Starting in May of 2026, CATS will no longer provide campus-wide licenses for SnagIt/Camtasia. There are several other university-provided applications that can be used to perform the workflows in these tools. This article will serve as a hub for suggested replacements.
SnagIt
SnagIt is screen-capture software that allows end users to mark up screen captures. It includes many editing features to clean up captures and annotate them for documentation, especially for capturing steps and workflows.
Suggested Replacements for SnagIt
The best and most accessible replacement for SnagIt would be Microsoft's Snipping Tool. We all have access to this tool on Windows, and it offers most of SnagIt's basic functionality. With new AI features, when you combine them with the Paint application, you can replicate most common workflows in SnagIt. To access this tool on your Windows machine, press CTRL + Shift + S.
Here are some Snipping Tool resources:
Camtasia
Camtasia is screen recording software that lets end users record their screens and create videos. This is a common use case for producing instructional videos because Camtasia includes annotation features for markup, as well as animation and transition effects. It will also allow the end user to package their project as a SCORM object that can be imported into the LMS.
Suggested Replacements for Camtasia
Replacements for Camtasia will differ by use case. Are you using Camtasia to capture quick, simple screen recordings to show a process? Or are you using it to produce high-quality instructional videos with overlaid annotations and effects? Do you use quizzes in your videos? All of these factors will affect the recommendation for replacement.
Quick, simple screen recordings
You could use the Microsoft Snipping Tool for this. It now includes video capture, and you can do basic trimming right in the Snipping tool interface. If you want more editing options, Microsoft offers the Clipchamp app. Clipchamp is available right in the Snipping Tool interface once you record your screen. Click through it to access the application online. (You may need to log in with your CU credentials.)
You could also use Mediasite Mosaic. Directions on this tool are available by clicking here.
If you're using Brightspace, we have Creator+ which allows you to create a presentation with Brightspace Capture. This will record your screen and share it, similar to Zoom, without leaving Brightspace. Directions for this are on the Brightspace Community. You can access them by clicking here.
Brightspace also has a great tutorial video on YouTube:
Direct link to video: https://youtu.be/aBAwrSALpj8?si=IeYjcP-Sy-Am_0Xj
Instructional videos
Most Robust: Adobe Creative Cloud
If you want all the bells and whistles of a robust editor, you might want to try Adobe Premiere. Faculty and staff have access to Adobe Premiere and After Effects with our Adobe Creative Cloud licensing. Click here to learn how to sign into Adobe Creative Cloud on the web.
With Built-In Quizzing: Mediasite
If you are looking to include quizzes right in your videos, we recommend using Mediasite. Mediasite is our streaming media platform and includes the Mediasite Mosaic application, online editing, and a quiz feature. We have an integration with Brightspace that lets you add a quiz to a video with grade passback to Brightspace. Please note you can also just produce a video file in ANY application, upload to MyMediasite, and add quizzes to the uploaded video presentation. Additionally, Mediasite auto-generates captions for accessibility purposes.
Simple Sharing and Talking Heads for Courses: Brightspace Media Library
If you're recording video for a class that doesn't need fancy effects or quizzes, or if you're recording a "talking head" style video, consider using Brightspace Media Library. You can get to it in any course by clicking Resources > Media Library. The Media Library allows you to capture video with your webcam- and since we have Creator+ you can use Capture to include a screen as well. Media Library has great features for accessibility like auto generated captions and transcripts included in the playback of the video, which makes accessibility in the LMS a few steps easier. Just like with Mediasite, you can produce a video file in ANY application and upload it to Media Library to make use of the accessibility features.
Here is a video overview of the Media Library interface for instructors:
Direct link to video: https://youtu.be/nvsxk6GEDSc?si=DFGPHgvMDfqt7zLZ
Brightspace Community has a wealth of documentation for all their tools, including Media Library. You can find Media Library related items by clicking on this link which will take you to an article about how to manage audio and video in the Media Library.
Need More Information on These Options?
Using Brightspace and unsure which option to use? Check out our articles about Mediasite, Media Library, and Video Learning at this category in our CU Help Desk Knowledge Base.
If you want more direct advice please reach out to CATS. We can talk with you one on one about your video needs, and make recommendations based on them.
Need SCORM?
If you have a video file you want to make a SCORM package out of, please reach out to CATS. We can assist with this particular need.