Compare Screencastify and one sec: Which Extension is the Best?

Screencastify is a popular Chrome extension for screen recording. It offers a range of features but has shifted many basic functionalities behind a paywall, affecting its overall value.
One Sec is a browser extension designed to help you manage your time online by introducing a brief pause before accessing distracting websites.
Key Features
  • Record Desktop, Browser Tab, and Webcam: Capture any part of your screen.
  • Edit Video: Trim, merge, and add text directly from your browser.
  • Share Easily: Export as MP4, GIF, or MP3, and share via Google Drive or Classroom.
  • Interactive Questions: Add questions to videos to engage viewers.
  • Annotations: Draw on your screen in real-time to highlight key points.
  • Captions: Add captions in multiple languages to make videos accessible.
  • Pause Before Access: Introduces a short delay before opening distracting sites.
  • Customizable Settings: Adjust the delay time and select which sites to monitor.
  • Analytics Dashboard: Provides insights into your browsing habits.
  • Cross-Browser Support: Available on multiple browsers for seamless integration.
Our Rating
7.8
8.9
Total users
6,000,000
25,121
Total ratings
11,733
1,024
Average rating
4.0 ⭐
4.8 ⭐
Entry Level PriceFreeFree
Chrome
Chrome Web Store logo
4.0
3.63
11.7K+ ratings
6.0M+Users
Chrome Web Store logo
4.9
4.86
859 ratings
20.0K+Users
Edge
-
Microsoft Edge Store logo
4.9
4.86
47 ratings
3.6K+Users
Firefox
-
Mozilla Firefox Add-ons Store logo
4.8
4.74
118 ratings
1.5K+Users
Safari
-
-
Features
8.8

Screencastify offers a robust set of features, including screen and webcam recording, video editing and interactive questions.

Leaving aside the fact that many features are only available for a fee, it's fair to say that it offers a lot of features.

While recording, you can easily add spotlights and draw on the screen. The drawing tools offer a nice range of options, so you should have everything you need:

Drawing Tools

The subsequent editor also offers many functions where you can cut the video to your needs.

Here is what the basic editor looks like:

Simple editor of Screencastify

It recently also added an AI feature that automatically adds captions, transcripts, titles, and descriptions.

Furthermore, Screencastify offers another video editor when clicking "Edit Video" in the top right corner.

This will open up another editor where you can do some more video editing. Here is how it looks like:

Second editor of Screencastiy

In our opinion, this editor isn’t necessary if you already have your own video editing software, but it could be useful for some people.

We’re not entirely sure if this is just an older version of the original editor. However, we did discover that you can export videos to MP4 for free, thanks to an "Export" button that lets you do so without any limitations.

We’re not certain if this is intentional, but at least it works for us.

7.5

The core function that One Sec uses to make users more productive is a pause before opening the website. When I open websites I have defined, such as Twitter, a gray page with a countdown appears. During this period, I was reminded that I didn't want to spend so much time on Twitter and asked myself whether this was intentional or just a reflex out of boredom.
This worked very well for us in the test and there were no problems.


It is also possible to adjust the delay individually. If you only need the reminder but don't want to be disturbed too much, you can set the timer to just one second, or several seconds if you prefer.


Finally, a useful function is the analysis dashboard. This provides analyses of your surfing behavior, showing you at a glance how often you try to open these websites during the day. However, we would like to see more analysis options here.


All in all, the functions are kept very simple; further options for time tracking would be an advantage here so that you don't need additional extensions. These functions are already available in the mobile app. One Sec is a good addition to existing time management extensions.

Performance
7.5

The speed has deteriorated considerably with the latest updates. This is probably because more and more functions, such as the AI function, are being added.

The tool has become slower, and creating links or accessing older videos takes longer than before. Many users have also complained about the performance in the reviews.

9.5

In our test, we did not notice any delays or slowdowns due to the extension.
Regular updates are also released to improve performance and fix bugs.

Design
9.0

The design is intuitive and user-friendly. We think that navigation is very intuitive despite the many functions.

8.0

The user interface is clean and minimalist, and this also applies to the setup and settings. The extension offers an effective use of visual elements for taking a break by displaying a preset screen with a countdown. There would be potential for improvement here if the screen could be customized.

Value for Money
5.0

As already mentioned, we are somewhat shocked by the limitations of the free version.

Especially if you have used the app in the past and can export videos for free. In addition, even with the starter package for $7, you are limited to 10 exports.

We find that many other providers offer much more for the money.

9.2

The browser extension is completely free of charge. However, you only get a small number of functions. For anyone who only needs the basic function, this is unbeatable value for money.

OneSec also offers an app with additional functions. At $4.99/month or $49.99/year, it also has a good price-performance ratio.

Ease of Use
8.5

Screencastify is easy to use, with a minimal learning curve. Even beginners can quickly get the hang of it. However, we find that recent updates have introduced some complexities that are not absolutely necessary for a screen recorder.

9.5

The installation process was quick and straightforward. This also includes the setup, which is very intuitive with clear step-by-step instructions. Everything is also well explained in the settings menu afterward, so everyone should be able to find their way around.

set up
Security & Privacy
8.0

Unfortunately, an account is required, which in our opinion is not necessary for Screen recorder.

However, Screencastify's privacy policy is very comprehensive and complies with standard data protection practices, including compliance with the GDPR and PCI-DSS certification for payment data. Screencastify takes reasonable security measures but, like all online services, cannot guarantee absolute protection.

9.5

Data usage is described transparently in the privacy policy, which places great value on user privacy.
This is also reflected in the fact that the features already work with minimal authorizations so that not much private data needs to be tracked.

Conclusion

Screencastify was a fantastic tool in the past, and we used to use it daily. Unfortunately, recent updates have made it less user-friendly by hiding key features behind a paywall.

For people who need a wide range of features, the tool is still an option. For others who just want to make a recording every now and then to export a video, Screencastify is unfortunately no longer an option.

One Sec is a tool that encourages mindful browsing by introducing a pause every time you want to access a distracting website.
Although it stands out for its simplicity and effectiveness, its limited functionality means that it should only be seen as a supplement in the area of time management. Overall, however, it is a valuable tool for anyone looking to improve their online productivity.

Our Recommendation

In our comparison between Screencastify and one sec, one sec came out on top, scoring 8.9.

Screencastify is the most widely used, with over 6 million users and 12k+ reviews, but one sec outperformed it in our review. User reviews reflect our findings.

Notably, one sec has the highest user rating in the Chrome Web Store at 4.85, which supports its strong performance in our review.

There are some noticeable differences between these extensions, so it's worth considering your priorities and the details below.


  • Looking for the richest feature set? Screencastify stands out with a rating of 8.8. On the other hand, one sec lags behind in this area with a rating of 7.5.
  • Need top performance? one sec stands out with a rating of 9.5. On the other hand, Screencastify lags behind in this area with a rating of 7.5.
  • Design lovers, take note: Screencastify stands out with a rating of 9. On the other hand, one sec lags behind in this area with a rating of 8.
  • Want to get the most for your money? one sec stands out with a rating of 9.2. On the other hand, Screencastify lags behind in this area with a rating of 5.
  • If you hate complicated tools, one sec stands out with a rating of 9.5. On the other hand, Screencastify lags behind in this area with a rating of 8.5.
  • With privacy and security becoming ever more important, one sec stands out with a rating of 9.5. On the other hand, Screencastify lags behind in this area with a rating of 8.

If you want a quick recommendation, one sec is our top pick. But as always, the best choice depends on what matters most to you.