Ubuntu

Top Screen Recorders on Ubuntu 20.04

Introduction

Screen recording is one of the most important activities for users who wish to make tutorials, create a presentation, or share videogame screenshots, or record screen videos. There are many screen recording tools present in Ubuntu Linux. In this article, I have compiled the best and reliable screen recording software tools for Ubuntu 20.04 Focal Fossa.

Kazam Screencaster

Kazam is a lightweight, fast, and error-free screen recorder for Linux desktop. This utility requires a small configuration setup, and is perfect for new users who just want to capture and record screen video. Kazam records crystal clear sound, and can save the video file in several different file formats.

Figure: Kazam Screencaster tool

To install Kazam Screencaster on Ubuntu 20.04, execute the following terminal commands.

$ sudo apt install kazam

Figure: Kazam installation via terminal command

Open Broadcaster Software Studio (OBSS)

OBSS is a feature-rich, advanced screencasting and recording tool. OBSS has an online streaming option and can post videos to Youtube, DailyMotion, and Twitch platforms. This is the best application for advanced users who wish to record tech videos or live-stream gaming videos. OBSS also has a flexible configuration for every user.

Figure: Open Broadcaster Software Studio tool

$ sudo apt install obs-studio

Figure: OBSS installation via terminal command

Peek

Peek is a screen recording tool that creates animated gifs of a desktop screen. Peek can be configured with customized frame rates and delay times. This application has a uniquely modern and simple graphical user interface.

Figure: Peek screen recording window

$ sudo apt install peek

Figure: Installation of Peek tool

Record My Desktop

Record My Desktop is a C language command-line interface tool used for screen recording and screencasting. This application has the ability to pause and resume the screen when recording. Users may also highlight any important area of the video for screencasting.

Figure: Record My Desktop command-line capturing tool

$ sudo apt install recordmydesktop

Figure: Installing Record My Desktop via terminal command

Figure: Installing Record My Desktop via terminal command

Byzanz Record

Byzanz Record is a command-line interface screen recording tool. This application supports video and audio recording via OGG and FLV formats. This tool also allows users to create gif animations.

Figure: Byzanz Record command-line capturing tool

$ sudo apt install byzanz

Figure: Installing the Byzanz Record tool

Simple Screen Recorder

This tool is feature-rich and is the most reliable screencasting tool for the Ubuntu machine. Simple Screen Recorder has a graphical interface, is very easy to use, and records high-quality video tutorials. This tool can record a specific area on the screen or the whole screen, and it can also optimize recorded frame rates and manage time delays. The user can even preview the recorded videos while recording.

Figure: Simple Screen Recorder tool main window

$ sudo apt install simplescreenrecorder

Figure: Installing simplescreenrecorder through the command-line terminal interface.

Voko Screen

Voko Screen is a minimalistic and easy-to-use screen capturing tool that supports multiple audio and video formats. This tool can also record either a specific area on the screen or the entire screen.

Figure: Voko Screen tool (minimalistic)

$ sudo apt install vokoscreen

Figure: Installing Voko Screen via the terminal command-line

VLC media player

VLC media player has many features, including screencasting and recording. VLC media player also has a live streaming option that allows users to record video online.

Figure: VLC media player launching after installation

$ sudo apt install vlc

Figure: Installation of VLC media player via the terminal command-line interface

Conclusion

In this article, we compiled some of the best screen recorders for Ubuntu 20.04 Focal Fossa. Some of these tools are present in the Ubuntu official software repository, while for others, you will need to add the Universe repository to your APT.

About the author

Younis Said

I am a freelancing software project developer, a software engineering graduate and a content writer. I love working with Linux and open-source software.