Want to start using screen recordings in your business but don’t know where to begin?
Within the next 5 minutes, Dadan will teach you how to record your first video and share it with your colleagues, clients, customers, partners, followers, next-door neighbours, and anyone you want! Then you will be able to:
- Replace meetings with video updates
- Collaborate more easily with colleagues
- Give constructive feedback in real-time
Have you ever struggled to explain a complex process to a colleague, client, or customer? Screen recorders have solved the problems first hand as evident by the widespread adoption of tools like Loom and Dadan. By visually demonstrating steps and highlighting key points, you can ensure that your message is clear and easy to understand.
But, the use of screen recorders for business goes beyond creating explainer videos. As you’ll see in this article, you can use the tools to boost productivity, enhance communication, streamline workflows, foster creativity, and even improve sales in a measured way. This article is your ultimate guide to screen recording.
In the following sections, you’ll learn about the common use cases and the top recording tools out there. Towards the end, we also lay out the best practices and how to record screens in 5 simple steps with Dadan, a free screen recorder tool purpose-built for remote teams.
Understanding Screen Recordings
If you’ve never used a screen recorder before and are still reliant on meetings and emails, understanding screen recording is a good starting point.
In layman’s terms, think of screen recording as a digital snapshot of your computer screen while you complete or demonstrate a task. It’s like capturing a video of everything you do on your screen, from typing an email to running a presentation.
The screen recorders work in the background and capture the screen, cursor, system audio, mic, webcam and other components that you define. Everything is captured in a video, which you can then distribute to the intended users.
The emergence of screen recorders is partly attributed to the rise of asynchronous work. In the past, businesses often relied on synchronous communication, like meetings or phone calls. But, with the rise of technology and remote work culture, a new trend emerged: asynchronous communication. Async communication is a type of communication that doesn’t happen in real-time. It’s like leaving a message and allowing others to check and respond at their convenience.
As businesses became more global and teams more dispersed, it became harder to schedule meetings that worked for everyone. Async communication offers a solution and allows teams to work at their own pace.
How to Screen Record With Dadan
Step 1 – Sign up and download
After you’ve signed up for a free account at Dadan.io you’ll be prompted to install the Chrome extension or download the app for either Windows of Mac. Choose the best option for you – you can record your screen on all three.
Step 2 – Configure your setup
Now that you have Dadan downloaded/installed it’s time to configure your setup. Select whether you want to record your entire screen or a specific window and what video resolution (720p, 1080p, 4K). Select audio input sources (system sound, microphone) and adjust levels.
Step 3 – Get yourself record-ready
Open the content you want to record – be mindful of what else you could be sharing on-screen (You can always blur out or zoom in on specifics in the editor after recording). If you’re also recording yourself via webcam, make sure you’re camera-ready. It’s always best to look straight-on, appear in the centre and have a plain background or blur.
Step 4 – Hit Record!
Hit ‘Record’ and you’ll be counted in (3,2,1). During your recording, you’ll be able to annotate and draw on-screen and restart if you need to start over. When you’re done, just hit ‘Stop Recording’
Step 5 – Make any edits
Step 6 – Time to Share
You can share your recording via a shareable link, Whatsapp or embed on a webpage. You can also set an expiry date, a password and control who can access and engage with your video.
Benefits of Screen Recordings for Businesses
A screen recording tool offers several benefits for business, especially from a productivity standpoint. Moreover, research has shown that these tools can fuel creativity and even contribute to better representation of women and marginalized communities!
Here are the benefits of using screen recorders in a business setting:
Enhanced communication
One of the core benefits of using a screen recording tool is its ability to enhance communication within a business. The tools allow you to communicate complex information quickly, visually, and with greater clarity than traditional methods like text or emails.
For example, rather than sending a detailed email or a PDF with screenshots, you can record yourself navigating the system. You can show exactly where to click, what data to enter, and how to customize reports—ensuring that there is no ambiguity or room for error.
Reduced misinterpretation
The cost of poor communication in companies is estimated at $62.4 million a year. When users vague messages, they may interpret them differently than what was intended.
With a screen recording tool, the benefit of clear communication translates into reduced misinterpretations. By showing rather than telling, screen recordings offer a more comprehensive understanding of the topic. This is especially beneficial for complex tasks that might be difficult to explain with just text.
Better team collaboration
Screen recording tools play a pivotal role in improving how teams collaborate by providing a clear, visual communication medium.
Especially for remote teams, screen recording bridges the communication gap by allowing members to demonstrate their work, ideas, or instructions visually without needing real-time interaction. It ensures that team members can collaborate seamlessly, regardless of their location or time zone.
For example, if a project manager working in the US needs to give feedback to a development team in Europe, they can record a video demonstrating how a specific feature works in the product, noting any changes needed. The team in Europe can watch the recording when they begin their workday without waiting for a live meeting. This eliminates delays and keeps the project moving forward.
Efficient training
Screen recording tools make training sessions more efficient. With clear and short videos, you can provide practical demonstrations, showing employees exactly how to complete a task step-by-step. This approach is especially useful for technical, software-based, or process-driven roles.
The replicable videos also reduce the cost of training new employees, which stands at $1,252 per employee.
Fair representation of ideas
Harvard researchers Aruna Ranganathan and Aayan Das conducted research and concluded that async work can fuel creativity and make workplaces more equitable.
More often than not, the voices of women and those from marginalized communities are often ignored or judged harshly. But with async communication, they’re more confident in providing inputs and giving their opinion without the fear of being judged.
In times when companies are scrambling to make workplaces more diverse, the use of screen recording tools can help you in that regard.
Common Use Cases
Screen recording tools have a wide range of practical applications across various business functions. They can serve anyone, irrespective of rank, experience, or background.
Here are some of the most common use cases of screen recording:
Internal communication
Screen recording tools have emerged as indispensable assets in modern workplaces. More specifically, they hit a sweet spot between a meeting and an email. 40% of knowledge workers claim a meeting could easily have been avoided for an email. And there are times when emails are not enough to convey a complex or emotional message. That’s where screen recorders work best in facilitating internal communication.
Brainstorming and idea-sharing
Screen recording provides a better way to brainstorm and share ideas. For example, a marketing team working on a campaign concept can use screen recordings to present ideas. Each team member can record their thoughts, share their screen to showcase inspiration or research, and visually explain their suggestions. These recordings can then be reviewed by the group at any time, making brainstorming more inclusive and effective.
Product demonstration
Screen recording tools are often used to create product demonstration videos, either for internal use (training staff) or external audiences (potential customers). These videos show how a product works, its features, and the benefits it offers, providing a hands-on experience without needing a live demo by a salesman.
Technical documentation
A growing number of tech companies are embedding videos in their technical documentation for quick access to solutions. An IT department can create a screen recording showing how to set up a company VPN. Employees can follow the video instructions to configure the VPN on their devices, reducing the need for one-on-one support from IT staff.
Marketing and sales presentation
Screen recording tools are frequently used to create engaging marketing and sales presentations. These videos can include product walkthroughs, feature highlights, and performance metrics, all of which can be shared with prospects or clients. B2B salespersons are also utilizing these tools to create customized sales messages and stand out in their prospects’ inboxes.
Training and onboarding
As discussed earlier, screen recordings are highly effective for training and onboarding new employees. These videos provide visual guides on how to use software, follow procedures, or complete tasks, making it easier for new hires to get up to speed quickly.
Customer support and troubleshooting
Screen recordings are incredibly useful for customer support teams as they can demonstrate how to resolve issues, explain troubleshooting steps, or guide users through technical fixes through videos. This creates a better user experience for the end consumer.
Besides the use cases mentioned above, companies are finding innovative ways to use screen recording. This ranges from light tasks like announcing company milestones to intensive tasks like project management. With the right approach, you can unearth more ways to benefit from a screen recorder.
Top 5 Screen Recording Tools for Businesses in 2024
| Tools | Key Features | Cost | Chrome Extension |
| Dadan |
| $11/m billed monthly | Yes |
| Loom |
| $15/m billed monthly | Yes |
| Screencastify |
| $15-$20/m billed monthly | Yes |
| Snagit |
| $37.99 – $62.99 one-time fee per user | No |
| Vidyard |
| $19-$59/m billed annually | Yes |
1. Dadan
Dadan is the #1 screen recording tool for both in-house and remote teams that want to balance functionality with cost. As a prime async tool, Dadan allows businesses to share pre-recorded messages and collaborate within videos in real-time.
Key features of Dadan
- Screen and webcam recorder – Dadan allows you to record from both your screen and webcam simultaneously, making it ideal for creating instructional videos, product demonstrations, or even personal messages.
- Video editor – Dadan comes equipped with a simple yet powerful video editor, enabling users to trim, split, and enhance their recordings with effects like zoom and blur.
- Annotation – During recording, you can use built-in annotation features to highlight specific areas of your screen, draw attention to key details, or explain concepts more clearly.
- Video hosting – You can host your videos on the Dadan cloud and make them available to users with a simple link.
- Analytics – You can track viewer engagement, see how long users watched your videos, and gather insights into which parts of your content are most effective.
Pricing
- Free plan – $0/m with 20 GB storage
- Pro plan – $11/m ($8/m when paid annually)
Pros
- Easy to use
- Lightweight
- Affordable
Cons
- Lacks advanced video editing
- Limited AI features
Ideal for: Small and remote teams in need of ‘does what it says on the tin’ screen recording software.
2. Loom
Loom is one of the most popular screen recording software tools, particularly for asynchronous communication. Loom’s ease of use and its ability to improve communication make it a go-to solution for many businesses.
Key features
- Screen and webcam recorder – Loom’s main functionality is its ability to record your screen, webcam and audio with a single click.
- Video editor – Basic editing tools like trimming, adding annotations, and drawing on the screen allow you to refine your videos.
- AI summaries and enhancement – Once a video is recorded, Loom generates a concise summary based on the transcript along with titles, chapters, and subtitles.
- Video hosting – Loom simplifies the process of sharing videos by hosting them directly on their platform.
- Sharing and embedding – With shareable links, Loom offers a unique feature that allows you to embed videos directly into emails, documents, or websites without the need for attachments.
Pricing
- Starter – $0/m with limited features
- Business – $15/m billed annually
- Enterprise – Price on request
Pros
- Easy to use
- Versatile with multiple applications
- AI features to boost productivity
Cons
- Limited editing capabilities
- Videos are public by default
Ideal for: Mid-size to large teams looking for an async video communication tool.
3. Screencastify
Screencastify is an education-focused screen recording software with versatile use. It is used by 12.4 million users across 195 countries, demonstrating its reliability and usefulness.
Key features of Screencastify
- Screen and webcam recorder – Record the screen and webcam on the go in HD quality.
- Video editor – Built-in video editor allows trimming, merging, and cropping your recordings.
- Interactive questions – This interactive feature can be integrated into the videos, making it useful for educational purposes or internal training.
- Premium library – Create a repository of videos and browse, search, or filter videos by subject and grade level directly inside Screencastify.
- AI assistant – Use AI to generate titles, scripts, descriptions and assessment questions.
Pricing
- Free – $0/m
- Starter – $15/m with unlimited videos
- Pro – $20/m with unlimited premium library
Pros
- Ease of use
- Advanced features for assessment
- Best suited for training
Cons
- Limited editing capabilities
- Limited features in lower tiers
Ideal for: It’s great for educators and training departments
4. Snagit
Snagit is a popular tool for screen capture, lightweight video recording, and image editing. It’s particularly suited for professionals who need to create detailed documentation, training videos, or annotated screenshots.
Key features of Snagit
- Screen and video capture – Snagit allows users to capture screenshots, scrolling windows, and video recordings.
- Editor – With the robust built-in editor, you can annotate your screenshots or videos with arrows, text, callouts, and shapes.
- Annotation and simplified graphics – The annotation tools include drawing tools, text addition, and freehand options. It even supports “Smart Move,” which allows you to move objects within your screenshot.
- File hosting – Host all your files and videos on the cloud.
- Collaboration – Invite others to create and edit videos as a group.
Pricing
- Individual – $37.99/year
- Snagit Perpetual – $62.99 one-time payment
Pros
- Allows screenshots and scroll capture
- Affordable
- Easy to use
Cons
- Limited editing features
- Limited integration
Ideal for: Teams with high requirements for screenshots and screen recordings.
5. Vidyard
Vidyard is a sales-focused video platform that helps businesses create, manage, and optimize video content. It offers a range of capabilities that make it stand out, particularly for businesses looking for a more comprehensive and scalable solution.
Key features of Vidyard
- Video recording – Vidyard offers both browser and desktop recording, supporting up to 4K resolution for high-quality content.
- AI Avatars – Let AI create videos for you from still images. This allows you to scale operations and boost productivity.
- Video editor – Edit videos inside the tool with advanced capabilities, including transitions, effects, and overlays.
- Video Hosting & Sharing – Comprehensive video hosting, offering embedded codes and customized sharing pages, ideal for website integration and marketing campaigns.
- Video messages – Embed videos directly inside emails to stand out in the prospector’s inbox.
Pricing
- Free – $0/m
- Pro – $19/m
- Plus – $59/m
- Business – Price on request
Pros
- Advanced AI features to boost productivity
- Customization to match your brand image
- Advanced analytics for sales and marketing
Cons
- Learning curve involved
- Pricier
Ideal for: Sales and marketing tools looking for a screen recording and video prospecting tool.
How to Choose the Right Screen Recording Software
Now that you know about the top screen recording tools out there, you may ask, “But which should I choose?”
There’s no straightforward answer. Instead, it requires some introspection. Here are the things you need to know to decide on the best tool for yourself:
Purpose and use cases
Answering what you’ll use the tool for solves half of the puzzle. Are you looking for a screen recording tool for internal communication, for creating informative videos, for sales, or for training and education? Dadan.io provides a balance with screen and webcam recording, video hosting, and annotation tools. Likewise, Vidyard is more suited for sales professionals. Find out the purpose to zero in on the best tool.
Ease of use
Next, consider ease of use. If simplicity is crucial, Dadan, Loom, and Screencastify are best. If you’re willing to invest time in mastering a platform for more robust features, Vidyard is a solid choice.
Editing capabilities
How much editing do you want to do? Snagit and Vidyard offer more sophisticated editing tools (transitions, effects, overlays, etc.), while Loom and Screencastify have basic trimming and annotation.
Collaboration needs
Do you want to improve collaboration within your team? For team collaboration and feedback, Vidyard or Screencastify are better suited. Loom and Dadan are more basic but effective for internal team communication.
Integration
It’s highly unlikely you’ll be using a screen recording tool as a standalone tool. You’d want the recordings to be used in the rest of your tech stack. Thus, look at the integration options. For advanced integration needs, inspect the API and SDK offerings.
Pricing
For individuals or small teams, Dadan or Screencastify’s free plans may be sufficient. Larger teams with more advanced needs should consider Vidyard despite its higher cost.
Your Turn
Screen recording tools have revolutionized how businesses communicate and operate, offering clarity, efficiency, and collaboration across teams. Whether you’re aiming to boost productivity, simplify training, or streamline workflows, these tools empower you to convey your message with precision and impact. Imagine being able to visually explain complex ideas, collaborate effortlessly with your team, and cut down on those endless meetings!
The best part? You don’t have to wait to get started. With tools like Dadan, you can dive right in, start recording, and see the difference for yourself. So why not give it a go? Start your free Dadan trial today and begin transforming the way you work. You’ve got this!
