Last updated: 2026-01-10

For most people in the US, the easiest way to capture a scrollable screen is to use StreamYard’s browser‑based studio, share your screen (Entire Screen or browser tab), and simply scroll while you record. When you need every pop‑up, dropdown, or system dialog captured, you can switch to full‑screen recording modes in alternatives like Loom’s desktop app or OBS display capture.

Summary

• Use StreamYard’s screen share to capture smooth scrolling, with layouts, branding, and presenter video in one go. (StreamYard)
• Choose “Entire Screen” when you need to show scrolling plus menus or multiple windows; use “Chrome Tab” for focused browser walkthroughs.
• For stubborn dropdowns or protected pages, record full‑screen via Loom’s desktop app or OBS display/monitor capture. (Loom | OBS)
• Avoid screenshot‑only extensions when you need motion and narration; they capture static full‑page images, not video. (Riverside)

How do you capture a scrolling screen in StreamYard?

If you want a “talking head + scrolling demo” style recording without fiddling with settings, StreamYard is a strong default.

Here’s a simple workflow:

1. Open StreamYard in your browser and enter a studio.
2. Add your camera and mic so viewers see and hear you while you scroll.
3. Click Share → Share screen.
4. In the popup, choose one of the three modes StreamYard supports: Your Entire Screen, Application Window, or Chrome Tab. (StreamYard)
5. Start recording in the studio, then scroll the page or app exactly how you want to present it.
6. When you’re done, stop the recording and download the file for editing or sharing.

Because you’re in a full studio, you can:

• Combine screen + camera in one layout.
• Keep presenter notes visible only to you while you scroll.
• Use independent control of screen audio and mic audio so background sounds don’t overwhelm narration.
• Add branded overlays, logos, and lower thirds as you go, so you don’t have to design everything later.
• Capture local multi‑track recordings of each participant, giving you clean audio and video to reuse in shorts, courses, or help docs.

For most creators and small teams, that’s the fastest way to get professional‑looking scrollable screen recordings without installing heavy apps or tuning encoders.

Which StreamYard screen-share mode should you use for scrolling?

Each share option behaves a little differently. Picking the right one avoids surprises when you scroll.

Use “Your Entire Screen” when:

• You’re jumping between tabs, windows, or apps during one recording.
• You want to show scrollable content plus system‑level UI like taskbars or dock.
• You’re not sure which menus or dialogs will appear and you don’t want to miss them.

Use “Application Window” when:

• You’re demoing a single desktop app or a specific browser window.
• You want to avoid exposing your whole desktop or notifications.

Use “Chrome Tab” when:

• You’re walking through a single website or web app.
• You want the cleanest focus on that one page while you scroll.

A quick but important limitation: StreamYard’s own docs note that screen sharing is not supported on mobile devices like phones and tablets, so this workflow is for laptops and desktops. (StreamYard)

A practical example: if you’re recording a SaaS onboarding walkthrough, choose Chrome Tab for a crisp, focused view of the product, then pair it with your camera and overlays in StreamYard. If you realize you need to show a system dialog (like a file picker) mid‑recording, switch to Entire Screen for your next take.

How do you record a scrolling webpage in StreamYard without missing context?

For long pages—think documentation, landing pages, or dashboards—the key is pacing and layout, not more software.

Try this approach:

1. Set your browser zoom so the page is comfortable to read on a typical laptop.
2. Enter your StreamYard studio and set a layout where your screen is primary and your camera is smaller.
3. Hit Record and start at the top of the page.
4. Scroll slowly and deliberately, pausing on key sections.
5. Use StreamYard’s presenter notes as a mini script so you don’t rush when scrolling.
6. If you need a vertical “phone‑style” version later, you can record in a portrait‑friendly layout or reuse the same session output in both landscape and portrait edits.

Because StreamYard supports multi‑participant screen sharing, you can even bring in a teammate to scroll while you narrate, or vice versa, and still keep everything in one recording session.

For most marketing, product, and training videos, this streamlined workflow is more important than exotic capture modes. You get scrollable motion, narration, and branding together, and you stay in your browser the whole time.

When should you use OBS display capture for scrollable screens and dropdowns?

OBS is powerful local software for people who are comfortable managing settings and hardware.

If you’ve ever tried to record a menu or dropdown in OBS and it simply… doesn’t show up, you probably used Window Capture. The OBS community notes that window capture won’t record popup menus; you need display/monitor capture to see them. (OBS)

So, if your scrollable content depends on:

• Hover menus in desktop apps
• Right‑click context menus
• System dialogs that appear over a scrolling window

then OBS Display/Monitor Capture can make sense. You’ll capture everything on that screen—scrolling, menus, taskbar, notifications—so you must hide anything sensitive.

The trade‑off: OBS gives deep control but expects you to tune bitrates, formats, and performance manually, and all files are local for you to manage. Many US‑based teams decide that StreamYard’s browser‑based studio and cloud recordings are a more approachable default and rely on OBS only for niche, system‑level demos.

Loom desktop app vs Chrome extension for full‑page and scroll captures

If your workflow is “hit record, scroll, share a link,” Loom is a familiar option—but how you use it matters.

Loom documents that its Chrome extension can’t record certain websites or dropdowns, including some browser/system pages. The official workaround is to record with the Loom desktop app instead. (Loom)

They also advise that if you want dropdown menus and pop‑ups included, you should record your entire screen using “Full Screen” mode, not just a single tab. (Loom)

So Loom makes sense when:

• You’re sharing quick async scrollable walkthroughs via links.
• You’re okay with their workspace limits on the free plan and user‑based pricing on paid plans. (Loom)

StreamYard, on the other hand, uses per‑workspace pricing rather than per‑user, which often works out cheaper for teams that want multiple people creating scrollable screen recordings in a shared studio, especially when combined with live streaming. (Loom)

When should you use full-page screenshot tools instead of screen recording?

Sometimes you don’t actually need a video.

Full‑page screenshot extensions (like GoFullPage and similar tools) can capture the entire contents of a scrolling web page into one tall image, which is perfect for design reviews or static documentation. These tools explicitly note that they do not record video or audio—they’re for stills only. (Riverside)

Use screenshot tools when:

• You just need a static reference of a long page.
• You plan to annotate sections instead of narrating.

Use StreamYard or other recording software when:

• You’re teaching or selling something and want your voice and face alongside the scroll.
• The movement itself (menus opening, scrolling behavior, hover states) matters.

For most educational or sales content, a short, presenter‑led scroll recording will land better than a single giant screenshot.

How does pricing compare for team scroll-recording workflows?

If you’re choosing tools for a team, the pricing model matters almost as much as the capture method.

• Loom charges per creator on its paid plans (for example, Business from a per‑user monthly price), with the free Starter plan limited to 5‑minute screen recordings and 25 videos per person. (Loom)
• At StreamYard, paid plans are priced per workspace, not per user, so a whole team can collaborate inside the same studio without multiplying subscription costs per person.

For US‑based teams that want recurring scrollable recordings—webinars, product tours, office hours—that pricing structure often makes StreamYard a more scalable hub for both live and pre‑recorded screen content.

What we recommend

• Use StreamYard as your default for scrollable screen recordings that need a clear presenter, good audio, and on‑brand visuals.
• Choose Entire Screen sharing when you’re unsure which menus or windows might appear while you scroll.
• Reach for OBS display capture or the Loom desktop app when you specifically need dropdowns, system dialogs, or protected pages that browser‑only capture can’t see.
• Use full‑page screenshot tools only when you truly need a static image; otherwise, a short, well‑paced scroll recording will usually communicate more clearly.