These days, you can find a video tutorial or screenshot tutorial about almost anything with a simple search, and some of them are very good. The reason for such an abundance is that recording tools for creating tutorials are advancing by leaps and bounds and open up the possibility to create great content even to complete beginners.

Putting together a professional-looking tutorial has never been easier, but you still need access to the right tools and an idea of how to engage the viewer. If you are an expert for a certain field and have something worthwhile to explain, you should be able to translate this knowledge into a great video that will help countless learners.

This review of free and paid software tools for video tutorial production is intended to provide users with detailed information about the strengths and weaknesses of each app, allowing them to pick the most optimal one for the task they have in mind.

Also read: The Ultimate Guide: How to Make Great Training Videos? > 

What Features Must a Tutorial Video Software Have?

Regardless of the user’s level of technical proficiency and expectations, all video tutorial makers must have certain core features that are indispensable for this task. The list below is far from exhaustive, but it contains the most important functions that will suffice to create a solid tutorial:

• Screen recording and webcam capturing function
• Applicable to making various kinds of videos such as birthday videos, music videos, slideshow videos, invitation videos, etc
• Audio capturing capacity (system sound & microphone)
• Live screen annotation features (mouse effects, text overlay, highlighting, etc.)
• Basic video editor with trimming tools and timeline management
• Access to a content library with templates and media resources
• Integration with online content streaming platforms and social media

List of 6 Free Tutorial Video Makers

Gemoo Recorder

As a generalist tool for screen recording and video making, Gemoo Recorder will perform above expectations if you use it for making video tutorials. Whether it is classroom teaching videos, internal team demonstration videos, or new employee training videos, Gemoo Recorder can complete them.

But Gemoo Recorder isn’t just a simple recording tool. It also boasts a wealth of editing features, making it a versatile video editor as well. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or a beginner, the well-structured user interface makes it easy to navigate and use.

It offers solid all-around tools that will let users video recordings and easily combine them into continuous multimedia. And if you’re looking to take your videos to the next level, Gemoo Recorder has you covered.

Exceptional features:

• Highly streamlined and lightweight application for content capturing and editing
• Text or graphic elements can easily be inserted into videos
• Users can zoom in on their face or a portion of the screen
• All videos can be stored in the cloud and organized according to topic

Notable limitations:

• Better suited for collecting raw clips for tutorials than putting together a finished product

Pricing: Free (requires sign up)

User feedback:

• G2: No reviews yet
• Capterra: No reviews yet

Further Reading: Text Video Maker >

Icecream Screen Recorder

This is another simple tool that can successfully complete a majority of tasks related to making a video tutorial. Users can snip content from any part of the screen, mix and match it with audio, and create hands-on demonstrations using practically nothing but their wits and a computer. Icecream Screen Recorder may not be well-suited for big productions, but it will manage short videos without issues.

Exceptional features:

• Windows-based recorder app that can capture from multiple monitors at the same time
• Speed and duration of the videos can be manually adjusted with built-in tools
• Finished videos can be instantly uploaded to the cloud and shared from there
• Users can select an image or logo to use as a watermark imposed over the video

Notable limitations:

• Customization and branding options are rather limited
• The quality of captured audio is below industry standards

Pricing: free version is available, 1-year license costs $29.95, Lifetime license is offered for $59.95

User feedback:

• G2: 4.1 (25 reviews)
• Capterra: 4.1 (31 reviews)

OBS Studio

You can’t go wrong if you choose OBS Studio as your primary video-making tool regardless of the type of content you intend to create. This powerful open-source suite will impress you with the width of recording options, but its native editor might be even more valuable. Anyone trying to produce great educational videos or tutorials on a budget should have this software installed!

Exceptional features:

• Versatile software for video creation that works on Windows, MacOS, or Linux
• A wide array of audio and video settings that can be manually changed
• Timeline view and powerful editing tools allow for the creation of professional-looking videos
• Very solid collaborative features facilitate good teamwork on bigger projects

Notable limitations:

• The app is loaded with features the average user doesn’t understand or need
• This software consumes a large amount of computational resources

Pricing: free (funded through donations)

User feedback:

• G2: 4.6 (113 reviews)
• Capterra: 4.7 (914 reviews)

Free Cam

When your plan is to just slap together a few scenes and add some text to create a quick tutorial, Free Cam is a tool that can support your vision. Simple and lightweight software like this will let you focus on the main tasks without distracting you with fancy effects and filters. Still, if you have a clear idea of what you want to create Free Cam will give you a practical way to achieve it.

Exceptional features:

• Minimalistic screen recording application that supports capturing from any source
• Simple creation of voiceovers or addition of background music
• Mouse cursor movements and click sounds can be included in the video
• Built-in audio and video editor that allows trimming and polishing of captured material

Notable limitations:

• Free Cam lacks some of the advanced features found in more expensive suites
• Video quality is low when recording in full screen mode

Pricing: free version is available, Pro version costs $227 per year

User feedback:

• G2: 4.0 (16 reviews)
• Capterra: No reviews yet

Debut

Most tutorial makers are looking for speed and efficiency, which is why Debut software can perform better in this role than some better-known solutions. This app enables users to nearly instantly complete basic actions such as capturing streaming media or inserting simple instructional elements into the video. Even your first tutorial will look good and be finished quickly if you used Debut to make it.

Exceptional features:

• Free tool for capturing content from any part of the screen or an external source
• The capacity to capture video in high resolution and with a high frame rate
• Various text overlays including time stamps can be added to recordings effortlessly
• Supports numerous file formats for importing and exporting videos

Notable limitations:

• Free version offers only basic editing tools
• Customer support is not always cooperative and forthcoming

Pricing: free version is offered for download, Pro edition costs $39.99 for lifetime license

User feedback:

• G2: 3.6 (5 reviews)
• Capterra: 4.7 (14 reviews)

Ezvid

You might be pleasantly surprised by all the advanced tools that Ezvid is hiding under the hood. This seemingly simple software is well-equipped to support your tutorial-making efforts and allow you to make your feedback on short educational videos. You can record, annotate, and edit everything from start to finish without any need for external software products.

Exceptional features:

• User-friendly video making software that can capture content from applications and games
• It has its own editor with a timeline feature for compiling recordings into longer videos
• It’s possible to change video speed, add custom text to any frame, or insert audio effects
• Automated text-to-speech feature is currently being tested

Notable limitations:

• The only supported file format is WMV
• The interface looks very basic and could benefit from a redesign

Pricing: completely free

User feedback:

• G2: N/A
• Capterra: N/A

List of Best 4 Paid Tutorial Video Makers

Active Presenter

More ambitious content creators would probably be better served with premium video creation software such as Active Presenter. This application was developed specifically for the e-Learning industry, so it’s geared towards content such a tutorials and online classes. It’s the perfect tool for designing creative and interactive learning resources laden with rich multimedia.

Exceptional features:

• Versatile digital tool for creation of educational resources and online coursework
• Slideshow presentations can be instantly converted into videos
• Users can create assessment instruments or interactive games with this software
• Variety of text styles and visual effects are available to make e-learning content more attractive

Notable limitations:

• This is primarily a video editor, and it only includes basic recording features
• Software sometimes crashes for no discernable reason

Pricing: Standard license is offered for $199, Pro license costs $399

User feedback:

• G2: 4.5 (11 reviews)
• Capterra: 4.7 (50 reviews)

Snagit

Users who want an absolute technical maximum for their tutorial video software should try working with Snagit. This screen capturing app is intended for professional use and its output looks and sounds very impressive. You can count on impeccable media quality and an abundance of editing options when you choose this high-end software for video tutorial production.

Exceptional features:

• Powerful digital platform for visual communication and premium multimedia creation
• It is possible to draw on the screen while the recording is in progress
• Step Tool and Smart Move featured allow for creation of interactive learning experiences
• Captured content can be saved in the cloud and accessed from any device

Notable limitations:

• Very limited video editing features
• Copying objects into tutorials can be imprecise and require conversion

Pricing: free trial is available, Individual license costs EUR 70.84 per user

User feedback:

• G2: 4.6 (3418 reviews)
• Capterra: 4.7 (131 reviews)

ScreenFlow

ScreenFlow lets you stay in control throughout the tutorial-making process, from gathering raw material to adding the final touch. It’s a desktop solution for Windows or Mac that empowers users to complete all relevant tasks on their own and compile easy-to-follow videos. Stacked with useful resources and smartly designed for greater accessibility, this tool can turn beginners into pros practically overnight.

Exceptional features:

• Very high quality of video and audio recording, with the possibility of capturing input from multiple screens or cameras
• Includes a library of templates and styles for creating tutorials on many different topics
• Animated text and motion graphics help your expert explanations to come to life
• Multi-track editing with color markers gives user total control over the final video form

Notable limitations:

• Managing large projects can be difficult due to lack of collaboration features
• As each upgrade has to be purchased separately, you can try ScreenFlow alternative if you seek to find a another tool

Pricing: Standard package costs $169, Super Pak package costs $229

User feedback:

• G2: N/A
• Capterra: 4.8 (21 reviews)

Panopto

The main reason for the existence of this software is to help educators create and curate multimedia content. Because of this, Panopto is perfectly suited for the quick creation of insightful tutorials that can be hosted online for easier access. Since it includes all the tools necessary to create professional-grade videos, Panopto is a great choice for those who are just starting to produce educational content.

Exceptional features:

• Secure platform for creating and hosting videos that can be accessed from a mobile device
• It supports live video broadcasting to audiences measuring thousands
• Online libraries are searchable and can be personalized to include pre-defined playlists
• Detailed statistics describing viewers’ activity are available for each video

Notable limitations:

• File management system is not flexible enough
• The interface takes some time to get used to

Pricing: Basic plan is free, Pro plan is offered at $14.99 per user monthly

User feedback:

• G2: 4.2 (90 reviews)
• Capterra: 4.5 (70 reviews)

Final words

Tutorials are indispensable learning tools and they continue to be in high demand, putting some pressure on creators to be more efficient and prolific. Adopting a better software tool that provides you with the right combination of features is a sure way to increase the output while at the same time improving the quality of the released videos. If you can’t meet the expectations of the audience with free tools only, it may be worthy to invest some money into a paid tutorial video maker that offers all the functions you need.