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.
Average Chrome Web Store rating from the last 100 reviews
We've tested Screencastify extensively and think it's basically a very robust tool for screen recording. Millions of weekly users speak for themselves and it used to be our favorite in this category.
Unfortunately, recent updates have meant that many basic features are no longer free. For example, free users can now only make 10 MP4 exports.
In this review, we will examine the features, pricing and performance of the program and offer our honest opinion of the tool.
of Screencastify's prices are really something special. We don't like the fact that even with the starter version for $7 you are limited to 10 exports per month.
Screencastify - Screen Video Recorder earned a score of 7.8 out of 10 in our tests. This rating indicates a solid tool with strong performance, though there are some areas that could benefit from improvement.
In our review of Screencastify, we considered the categories Features, Design, Ease of Use, Security & Privacy, Value for Money and Performance. Each category was given equal importance and we'll dive into the details of each in the following section.
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:
The subsequent editor also offers many functions where you can cut the video to your needs.
Here is what the basic editor looks like:
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:
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.
The design is intuitive and user-friendly. We think that navigation is very intuitive despite the many functions.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Deals 🔥
Good
In the Features category, Screencastify has scored a very good 8.8. It offers a solid array of features, though there may be room for a few additional capabilities.
In the Design category, Screencastify has scored an excellent 9. The design is both attractive and highly functional, making it stand out.
In the Ease of Use category, Screencastify has scored a very good 8.5. It is user-friendly, though there may be a small learning curve for some users.
In the Security & Privacy category, Screencastify has scored a solid 8. It offers adequate security and privacy features, though there is room for improvement.
In the Value for Money category, Screencastify has scored a very poor 5. It offers little to no value, and is unlikely to be a good investment.
In the Performance category, Screencastify has scored an acceptable 7.5. It performs adequately in most situations, but may struggle under heavier demands.
Categories
See all categoriesAvailable For
See all browsers
Our Favorites ⭐️
See all extensionsRead More
Web Highlights 
Text Blaze 
Quillbot 
LanguageTool 
Todoist 