Best Mac Apps For Multiple Monitors

More and more users tend to hook their machine with two or more monitors for more productive work or better field of vision when playing PC games. We have to say, compared to configuring another standalone computer, a dual or triple monitor setup from a single computer is far more cost-effective and convenient. However, for those who need to do screen recording on multi-screen computers, it may become a headache on how to record multiple monitors at the same time. Here in this guide, we will show you a simple method to capture on your multi-monitor computer.

  1. When it comes to multi-monitor wallpapers, Mac is kind of weird. When you right-click on the desktop and select Change Desktop Background the app will actually bring up the wallpaper picker window.
  2. How to set up multiple monitors with your Mac. With just a few minutes of your time and the appropriate accessories, you can connect an extra display to your Mac and increase your productivity.
  3. 6+ Best Monitor Dimmer Software Download Reviews When the surroundings are dark compared to the brightness of the computer monitor, it might cause sight problems and affects the work. A screen dimmer app can be used in these circumstances as there is much software available online.
  4. Multi Monitor Wallpaper is supported through an auto-renewing subscription which you can choose to purchase within the app. The subscription is called 'Multi Monitor Wallpaper'. It is an annual subscription. It lets you the full functions of Multi Monitor Wallpaper as described above.
  5. Dual Monitor Tools. As you can make out from the name Dual Monitor Tools is not just one tool but.

The dual monitor apps above could certainly come in handy with these solutions! Sydney Butler is a social scientist and technology fanatic who tries to understand how people and technology coexist. He has two decades of experience as a freelance computer technician and more than a decade as a technologies researcher and instructor.

Many Screen Recorders Don’t Support Multi-Screen Recording

There are piles of screen recorders in the market. But the truth is many programs like web-based online ones, browser screen recorder, and some out-dated open source tools don’t features capturing multiple displays simultaneously. Also, although some desktop screen recorders function well on recording a single display like the primary/main, secondary or third monitor alone, but some still lack feature of grabbing all of the computer desktops simultaneously. At this time, you can work it out by running multiple recording apps to record each desktop separately at one time, or digging around a decent screen recorder that embraces multi-screen capture.

You can directly jump to the section about:
– Best Multi-monitor Recording Software
– How to Record Multiple Monitors at the same time

Easy Multi-screen Recording Software for Computer

RecMaster is our recommendation here, because it not only empowers you to select and record screen of any monitor, but also allows you to record the multiple monitors at the same time once you select the whole area. You can get this multi-monitor screen video recorder downloaded and installed on your computer. Currently, it’s compatible well with Windows machine running Windows XP, 7, 8.

After you finishing the installation and launching RecMaster, you will find several recording options located on the main UI. And among these modes, Game Mode (only for Windows now), Full Screen and Custom Area are the most commonly used ones for general desktop recording. The other two Webcam and Audio only are especially designed for filming yourself via front camera and grabbing sound from computer or microphone.

For multi-screen recording, RecMaster works in this way:
✓ – Under Game Mode and Full Screen, you can select any single monitor to capture as you like.
✓ – Under Custom Area recording mode, you are free to select all screens to record together or any specific region to capture as you like on Windows. While as for Mac, you are only allowed to record them all at present, which means you’re unable to customize the section to capture. Also note that since the order of extended displays may affect the area selection, in order to choose the whole region, you’d better keep them in a standard line, a square or rectangle shape before the real capture. Display resolution shares the same principle, so you are suggested to set the monitor display at the same size for making a normal-visual screencast.
✓ – For both one or multiple monitors recording, you can add webcam face into video to achieve picture-in-picture effect. Also, you can decide whether to capture the system sound or microphone voice during recording.

How to Record Multiple Monitors/Screens Simultaneously on Computer

So here’s the easy step-by-step guide on How RecMaster records multiple screens at the same time on computer:

Step 1. Open software and choose Custom Area to select areas of all monitors with your mouse.
Step 2. Keep video settings (e.g format, quality and frame rate) by default or define them according to your actual requirement. Mouse cursor effects and watermark are available to adjust and apply under Settings.
Step 3. Tap REC button to start the recording, during which you can do real-time annotation if it’s necessary.
Step 4. Tap the red stop button on floating panel or main windows to end the recording. Alternatively, you can use Alt+2 hotkey operations.
Step 5. After that, you can preview, rename, edit the recorded multi-screen video or share it to YouTube and Google Drive directly from the recording list.

Recording multiple monitors on computer with RecMaster is quite simple. If you are still searching for workaround on “xxx recorder can’t record my dual monitors at once”, “how to record the secondary monitor with xxx” or similar, just turn to RecMaster to complete the task hands down.

YouTube Guide: How to Record Multiple Screens with RecMaster

The Dock is the center point of navigation on macOS. It’s the first place you go to after starting up the Mac. But, this does not mean that the Dock is perfect. Despite Apple’s continuous upgrades, there are a few things that you can’t do such as removing native apps, stretching the Dock to the sides, etc. That’s why I have made the list of the best Mac Dock customization apps. Let’s begin.

You have two choices here. You can either use these apps and the Mac Dock side by side. Alternatively, you can go ahead and hide the dock. As of now, it is not possible to permanently disable the Mac dock. The maximum you can do is prevent it from showing up every time you open something. Either way, these Dock replacements will be worth your time.

Read: Best Weather Apps for Mac

Customize Mac Dock

1. DockShelf

DockShelf lets you create multiple docks when one is not enough. In many ways, that’s true too. You can have multiple sub-docks to keep things better organized and easy to access in the long run.

By default, DockShelf is placed on the left side of the screen. There are three different sections, for Places, Notes, and Apps. Hovering on the section icons will open up the sub-docks. For instance, you can find the usual apps in the Apps section. Unlike the traditional dock, DockShelf lets you keep extra links and even files for easy access.

It’s hard to customize DockShelf, all of the options are crammed in a small interface which makes it hard to navigate. DockShelf offers a set of additional features such as Smart Folders and Desktop Docks.

Best second monitor for mac

Salient Features

  • Basic and Intuitive
  • Supports multiple docks

Check out DockShelf ($4.99, free demo)

2. ActiveDock

ActiveDock is meant to be a better version of what Apple offers in macOS. You get an improved dock with amazing features and customizability. You can do a lot of things in ActiveDock, especially things you were not able to do in the traditional dock. To simply quote the developers, it’s the same dock, but better.

Remote Desktop Mac Multiple Monitors

In this dock, you can hover over the icon to see the current window. Even better, you can choose how to arrange the particular window. Simply click on the desired layout, and boom: everything is cleaned up.

From the background color to the icons in use, you can customize almost everything on the dock. You can also create Groups and Folder for better organization of your files, apps, and folders. Compared to DockShelf, ActiveDock is easy to set up, maintain, and use on a regular basis.

Salient Features

  • Better Window Management
  • Ultimate customization options
  • Support Groups & Stacks

Check Out ActiveDock ($19.99, free demo)

3. HyperDock

HyperDock brings many features that you haven’t seen in the traditional dock. In effect, you’re using a different type of dock on the Mac. One thing that I loved about HyperDock is that it’s tightly integrated with your Mac. There is no need to worry about glitches even in macOS Mojave.

For instance, when you hover over the Calendar icon, HyperDock will show you the available events. In the same way, you can control media playback by hovering over the iTunes icon. When it comes to the standard windows, you get a clean preview and management options. As the developer says, the app is bringing many of the awaited features to the macOS dock.

HyperDock too offers ample options for customization. Because you are dealing with the traditional dock, it cannot change color or anything. Still, you can add options for window management and dock items.

Salient Features

  • Brings features to the Dock
  • Easy to implement and use

Check out HyperDock ($9.95, but it has a limited free version too.)

4. uBar

uBar is perhaps the most popular and trustworthy Dock replacements for macOS. It is packed with a number of features that can redefine your macOS navigation experience. Window Previews, Pinning, Multi-Monitor Support are just some of the features included in the package. This Dock replacement is expected to enhance your productivity.

You can configure uBar as a dock or as a taskbar. When configured as a taskbar, this app resembles a good old Windows taskbar. The active apps are stacked on the bar. When you hover over the icon, uBar shows a preview too. The bar also contains a few extra sections like Calendar, Clock, and shortcuts to Desktop, Trash, etc. The bar menu seems to resemble the Windows Start menu in many ways.

You can customize how this navigation app looks and performs. Just like you do in Dock, uBar can be placed on three sides of the screen. There is also a bunch of advanced customization when it comes to themes, Pinning etc. In short, uBar can your own in many ways.

Salient Features

  • A Productive UI
  • Advanced Window Management
  • Plenty of Customization options

Check outuBar ($30, 14-Day free trial)

5. cDock

cDock is the app to get when you wish to personalize the Dock on macOS. cDock comes with a few exciting tweaks that allow you to do things that you can’t do with stock dock. For instance, you can completely remove Launchpad, Finder, and Trash from the Dock that wasn’t possible otherwise.

Other features include custom badges on icons such as Trash, hide apps from showing up in the Dock, custom colors and transparency modes, etc. It has a few personalization options such as dimming inactive apps, custom images on the Dock, fullscreen width dock that transform your boring Dock completely. cDock is free to try and costs just $5.

Salient Features

  • Powerful customization options
  • Custom themes
  • Additional Settings to Customize Launchpad and Mission Control

Check out cDock ($4.99, Free Demo)

6. Dockey

Dockey isn’t a Mac dock alternative but more like a Mac dock customize App. Nevertheless, it can improve the overall Dock experience in the long run. You can use Dockey to speed up and optimize the Dock. You will have to do these things otherwise using Terminal, which is hard.

It’s a completely free app, which is easy to use. Simply launch the program, make the changes, and save the Settings. Your Dock will be optimized in no time. Sounds awesome, right?

Check out Dockey (free)

7. Replacement icons

Like most OS, macOS also allows you to install your own custom icons for favorite software and system components. However, find good icon packs for your macOS is a challenge. Fortunately, there are few artists who handmade replacement icons for macOS.

Changing an icon of an app is really simple. Simply download the icon pack from the links below and unzip the contents. Navigate to the folder or app whose icon you wish to change. In my case, I wanted to change the icon of Chrome. So I right-click the Chrome app in the Applications folder and press CMD+I. Now, simply drag the icon you downloaded and drop it to the thumbnail of the Chrome icon in the Get Info Window. Restart the app to see the changes.

Check Out Replacement icons and Mac Replacement Icons (Free)

The Bottom Line

Most of the tools are freemium and you can check out the demo anytime. Coming to the options, we’d recommend uBar if you’re looking for some serious change and customization options. As we said, uBar brings a Windows task-bar feel to the whole macOS interface. On the other hand, if you want to boost the existing dock’s functionality, HyperDock would be something impressive. Also, let us know which one is your favorite.

Multiple Monitor Setup With Laptop

Read: Get Microsoft Paint for Mac With These 5 Apps