5 Best Screen Recorder for Mac M1 2024

Jane Zhou updated on Sep 25, 2024 to Screen Recording Utility

If you are trying to find the best screen recorder for Mac M1 or M2, you are in the right place. This post covers some best free screen capture software for Mac M1 free download. keep reading to find the one that suits your needs best!

For users whose Macs are based on M1 or M2, it is a little difficult to find the best free Mac screen recorder to use, especially when they usually need to create video tutorials, capture online classes, etc., because many free Mac screen capture are not compatible with M1 or M2 based devices. Given that, this post comes in handy. Let's continue reading to find the best screen recorder for M1 now!

How to Choose a High-Quality Screen Recorder for Mac M1/M2?

To help you find a qualified macOS screen recorder, we list some standards and tips for reference below:

🖥️Compatibility: Although many Mac screen recorders are available on the market, most are unsuitable for M1 or M2-based Mac devices. So, the first thing you need to check is the compatibility on the product page.

🎵Audio recording: Mac devices won't allow you to capture the system sound unless you install some plugins, citing safety concerns. Thus, ensure the screen recorder you choose can capture the internal audio.

🛠️Recording modes: An excellent Mac screen recorder offers various recording modes, like webcam, audio, and video recording, and schedule recording, to satisfy different needs.

🕵️‍♂️Ease of use: An easy-to-use video capture software will simplify your recording process and improve your experience.

Based on these selecting tips, we have chosen and tested many programs on the market. Here are the specific testing statistics:

🎛️Software tested 12, including free and paid
🎨Tested devices MacBook Air
🙉Evaluation dimension Ease of use, recording tools, quality, audio source, etc.
👍Most recommend EaseUS RecExperts

5 Best Mac M1 Screen Recorder Free Download

In the following, we will show you the top 5 best screen recorders for M1 and M2 that you can download free!

#1. EaseUS RecExperts

EaseUS RecExperts is a leading screen recorder for Mac M1 and M2. Coming with an intuitive workflow and UI, this Mac screen recorder is very easy to operate for every age group.

With its aid, you can easily capture any screen area or full screen, and simultaneously record audio from system sound, microphone, or both. It also allows you to screen record on Mac with internal audio, making it perfect for creating video tutorials, online courses, gaming videos, and much more. This program provides high-quality video output in various formats, ensuring compatibility with different devices and platforms.

Additionally, it offers flexible scheduling options and advanced editing tools, allowing you to record screen on Mac effortlessly. 

Pros:

  • Offers various advanced recording tools
  • Support capturing videos from streaming services without a black screen
  • Support recording up to 8K
  • No time limit & watermark for any recording

Cons:

  • Limited editing tools

#2. QuickTime Player

QuickTime Player, a built-in application on M1-based Mac devices, not only serves as a multimedia player but also functions as a versatile Mac screen recording tool.

With this freeware, you can effortlessly capture your screen activities, making it an ideal choice for various purposes, such as creating video tutorials, recording gameplay, or capturing online meetings. It offers the flexibility to record a specific portion of your screen or the entire screen, ensuring that you can focus on the desired content. However, you can only use it to record screen with your microphone sound. If you want to capture the system sound simultaneously, you need to install some plugins first.

Pros:

  • Entirely free and pre-installed on Mac
  • Easy to use
  • Provide versatile basic recording options

Cons:

  • Can't capture the system sound
  • Lack of advanced recording tools

#3. OBS Studio

OBS Studio is a versatile and free screen recording software available for Mac users. Originally designed for live streaming, it has gained popularity as a powerful screen recorder due to its numerous features and customization options.

With this open source screen recorder, you can effortlessly record their screens, capture audio, and even stream live content. Whether you need to create tutorials, record gameplay, or capture video conferences, this tool provides a user-friendly interface and robust functionality.

However, it has a complicated user interface, which means you need a long learning curve before using it.

Pros:

  • Free and cross-platform
  • Performs perfectly in screen recording and live streaming
  • Offers a wide range of advanced tools
  • Provides an intuitive audio mixer with per-source filters

Cons:

  • Difficult to use for the beginners

#4. Screenflow

Another screen recorder that works well on an M1-based Mac is Screenflow. The intuitive interface and powerful editing features make it a popular choice among content creators.

With this Mac screen capture software, you can add text, annotations, and images, and apply effects and transitions to create professional-looking videos. It also supports advanced features like multi-channel audio editing, chroma key, and GIF support. ScreenFlow ensures compatibility with the latest macOS versions and offers excellent customer support.

Pros:

  • Record computer audio and microphone at the same time or separately
  • Export recorded videos with high resolution in seconds
  • Share recordings to other media platforms with one click

Cons:

  • Your recording will contain a watermark in the free version

#5. Screencast-O-Matic

The last one you can use to record screen on Mac M1 is Screen-O-Matic, a popular screen recording software specifically designed for Mac users.

Screencast-O-Matic can record your entire screen or just a selected area. This flexibility allows you to focus on specific content or capture the whole screen for a comprehensive recording. Additionally, you can include audio narration using your Mac's built-in microphone or an external microphone for clear and professional commentary.

Moreover, it also provides options for sharing your recordings. You can directly upload your videos to popular platforms like YouTube, Vimeo, or Google Drive or save them locally in various formats, including MP4, AVI, and GIF.

Pros:

  • Compatible with Windows and macOS
  • Offer a wide range of recording and screenshotting settings
  • Provide many video editing tools like copying, zooming, and more
  • Export recordings to media platforms directly

Cons:

  • Limited functionality in the free version

The Bottom Line

On this page, we show you the 5 best Mac screen recorders, and you can choose the right one according to your needs. We highly recommend EaseUS RecExperts among those programs because of its excellent performance and advanced recording functionalities. Don't hesitate to get it now!

Best Screen Recorder for Mac M1 FAQs

1. Can you screen record on Mac M1?

Absolutely yes! You can screen record on Mac M1 with Screenshot Toolbar on your Mac. Here's the step-by-step guide:

  • Press Shift + Command + 5 to open the Screenshot Toolbar
  • Choose the recording area
  • Click Record to begin the recording

2. How to do high-quality screen recording on Mac?

First of all, you need to get a high-quality screen recorder, like EaseUS RecExperts. This software allows you to capture up to 8K on almost all your Mac devices, including M1. Once get it, you can follow the on-screen instruction to do high-quality screen recording on Mac.

3. Does Mac allow screen recording?

Yes. There are some built-in screen recorders on Mac that lets you record Mac screen hassle-free, like QuickTime Player and Screenshot Toolbar.