23 Best Tutorial Software and Programs [2024]

Use Movavi Screen Recorder for creating tutorials:

  • Record from multiple sources
  • Draw shapes and lines on your recordings
  • Trim recorded videos
Edited by Ben Jacklin
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The need for tutorial programs is higher than ever before, whether you’re showing people how to play your favorite game or making a course. These recording software can help to arm you with the tools you need to make a brilliant tutorial every time.

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Best video tutorial software

Movavi Screen Recorder

Best for: Screen recording and editing

Key features:

  • Capture anything from your screen in HD and 4K
  • Grab system sound and/or the sound from your mic
  • Complete your tutorial with keystrokes and mouse actions
  • Add annotations – shapes, arrows, lines, and figures
  • Insert text explanations and customize them
  • Edit your recording with the built-in video-editing tools

Movavi Screen Recorder is a versatile software for tutorials that is incredibly easy to use, and gives you a brilliant method of making screen recordings. These can be set up in a variety of configurations with both video sources from webcams and from the screen itself, there’s also a choice of audio sources, so you can use your microphone. Movavi Screen Recorder is simple to install and get to grips with, but it also has a brilliant set of features including basic editing features, making it excellent tutorial making software.

Pros

  • Can also capture screen without sound or sound without picture

  • Can take full-page screenshots and highlight the important things

  • Lets you reduce unwanted noise from the audiotrack

  • Allows you to share the results with your colleagues

Cons

  • Unlocks more functionality with the subscription

ActivePresenter

Best for: Creating game-based learning

Key features:

  • HD screen recording options

  • Comes with a variety of different templates to start creating quickly

  • Loads of import and export options to embed the tutorials anywhere

  • Advanced recording and editing functionality

ActivePresenter is a brilliant piece of software for creating a variety of types of tutorials. This tutorial creations software does far more than just allowing you to create videos and annotate them with explanations and descriptions, it actually lets you create games and quizzes to go along with the tutorial, which you can export and upload online to let people learn in a variety of different ways.

Pros

  • Create content in a variety of ways to suit every learning style

  • Export and embed in video files as well as HTML files

Cons

  • Expensive compared to many other options

FlashBack Pro

Best for: Multiple screen recording on Windows
  • Price

    Starts at $49 per license

  • TechRadar rating

Key features:

  • Editing suite included

  • Record from multiple audio and video sources

  • Easy integration with YouTube

This Windows software can be downloaded and tested for free before you part with any of your hard-earned money. It allows you to record in a variety of different ways including timed and scheduled recordings, and this video tutorial app is one of the options to record from multiple screen inputs which you might need for some recordings. There is an editing suite to allow you to polish, trim, and improve your videos.

Pros

  • Really simple interface, even if you are doing advanced editing

  • Easy to add narration, voice-over, and annotation

  • Record multiple sources

Cons

  • Only works on Windows

  • A “maintenance plan” including updates costs extra

Ashampoo Snap

Best for: Affordable HD screen recordings

Key features:

  • HD recording

  • Support for high bitrate audio

  • Capture gameplay and other footage in high definition

This video software is designed to allow people to record or screenshot images and video from their screen, and has some extra features like HD recording and optical character recognition for screenshots. It’s not specifically designed to make software recording or create interactive tutorials, but it can be put to great effect making a variety of types of video content.

Pros

  • Easy to use

  • Lightweight software

  • Install on three different devices on the same license

Cons

  • Limited editing and annotation features

  • Only works on Windows

iSpring Suite

Best for: PowerPoint integration

Key features:

  • HTML5/SCORM course support

  • Support for video lectures as well as screencasts

  • Text to speech for 42 languages

  • Online collaborative editing

Though iSpring Suite is some of the most expensive software on the list, and as well as being some of the best video tutorial software it also integrates with PowerPoint and offers a lot of the same functionality. If you are comfortable using PowerPoint, you will be able to create some excellent video tutorials as well as slideshows and interactive presentations using iSpring Suite.

Pros

  • Great for those who are used to PowerPoint

  • Powerful for creating video tutorials, quizzes, and more

Cons

  • Very expensive

Joyoshare VidiKit

Best for: Editing watermarks and “repairing” videos
  • Price

    From $39.99 a year

Key features:

  • Support for a variety of audio and video files

  • Watermark manager for adding or removing watermarks

  • Easily cut and merge videos

Joyoshare VidiKit is very much focused on the video side of creating tutorials and as well as offering screen recordings, it serves as a good way to manage all of your videos. It recognizes ID3 tags, and incorporates lots of other functionality for video and audio such as “repairing” which works to varying degrees.

Pros

  • Affordable

  • Simple to use with virtually any file type

  • Simple merging and editing features included

  • Works on Mac or Windows

Cons

  • Not many features for creating interactive tutorials

CloudApp

Best for: Cloud-based recordings

Key features:

  • Works totally via the cloud

  • Easily create CTAs and other customizations

  • Totally safe and secure

This tutorial making software functions totally online. This means that recordings and edits are all cloud based, backing up the presentations as well as making it easy to share everything in the process. CloudApp is reasonably priced and is about far more than just video production as it has a variety of presentation functions and customizations: “use CloudApp to promote your own brand, including logos, customized redirect URLs, custom domains, webhooks, comments, and more.”

Pros

  • Simple cloud sharing and collaborating

  • Capture video from a variety of sources

  • Affordable monthly price

Cons

  • Some features not available offline

ScreenFlow

Best for: Enhanced editing

Key features:

  • Powerful editing suite

  • Motion graphics and text animations included

  • Record online training with ease

ScreenFlow is some of the best video software if you want to make advanced edits to your screen captures and create a really slick and professional video presentation. The ScreenFlow software allows you to capture video from different sources, add a lot of different motion graphics, add stock videos and recordings and capture from your phone or mobile device.

Pros

  • Loads of different editing options

  • Relatively simple UI doesn’t take much getting used to

Cons

  • No Windows version, this only works on Mac

Icecream Screen Recorder

Best for: Fast control

Key features:

  • Easy trimming

  • Control with hotkeys

  • Scheduled screen recordings

  • Easy annotations

Icecream Screen Recorder provides you with a basic screen recording option but also has a variety of simple functions so that you can trim the videos and upload them wherever you want. You can use a lot of controls to edit and trim the video, as well as simple hotkeys to start recordings.

This can be purchased as Freemium software, or it also has the option to be purchased as part of the full suite of Icecream software.

Pros

  • Very simple to get to grips with the software

  • Simple hotkey controls

Cons

  • Slightly limited functionality

  • Free version limited to five minute recordings

DemoBuilder

Best for: Virtual characters

DemoBuilder is a great way to create tutorials that you don’t even have to be in! The simple suite of virtual characters allows you to make a simple and engaging video using a character animation, and you don’t even have to be very good at editing. You can add balloons, notes, and other annotations to help explain your point and to make your tutorial very engaging and fun.

DemoBuilder is great for Windows users but doesn’t have a Mac version. There are some advanced editing features and the UI is not too difficult to get to grips with.

Key features:

  • Capture video from a variety of different sources

  • Import media or create video animations

  • 3D effects and other advanced editing functionality

Pros

  • Lots of advanced functions for Windows users

  • The simplest way to create animated tutorial videos

Cons

  • No Mac version

  • Not cheap compared to some other options

OBS Studio

Best for: Live broadcast

Key features:

  • Capture audio and video from a variety of sources

  • Powerful streaming software

  • Windows, Linux, and Mac compatible

OBS Studio is a totally free and open-source piece of software used by a lot of Twitch streamers and other live streamers but it also has its uses as tutorial creation software. OBS allows you to use a variety of different video sources as well as audio sources and effects to create a detailed broadcast or video.

Unfortunately, it can take some getting used to, it is important to practice a lot to get to grips with the functionality of OBS Studio.

Pros

  • Very powerful software

  • Totally free

  • Create scenes and switch between these at ease

Cons

  • The UI can take some getting used to

  • Not as much support as some other options

CamStudio

Best for: Free video capture

Key features:

  • Add captions and annotations easily

  • Capture from browser or camera sources

  • Compress videos to small files for streaming

This software is totally free for personal use, and though its features aren't amazing, it can allow you to create really quick and easy video tutorials without having to spend any money, this is perfect for users to make simple videos that can be captured from multiple sources.

Pros

  • Totally free

  • Easy to get to grips with

  • Small files and lightweight software

Cons

  • Limited editing functions

  • Not great support due to the freeware license.

Bandicam

Best for: Chroma key and overlays

Key features:

  • Simple Chroma keying

  • Easy audio mixing

  • Real time video drawing

Bandicam is very affordable software that can allow you a lot of the different features and functions of more expensive software. It has the option to Chroma key, so if you want to make green screen videos and then overlay it onto an image, it is really easy to edit these Bandicam videos or add webcam overlays. There are mouse effects and simple annotations, too.

Pros

  • Good value for money

  • Simple UI

Cons

  • No Mac support

  • Limited 4K functions

Free Cam

Best for: Free audio editing

Key features:

  • Simple editing suite, including audio editing

  • Record your screen with annotations

  • Record parts of the screen rather than the full screen

Free Cam is another freeware option to create tutorial videos with simple functionality, and some really great audio editing. You can remove some background noise from the videos, as well as add effects like fade in and fade out. Combine this with the video editing for some slick results and professional video presentations.

Pros

  • Totally free

  • Good video editing functions and excellent audio

Cons

  • Limited effects

  • HD capped at 720p

Renderforest

Best for: Full graphic suite

Key features:

  • HD video support

  • SVG and PNG logo support

  • Cloud storage included

You can get started on Renderforest totally free of charge. On top of having a really great set of features for creating video and presentations, this also gives you access to the design suite of graphics so you can create logos, images, and more, all of which can help with your tutorial.

Pros

  • Simple interface with online editing

  • Easy to create graphics as well as create tutorial videos

  • Great for making social media videos from templates

Cons

  • Limited HD support unless you pay for the top tier

  • Videos from templates can look samey

Ezvid

Best for: Freeware with speech synthesis

Key features:

  • Speech synthesis

  • Some free audio included

  • Simple editing functionality

  • Annotate your videos

If you are the sort of person who doesn’t want to speak on a video, for instance, if you are using your second language, you can make use of the reliable yet free speech synthesis functions of Ezvid. This is totally free of charge, and though the video and capture features are a little basic, you can make simple tutorial videos without having too much technical knowledge.

Pros

  • Great for those who don’t want to make their own voice-over recording

  • Instant slideshow maker

Cons

  • Editing functions are a bit basic for some users

  • No Mac or Linux support

Panopto

Best for: Analytics

Key features:

  • Analytics to observe the viewer behavior

  • Capture and stream from a variety of sources

  • Edit via web browser

  • Search functionality

Panopto is a great option for those who want to see the effects of their videos and broadcasts. Analytics are collected for each of the videos so you can see the impact they have had and if people have actually watched. It is secure to share these videos online.

You can try it with limited storage for free before opting for the paid plans and unlocking more storage and support.

Pros

  • Easy to organize and sort your videos

  • Share and edit online

  • Capture from a variety of sources

Cons

  • Editing is not as intuitive as some other options

  • Enterprise plans can work out expensive

Moovly

Best for: Browser-based editing

Key features:

  • Secure browser editing

  • Templates and millions of assets

  • Powerful editing for screen captures

This gives you powerful browser-based editing and allows you to either use your own video footage or choose from over one million different assets, great for making corporate videos and simple screen capture videos as well as presentations. There is also a huge number of preset templates for you to use. The fact that you can edit everything in the cloud on your browser is a huge bonus for both security and ease.

Pros

  • Good for beginners

  • Lots of media included so you don’t have to create too much of your own footage

  • Good support and tutorials

Cons

  • Can take a while to learn the software

  • Expensive yearly billing

Clipchamp

Best for: Flexible pricing

Key features:

  • Record audio and video from a variety of sources

  • Flexible pricing

  • HD video support

  • Loads of stock footage and assets

Clipchamp was originally built around its huge selection of stock video and audio but it has a very good set of features and functions for capturing from your webcam or from your screen, proving some of the best tutorial programs can be used in your browser to great effect, and can remain totally secure and simple to use.

Pros

  • Really simple interface with online editing

  • HD videos even on the free plan

Cons

  • Free plan watermarks all the videos you export

Hippo Video

Best for: Exporting to Google Classroom

Key features:

  • Free trial

  • Great integration with Google Classroom and other online platforms

  • Easy to add text such as subtitles

Hippo Video is a simple option for tutorial making software, and it has many different facets, including the option for educators to make learning videos, you can select your video source including either a webcam or just your screen, and combine this with stock footage if required.

Pros

  • Simple to use

  • Chrome extension makes it easy to capture videos

  • Choose from a variety of video and audio sources

Cons

  • Many features are designed more for sales videos

  • Not the cheapest option for monthly payment

Animoto

Best for: Storyboard tutorial videos

Key features:

  • Loads of video templates

  • Free audio and other assets to use

  • Create anywhere via the Animoto app

Animoto has a fantastic set of features and templates if you want to easily create storyboard style videos. You do also have the option to use video you have captured, such as screen recordings or webcam recordings. It is easy to click and drag into the video editing platform, keeping things really simple. You can also add a variety of different annotations and text.

Pros

  • Simple to create pro videos

  • Create on your iPhone as well as laptop

Cons

  • Not as much stock footage as some competing options

  • Free trial gives watermarked videos

Screencast-O-Matic

Best for: Affordable screencast software
  • Price

    From $4/monthly

Key features:

  • Make unlimited videos

  • Create on your mobile tutorial app as well as desktop

  • Publish directly to video platforms

Screencast-O-Matic is a fantastic option for those who don’t want to spend a lot on their tutorial app or software. It allows you to capture video recordings, edit these to some level of detail, and annotate as well as share videos securely on the cloud. It’s easy to get to grips with the very basics of the software and start creating.

Pros

  • Simple to use

  • Affordable

  • Secure and private

Cons

  • Need to download and install a launcher

  • Best for

    Creating visual step-by-step guides by automatically capturing screenshots as you work

  • Price

    Free for all users. Each user can create ten published guides at a time. To create more, delete or unpublish some guides

  • Capterra Rating

Key features:

  • Auto screenshot capture with each click
  • Chrome extension with simple installation
  • Screenshot editing and cropping tools
  • Automatic step labeling and layout
  • Web link-sharing capability
  • Team-restricted sharing option

HubSpot Guide Creator saves hours of manual documentation work by automatically capturing your workflow as you go. Instead of taking screenshots, arranging them, and writing instructions separately, you just work normally while the tool records your process. Perfect for creating SOPs, it turns your actions into professional-looking guides that your team can easily follow - making training and process documentation effortless.

Pros:

  • Auto-captures process with each click while working

  • Free to use with a simple Chrome extension setup

  • Restricted sharing options for team privacy

Cons:

  • Limited to only ten guides in the free version

How to choose a video tutorial app

  • Price. You need to decide on a budget for your video tutorial program, as you can get some options that are totally free and others that cost a lot of money for individuals.
  • Features. Which features do you need? For instance, do you need the ability to draw on your recordings or edit your videos in detail? You need to make sure the app is capable of making the tutorial you have in mind, such as grabbing audio and video from multiple sources.
  • Stock footage and templates. Many tutorial programs give you the option to use stock video and audio, as well as simple templates to start making videos.
  • Support. A lot of companies will provide you with free support if you have any questions or issues with the software, but some freeware companies don’t provide this.
  • Ease of use. If you aren’t a professional, then you might need to find a tutorial app that is more simple and straightforward to use. Many are aimed at beginners.

Best tutorial software

  1. Movavi Screen Recorder – best for video and audio capture
  2. ActivePresenter – best for recording educational content
  3. FlashBack Pro – multiple screen recording on Windows
  4. Ashampoo Snap – affordable HD screen recordings
  5. iSpring Suite – PowerPoint integration
  6. Joyoshare VidiKit – editing watermarks and “repairing” videos
  7. CloudApp – cloud-based recordings
  8. ScreenFlow – enhanced editing
  9. Icecream Screen Recorder – best for simple navigation on Mac or Windows
  10. DemoBuilder – virtual characters
  11. OBS Studio – suitable for live broadcasting on Windows/Mac/Linux
  12. CamStudio – best for screen captions
  13. Bandicam – best for recording videos and gameplay on a PC or Xbox
  14. Free Cam – best for audio editing on a Windows PC
  15. Renderforest – full graphic suite
  16. Ezvid – basic video editing on a Windows PC
  17. Panopto – best for analytics
  18. Moovly – browser-based editing
  19. Clipchamp – flexible pricing
  20. Hippo Video – best for create professional-looking videos
  21. Animoto – storyboard tutorial videos
  22. Screencast-O-Matic – affordable screencast software
  23. HubSpot Guide Creator – creating visual step-by-step guides by automatically capturing screenshots

Summary

This completes our list of the best tutorial video software, with something for everyone, based on your needs as an individual or company. Tutorial software comes in many different forms, and this list shows some top options.

Program

Best for

Download

Creating game-based learning

Multiple screen recording on Windows

Frequently asked questions

What is a video tutorial?

A video tutorial is usually a short and simple demonstration, often showing on screen exactly how to carry out an action or activity, explained via an animated video or a voice-over, plus slides and other learning resources.

What are the benefits of video tutorials?

Video tutorials are a great way to keep employees engaged, and to show them exactly how something is done. It encourages learning and improves the level of competence among your staff or students.

What is the best tutorial software?

Here are the top 7 programs:

  • Movavi Screen Recorder

  • ActivePresenter

  • FlashBack Screen Recorder

  • Ashampoo Snap

  • iSpring Suite

  • Joyoshare VidiKit

  • CloudApp

Read the article above in full to explore more about each of the tutorial program options.

Movavi Screen Recorder

The perfect way to record anything from your screen

An easy way to record from your screen in HD. Make video footage of any application, record online streaming video, webinars, even Skype calls, and save clips in all popular formats.

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