A streaming video recorder is a type of software that allows users to record video streams from websites or platforms such as Netflix or YouTube. This can be useful for saving a video copy for personal use or creating a local backup in case the original video is no longer available.

To help you easily capture streaming videos, we have listed 12 best streaming video recorders for all platforms in this post. Some streaming video recorders are built into web browsers or media player software, while others are standalone applications that can be downloaded and installed on a computer.

Just have a look and pick one that fits you the most!

1. Awesome Screenshot & Recorder

Review: Best 4K video recorder extension with cloud storage

OS: Windows, macOS

Lifetime free trial: Yes

Awesome Screenshot & Recorder is our top choice for recording streaming videos. It is a browser extension that allows you to take screenshots and record videos or other screen activities. In addition, it also provides video/image editing tools for you to polish your output recordings/screenshots. The most fabulous feature is that it offers free cloud storage for storing your outputs and sharing them instantly via links.

This streaming video recording tool is compatible with Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari web browsers. It allows you to record videos up to 4K resolution! So, you can capture high-quality videos from YouTube, Netflix, Hulu, and many streaming sites anywhere, anytime!

Awesome Screenshot & Recorder

One extension for all your screen recordings & screenshots

Record screen and capture screenshots easily
Edit videos/images quickly
Store videos/images to the cloud and share instantly

Features

Allows you to record streaming videos up to 4k resolution
Enables you to record screen with audio and/or webcam
Lets you take screenshots from the full screen, any selected area, or a scrolling webpage
Offers options to save the recorded streaming videos locally or to the cloud
Provides built-in video editor and image annotator

Recording a streaming video is very easy with Awesome Screenshot & Recorder. Now, let’s check the quick steps.

Step 1. Download and install the Awesome Screenshot & Recorder extension to your browser.

Step 2. Launch Awesome Screenshot & Recorder app and sign in or create an account. This will allow you to enjoy unlimited recording time for cloud recordings. You can choose not to sign in, but you will only be able to use the local recording function. Click "Record" > "Custom(This Tab)" mode, select video quality and storage method, choose whether you want to record sound or camera, and adjust other recording settings.

awesome screenshot & recorder record custom area of current tab

Step 3. Open a new browser tab and the streaming video you wish to capture. Click on the Awesome Screenshot & Recorder icon and hit the blue "Start Recording" button.

Step 4. You will see a cross cursor. Just drag it to adjust the size of the capturing area. Once satisfied, you can hit the "Record" button in the recording control bar to start recording.

awesome screenshot and recorder start recording streaming video

Step 5. When you want to stop the recording, click the "Pause" button in the control bar. Then a red "Stop" button will show. You click on it.

awesome screenshot & recorder extension stop recording

Step 6. You can preview the recorded streaming video on the following page, download it locally as MP4, or generate a share link.

2. Screencastify

Review: A Chrome extension to record, edit and share videos

OS: Windows, macOS

Lifetime free trial: Yes

Screencastify is a Google Chrome extension that can perform screen recording, video editing, video sharing, and more! It allows users to capture video, audio, and images from their computer screen. It offers a variety of features, such as the ability to annotate and draw on the screen, add narration and music, and share videos directly to Google Drive or YouTube.

It is commonly used for creating video tutorials, presentations, and demonstrations. You can also use it to capture streaming videos.

screencastify

Pros

Simple and intuitive interface
Allows users to record videos from a browser tab, desktop, or webcam
Enables you to draw/annotate on the screen while recording
Lets you edit the recorded video and share it with ease

Cons

The free trial version has a 5-minute limit per video
Only works on the Chrome browser
Cannot be used offline

3. OBS Studio

Review: A powerful free and open-source screen recorder and streaming tool

OS: Windows, macOS, Linux

Lifetime free trial: Yes

OBS (Open Broadcaster Software) is a free and open-source streaming video recorder that allows users to capture video, audio, and images from the screen on their Windows, macOS, or Linux device. It is commonly used by gamers, content creators, and live streamers who want to record and share video content online. You can also use it to record free streaming videos from any platform.

OBS offers a range of advanced features and options for recording and streaming video, such as adding multiple audio and video sources, using custom overlays and filters, and stream to various popular platforms such as Twitch and YouTube. It is a powerful and versatile tool that is popular among many users.

obs studio interface

Pros

Free and open-source with no limitations
Allows high-quality recording and streaming
Offers tons of powerful and flexible features and tools
Has a large and active user community
Keeps regular updates

Cons

Not easy to use
No official customer support as other commercial tools provide
Require a relatively powerful computer and a good internet connection for smooth recording

4. VLC Media Player

Review: Best free cross-platform media player with screen recording features

OS: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS

Lifetime free trial: Yes

VLC (VideoLAN Client) is a free and open-source media player that can play a wide variety of video and audio files and capture video and audio from online sources. It is famous for users who want a versatile and powerful tool for playing and managing their media files. The most user-friendly thing is that this free tool is compatible with all platforms, such as Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS.

VLC also records video from a computer screen or other video source, making it a potential option for users who want to create video content. It offers some basic recording and editing features, such as trimming and merging video clips. Still, it is less fully featured than some other dedicated screen recording and video editing tools.

vlc media player

Pros

Free, open-source, and available on all mainstream platforms
Allows you to save and convert the recordings to different file formats
Allows you to customize it

Cons

Doesn't support recording custom area
Only offers basic video editing tools
The user interface is old-fashion
May not be as regularly updated and improved as some other tools

5. ShareX

Review: Best free Windows screen recording and capture tool

OS: Windows

Lifetime free trial: Yes

ShareX is another free and open-source screen capture and recording software for Windows. It allows users to capture high-quality video from their screen and save it in any desired format. ShareX also can record video from a specific area of the screen, making it a helpful tool for recording streaming video.

To use ShareX to record streaming video, select the area of the screen you want to record and click the "Record" button to begin recording. When you're finished, click the "Stop" button to save the video to your computer. Once the streaming video is done, you can easily share it with others.

sharex interface

Pros

Entirely free and open-source
Lets you record streaming videos in high definition
Allows you to take scrolling screenshots
Supports a variety of file formats
Releases new versions regularly

Cons

Not as easy to use as other commercial screen recorders
Outdated interface

6. Monosnap

Review: A handy screenshot tool with screen recording ability

OS: Windows, macOS

Lifetime free trial: Yes

Monosnap is a screenshot and screen recording tool that allows users to take and edit screenshots, capture videos, and share files. It is available for macOS and Windows. Monosnap offers a variety of features, including the ability to capture specific regions or windows, annotate and edit screenshots, and record screencasts.

This streaming video recording software lets you select an area, record the entire screen, highlight important contents, or protect sensitive data with the Blur Tool.

It also allows users to upload captured videos/screenshots to its own cloud storage or share them on popular cloud services such as Dropbox, Google Drive, and OneDrive.

monosnap record video

Pros

Allows you to record streaming video with audio
Lets you capture screenshots as you want
Offers annotation tools to highlight or blur some content
Provides cloud storage even for the free version

Cons

No video editing tools
Doesn’t support mobile devices

7. QuickTime Player

Review: Best free screen recorder for Mac without downloading

OS: macOS

Lifetime free trial: Yes

QuickTime Player is a pre-installed media player on Mac that allows you to play various audio and video file formats, including MP4, AVI, MOV, 3GP, and AMR. It is developed by Apple and is only available for macOS.

It also allows you to capture audio from the microphone or record video from your Mac’s screen or webcam. However, it cannot record system audio. Thus, to record streaming video with internal audio, you have to use the QuickTime player and a proper rerouting tool, such as Soundflower or BlackHole.

Additionally, QuickTime Player has features like trimming and editing tools and the ability to share your recordings and videos on social media or through email.

quick time player create new recording

Pros

Free, no watermark
Supports playing videos in a variety of formats (RMVB is not supported)
Records 4K videos

Cons

Cannot record screen with internal audio unless you use it with an additional audio tool
Only provides basic video editing features
No annotation tool
Not available for Windows users

8. ActivePresenter

Review: Best elearning tool with screen recording features

OS: Windows, macOS

Lifetime free trial: Yes

Developed by Atomi Systems, ActivePresenter is an eLearning software with screen recording and video editing features. It allows users to create professional-looking videos, tutorials, and presentations by recording screen activity, audio, and webcam video.

ActivePresenter also provides a range of tools for editing and enhancing the recorded content, including adding annotations, callouts, and other visual elements to the video. The software is available for Windows and macOS.

active presenter

Pros

Enables high-quality recording from screen and webcam
Allows users to create responsive content
Provides an advanced video editing tool
Offers excellent customer support

Cons

The free version adds a watermark to every recording
Requires a learning curve for a green hand

9. AZ Recorder

Review: Best Android screen recorder and live streaming tool

OS: Android

Lifetime free trial: Yes

AZ Recorder is an Android app that allows users to record their phone or tablet screen with audio. It is commonly used for creating tutorials, recording gameplays, or capturing streaming videos.

This streaming video recording app offers a range of features, including the ability to pause and resume recording, add a logo or watermark, and edit the recorded video. It also allows users to record in high-definition and share their recordings directly on social media platforms.

Additionally, it enables you to live stream your screen directly to YouTube, Facebook, and other streaming platforms.

az recorder

Pros

Easy to use, no recording time limit
Records videos with audio in high definition
Allows you to live stream the screen of your Android phone
Lets you share the recordings directly on social platforms

Cons

Contains ads
Only compatible with Android
Not very stable

10. Mobizen

Review: An easy-to-use screen recorder for Android

OS: Android

Lifetime free trial: Yes

Mobizen is a screen-recording and mirroring app that allows users to record and share mobile screen activity. It is available for both Android devices. With Mobizen, users can record their phone screen, edit and trim the recording, and then share it with others. This streaming video recorder can help create tutorials or demonstrations or share gameplay or other content from your phone with others.

mobizen

Pros

Allows you to record streaming video with audio
Lets you add into, outro, BGM, and trim your recorded video
Doesn’t add a watermark to your recording

Cons

Contains ads
Sometimes lags your videos and games

11. Record it!

Review: An easy-to-use iOS screen recorder

OS: iOS

Lifetime free trial: Yes

Record it! is the top ranking iOS screen recorder in the App Store. The ability to record your iPhone/iPad’s screen with audio is ideal for capturing games and apps and recording streaming videos. After recording your screen, you can add video reactions with audio commentary to make your recording more vivid!

It also provides a powerful video editor for you to trim the recording, add filters, and more! When you are satisfied with the video, you can directly save it to your iOS device, export to other apps, or share on social media platforms.

record it

Pros

Allows you to add Facecam reaction to your recordings
Offers various video editing tools
Enables easy sharing

Cons

Requires a long time to save files on some devices
Has some audio quality issues

12. Go Record

Review: Best iOS screen recorder for capturing streaming video

OS: iOS

Lifetime free trial: Yes

Go Record is an all-in-one iOS screen recorder with Face Cam and editing capabilities. It allows users to capture and save high-quality video and audio recordings of their iPhone/iPad screen.

Streaming video recording is easy with this screen recorder, thanks to its simple and intuitive interface. It also allows users to edit and trim their recordings, and share them easily on social media or other platforms.

go record

Pros

Enables easy and quick screen recording
Allows you to add audio commentary
Lets you share recordings to YouTube with ease

Cons

Offers limited features for the free version
Crashes sometimes

Conclusion

This post introduces 12 streaming video recorders for you to record online videos, video conferences, gameplays, presentations, and many more! It covers screen recorders across all platforms. So, you can choose one that suits your needs best.

12 Best Streaming Video Recorder for Windows/Mac/Android/iOS

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