And today in the ring, in the left corner we have Movavi. In the right, Camtasia. Both are worthy opponents in their own right, but we can have only one winner. Who will it be? We’ll find out in today’s match as both get put to the ultimate test.
Capturing audio and visual content from your desktop screen can be a vital component of a whole host of different professions. From managers to online course teachers, to designers, to YouTubers, it can help them all.
And considering it is such a vital part of your job, you’re going to want only the best option. But with such a saturated market, identifying which software actually ranks as the best can be a difficult conclusion to come to.
Enter me. In this article, I’ll go over all the main features of both software and discuss the main advantages and disadvantages of Movavi Vs Camtasia.
Like boxers in the ring, we will have several rounds where the two are compared against one another, where a winner will be determined. Once the rounds are over, one will reign victorious.
Which will win? Would you like to place your bets now? Because ladies and gentlemen, the show is about to begin.
Meet Your Fighters – What Makes Them Different?
Although software systems such as these overall tend to do the same thing – capture screen images and audio – no two are exactly alike. And it is these small differences that set them apart from one another. So what are the main differences between Movavi and Camtasia?
Let’s take a look.
- Direct Integration – Direct integration is when you can share your work from the software directly to the social networking platforms or websites that you wish to display your work on. For example, posting a video directly to Youtube or Facebook. Movavi allows direct integration. Camtasia does not.
- Feature Focuses – There are many different types of features available for screen capturing and editing. Different software offers and focuses on different features. There isn’t necessarily a better option, but rather you’ll want to choose the one that caters to your specific needs. Movavi focuses more heavily on 3D video editing, effects, fades, and filters. Camtasia has more emphasis on animations and transitions.
- Price – The price you pay for each software will vary from company to company. Movavi is the cheaper option at $59.95 whereas Camtasia costs $249.00
Both of these programs are arguably some of the best on the market, so it doesn’t come down so much as to which one is good but rather which of the two is better.
Either way, you are sure to be happy with the quality of both programs. But let’s begin the rounds, and see which screen-capturing program is the knockout.
Round One: System Requirements
For those who don’t know system requirements are the specific requirements that your desktop needs to obtain in order for the program to work functionally. If you do not meet these requirements, simply put, the program will not work.
Opponent One: Movavi
So, in order to ensure that Movavi will work well on your PC, you’ll need one of the following: Windows XP, Vista, or Windows 8. By this point, these operating systems are pretty standard, so it’s very unlikely that your PC won’t pass this point of the installation.
Next, you’ll need to ensure that you have at least 1GHz AMD or an Intel Processor. For your Intel Processor, I’d recommend having Intel’s multi-core processor such as the i7 to ensure that the program runs optimally.
You need these requirements as Movavi has a tendency to speed up your video recording speed by taking full advantage of each core.
Then you’ll need to ensure that you have at least a 32-bit color and a resolution display of 1024 x 768 alongside a minimum of 50 MB worth of hard disc space free.
Opponent Two: Camtasia
There aren’t quite as many requirements in place for Camtasia. And this can mean that it’s a lot easier to get started. Camtasia is compatible with any version of windows that is older than the Windows 98 version, so you don’t have to worry too much about that aspect.
You’ll be hard-pressed to find a PC with an older version than Windows 98 nowadays.
However, in order for the program to work well, you’ll need a 500MHz processor at the very least and 64 MB of ram. Otherwise, the program just won’t run smoothly at all.
The disadvantage of Camtasia is that should you have a low system configuration, using the program is going to be almost impossible. Even those with 4 GB of RAM and an i3 processor have reported that it takes an age for videos to open and render.
For those with this level of equipment, you can, unfortunately, expect a lagging and slow experience – that is if you can get any experience at all.
Round Winner: Movavi
Having fewer requirements doesn’t always equate to better system requirements.
Movavi’s requirements are much more inclusive, and those with less powerful machines can also enjoy the program whereas Camtasia’s requirements will leave many unable to use the program.
Round Two: Screen Capturing Features – Video Capture
When it comes to screen-capturing programs their features and ability to capture video are pretty essential to their whole makeup. It is worth mentioning now that both are worthy opponents in this category.
Opponent One: Movavi
Movavi offers three different functions in terms of video capturing. You’ll have the following options:
- Capture Screencast
- Capture Game
- Capture Online Video
From the Movavi dashboard, you’ll see a drop-down menu names Screencast. This is where you’ll find the aforementioned options.
Picking your choice is very easy, all you’ll need to do is click the select button and then highlight the area of your screen that you wish to record. Keep in mind that the Game option is always full-screen.
Using Movavi you can capture your screen images from your laptop or desktop and ensure a full HD, 1080p video at around 60 fps. Another great feature of Movavi is the scheduler.
This allows you to set specific times for your recording to begin and end, and it’ll do this automatically for you, you don’t even need to be in the room.
Opponent Two: Camtasia
Camtasia has a fairly similar process, the main difference is that while Movavi produces MREC files, Camtasia opts for AVI files.
To begin recording with Camtasia, you’ll need to locate and click the tools option on the dashboard and then pick Camtasia Recorder. You’ll see an option to Set Capture/Input.
Using this you can select the area of your screen that you wish to record or you can opt for full-screen recording.
It is also possible to record multiple windows at once so you have the ability to capture any desktop activity with this program. Alternatively, you can lock your recording to just one application.
The ScreenPad option also allows you to add visual effects while you are recording.
Round Winner: It’s A Draw
Both offer out-of-this world screen recording features that honestly can not be fairly compared. Both are excellent options for the job at hand and I cannot distinguish one as better than the other.
Round Three: Screen-Capturing Features – Audio
Capturing video is important but the audio is equally as vital for this kind of programming. Again both offer excellent options.
Opponent One: Movavi
Recording audio with Movavi is a nice and simple process. All you’ll need to do is click ‘Capture Audio’ and then pick the device you’d like to use to do so.
When you’re ready to begin, just click record, and then once you’re donethe audio will automatically appear in the video editor without you needing to anything else.
How easy is that?
Opponent Two: Camtasia
For camtasia, in terms of audio capturing, you’ll have two options. Use your built-in microphone or use your own external microphone. I’d opt for the latter as it tends to offer up much better sound quality.
To start recording you’ll need to open up Camtasia’s audio editor. From there you can click ‘Create New Audio File’ and then just hit record once you’re ready to start. Click the stop button once you’re finished, and you’re all done. Audio is added.
Round Winner: It’s A Draw
Both options are unbelievably easy in terms of adding audio, and there processes are near identical, so it’s not really possible to determine a winner. You’ll get the same great experience regardless of which program you pick.
Round Four: Editing Options
Once you’ve recorded your video, you’re going to want to edit your video to ensure it is exactly as you envisioned it to be. Both programs come with built-in editing software that won’t come at an additional cost.
Opponent One: Movavi
With Movavi’s editing system you’ll have the option to do many things to your video. You can cut and merge clips as you need, add additional filters, create transitions, add titles, opt for special effects and much more. It can be great fun to play around with.
If you’re looking for an intro or outro to your video, there’s a ton to choose from that you can add to your videos with ease. There are loads of tracks on the editing timeline that allow you to add text, audios, and videos.
Should you need to add extra tracks you can do so and even link them in the process. This really helps to ensure your videos are in sync.
Opponent Two: Camtasia
Editing of any kind in Camtasia is done through the Producer feature. Here you’ll find plenty of video and editing options. You can also trim and color correct your videos as is needed.
Some of the editing options on offer include titles, callours, annotations and transitions. Adding them to your video is so easy and they massively help to increase the engagement for your viewers.
You can animate the videos, zoom in and out, and there are even tons of royalty-free music options that you can add to your videos without the threat of copyright issues. All you have to do is drag and drop them to where you’d like them to be in the timeline.
Pretty easy, right?
Camtasia’s audio editor is also great, it allows you to adjust the volume throughout and even remove unwanted noises so you don’t have to continuously rerecord your sound. Sound can fade in and out. And there are even more editing features that I don’t have the time to list!
Camtasia’s best tool in my opinion is the quiz feature which can help boost viewer interaction to a whole new level.
Round Winner: Camtasia
While both offer robust and contemporary features for editing, I think Camtasia tops it…just. Both are amazing, to the point that I actually feel a little guilty crowning a winner, however, there is just slightly more on offer with Camtasia’s editing program.
Round Five: Conversion Speed & Quality
Time is of the essence, and you don’t want to spend a lot of time waiting around for files to convert. Similarly, you want to ensure that the quality of the video is decent. A poor-quality video is likely to negatively impact your views. Let’s see how each program fairs in these aspects.
Opponent One: Movavi
According to some users of the program you can expect a file to take around one minute and 54 seconds to convert. The video quality is great but in comparison to Camtasia is ever so slightly lower in quality.
Opponent Two: Camtasia
According to users, it’ll take around one minute and 58 seconds to convert a file using this program. So there is a mere four-second difference between the two.
However, the minuscule extra wait may be worth it considering that the video quality is always reported as being outstanding.
Round Winner: It’s A Draw
The difference between the two is really too small to determine one as a true winner. Camtasia takes slightly longer but produces a slightly better result whereas Movavi renders quicker but has a slightly lower image quality.
Round Six: Pricing
Now we know everything that the two programs do, let’s take a look at just how much they will set you back.
Opponent One: Movavi
When it comes to Movavi there are two packages that you can choose from. The standard option is a one-off purchase of $39.95 whereas the upgraded version will cost you $59.95.
The Standard option will limit you to just one machine but you’ll be able to use the following features:
- Record from your device
- Use audio from your speaker and microphone
- Capture webcam output
- No watermarks
- Unlimited recording time.
If this package doesn’t quite meet your requirements, you can opt for the upgraded package. This too is a one-off payment. It will cost $59.95 and will include all of the features mentioned above along with the following:
- Create complete clips and movies
- Add animated titles
- Insert special effects
- Share Videos
- Optimize clips for mobile devices
- Optimize clips for television
Opponent Two: Camtasia
Camtasia’s one-off payment is a fair bit pricer at $249.00. There is only one package on offer that encompasses all of the features of the program. The program is compatible with both Mac and Windows and can be downloaded onto two devices as opposed to just one.
Should you need the software on a high number of devices, the company does offer volume discounts. Students can also take advantage of the student offer that makes the fee just $169.00.
However, there can also be additional costs for upgrades as the system is upgraded.
Round Winner: Movavi
Considering the two programs offer very similar features, and for the most part, these rounds have been a tie, the fact that Movavi is so much cheaper puts it undoubtedly in first place. The only main difference between the two is that Camtasia offers downloads to two devices.
But even paying for two separate devices with Movavi is cheaper than Camtasia.
Overall Winner: Movavi
Both systems are amazing, and you can be assured that the quality of your videos will be top-grade. Through all rounds both competitors fought fiercely and the difference between the two of them is almost non-existent.
If it were not for the price, picking an outright winner would have been a very difficult task. Throughout the five rounds that exclude price, there was one clear winner for two of those categories and the rest were a draw.
So in terms of functionality, they really both work as well as each other. The only distinguishing difference is that you’ll have to part with a larger amount of money should you opt for Camtasia.
Overall, I am equally impressed with all of the features on offer with these screen-recording software and it almost seems unfair to crown a winner. But that is how the game goes, and one must reign victorious. And that one is Movavi.
