In this Camtasia vs Snagit comparison post, I will put the two TechSmith software head to head to tell you everything you need to know before you decide on purchasing.
So, let’s get to it.
Table of Contents
What is Camtasia?
Camtasia is one of the best screen recorders and video editors around. I’ve been using it for years to create tutorials for my YouTube channel and online courses.
With Camtasia, you can record your screen, as well as a camera and audio, and edit the clips all within the same software.
If you’re thinking about creating video tutorials (e.g. screencasts) or content for YouTube, then you should take a serious look at Camtasia.
What is Snagit?
Snagit is also made by TechSmith and is described as a screen capture and recording software.
Its main purpose is to quickly capture a process, add an explanation and create visual instructions.
Camtasia vs Snagit: Overview
Before getting into the detailed comparison between the two software, let me first share with you an overview of the main differences.
| Camtasia | Snagit | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ~$249.99 | ~$49.99 |
| Free trial | 30 days | 15 days |
| Screen recorder | ✔ | ✔ |
| Video editor | Advanced | Very basic |
| Capture screenshots | ✖ | ✔ |
Pricing
Let me kick off this Camtasia vs Snagit comparison by telling you about the cost of each software.
Camtasia will set you back around $249.99 for a single licence.
I say around since there are various pricing options to pick from. Some users, such as those from academia get a slight discount.
Snagit will only cost you around $49.99; that’s five time less than Camtasia!
Again, some users will be eligible for a discount.
💪 Winner = Snagit
Snagit is substantially cheaper than Camtasia
Screen recorder
Both Camtasia and Snagit come with screen recorders.
These features allow you to record and make videos of what you see on your computer screen; these are great when creating tutorial videos.
With Camtasia, you can only capture video recordings.
Their recording bar is super simple; just select the recording area (full screen or custom size) and whether you want to capture your camera and record audio, then hit record.
Snagit can capture images, as well as record video content.
The Snagit recording bar is a bit more bloated than Camtasia’s, since there are more recording capabilities; but, the concept is still the same.
There are some noticable differences here, such as the ability to capture the cursor, which can be toggled on or off in Snagit before the screen recording, while in Camtasia, this is done after the recording.
💪 Winner = Draw
Both software can record video. I prefer the simplicity of Camtasia’s recording bar, but, they both do the same job
Video editor
When it comes to video editing, Camtasia completely dominates over Snagit.
There is so much you can do with Camtasia to edit your videos.
You can:
- Trim clips
- Apply scene transitions
- Add annotations
- Include video effects
- Apply audio effects
If you want to learn more about the video editing capabilities in Camtasia, then I urge you to read my Camtasia review.
Video editing inside of Snagit only goes as far as trimming unwanted sections of the clip. That’s it.
You will not find any snazy effects, transitions or annotations that can be applied to videos inside of Snagit.
💪 Winner = Camtasia
There is no comparison really
Capture screenshots
Capturing screenshots with Camtaisa is not possible.
As an alternative, you can export a frame of a recorded video clip as a still image (BMP, PNG, GIF, JPG format).
Snagit is purposely designed to capture screenshots easily.
In fact, you can capture many different types of screenshot, such as:
- Region
- Window
- Full screen
- Scrolling window
- Panoramic
I never knew there were so many different types of screenshot before I tried Snagit!
As well as capturing the screenshot, Snagit makes it super easy to annotate them.
You can add callouts, text, arrows, shapes, stamps, and even apply effects.
💪 Winner = Snagit
Snagit is designed to capture and annotate screenshots easily; Camtasia isn’t
Camtasia vs Snagit FAQs
1. Does Camtasia include Snagit?
No.
Camtasia and Snagit are separate software. However, since they are created by the same company, you can purchase a bundle.
Purchasing a bundle will save you quite a bit of money, compared with purchasing each software separately.
2. Is there a free version of Snagit?
Snagit is not free.
As mentioned above, expect to pay ~$49.99 for the software.
However, you can get a 15-day completely free trial of Snagit if you’re interested in seeing what you can do with it.
3. Can Snagit edit videos?
In Snagit you can trim unwanted sections of video clips, but that’s it.
If you require more editing tools beyond trimming clips, then you will need to look at other software, such as Camtasia.
Camtasia vs Snagit: Wrapping up
So after reading this Camtasia vs Snagit comparison, hopefully you will have a better understanding about the attractions of both software.
Deciding on the best software for you will come down to your requirements.
If you want a strong screen capture and video editor, maybe for making YouTube videos or detailed screencasts, then Camtasia is the best option for you.
If you are more focussed on capturing screenshots and short screencasts to help explain how to do certain things, then Snagit will be the ideal choice.
Let me know in the comments below if you have any more questions about Camtasia or Snagit. Also, give me your thoughts on why you like each software.
Further reading on SideHustleTeach.com
If you’re seriously considering Camtasia, then check out my Camtasia review. I’m a massive fan of Camtasia, as you can probably tell, and my review reveals everything you need to know about the software.
