ZD Soft Screen Recorder Review - A Deep Dive Into Its Features

ZD screen recorder is a lightweight yet powerful tool for capturing high-quality videos. The software offers robust features and high performance, whether for tutorials or meetings. We will also discuss CapCut as an alternative to the ZD recorder.

CapCut
CapCut
Mar 31, 2025
59 min(s)

ZD Soft screen recorder is ideal for recording smooth and high-quality videos. This article will discuss in detail the ZD Soft screen recorder, what it is, its pricing, and how to record with the ZD Soft screen recorder. We will also discuss the common mistakes to avoid and the top applications of screen recorders. CapCut is the best alternative to ZD Soft due to its built-in screen recorder, smart recommendation feature, and various built-in editing tools. Start exploring now!

Note: We respect the rights of all creators and users. Screen recording should only be used for legitimate purposes, such as personal learning, educational presentations, or authorized projects. Please do not record copyrighted content (e.g., movies, music) for commercial use or unauthorized distribution.

Table of content
  1. What is the ZD screen recorder
  2. CapCut: The top alternative to ZD Soft screen recorder
  3. ZD Soft recorder VS CapCut - A brief comparison
  4. Common mistakes to avoid when recording screen
  5. Top use cases of screen recorders
  6. Conclusion
  7. FAQs

What is the ZD screen recorder

ZD Soft screen recorder is a lightweight and efficient tool for recording professional-quality videos. It specializes in lag-free recordings for tutorials, gameplay, and presentations, providing real-time compression and smooth performance. It offers customizable settings and multiple output formats, perfect for capturing professional-grade videos.

ZD Soft screen recorder

Key features

  • High-quality screen recording: ZD Soft captures smooth and lag-free videos with real-time compression and high-quality resolution, making it perfect for gameplay, tutorials, and presentations.
  • Real-time drawing: The tool provides on-screen annotations during recordings, helping to highlight the key points for presentations or tutorials.
  • Audio recording options: ZD recorder supports system audio, microphone input, or both, producing a clear sound for live commentary and voiceovers.
  • Webcam overlay: The software enables the users to add a webcam feed to recordings, making it ideal for tutorials or reaction videos.
  • Scheduled recording: ZD Soft screen recorder allows you to start and stop time automatically, making it suitable for live streams and webinars.
  • Lightweight: The tool runs efficiently without much lag. So, it doesn't slow down the system, ensuring smooth recording even on low-end PCs.

System requirements

  • Runs on Windows 7, 8, 8.1, 10, and 11.
  • Minimum 2 GHz processor, 2 GB RAM, and 20 MB free disk space.
  • DirectX 9.0 or later for smooth performance.

Pricing

  • Free trial: $0 (15 days)

Max recording length: 15 minutes

Watermark-free: No

  • 1 PC: $39 (Lifetime)

Max recording length: 48 hours

Watermark-free: Yes

  • 2 PCs: $58 (Lifetime)

Max recording length: 48 hours

Watermark-free: Yes

How to download and record with ZD Soft screen recorder

    STEP 1
  1. Download the ZD Soft screen recorder

First, download the setup file from the official ZD Soft screen recorder website. Once downloaded, run the installer to begin the installation process. Then, click "Install" and wait for the setup to complete. After that, click "Finish" to launch the software.

    STEP 2
  1. Configure your video recording

Once the software is downloaded, open ZD Soft and choose a recording mode, such as Full Screen, Window, or a custom region. Adjust the frame rate, audio input, and resolution according to your needs. If necessary, enable the webcam overlay feature for picture-in-picture recording.

Configure your video recording
    STEP 3
  1. Start your recording

Click the "Start" button or press the F8 hotkey to start the recording. During recording, you can use the real-time recording tool to annotate the screen, making it ideal for presentations or tutorials.

Start your recording
    STEP 4
  1. Stop and save your recording

When you are done, click the "Stop" button or press the F8 hotkey to stop the recording. After that, the recording will automatically be saved on your PC.

Stop and save your recording

ZD Soft is an effective screen recording software. However, its main limitation is that it only contains basic editing features. So, if you want software to record with advanced editing features, choose CapCut.

CapCut: The top alternative to ZD Soft screen recorder

CapCut is an all-in-one video editing software and recording tool, making it a great alternative to the ZD screen recorder. It offers features like smart recommendations, which suggest features according to the recording. For example, if the video contains speech, it will recommend the auto-captions feature. CapCut also contains various built-in editing features, such as transitions, effects, animations, stickers, and noise reduction.

Download CapCut today and use its recording and editing features to make high-quality videos.

Key features

  • High-quality screen recording: CapCut's built-in screen recorder captures smooth, high-resolution videos with customizable formats and frame rates.
  • Smart recommendations: CapCut uses AI to suggest the relevant features according to your recording, for example, retouch, auto-captions, and text-to-speech.
  • Built-in editing features: It offers plenty of editing features, including transitions, animations, stickers, and so on.

Steps to use CapCut to record screen

    STEP 1
  1. Record the video

To begin with, open CapCut and click "Record screen" on the homepage. Select your preferred area for recording and click "Start recording" to begin recording. Once done, click the "Stop recording" button to end the recording.

Recording the video in CapCut
    STEP 2
  1. Edit the video

Once recorded, you will get two options: "Download" or "Edit more." Choose the editing option if you want to edit more. Use the smart recommendations function to get a better idea of features that are suitable for your video. If your video contains a person or facial details, use the "Retouch" option to enhance the facial details. For speech-based content, use the auto-captions feature for automatic subtitles. You can also enhance your video with transitions, filters, and effects to increase its aesthetic appeal.

Editing the video in CapCut
    STEP 3
  1. Export the video

Once you've finished, click "Export" in the top-right corner, choose your format and desired resolution, and then click "Export" to save the video to your PC. You can also share the video directly on TikTok and YouTube.

Exporting the video in CapCut

ZD Soft recorder VS CapCut - A brief comparison

ZD Soft recorder VS CapCut - A brief comparison

This is about the ZD Soft screen recorder and CapCut. Although both tools are effective for screen recording, users make common mistakes. So, let's address the typical screen recording mistakes and how to avoid them.

Common mistakes to avoid when recording screen

  • Mistake 1: Ignoring the audio quality

How to avoid: Use a high-quality microphone and adjust the settings to reduce the background noise. Enable the noise reduction feature in your recording software for cleaner sound. CapCut's "Reduce noise" feature allows you to remove unnecessary background noise.

  • Mistake 2: Not adjusting the frame rate

How to avoid: Use 30-60 FPS to ensure smooth video playback. Higher FPS is perfect for gaming and fast-motion content, whereas 30 FPS is suitable for tutorials. CapCut allows you to adjust frame rates up to 60fps.

  • Mistake 3: Recording in low-resolution

How to avoid: Set the recording resolution to at least 1080p or higher for clear visuals. After recording, you can use CapCut to enhance the video with filters and sharpening tools. You can also export the video in high-quality resolution, such as 4K in CapCut.

  • Mistake 4: Skipping a test recording

How to avoid: Always record a short test cilp to check the video and audio settings. If issues arise during recording, you can use CapCut's advanced editing tools to polish the video, enhancing its quality.

Top use cases of screen recorders

Recording online meetings

Screen recorders allow you to capture virtual meetings on platforms like Google Meet, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams. This helps users to save discussions, share recordings, and revisit important points. It also ensures the recording and documentation of important meetings.

Recording online meetings

Creating video tutorials

Educators, content creators, and trainers use screen recording to make step-by-step tutorials. This is especially beneficial for online courses, software demonstrations, and troubleshooting guides. The ability to add annotations, filters, effects, and voiceovers makes these videos interactive and easy to follow.

Creating video tutorials

Capturing gameplay

Gamers use screen recording to record their gameplay, share highlights, and create walkthroughs on social media platforms like Twitch and YouTube. Many also use screen recording for game analysis or compilations. Recording at high FPS results in smooth video playback.

Capturing gameplay

Live streaming sessions

Screen recordings allow creators to record their live streams for later use. These recordings can be edited and repurposed later for gaming or webinars. This is helpful for people who missed the live session.

Live streaming sessions

Saving webinars and lectures

Students and professionals record online classes and webinars to watch later. This helps take notes, revisit complex topics, and ensure better understanding. Recorded lectures also facilitate fast-paced learning and revision before exams.

Saving webinars and lectures

Monitoring and surveillance

Businesses and IT professionals use screen recording to monitor user activity, detect unauthorized access, and ensure security compliance. They also use it to track software usage, employee productivity, and identify system vulnerabilities.

Monitoring and surveillance

Conclusion

The ZD Soft Screen Recorder is a powerful screen recorder that can record professional quality with minimal system impact. Its intuitive interface and multiple recording formats make it ideal for games, tutorials, and PowerPoint. However, it can only be used on Windows systems and provides limited editing capabilities. Therefore, if you need a screen recorder that can be used on both Windows and macOS, CapCut is the best choice, and it also intelligently recommends editing functions based on recorded content, improving work efficiency. So, try CapCut today and start high-quality recording and editing!

FAQs

    1
  1. How can I record the screen without installing any software?

You can use online screen recorders like Apowersoft, ScreenApp, and Loom to record the screen without installing software. Windows users can use the built-in Xbox Game Bar, whereas Mac users can use the QuickTime Player. Chrome extensions, such as ScreenCastify and Nimbus, are also beneficial. These tools are helpful for screen recording. However, they contain basic editing features. For advanced screen recording with editing features, choose CapCut.

    2
  1. Is there a watermark on videos recorded by ZD soft screen recorder?

The free trial version of the ZD Soft screen recorder adds a watermark to the recorded videos. To remove it, you must get the paid version, which includes high-quality recordings without restrictions. If you want a free tool without a watermark, consider alternatives like CapCut, which provides watermark-free recording videos with built-in editing features.

    3
  1. How can I download the ZD Soft screen recorder from the Soft98 website?

To download the ZD Soft screen recorder from the Soft98 website, visit the website and search for "ZD Soft screen recorder" in the search bar. Click the download link and choose the latest version that is compatible with your system. Then, follow the on-screen instructions to install the software on your PC. Remember to download from a trusted source to avoid security risks. CapCut is a good option for screen recording, as it is more secure and feature-rich.