RecordMyDesktop hasn't been updated since 2008 and only outputs OGG Theora. Screenix gives you modern MP4 recordings with automatic zooms, Wayland support, and cursor tracking — no ancient codecs, no dead software.
See why Linux users are switching to Screenix
| Feature | Screenix | RecordMyDesktop |
|---|---|---|
| Linux SupportBoth run on Linux | ||
| Wayland SupportRecordMyDesktop is X11-only | ||
| Automatic Smooth ZoomsRecordMyDesktop has no zoom feature | ||
| Cursor TrackingRecordMyDesktop has no cursor tracking | ||
| Camera OverlayRecordMyDesktop has no webcam support | ||
| MP4 / H.264 ExportRecordMyDesktop only outputs OGG Theora | ||
| Actively MaintainedRecordMyDesktop's last release was ~2008 | ||
| 60fps RecordingRecordMyDesktop targets low framerates by default | ||
| One-Click RecordingBoth offer simple recording start | ||
| PriceRecordMyDesktop is free and open source | $5.99/mo or $39 lifetime | Free |
| Output FormatMP4 is universally compatible | MP4 (H.264) | OGG Theora only |
| Last UpdatedScreenix receives regular updates | Actively developed | ~2008 (abandoned) |
Three reasons developers and creators choose Screenix
RecordMyDesktop hasn't seen a release since around 2008 and doesn't work on modern Wayland desktops. Screenix is actively developed, supports both X11 and Wayland, and works out of the box on current Linux distributions.
RecordMyDesktop only outputs OGG Theora — a format that's awkward to share, upload, or edit. Screenix exports clean MP4 files with H.264, compatible with every video platform, editor, and device you already use.
RecordMyDesktop records a flat, static view of your screen with no way to highlight what matters. Screenix tracks your cursor and adds smooth professional zoom effects automatically — no post-processing, no plugins, no editing.
Screenix is built for creators who want polished tutorials and demos without spending hours in a video editor. Get YouTube-ready recordings in one take, with cursor highlights and zoom effects handled for you.
RecordMyDesktop is free but effectively dead. Screenix costs $5.99/month (or $39 lifetime) and delivers a maintained, modern tool with real support. The time you save on post-editing pays for itself quickly.
RecordMyDesktop technically still runs on X11-based Linux desktops, but it hasn't been updated since around 2008. It doesn't support Wayland, only outputs OGG Theora, has no zoom or cursor tracking features, and is absent from many modern distro repositories. For anything beyond very basic legacy use, a modern alternative like Screenix is a far better choice.
No. RecordMyDesktop is X11-only and has no Wayland support. If you're running a modern Linux desktop with Wayland (such as GNOME on Ubuntu 22.04+, Fedora, or most current distros), RecordMyDesktop will not work at all. Screenix supports both X11 and Wayland natively.
No. RecordMyDesktop only outputs OGG Theora (.ogv) files. While you can convert these with ffmpeg, the output quality is inferior and the workflow adds friction. Screenix records directly to MP4 with H.264, which is universally compatible with video editors, upload platforms, and media players.
Screenix supports the most popular Linux distributions including Ubuntu, Fedora, Debian, and Arch-based systems, on both X11 and Wayland. It's actively tested and maintained for modern Linux environments — unlike RecordMyDesktop, which may not even install cleanly on current distros.
Yes, Screenix offers a 7-day free trial with full video exports — no credit card required. You can record, zoom, and export real MP4 files to evaluate it completely before committing to a plan.