screen sharing, do you want to show a live demonstration, or do you want to show slides? If you’re going for slides, you’ll need presentation software like Microsoft PowerPoint, Keynote, or similar tools.
If you don’t have access to presentation software when you record an automated webinar on a Mac, an alternative would be to create presentation images. You can use tools like Canva or Google Slides. Mac users can download and display the images like a slideshow using the Preview app.
Check out our post “How to Create Great Slides for Your Webinar” to learn about our favorite tools available for creating slideshows.
3. Recording Environment
If you are recording yourself and your webinar screen for your webinar, you’ll need to test your recording environment to make sure you have the best lighting and background for your video.
4. Microphone
You’ll need a good microphone. You can get great microphones, like the Yeti Silver, for under $200. You can also use simple headsets or microphones that come with noise-canceling headphones. Note that the latter option can put the microphone in an area where it can brush your hair or clothing, causing sound interference.
Once you’ve decided on the things mentioned above, you’ll be ready to choose the best software to record webinars on Mac and create your videos for your automated presentations.
Turn your webinars into a powerful automated engine for growth—discover how.
The 10 Best Webinar Recording Software
Now, let’s dive into our top picks when you want to record HD video conferencing software or webinars on a Mac. Many offer free trials, and some are fully free webinar tools you can start using today.
1. Screenflow
ScreenFlow is a top choice amongst Mac users to record an online webinar, and though it’s currently priced starting at $129, it won’t break the bank.
This is a popular option to use as a screen recording software or the best webinar software because it allows you to capture screens (including those with retina resolution), record webcam video, and even your mobile device screen.
Steps:
- If you want to record a webinar in ScreenFlow, you’ll have to record the whole screen. Unlike some programs, you don’t have screen recording options to select a specific area or window to record.
- You’ll want to make sure that the system audio icon or input via the microphone is checked. Otherwise, you’ll only record your computer audio and not your computer screen.
- Once you’re finished recording a webinar on a Mac, you can crop the recorded video to show only one area or window of your screen, so make sure that you keep what you want to be included in the video in one place.
- After you’re finished with the recording process, you can save your project and start editing. You can trim your recorded sessions to the correct start and endpoints and crop the video to show only the screen area you want in your event recordings.
You can add zoom and pan motions, transitions, annotations, text, audio & video filters, chroma-key, callouts, and more. These will further enhance the experience your webinar viewers will have while watching your recorded webinar.
*Note that if you’re going for the feel of a live webinar, you might want to refrain from adding any special effects and interactive elements when you record a webinar.
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2. Camtasia
Camtasia is another top pick for both Windows and Mac users for screen recording software and as a video editing tool. For both operating systems, pricing begins at $249 per license if you want to record webinars.
If you work with a Windows desktop at work and a Mac laptop at home (or vice versa), this screen recording software allows you to carry your projects between both setups easily. It’s also handy if various people in your business work on Windows and Mac or both to record webinars.
Camtasia allows you to record a webinar on your entire desktop screen, in specific areas, or on Windows. You can also use their mobile app to get photos and videos from your iOS, Android mobile devices, or Windows and record the webinar.
Once you’ve recorded your video and then stopped the recording, you can save your project and start editing the video clips. In addition to standard video effects, you can also do things like implement a green screen to edit yourself into the video recording files.
Again, it should be noted that if you’re going for the feel of live webinars, make sure you don’t add any special effects when you record a webinar.
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3. OBS Studio (Open Broadcaster Software)
OBS Studio is open-source software used by streamers and webinar hosts worldwide. It supports multiple input sources, live switching, and custom scenes. This is great for professional presentations.
Pros:
- 100% free and open-source
- Unlimited recording length
- Advanced audio mixing and layout control
Cons:
- No built-in editor
- Interface can be intimidating for beginners
Use Case: Excellent for educators or hosts who want total control over multi-camera or multi-window webinar recording setups.
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4. Riverside.fm
Riverside records each participant locally in 4K video and lossless audio, even with unstable internet. It’s ideal for webinars or interviews with guests in different locations.
Pros:
- Studio-quality remote recording
- Automatic speaker view and noise suppression
- Cloud storage with AI transcription
Cons:
- Requires a stable browser (Chrome or Edge)
- Limited editing in the free tier
Use Case: Perfect for marketing teams and thought leaders hosting expert panels or interview-based webinars.
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5. Loom
Loom is built for fast, casual screen recordings and is perfect for short pre-recorded sessions or follow-up explanations. You can share videos instantly via a link.
Pros:
- Lightning-fast sharing
- Integrated webcam bubble
- Works in browser or app
Cons:
- Limited editing features
- Not ideal for long webinars
Use Case: Best for educators or sales teams who need to record quick, personalized training or onboarding videos.
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6. OBS Studio (Open Broadcaster Software)
Not ready to fork out $299 for a screen recording tool for Windows? CamStudio is a free online screen recorder and an easy-to-use screen recording software alternative. This is a fantastic tool for a screen recording option because, though it may not have as many advanced features as other screen recorders do, you can’t beat the price tag.
Unlike many other open-source software solutions, CamStudio offers guidance in the form of written and video tutorials so you can learn the best practices for using the platform to record high-quality webinars and screens quickly.
CamStudio allows you to record online events on your entire screen, in specific areas, or on Windows. Once you’ve recorded your video, you can go in and add simple effects, such as screen annotation bubbles.
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7. Screencast-o-Matic
If you don’t mind a nearly $20 per year membership, you can use Screencast-o-Matic for screen recording on Windows or Mac. This paid tool runs through your browser after you download a small application.
Once you’ve installed the application and set up your account, you can go to their website, make sure to log in, and begin recording a webinar on your screen.
You can select a specific area (but not the entire screen), record from your webcam, or have your webcam shown on top of your screen share. You can even zoom in and draw while recording webinars.
Note that you may not turn off specific animations or edit out certain elements, such as the mouse cursor, throughout the video. After you record a webinar, you can do some basic editing, including resizing, inserting more images, adding transitions, and all the key features.
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8. Movavi Screen Capture Studio
Movavi Screen Capture Studio is a premium screen recording tool for Windows and macOS users that starts at less than $40 for one license. You can usually catch them offering a deal or less, or just close out of the shopping cart before purchasing to get a coupon code.
You can download the free version of this screen recorder first and then upgrade to the paid version if and when you are confident it’s the right choice for you to record the webinar.
You can record your own webinar through a portion of your screen or full screen with the Movavi screen recorder. Once you’re finished and have stopped the recording, you can edit your video and add any special effects you choose.
On a side note, Movavi is also an excellent video converter software. It’s another handy screen capture software that is great if you need to convert your video file format to a different one, such as CamStudio’s AVI-only output to MP4.
You can also use it to pull the audio from your video into MP3 format if you want to give your replay viewers another way to consume your content.
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9. Tiny Take
Tiny Take is a free Windows screen recording tool that is incredibly easy to use. Some might consider it too basic, while others might love it for its simplicity in a world of overachieving screen recording tools.
To start recording marketing webinars, simply download the screen recorder software. Record a webinar through a portion of your screen and edit it with annotations, zooming, panning, or other simple effects. It’s that simple to have a recorded webinar.
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10. Zoom Meetings
The last screen webinar recorder tool we suggest using as a great webinar recording software is Google Hangouts. It used to be great because it was free webinar recording software. Sadly, it’s no longer available since Google gave it the ax. RIP!
Luckily, we found another free screen recorder option you can use for your pre-recorded webinars. Well, it has a user-friendly interface and is free if you use it as we suggested. Zoom Meetings offers a free plan that allows you to record your full screen. Here’s the freeway to record your own webinar so you can later add it to your automated webinar software.
Steps:
- If you want to record a webinar directly on macOS, make sure to create a free Zoom account.
- Then, once you’ve confirmed your email address, downloaded the application, and have your login, open the screen recording application and click on “Start Without Video” or “Start with Video.”
- When prompted, you’ll then click on the button “Join Audio Conference by Computer.” This allows Zoom to have access to your PC’s microphone and start recording webinar audio. The free version will allow you to record your screen in a meeting for up to 40 minutes with up to 100 attendees, but for other purposes, you can record a longer presentation if you are the only participant.
- Don’t add any participants, and click on the “Share Screen” button. Once you click on it, you’ll be given Windows/applications options to share on-screen. A green border will surround the chosen application or window so you can verify it’s the one being shared.
- After choosing what to share, you can start a new local recording. Click the record button, and you can talk into your microphone as you move through your presentation. Once you’re done, click “Stop Recording” and then “End Meeting.”
- At this point, the webinar platform will compress your webinar recordings and prompt you to save them to your video library. Then, you’ll have an MP3 and an MP4 file you can edit. The MP3 file is audio-only, but the MP4 can be edited in your favorite video editing software if needed.
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Webinar Recording Software Comparison
| Tool | Recording Quality | Ease of Use | Price | Best For |
| ScreenFlow | HD up to 4K | Moderate (Mac-only) | From $129 (one-time) | Mac users who need pro-level editing & screen capture |
| Camtasia | HD up to 4K | Moderate | From $249 per license | Teams using both Windows & Mac for professional editing |
| OBS Studio | Unlimited, 4K capable | Steep learning curve | Free (open-source) | Educators or creators needing full control & live switching |
| Riverside.fm | 4K local recording + lossless audio | Easy (browser-based) | Free plan; Paid from $15/mo | Remote interviews, expert panels, podcast-style webinars |
| Loom | 720p–1080p | Very easy | Free plan; Pro from $12.50/mo | Quick training videos, onboarding, and short presentations |
| CamStudio | Up to 1080p | Easy (basic interface) | Free | Windows users wanting a no-cost, simple screen recorder |
| Screencast-o-Matic | 720p–1080p | Easy | From $20/year | Teachers or small teams creating fast tutorial recordings |
| Movavi Screen Capture Studio | HD up to 4K | Easy | From $39.95 (one-time) | Marketers needing quick edits & video conversion tools |
| Tiny Take | Up to 1080p | Very easy | Free (basic plan) | Beginners or educators recording short sessions |
| Zoom Meetings | HD (up to 1080p) | Very easy | Free (40-min limit); Paid from $15/mo | Virtual events, team meetings, and casual webinar hosting |
Bonus: Make Your Webinar Feel “Live”
While you love to run webinars on autopilot using an automated webinar, you might also like the feeling of a live webinar. There’s a simple way to ensure that your pre-recorded events feel like live events, and that is by adding in some commentary that makes it seem like you’re presenting live.
Think about the live webinars you’ve attended or engaging webinars you’ve watched on replay. They don’t just have a basic introduction, followed by the main content, and end with the sales pitch. They include a few live touches from the webinar hosts.
These touches include the following:
- Ask the audience a question periodically throughout the webinar session.
- Say hello to people on the webinar. Aim for a few familiar names and a few uncommon names. (Of course, you’ll want to use caution with this tip if there is a live chat, as you could be called out for saying names that don’t appear in chat)
- Encourage your attendees to ask questions throughout the entire webinar.
- Answer the most frequently asked questions at the end. Especially for managing webinars ending with a sales pitch, you may want to craft some attendee questions that also help overcome objections to the sale.
It’s a way to give your audience the feel of a live event. And adding these live elements will also help you relax when you record a webinar. It will help you feel more like you are hosting live webinars instead of just using recorded videos. Also, consider what you are recording.
An important note to keep in mind before you start a new webinar recording: if you want people to think the webinar is live, you can’t show anything that will date your webinar. This includes social media newsfeeds or other dated elements. If you show something that can be easily dated, you should go with the replay a live webinar option instead of the “it’s live” option.
Why Choose StealthSeminar
To truly captivate viewers and boost engagement, you need an automated webinar platform that can recreate the energy of a live event, without the pressure of being there in real time. That’s where StealthSeminar shines. From perfectly timed interactions like polls, handouts, and chat simulations to flawless playback with no technical hiccups, StealthSeminar gives you all the tools you need to create an authentic “live” feel, while freeing up your time to focus on growing your business.
With StealthSeminar, you can:
- Schedule webinars to replay at peak times
- Add live chat simulation and real-time attendee numbers
- Seamlessly integrate calls to action (CTAs) at just the right moment
- Create evergreen webinars that still feel fresh every time
If you’re serious about scaling your paid webinars without sacrificing quality, StealthSeminar is a game-changer.
FAQs
Can I record a webinar without anyone knowing?
Yes — as long as you are hosting or have permission. Some tools allow discrete recording.
How can I improve webinar audio quality?
Use a dedicated microphone (like a Yeti), record in a quiet space, and test settings before you start.
Is it better to record a webinar live or pre-record it?
Depends. Live recordings feel authentic. Pre-recorded sessions offer more polish and flexibility for evergreen sales funnels.
What is an automated webinar?
An automated webinar is a pre-recorded presentation that looks and feels live to your audience. It allows you to deliver your best content multiple times without needing to be there in real time.
How can I make an automated webinar feel live?
You can make an automated webinar feel live by using features like simulated chat, live polls, timed offers, and real-time interactions. Tools like StealthSeminar make it easy to add these elements seamlessly.
Are automated webinars effective for sales?
Yes. Automated webinars are highly effective for generating leads, building trust, and making sales, especially when they feel authentic and interactive. They allow you to scale your efforts without constantly hosting live sessions.
Can I chat with attendees during an automated webinar?
Absolutely. With platforms like StealthSeminar, you can pre-load chats, set up real-time simulated interactions, and even jump in live if you want to answer questions manually.
In Conclusion
As you can see, you have several options when choosing free webinar software to attract potential webinar registrants. Be sure to give each of these webinar tools a try before committing to one to ensure that it is easy for you to use in creating and hosting webinars on autopilot.
The fewer barriers you have with technology, the easier it will be to create your automated webinars. Have you used any of the free webinar software we mentioned above to record webinar content? We’d love to hear about your experiences with them. Tag us on Twitter or Facebook and share your thoughts!
**This article was originally published in June 2015 and was updated in April 2025.
