A screen recorder for Mac that edits the video for you

System requirements

To check which chip your Mac has, open the Apple menu › About This Mac: the “Chip” line shows Apple M1, M2, M3 or later. If it says “Processor” with an Intel model, Clarcut won't run on that Mac.

The permissions to grant on Mac

macOS protects your screen, microphone and camera. The first time you record, it asks for permission for each one. If you clicked Don't Allow by mistake, or nothing is being recorded, check these settings.

1. 1

   Open System Settings › Privacy & Security

   From the Apple menu.

2. 2

   Screen Recording

   Turn on Clarcut in the list (“Screen & System Audio Recording” on recent macOS versions). Without it, your video will be black or show only your wallpaper.

3. 3

   Microphone

   Turn on Clarcut to record your voice.

4. 4

   Camera

   Turn on Clarcut to add your webcam.

5. 5

   Quit and reopen Clarcut

   macOS often only applies the screen recording permission after the app restarts.

What Cmd + Shift + 5 and QuickTime can't do

The macOS screenshot toolbar (Cmd + Shift + 5) and QuickTime Player record your screen for free, with your mic. QuickTime also lets you trim the start and end. For a video you're sharing, a lot is missing.

iMovie, free on Mac, lets you edit the video by hand afterward. It's a good option if you enjoy editing; Clarcut handles zooms, the cursor and audio automatically.

Your first video on Mac, step by step

1. 1

   Download Clarcut and move it to Applications

   From the Download page. No account required.

2. 2

   Grant permissions

   Screen recording, microphone and camera, then reopen the app.

3. 3

   Choose what to record

   Full screen, a window or an area, with your webcam, mic and Mac audio as needed.

4. 4

   Record

   The 3-second countdown is optional. Talk naturally and pause briefly after important clicks.

5. 5

   Tweak in the editor

   Your video opens already edited. Cut with S, add a zoom with Z, change the background or format.

6. 6

   Export or share

   MP4 or GIF, in 16:9, 9:16, 1:1 or 4:5, or a share link with Clarcut Plus.

Every Clarcut feature on Mac

Tips for recording on a Mac

• Turn on a Focus mode (Do Not Disturb) from Control Center to block notifications.
• On a Retina display, the interface can look small once the video is scaled down: record a window instead of the whole screen, or enlarge the content.
• Hide the Dock and tidy your desktop if you're recording the full screen.
• The built-in MacBook mic is decent but picks up the keyboard: background noise removal helps, an external mic helps even more.
• The macOS mock window style makes a web app demo blend in with the rest of your Mac.

Privacy

Editing and caption transcription happen on your Mac, with nothing uploaded unless you create a share link. The app sends anonymous usage stats, which you can turn off in settings.

When another tool is a better fit

• Your Mac has an Intel processor: Clarcut won't run on it. OBS Studio or QuickTime are still options.
• You only use a Mac and already pay for Screen Studio: it does comparable work.
• You need full editing with titles and transitions: Final Cut Pro, DaVinci Resolve, or iMovie for simple projects.
• You want to live stream: OBS Studio.

Frequently asked questions