For a long time, we thought of screen-sharing only when communicating complex information – like demonstrating complex data or software processes. But now, screen-sharing is a part of daily communication, whether conveying quotes on social media video calls, communicating synchronously at work, or even on virtual video conferences.

This means you need screen-sharing software, and it must be easy to use at a moment’s calling. The thing is, there are many tools out there, so you may struggle to settle on just one.

This is why we have created this guide for you – we will tell you why Zight’s screen recorder app is the best software for you and share other tools we think are important in your arsenal.

Let’s dive right in!

What Is Screen Sharing?

Screen sharing functionality allows you to display the contents of your screen to other participants in real time during video calls or webinars.

You can screen share on a computer, tablet, or smartphone as long as you have an internet connection and choose to share your whole screen or just specific applications or windows. While screen sharing, you will be enhancing collaboration and communication.

This feature is helpful in various settings, such as business meetings, technical support, educational sessions, and more – facilitating a more interactive and productive video conference.

Benefits of Screen Sharing

Screen sharing has revolutionized how we operate, especially in work settings. It improves communication, collaboration, and efficiency – which means work is done faster for better results.

Here are the benefits of screen-sharing at work:

1. Enhanced Collaboration

Screen sharing allows for real-time team collaboration.

Effective collaboration is invaluable in remote work, where team members can share screens to discuss projects, troubleshoot issues, or jointly edit documents without physical presence.

As a result, your teams will reduce misunderstandings and speed up the collaboration process so that everyone is on the same page.

2. More Efficient Meetings

Traditional meetings are often criticized for being time-consuming and less productive (and fatiguing), while screen sharing can transform meetings by keeping sessions concise and focused.

Your presenters can share their screens to ensure all participants are viewing the same material, which will keep meetings on track and make them more interactive and engaging.

3. Improved Learning and Training

In virtual training sessions and webinars, screen sharing is a valuable tool. It allows trainers to present visual aids, which significantly enhances the learning experience.

Research has shown that retention rates are higher when information is presented both visually and verbally – compared to just verbally.

4. Effective Technical Support

Screen sharing simplifies IT support by allowing technicians to see the issue directly on the user’s screen. This direct interaction can reduce resolution time and improve user satisfaction.

When you screen share, you guide users through the solution step-by-step, which is much more efficient than trying to solve problems over the phone​ or email.

5. Facilitates Remote Work

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, more companies have moved towards flexible work arrangements, which presents a new communication challenge. Simply put, you must find a way for your remote (and probably global) teams to communicate better.

Screen sharing supports this transition by enabling effective communication among remote teams. Whether through virtual meetings, using a screen-sharing app will maintain team cohesion – you can show what you’re working on or want to be worked on to everyone regardless of their location. This allows for seamless collaboration and communication, crucial for remote work dynamics.

6. Sales and Customer Service

For sales professionals, screen sharing during client presentations or demos can lead to more interactive and successful sales pitches. It allows potential clients to see products or services in action, which can help close deals more effectively.

Similarly, screen sharing can help agents resolve issues more effectively in customer service by directly interacting with the customer’s screen.

Best Screen Sharing Software for Work

Simply put, screen sharing will transform how you communicate at work. So, it’s time to look for the best software to use, and seeing that there are so many options, we want to help you settle on one now. Here are our best recommendations:

1. Zight

When choosing screen-sharing software, you want one that meets all your communication needs. And that’s what Zight does!

Zight multitasks in numerous ways to help you share everything on your Windows and Mac screen through the applicable app and Google Chrome extension. The screen share software is available on a free plan, while the pro plan starts at $7.95 per month.

To use it, you just need to download the app on your laptop and then learn how to use all its features – especially the screenshot, screen recording, and GIF apps! Head over to the Zight website and click Sign Up Now. Create an account (if you don’t have one), then download the app and extension.

To screen-share on Chrome, install the extension on your toolbar, then open it and sign into your account if prompted. After this, you’re ready to share your screen as follows:

1. Click on the Zight icon on your toolbar.
2. Click Record, then choose your screen recording preferences – audio, camera, and Screen Only or Screen & Cam. Then, select the Chrome tab, window, or the entire screen.
3. Once you select where to record, click share, and Zight will be recording as you work or scroll. When you’re sure you’ve captured everything necessary, click Stop Sharing, and your recording will be uploaded to the cloud.

If you want to share your screen through the app, it’s equally stress-free.

1. Launch the app and click Record. Alternatively, use these shortcuts: Command + Shift + 6 (Mac), or Alt +Shift +6 (Windows)
2. Select preferences, including Full Screen or Select region. Also, you can share your screen as – Screen Only or Screen & Cam.
3. Then, select the recording format, which is between video and GIF. ( Note: you can also launch your app and choose GIF, then set your recording preferences).
4. To share everything on your screen plus audio, click the dropdown menu on Audio/Mic to select your internal or external mic.
5. Click Start Recording, and annotate the video as you go.
6. When done, click Finish, and your video will be uploaded to the cloud. Make sure you edit the video before sharing it for a professional output.

As you can see, it’s really a straightforward process with Zight. You can use it to share your screen during video conferencing or in a virtual meeting when you need to record what’s being said for future use.

Here’s why you should use Zight today:

• User-Friendly Platform: With Zight, you get an intuitive platform with easily understandable and accessible screen-sharing features
• Adaptable: Zight is mainly a screen recorder software, so it offers you flexibility in different screen-sharing scenarios. For instance, you can record your screen in a meeting or when scrolling the web to capture very important information to propel your project forward
• Cloud Integration and Accessibility: Zight seamlessly integrates with cloud storage, ensuring that all screen shares are automatically saved and organized. With this, you have easy remote access and means of sharing your videos across teams to enhance collaborative efforts and ensure that important information is readily available​
• Excellent Customization Features: The platform offers extensive editing capabilities – you can annotate while recording and edit the video afterward. You can trim and add advanced features like a call-to-action button to even enhance marketing. This customizability makes it easier to highlight key points and guide viewers through your presentations or tutorials effectively​
• Security and Compliance: Zight takes security seriously, offering features like password protection for shared links and compliance with SOC2 standards. You can share your screen knowing that sensitive information remains protected – this makes Zight a reliable tool for businesses that prioritize data security​
• Multi-Platform Support: Whether you’re using a Mac, Windows, Chrome browser, or iOS device, Zight provides support across these platforms, making it a versatile tool for diverse work environments. As such, all your team members can benefit from Zight’s features, regardless of their operating system

Zight is a must-have tool for anyone with advanced screen-sharing needs. Plus, it makes communication easy and streamlined, so you don’t always need to call for a meeting. With the screen recording capabilities, you can simply record your entire presentation and send it to your teams as a shareable link – much more straightforward than calling everyone to a meeting and then sharing the screen live.

But, if you really need to present your screen live on Skype, Google Meet, or Microsoft Teams meeting, we recommend getting any of these alternative tools:

2. Screenleap

Screenleap offers a hassle-free way to share your screen with others directly from your browser, ideal for those spontaneous moments when downloading an app just feels like too much trouble.

It simplifies virtual meetings and presentations by allowing you to share your screen or camera directly from your browser. Its user interface is clean and straightforward, so there’s no complexity often associated with virtual meeting tools. You can use this screen share tool to host a quick check-in, detailed workshop, or casual chat.

Screenleap is available on a free plan that allows you to screen share for 40 minutes daily for eight users. if you need more for your team, the pro plans start at $15/month.

Main Features

• Video Conferencing: Easily switch between sharing your screen and video to maintain a personal connection with your audience
• Audio Conferencing: Engage in clear two-way communication using your computer’s built-in microphone and speakers – without the need for additional software
• Easy Website Integration: Integrate live interactions such as screen sharing and audio conferencing into your website in minutes to enhance customer engagement and support
• Cloud Recording: Automatically record your sessions and store them in the cloud, making it easy to review meetings or share them with those who couldn’t attend
• Viewer Registration: Capture and export viewer information to your CRM system. This allows follow-ups and maintaining connections post-meeting
• Versatile Access: Viewers can watch your screen from any device with a browser, including PCs, Macs, tablets, and smartphones
• Customizable Controls: You have the power to let viewers interact with your screen, which makes this tool perfect for collaborative sessions

Who Is It For?

Screenleap is ideal for educators, trainers, and team leaders looking for an uncomplicated way to conduct virtual meetings and share their screens or presentations.

3. Zoom

If you host virtual meetings, what are the odds they are Zoom meetings? Did you know that, with Zoom, you get simultaneous screen-sharing features on a desktop, iOS, and Android device?

Zoom’s screen-sharing tool is a cornerstone of its functionality – it enhances virtual collaboration across various settings, from corporate meetings to educational sessions. To screen share, click on the ‘Share Screen’ icon during meetings. This supports everything from simple desktop sharing to complex presentations with multimedia content.

You can use Zoom on the free Basic plan or a paid one that starts from $12.49 per month for up to nine users.

Main Features

• Versatile Sharing Options: Share your entire desktop or choose specific applications to display
• Interactive Tools: Multiple users can annotate directly on the shared screen, thus enhancing interaction and engagement
• Optimized for Performance: Options to optimize screen sharing for video clips ensure high-quality streaming of multimedia content
• Advanced Controls: Hosts can manage screen sharing permissions and decide who can share and when, which is especially useful in large meetings
• Accessibility Features: Support for dual monitors and the ability to show Zoom windows during screen sharing enhances the flexibility and usability of the feature

Who Is It For?

Zoom screen sharing is ideal for businesses of all sizes, educational institutions, and remote teams that rely on effective virtual communication and collaboration.

4. Discord Screen Sharing

Discord‘s screen sharing is seamlessly integrated into its rich communication platform, designed primarily for community engagement and gaming but highly effective for any group collaboration.

When you screen share with Discord, you can leverage real-time interaction and share various types of screen content, including games, applications, and the entire desktop. Its lightweight design ensures that even during heavy use, the performance remains optimal.

The screen share tool is available for free, but you can get more functionality with a monthly plan starting at $4.99/month per user.

Main Features

• Flexible Sharing Options: Share specific application windows, your entire desktop, or just a portion of your screen
• High-Performance Streaming: Utilizes advanced encoding technologies to ensure smooth streaming and sharing even at high frame rates and resolutions
• Interactive Audio: Captures and synchronizes audio effectively, making it ideal for dynamic presentations and virtual meetings
• Robust Security: Streams are transmitted securely to protect the privacy of the communication channels

Who Is It For?

Discord is perfect for gamers, developers, and anyone who values a community-centric communication tool with robust media-sharing capabilities. It’s also well-suited for those requiring a flexible, high-performance platform that supports casual and intensive use cases.

5. AnyDesk

AnyDesk is your best software for remote screen sharing. It sets itself apart as a remote desktop software that enables highly effective screen sharing outside of traditional video calls.

Unlike other tools, AnyDesk provides a platform for remote desktop control, offering you the feel of being physically present at the remote machine. This makes it an excellent choice for tasks that require full control or passive observation through its view-only mode. You can use the screen share tool for free or choose from plans that start at $10.90 per person.

Main Features

• Remote Desktop Control: Offers complete control over the remote machine. This is an ideal solution for remote customer support and intricate remote operations
• View-Only Mode: You can switch to a non-interactive mode when active control isn’t necessary – perfect for demonstrations or supervisory tasks
• Session Recording: You can record a screen-sharing session to revisit it later, an invaluable feature for training, demonstrations, or reviewing completed work
• Optimized Performance: Utilizes DeskRT, AnyDesk’s own video codec, to minimize latency and maximize frame rates. This will ensure that screen sharing is smooth and efficient, even over low-bandwidth connections
• Robust Security: Features end-to-end encryption and two-factor authentication, providing secure access to remote devices

Who Is It For?

AnyDesk is ideal for IT professionals, remote support teams, and educational institutions that require a secure tool for remote access and screen sharing. It operates smoothly in low-bandwidth scenarios, which makes it perfect if you’re in a remote area or with unstable internet connections.

6. TeamViewer

If you need a top screen-sharing software that works across all operating systems – Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS, try out TeamViewer.

For $52.90 ⁄ month for a team of 15, you get comprehensive screen-sharing capabilities that extend beyond simple viewing to full remote control, making it an indispensable tool for technical support, remote work, and collaborative projects.

Main Features

• Multi-Platform Support: TeamViewer offers screen sharing across Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android platforms, so everyone on your team has access, no matter the device used
• Flexible Sharing Options: You can share your entire screen or select specific windows or applications to share – this means excellent versatility and privacy
• Integrations: TeamViewer integrates seamlessly with many software, some of which you should use at work. For instance, it integrates with Microsoft Teams, one of the video conferencing tools you probably already use
• Real-Time Collaboration: It allows for interactive sessions where multiple users can view and control a shared screen to facilitate effective teamwork and problem-solving
• High-Quality Streaming: TeamViewer maintains high-quality screen sharing even in bandwidth-restricted environments thanks to its optimized performance capabilities

Who Is It For?

This remote screen-sharing software is ideal for IT professionals, customer support teams, and educators who require reliable remote access and screen-sharing capabilities to perform their roles effectively. Whether providing real-time technical support, managing remote teams, or conducting virtual training sessions, TeamViewer delivers the tools to handle complex tasks remotely easily.

7. Slack

Slack‘s free screen-sharing feature enhances its already excellent communication platform, making it a vital tool for team collaboration.

With just a few clicks, you can share your screen during a video call, which allows for real-time sharing of presentations, documents, or software applications. The feature is integrated seamlessly into Slack’s calls, whether one-on-one or with a group and supports sharing from both desktop and mobile devices.

Main Feature

• Flexible Sharing Options: Choose to share your entire screen or any open app/window
• Interactive Tools: Participants can interact during screen-sharing sessions, such as through annotations, which makes collaboration more engaging
• Ease of Use: Initiate screen sharing by clicking the ‘Share Screen’ icon in the call interface, a straightforward process that doesn’t disrupt the flow of meetings
• Drawing Tools: Enhance your presentations by using Slack’s drawing tools to mark up or highlight important information directly on the shared screen

Who Is It For?

Slack screen sharing is ideal for teams that need a dynamic and interactive method to collaborate over distance. If your work involves frequent collaboration and requires effective communication tools, Slack’s screen sharing will likely meet your needs.

8. Google Meet

A leading video conferencing tool, Google Meet is yet another option that allows screen-sharing even during meetings.

Whether for professional meetings, virtual classrooms, or informal group chats, Google Meet facilitates easy and effective screen presentations. This tool is integral for collaborative projects, presentations, and remote troubleshooting, providing a seamless experience across various devices.

To share your screen on Google Meet, simply click the “Present now” button located in the bottom toolbar of your meeting screen. The good thing is you get the software for free, but if your google storage is filled you’d pay $7/month per user.

Main Features

• Flexible Presentation Options: Share your full screen, a specific window, or just a tab to keep other information private
• High Compatibility: Works smoothly across all major operating systems including Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android
• Integration with Google Workspace: Directly present documents from Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides, enhancing workflow integration
• Real-Time Adjustments: Participants can interact with the shared content, making collaborative sessions more dynamic and productive

Who Is It For?

Google Meet screen sharing is perfect for anyone who needs a reliable and easy-to-use platform for conducting meetings, training sessions, or presentations remotely.

How to Choose Your Best Screen-Sharing Software

When choosing the best screen-sharing software, it’s essential to consider several key factors tailored to your specific needs, such as ease of use, integration capabilities, feature set, and pricing.

1. Identify Your Needs

Determine what you primarily need the software for – whether it’s for general meetings, detailed collaborative projects, webinars, or technical support. This will help narrow the choices to those specializing in these areas.

2. Consider Integration Needs

For businesses already using tools like Google Workspace or Microsoft 365, selecting a screen-sharing software that integrates seamlessly with these platforms can enhance productivity.

For instance, Zight integrates with all productivity tools, so this will make it incredibly easy to screen share and collaborate.

3. Assess the Feature Set:

Look for features that will be most useful to your team. This could include the ability to share specific windows or screens, integration with project management tools, real-time annotations, or advanced meeting controls.

4. Ease of Use

The software should be user-friendly and not require extensive training to understand.

Lucky for you, Zight comes with an easy learning curve. You get easy installation, plus the interface is easy to understand, as is the cloud-based dashboard where you will store all your recorded sessions.

5. Mobile Accessibility

If your team needs to communicate on the go, consider software that offers robust mobile support. Zight is available on iOS for screen sharing, plus you can access your cloud storage from any device, including Android.

6. Security Features

Especially important for sensitive or proprietary information, ensure the screen-sharing software provides adequate security measures like end-to-end encryption and meeting locks to prevent unauthorized access​.

7. Pricing

Consider the cost relative to the features offered. Many platforms provide basic free versions with the option to upgrade for more features. Decide if a free version suffices or if a paid plan is necessary for your needs.

Pro Tip: Utilize free trials to test the software in real scenarios within your organization. This can help you gauge the performance and suitability without initial commitment​

Conclusion

Ready to start screen-sharing today? We have shared the best screen-sharing software above – and they all work on multiple devices and operating systems. But, as you choose your best, ensure it’s easy to use, comes with the right features, and meets your budget.

If you want one that takes the pain out of the process, we recommend screen-sharing with Zight. The tool works seamlessly to capture information on your screen. To top it off, it saves your videos in the cloud, from where you can share them with teams as a link later. This is good for online collaboration and asynchronous communication – the key drivers in the current remote-hybrid work setting!