Camtasia is TechSmith's screen recording and video editing software. See 2026 subscription pricing, features, and pros and cons.
Category
Video Editing
Pricing
Subscription, from $39/year (Starter plan)
Verified
Not yet
Last updated
July 18, 2026
Founded
2002
Headquarters
East Lansing, Michigan, USA
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Overview
Camtasia is TechSmith's screen recording and video editing software, first released in 2002. TechSmith itself was founded in 1987 by Bill Hamilton and is headquartered in East Lansing, Michigan, with roughly 350 employees as of 2026.
As of Fall 2024, TechSmith discontinued perpetual licenses for Camtasia, moving fully to a subscription model across its Starter, Essentials, Create, Pro, and Enterprise tiers.
Key Features
Camtasia combines screen and webcam recording with a timeline-based video editor, including templates, royalty-free music and icon assets, quizzing and interactive elements for e-learning, and direct publishing to platforms like YouTube and learning management systems.
Its Create tier adds AI-assisted video creation tools, while higher tiers support team sharing and cloud storage for scaled video production.
Pricing
Camtasia is priced across five annual subscription tiers: Starter ($39/year, capture only), Essentials (~$180/year, full editing), Create ($249/year, AI tools), Pro ($599/year, team production), and custom Enterprise pricing. Educational and volume discounts are available.
Key Features
Screen & Webcam Recording — Capture full-screen, application-specific, or webcam video for tutorials and presentations.
Timeline-Based Video Editor — Edit recordings with a professional, multi-track timeline interface.
AI-Powered Video Creation — AI-assisted video creation tools available on the Create tier and above.
Templates & Asset Library — Built-in templates, royalty-free music, and icons to speed up video production.
Interactive Quizzing — Add quizzes and interactive elements for e-learning content.
Direct Publishing — Export or publish directly to YouTube, Vimeo, and learning management systems.
Team Collaboration — Team sharing and cloud storage for scaled, multi-editor video production (Pro tier).
Pros & Cons
Pros
All-in-one recording and editing without needing separate tools
Large tutorial, template, and course-creator community with extensive learning resources
Regular feature updates since moving to a subscription model
Education and volume discounts available
Cons
Perpetual (one-time-purchase) licenses were discontinued in October 2024; all new purchases are subscription-based
Pricier over time than lightweight recorders like Loom for basic screen-capture needs
Desktop-only (Windows and Mac), with no official mobile recording app
AI video creation tools require the higher Create or Pro tiers
Pricing
Starter $39/year annual
Essentials $179.88/year annual
Create $249/year annual
Pro $599/year annual
Enterprise Custom annual
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Camtasia free?
Camtasia is not free; it is subscription-based, starting at $39/year for the Starter (capture-only) plan. TechSmith previously offered perpetual licenses but discontinued them in October 2024.
Can I still buy a Camtasia perpetual license?
No. As of Fall 2024, TechSmith discontinued perpetual license sales; Camtasia is now available only as a subscription.
Is Camtasia available for Mac?
Yes, Camtasia is available for both Windows and macOS.
What's the difference between Camtasia Starter and Essentials?
Starter ($39/year) includes advanced screen capture only, while Essentials (~$180/year) adds the full video and audio editing toolkit.
Does Camtasia have AI features?
Yes, AI-assisted video creation tools are included starting with the Create plan ($249/year).