In the battle of Screencastify vs ScreenPal (formerly Screencast-O-Matic), there will probably be one that stands out as ideal for your class, and this guide aims to help you find which one it is.
Both platforms offer a way to capture what is displayed on the screen, which is ideal for teaching as it can allow you to guide students through a process as if you were there with them, but outside of class time or while you concentrate on others in class.
While ScreenPal is the older of the two and as such the more refined and feature-rich, Screencastify offers simplicity and is easy to use. Both tools offer free versions so you can try limited use before deciding if you need additional paid features.
In both cases there is the possibility of recording videos of the screen and also making some subsequent edits. Plus, you have integrations with Google and more, so sharing can also become a simple process.
This guide will let you know what you’re missing and what impresses you, so you can find the right screen recorder for your classroom.
Screencastify vs ScreenPal: Which is better?
Features
At the core of these tools is the ability to record videos of what’s happening on your screen. While ScreenPal offers this in apps that run on many devices, Screencastify works as a Chrome extension, so it’s simple but more limited; It’s also better for Chromebook users.
Both apps will let you choose how to record, whether it’s just a window, a selected area, or the entire screen. You can then decide if you also want the microphone to be on, which is useful if you are providing guidance to students. You can also choose to view your webcam video, so students see your face as you speak, in a small window in the corner.
You can also use these tools to edit that video. This is relatively limited, however, it offers important editing basics, which may be sufficient for most. So if you want to cut the video and edit parts, that’s an option. This is really useful as it can mean recording in one take and then editing out mistakes instead of taking a lot of time trying to get it right in one go.
Both systems will allow you to upload videos to the cloud so you can share them with students. This varies between the two, although with limited storage capacity in the free versions. ScreenPal will upload to Google Drive, while Screencastify has better integration with Google Classroom as standard.
Characteristics
ScreenPal is the more feature-rich of the two platforms. That means deeper video editing, annotating screenshots and videos, zooming while recording, subtitle options, use of robust collaboration tools, plus the ability to save to your device. The latter does not appear in Screencastify since everything is cloud-based, in case you need to have these results in MP4 format, for example.
Screencastify also offers video and audio capture, as well as limited editing, plus you can annotate videos or draw while recording. This also has great integration with Google Classroom, making it easy to set up video assignments. You’re limited to 10GB of cloud-based storage in the free version, but you can post directly to YouTube if that works for you too.
Drawing on the screen is a useful feature of Screencastify, as it allows you to make annotations while you work, to ensure that students’ attention is directed to the correct part of what you are showing.
There is great annotation functionality in ScreenPal, allowing you to show students what you are talking about, or create a silent video where they can watch and read guidance. This even includes automatic subtitles in the premium version.
Both have limited recording time in the free version and it is worth noting that you have no audio recording system in the free version of ScreenPal.
Compatibility
Screencastify is not the most compatible in terms of devices, as it works as a Chrome extension, so it will work on almost any desktop device with that browser, but it will not work on mobile devices.
ScreenPal is highly supported as it is available as an app on Mac, Windows, iOS and Android, as well as Chromebooks. This works with deeper functionality than the Screencastify extension, meaning more integrations with the device so you can take advantage of more features.
Price
Free options
Screencastify offers an impressive free Version in which you can record system video and audio for up to half an hour with an unspecified, but quite high quality. It comes with 10GB of cloud-based storage and the ability to publish content to YouTube. However, you will not be able to download MP4 videos in this version.
PalScreen also has a free Version with a recording limited to 15 minutes and that video has a watermark. But you can download the videos to keep them and the video editing tools are more complete.
Paid plans
Screencastify offers paid plans from $7 per user per month, however, specific tailored educational plans are also available. Pay for one of these plans and you’ll get unlimited video creation and duration with much more storage, unlimited tasks, and the ability to export without limits.
PalScreen offers paid plans from $2 per user per month with education-specific pricing here. These give you unlimited recording duration, full video editing, automatic subtitles, integrated storyboards, archive media, analytics, cloud backup, and more.
Applications
There are some great ways to take advantage of these tools in class, but to get you started, here are some ideas.
For ScreenPal:
Use the webcam
Screenshotting is helpful, but using your webcam together allows students to see your face to make the process more personal and engaging.
Ask frequently asked questions
To save you time and make things easier for students, create an FAQ video to help with any potential issues students may have when using this system.
Script it
Speaking freely can work, but creating a script, or even just a guide, can help the final video results flow better.
For Screencastify:
Teach navigation
Use videos to help teach students how to navigate online resources, such as databases, so they can access more information on their own time.
Insert questions
Place questions in your videos to make sure students listen, learn, and can understand what you are presenting.
Use with Google
This system is designed to work with Google Classroom or Google Drive, so you can easily share creations with students or groups directly.
