vokoscreenNG

What is vokoscreenNG?

VokoscreenNG is a mature, feature-rich screencast tool developed by Volker Kohaupt. It has evolved significantly to handle both legacy X11 and modern Wayland compositors, making it one of the few recorders that works reliably across different Linux display servers. The project is actively maintained, with recent releases adding support for separated audio tracks and improved camera integration. It is not just a basic capture tool but a full suite for creating tutorials and presentations.

This application targets Linux users who need a direct alternative to Windows-centric tools like Camtasia. It appeals to developers, educators, and content creators who want to record their screen, specific windows, or areas without leaving their Linux desktop. It is particularly useful for those on Wayland-based distributions like Fedora or Arch, where many older recording tools fail to capture audio or video correctly due to security restrictions.

Compared to Camtasia, VokoscreenNG focuses on the recording phase rather than post-production editing. It lacks a built-in timeline editor for cutting, trimming, or adding complex annotations after the fact. However, it compensates with real-time features like a magnifying glass, click highlights, and countdown timers. The interface is straightforward and functional, prioritizing stability and low resource usage over flashy visual effects or integrated video editing capabilities.

Best for: Linux users needing a reliable, native screen recorder that works on both Wayland and X11 without requiring proprietary software.

Key features of vokoscreenNG

• Supports both Wayland and X11 display servers
• Records screen, specific windows, or custom areas
• Captures audio from multiple sources simultaneously
• Built-in webcam support for personalizing videos
• Exports to MKV, MP4, and GIF formats
• Includes tools like magnifier, click highlights, and countdown
• Global keyboard shortcuts for quick control
• Translated into over 80 languages

Tips for Windows users

Coming from Camtasia, you will notice the lack of a post-production editor; plan to use a separate tool like Kdenlive or Shotcut for editing. VokoscreenNG exports directly to MP4 or MKV, which are compatible with most editors. Set your global keyboard shortcuts in the preferences to mimic your previous workflow, and remember that on Wayland, you may need to grant specific permissions to capture audio from other applications. The 'Halo' and 'Show Click' features replace many of the visual cues you might have added manually in Camtasia.

Recent releases

• 4.11.0 — October 1, 2026