In the macOS ecosystem, screen recording tools have long been dominated by either expensive commercial software or rudimentary system utilities. Enter QuickRecorder — a free, open-source, lightweight screen recording tool designed specifically for macOS. Compact yet powerful, it meets a wide range of recording needs with elegance and efficiency.
🔥 Core Features: Lightweight Yet Powerful
- Comprehensive Recording Modes QuickRecorder supports six refined recording modes:
- System Audio: Record internal audio from any app (e.g., video conferences, music playback)
- Full Screen/Region: Record the entire screen or a custom rectangular area
- App/Window Recording: Precisely capture single or multiple application windows
- Mobile Device: Record iPhone/iPad screens via USB (no file transfer or conversion needed)
- Presenter Mode: On macOS 14.2+, overlay your camera feed in real-time (picture-in-picture) with adjustable position and size; older versions offer a floating window alternative
- Professional Media Handling
- Multi-Track Audio Recording: Simultaneously capture system audio and microphone input as separate tracks (ideal for post-production mixing)
- HEVC with Alpha Channel: Supports video encoding with transparency for professional editing (compatible with iMovie/Final Cut Pro)
- Mouse Highlighting & Desktop File Hiding: Emphasize cursor movements and hide private files for cleaner recordings
- Optimized Performance & Minimal Footprint
- Built with SwiftUI, the app weighs just 4–10MB — significantly lighter than alternatives (e.g., ScreenFlow ~200MB)
- Low resource usage ensures smooth recording, especially optimized for Apple Silicon chips
Here’s a quick overview of its core capabilities:
| Feature Type | 🟢 QuickRecorder Support | 🟡 Typical Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| 🎥 Multi-Source Record | Window/App/Region/Mobile Device | Precise UI capture |
| 🎤 Audio Processing | System + Mic dual-track recording | Tutorials/Meeting notes |
| 📹 Video Overlay | Real-time camera PIP | Lectures/Demos |
| 🎬 Professional Export | Alpha channel (HEVC) support | Pro video editing |
| 🖱️ UX Enhancements | Mouse highlight, file hiding | Privacy + focus |
⚙️ Installation & Setup: Get Started in 3 Minutes
Choose Your Installation Method
- Homebrew (Recommended for Developers)
brew install lihaoyun6/tap/quickrecorder- Manual Download Download the .dmg from GitHub Releases and drag it to your Applications folder.
Permissions Fix
If the app doesn’t open immediately:
- Go to
System Settings > Privacy & Security - Under “Security,” click Open Anyway
- Grant Screen Recording and Microphone access on first launch
Note: Since it’s not on the App Store, the app isn’t sandboxed — full permissions are required for functionality.
🎥 Pro Tips: Record Like a Expert
- Basic Workflow Click the Dock icon to open the control panel → Select recording mode (e.g., “Window + System Audio”) → Click ● to start → Menu bar shows timer → Recording saves automatically to desktop.
- Advanced Features
- Picture-in-Picture: Enable “Presenter Mode” on supported macOS versions to resize and reposition your camera overlay
- Dual-Track Editing: Disable “Mix microphone with main track” in settings to adjust system and mic audio separately in Final Cut Pro
- iPhone/iPad Recording: Connect via USB, select “Mobile Device” mode, and record directly (device trust required)
📊 Tool Comparison: Why QuickRecorder?
| Tool | 💲 Price | 🖥️ OS Support | 🏆 Key Strengths | ⚠️ Weaknesses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🟢 QuickRecorder | Free/OSS | macOS 12.3+ | Tiny size, PIP, dual-track | No advanced editing |
| 🟡 QuickTime Player | Free | Native macOS | Reliable basics | Limited features |
| 🔴 ScreenFlow | $99 | macOS | Pro editing, effects | Pricey, heavy |
| 🔴 Camtasia | $199 | Win/macOS | Quizzes, speech-to-text | Steep learning curve |
- For lightweight recording: QuickRecorder delivers 80% of common needs at zero cost
- Pro workflows still need commercial tools: For advanced editing or captions, consider ScreenFlow/Camtasia
- Bridges the gap: Perfect for users who find QuickTime too basic but aren’t ready to pay for pro software
🎯 Conclusion: Who Should Try QuickRecorder Today?
If you fit any of these profiles, this tool will boost your productivity:
- Educators: Record lessons with picture-in-picture narration for engaging remote teaching
- Developers: Quickly document bug reproduction steps with system audio capture
- Remote Workers: Create polished product demos while hiding sensitive files
- Open-Source Enthusiasts: Contribute on GitHub or enjoy a transparent, community-driven tool
GitHub: QuickRecorder Website: Official Site