Telecharger.com has selected four free apps to replace the native screencast tool for Android devices.
Although Android smartphones and tablets automatically include a screen recording application, the latter is not always intuitive. Basic functions, convoluted accessibility, not very ergonomic control system, finding a viable and optimized alternative becomes more and more urgent with each use of the tool. So Telecharger.com scoured the Play Store for the best available solutions and selected four free video screenshot apps for Android.
DU Recorder
Launched at the end of 2016 on the Google Play Store, DU Recorder imposes strong competition on its most renowned counterparts. The tool draws its strength from its floating bubble, providing quick access to screen video recording without having to exit the app while in use.
Highly configurable, DU Recorder lets you decide on the quality of the videos produced. Full HD resolution, bit rate, number of images per second, sound support, display of presses, all the options can be configured according to your needs. While recording, you can freely hide capture controls and enable gesture control support. Finally, we appreciate the few on-board editing tools allowing in particular the creation of animated gifs on the fly, or the instant transfer of videos to your computer via the Wi-Fi network.
The +:
+ Floating bubble for easy access to recording options
+ Fully configurable video quality options
+ Activation of the front camera to enjoy PiP mode
+ Built-in editing tools to quickly retouch captures and create animated gifs on the fly
+ No ads, no premium functionality
The – :
– Insufficiently optimized gesture controls to end a recording without going through the application’s command bar
Download DU Recorder for Android (Free)
Mobizen Screen Recorder
Visually similar to DU Recorder, Mobizen Screen Recorder does a very satisfying job as long as one gets used to the ubiquitous advertising overlays. The floating bubble facilitates instant video recordings, but also access to the gallery and application settings.
Mobizen Screen Recorder activates watermark and display capture controls by default. Two modifiable parameters when launching Clean mode. Like DU Recorder, the tool lets you control the Full HD resolution of the recordings, the number of frames per second and the bitrate. Front camera support allows the use of PiP mode, and the built-in editor offers many editing options, supporting video trimming, adding music, and intro / outro creation.
The +:
+ Floating bubble favoring the immediate start of recording
+ Advanced setting of video options
+ Front camera support for PiP mode
+ Integrated editing tools preparing upstream for video editing
The – :
– The lack of gesture control forces the user to go through the app window to end the recording
– Ubiquitous advertising
Download Mobizen Screen Recorder for Android (Free)
AZ Screen Recorder
AZ Screen Recorder can also count on the integration of a floating bubble to quickly access your screen recording options. In addition to the features traditionally integrated in video capture apps (resolution, IPS, bitrate, sound management and presses), the tool offers the possibility of configuring the encoder used in the event of a green screen problem.
AZ Screen Recorder borders on perfection provided you subscribe to the premium version. Use and advanced settings of the front camera, addition of an intuitive and invisible control button on recording, video trimming, removal of advertising, these are some of the advantages promoted by the paid version. No need, however, to put your hand in the wallet if you aspire to a basic use of the application whose free features are more than enough to achieve quality captures.
The +:
+ Floating bubble providing immediate access to recording options
+ Advanced configuration of recording options
+ Simple interface, pleasant to navigate
The – :
– Too many interesting features accessible after subscription to the Premium version
Download AZ Screen Recorder for Android (Free)
Telecine
Of the four presented, Telecine is arguably the most basic and easiest to use application. No floating bubble or advanced configuration for this tool which promises efficiency and recording quality. The settings are limited to the choices concerning the size of the captures, the recording notifications, the display of the countdown and the support of the taps.
Despite the absence of a floating bubble, Telecine shows ingenuity in terms of controls. The recording starts intuitively from the notification bar, with a simple tap in the corner where the clock is located. Same procedure to end it without having to open the application window. The captures made are automatically saved in the gallery, in a dedicated directory.
The +:
+ Easy to configure and use
+ Discreet and ingenious control system
+ Instant app launch widget
The – :
– No additional functionality
Download Telecine for Android (Free)
Verdict
Complete and functional in all areas, DU Recorder wins editorial support. All of the options available for free provide the means to make quality screen recordings. PiP support boosts the creation of tutorials and replays. Although improved, the gesture control support introduces a more fluid and aesthetic management of the launching and stopping of video captures.