Bandicam vs Camtasia: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Bandicam and Camtasia comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
Bottom line: Camtasia wins this matchup. Our overall Screen Recording pick is LogRocket. Our free Screen Recording pick is OBS Studio. Pick Bandicam if you need a fully free option.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Bandicam
Capture anything on your PC screen with high-quality video and superior performance.
Best for you if:
- • You want a fully free tool (Camtasia requires payment)
- • You want lightweight and high-performance software
- • You want supports 4K UHD video and high frame rates for gaming
Camtasia
Record and edit polished videos without prior experience
Best for you if:
- • You want good screen recording
- • You want video editing included
| At a Glance | Bandicam | Camtasia |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | $39.84/moStarter |
Best For | Screen Recording | Screen Recording |
Rating | 4.2/5 | 4.6/5 |
Free plan | Yes | No |
Choose Bandicam or Camtasia?
Choose Bandicam if
Capture anything on your PC screen with high-quality video and superior performance.
- You want a fully free tool (Camtasia requires payment)
- You want lightweight and high-performance software
- You want supports 4K UHD video and high frame rates for gaming
Choose Camtasia if
Record and edit polished videos without prior experience
- You want good screen recording
- You want video editing included
| Feature | Bandicam | Camtasia |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Paid |
| User Rating | ★4.2/5 358 reviews | ★4.6/5 2,217 reviews |
| Categories | Screen RecordingScreenshot Tools | Screen RecordingVideo Editing |
In-Depth Analysis
Bandicam
Capture anything on your PC screen with high-quality video and superior performance.
Bandicam's pricing is extremely generous with its free download option, making it accessible to anyone needing basic screen capture.
Watch out
Potential watermarks on free version
Strengths
- +Lightweight and high-performance software
- +Supports 4K UHD video and high frame rates for gaming
- +Versatile recording options including screen, game, and external devices
- +Includes useful features like real-time drawing and scheduled recording
- +Maintains high video quality with good compression
Weaknesses
- -Primarily for Windows (a macOS version is available)
- -Personal license does not include an invoice
- -Perpetual license only guarantees updates within the same software title
Key features
Camtasia
Record and edit polished videos without prior experience
Camtasia's pricing, particularly the Starter tier at $39.84/year, appears very generous for its feature set, especially with Snagit included.
Strengths
- +Good screen recording
- +Video editing included
- +Good for tutorials
- +Templates
- +Cross-platform
Weaknesses
- -Expensive
- -Subscription now
- -Heavy application
- -Learning curve
- -Updates cost extra
Key features
Pricing: Bandicam vs Camtasia
| Plan | Bandicam | Camtasia |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free Free Download | $39.84 Starter |
| Tier 2 | N/A | $183.75 Essentials |
| Tier 3 | N/A | $254.36 Create |
| Tier 4 | N/A | $611.89 Pro |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Bandicam pricing and Camtasia pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Bandicam is free. Camtasia is paid.
Go with: Bandicam
Want the highest-rated option?
Bandicam: 4.2/5 (358 reviews). Camtasia: 4.6/5 (2,217 reviews).
Go with: Camtasia
Value user reviews?
Bandicam: 358 reviews (4.2/5). Camtasia: 2,217 reviews (4.6/5).
Go with: Camtasia
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Bandicam is free. Camtasia is paid. Go with Bandicam if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Both are screen recording tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Camtasia is rated higher: 4.6/5 vs 4.2/5.
Key Takeaways
Camtasia
- Higher user rating: 4.6/5 vs 4.2/5
- Larger review base (2,217 reviews)
- Our pick for this comparison
Bandicam
- Completely free
The Bottom Line
Camtasia wins this matchup. Our overall Screen Recording pick is LogRocket. Our free Screen Recording pick is OBS Studio. That said, Bandicam is free, hard to beat on price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bandicam or Camtasia better?
Camtasia is rated in our evaluation. Bandicam is free and Camtasia is paid.
What are Bandicam and Camtasia used for?
Bandicam: Capture anything on your PC screen with high-quality video and superior performance.. Camtasia: Record and edit polished videos without prior experience.
What does Bandicam cost vs Camtasia?
Bandicam is completely free. Camtasia is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.