How to Use Screen Recorder Chrome Extension
Start recording in three clicks:
- Install from Chrome Web Store: Search “ScreenApp” and click “Add to Chrome.” The extension icon appears in your toolbar.
- Select recording mode: Click the ScreenApp icon and choose:
- Current tab only
- Entire screen
- Specific window
- Choose audio sources: Enable microphone, system audio, or both. Check “Share tab audio” to capture sounds from videos or apps.
- Click Record: A 3-second countdown starts. The extension minimizes to a small control panel.
- Stop and save: Click “Stop” when finished. Your MP4 file downloads immediately to your computer—no cloud processing or account required.
All recordings save as standard MP4 files that work in any video editor or platform. No conversion needed.
Benefits of Chrome Extension Screen Recorder
Records system audio and microphone together: Capture both the sound from your browser tabs and your voice commentary in a single track. Most Chrome extensions only record one or the other.
Saves files locally, not in the cloud: Your MP4 files download directly to your computer. No forced cloud storage, no account required, and no data uploaded to third-party servers unless you choose to.
Low CPU usage during recording: The extension uses hardware-accelerated encoding to keep Chrome responsive. Record 1080p video at 30fps while keeping other tabs and apps running normally.
No watermarks or 5-minute limits: Free tier includes unlimited recording length with no branding on your videos. Export professional-quality MP4 files ready for YouTube, presentations, or client delivery.
Works in tab-only mode: Record a single browser tab without exposing your desktop, taskbar, or other windows. Perfect for tutorials, demos, and webinars where you need clean output.
Instant playback and editing: Review your recording immediately after stopping. Trim the start or end, adjust volume levels, and export—all within the extension interface.
Chrome Screen Recorder Extension vs Other Tools
When people search for screen recorders, they often compare Chrome extensions to desktop apps like OBS Studio, ChatGPT screen sharing, or cloud platforms like Loom. Here’s how ScreenApp fits your workflow:
| Feature | ScreenApp Extension | Loom | Screencastify | OBS Studio | ChatGPT Screen Sharing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Free (unlimited) | Free (5 min limit), Pro $8/mo | Free (10 min limit), Premium $7/mo | Free (open source) | Requires ChatGPT Plus $20/mo |
| Local MP4 download | ✅ Instant | ❌ Cloud only | ✅ After processing | ✅ Yes | ❌ No download |
| System audio + mic | ✅ Both at once | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ❌ Mic only |
| No watermark (free) | ✅ Yes | ❌ Loom branding | ❌ Watermark | ✅ Yes | N/A |
| Recording length (free) | ♾️ Unlimited | 5 minutes | 10 minutes | ♾️ Unlimited | Session-based |
| Setup time | 30 seconds | 2 minutes (account) | 2 minutes (account) | 15+ minutes (learning curve) | Instant (if subscribed) |
| Works offline | ✅ Yes | ❌ Cloud required | ❌ Cloud required | ✅ Yes | ❌ Internet required |
| AI features | ❌ Not yet | ✅ Auto-transcripts (Beta) | ❌ No | ❌ No | ✅ Can analyze shared screen |
Why ScreenApp beats ChatGPT for recording: ChatGPT Plus ($20/mo) lets you share your screen during a conversation, but it doesn’t save MP4 files you can edit or share later. You’re paying for AI analysis, not a proper screen recorder. ScreenApp gives you actual video files.
Why ScreenApp beats Loom: Loom forces all free recordings through their cloud, limits you to 5 minutes, and adds branding. ScreenApp saves unlimited-length MP4 files directly to your computer with no watermark.
Why ScreenApp beats OBS Studio: OBS is powerful but has a steep learning curve with dozens of settings. ScreenApp records in three clicks and saves MP4 files instantly—no scene configuration or encoder knowledge required.
Who Uses Screen Recorder Extension For Chrome With Audio
Content Creators Making Tutorials
YouTubers and online course creators record software walkthroughs, product demos, and how-to guides. The extension captures both screen activity and voice narration in one file, so they don’t need to sync audio tracks in editing software.
Teachers Creating Online Lessons
Educators record lectures, explain homework assignments, and give personalized feedback. Students can replay recordings at their own pace, and teachers can reuse videos across multiple semesters without re-recording.
Remote Teams Giving Updates
Instead of typing long Slack messages or scheduling meetings, team members record quick 2-minute updates showing their work on screen. The local MP4 saves mean no waiting for cloud uploads—just drag the file into the team chat.
Customer Support Solving Problems
Support agents record step-by-step solutions to common issues. A 90-second video showing exactly which buttons to click replaces back-and-forth email threads, and customers can follow along at their own speed.
Developers Reporting Bugs
Programmers capture browser console errors, unexpected UI behavior, and API response timing. The audio track lets them narrate what they expected to happen versus what actually happened, giving QA teams full context.
FAQ
How do I record screen and audio at the same time in Chrome?
Click the ScreenApp icon, select your recording mode (tab, window, or full screen), then check both “Microphone” and “Share tab audio” before clicking Record. Both audio sources mix into a single track automatically. You don’t need separate apps or manual syncing.
Is this Chrome screen recorder free?
Yes. The free version has no time limits, no watermarks, and includes full audio recording (microphone and system sound). You get unlimited recordings with local MP4 downloads. We don’t force you to create an account or upgrade to remove branding.
Can I record Netflix or YouTube with audio using this extension?
Netflix and some other DRM-protected streaming sites block screen recording for copyright reasons. The extension can’t bypass these restrictions. For educational videos, webinars, or your own content on YouTube, recording works normally.
Does the extension slow down Chrome?
No. ScreenApp uses hardware-accelerated encoding (your GPU handles the heavy work instead of your CPU). On most laptops, CPU usage stays under 15% during 1080p recording at 30fps. You can keep other tabs, apps, and video calls running without lag.
Where do my recordings save?
MP4 files download directly to your computer’s default Downloads folder. Nothing uploads to the cloud unless you manually drag the file to Google Drive, Dropbox, or another service. Your recordings stay private on your machine.
