Screen recording is an important part of the content creation process for Youtubers, marketers, and teachers. Since Macs are known to perform exceptionally well for video creation purposes most screen recording tools also come with video editing functionalities built into them. Screen Studio and ScreenFlow are two of the most popular screen recording/editing tools that make screen capture and editing a breeze.
However, when it comes to choosing between these two screen recording/editing tools it is easy to get confused since both options make similar promises. Since both of them are paid tools with limited free trial options it is important to make the right choice to avoid spending time and money on the wrong tool. This is why we have created this detailed comparison between Screen Studio and Screenflow to help anyone who is having a hard time choosing between both options.
Screen Studio vs ScreenFlow: Overview
Screen Studio and ScreenFlow are designed for the same demographic. While they are both meant to make screen capture and video editing easier they might have slightly different applications. Not to mention both of these products are developed by experienced teams and have been constantly updated. We will give you an overview of both of these tools to give you a better understanding of the basic differences between the two:
Screen Studio
Screen Studio is a screen recording tool for MacOS with additional video editing capabilities. This tool is used by major brands to create engaging and helpful screen-recorded videos for educational, entertainment, and promotional purposes. Screen Studio is designed for everyday users who have basic video editing knowledge.
You can easily record, edit, and share videos using Screen Studio without any prior video editing experience or training. This screen recorder puts a lot of emphasis on ease of use by making the layout of this tool easy to navigate for both technical and non-technical individuals.
ScreenFlow
Screen Flow has a slightly outdated interface compared to Screen Studio however it has similar capabilities to its counterpart by combining screen recording and video editing functionalities. While this tool may not be as easy to navigate it has all the features you need to create high-quality screen-recorded videos. It lets you take HD screen recordings, and edit them similar to Screen Studio but on top of all the basic functionalities, it also has a built-in stock media library that makes video editing a lot easier.
Screen Studio vs ScreenFlow: Features Comparision
Now that you know the basic differences between Screen Studio and Screen Flow it is time to compare the features of both screen recorders. While they seem to offer similar features to each other the scope of their features varies. With that said here is how the features of Screen Studio and Screenflow compare:
User Interface
The user interface is the first thing users encounter when they load up a tool and try to navigate its features and functionalities. While both tools have plenty of features packed into their interfaces the way they both present those features varies.
Screen Studio has a much more modern-looking and well-arranged interface and it is very welcoming to inexperienced or newbie editors. On the other hand, ScreenFlow maintains a more classic look and its layout is also more suitable for experienced users. At the end of the day if you are an experienced video editor who knows their way around video editing tools you won’t find any issues using either of these tools. However, if you are a beginner then ScreenFlow screen recorder’s interface might not be as easy to navigate.
Screen Recording
Screen recording is the core functionality of both of these tools and therefore they both do a good job of capturing your screen in high quality. Both of these tools take full advantage of Apple’s retina display to record detailed screen recordings for video tutorials or entertainment purposes.
You can get a multi-device recording from both of these tools which lets you record your desktop screen, secondary monitor, mobile phone, mics, audio devices, or any other external device at the same time. Not to mention both of these tools can let you record either a selected portion or the entire screen. So in terms of screen recording features both of these tools are neck to neck.
Stock Media Library
A stock media library is a useful feature you can find in ScreenFlow that makes it easy to find images, audio, and video clips that you can add to the videos directly. While you can also add media to videos using Screen Studio this tool lacks a built-in stock media library. So you have to find the media to add to your videos through external sources while with ScreenFlow you get access to over 500,000 media items from within the tool’s interface. However, the stock media library comes at an extra cost with ScreenFlow so it might not be as attractive in terms of cost.
Video Editing
Video editing is one of the core features of both Screen Studio and ScreenFlow since both of these tools promise to be all-in-one screen recording and editing tools. As far as the basic editing is concerned you can perform actions such as trimming a video, adding annotations, voiceovers, and zoom-ins. However, Screen Studio automates video editing with default animations such as smoothing out the cursor movement, automatic zoom-in, and simple editing. So in terms of ease of video editing and automatic video enhancement is concerned Screen Studio has a clear edge here.
On the other hand, ScreenFlow has advanced editing features such as background removal, filters, blur and sharpen effects, color adjustment, and more.
Subtitles
Adding subtitles makes video tutorials and educational content easy to follow. Both tools let you add subtitles to your videos however with Screen Studio you can use AI to automatically generate subtitles for your video. On the other hand, ScreenFlow requires you to manually add subtitles by either typing them in or adding them through an external file.
Screen Studio vs ScreenFlow: Price Comparison
When it comes to comparing the prices of both Screen Studio and ScreenFlow both of these tools are priced completely differently from one another. While Screen Studio has two default plans with an additional Teams plan that you can activate via customer support ScreenFlow has three distinct plans to choose from. They both have free trial options their paid plans are available on a pay-once and use-forever basis and you won’t have to worry about renewing your subscription on a monthly or annual basis.
With that said here is a comparison between Screen Studio and ScreenFlow pricing plans:
Screen Studio
| Plan Name | Price |
|---|---|
| Standard | $89 |
| Extended | $189 |
| Teams | Not specified |
Related: Screen.Studio Coupon Codes
ScreenFlow
| Plan Name | Price |
|---|---|
| ScreenFlow | $169 |
| ScreenFlow Super Pak | $229 |
| ScreenFlow Super Pak+ | $259 |
One major difference in the pricing plans of both these tools is that Screen Studio lets users use a single license to run the tool on multiple macOS devices. On the other hand with ScreenFlow, you have to buy separate plans to run on multiple devices.
Similarly ScreenFlow Super Pak plan by ScreenFlow bundles in the Stock Media Library for an additional $60 along with all the basic features of the tool. So you don’t get any additional features with the ScreenFlow Super Pak plan other than the addition of the stock media library access. However, the ScreenFlow Super Pak+ plan gives you access to both stock media library and premium support.
On the other hand, all Screen Studio pricing plans have similar features to offer with the difference in the number of devices that can share the same account.
Screen Studio’s pricing plans are much more affordable compared to ScreenFlow in terms of pricing and the ability to share the same license across multiple devices. So in terms of affordability, Screen Studio is definitely the cheaper option.
Pros and Cons of Screen Studio and ScreenFlow
By now we have only compared the two screen recording tools based on their pricing, and features, and covered their similarities and differences. While the above comparisons should give you an idea about where both of these tools stand we are going to list the pros and cons of Screen Studio and ScreenFlow to make your buying decision easier. Without further ado here are the pros and cons of both these tools:
Pros and Cons of Screen Studio
Pros
- Screen Studio has a simple interface making it a beginner-friendly option
- Automatically smoothes cursor movement and applies automatic zoom to videos
- Simple editing options make video editing easier
- You can purchase Screen Studio for a lifetime period with an option to buy a license for multiple devices.
- Affordable pricing plans with up to 1 year of updates
Cons
- Only available for macOS
- Doesn’t offer comprehensive video editing
- Lacks inbuilt stock media library
Pros and cons of ScreenFlow
Pros
- Provides advanced screen recording and editing features ideal for experienced users
- The lightweight design allows ScreenFlow to run without taking up too many resources.
- Directly publish to YouTube, Vimeo, Wistia, Google Drive, and other platforms with recommended settings for each platform.
- Comes with an in-built stock media library
Cons
- The interface of ScreenFlow may seem outdated and complex
- Doesn’t offer modern graphics elements
- The price is higher than Screen Studio and other alternatives
- Charges extra for stock media library and priority customer support
Ideal Usage Scenarios For Screen Studio and ScreenFlow
While both Screen Studio and ScreenFlow target the same audience which is content creators, teachers, and business personnel they have slightly different ideal usage applications. Screen Studio tries to cater to a wide range of users with its AI integration, automated video enhancement, and simple editing features.
On the other hand, ScreenFlow has a slightly more complex layout which means it is better suited for those with some prior video editing experience. Not to mention this tool gives you advanced video editing options that give users full control over the output.
So even though you can use Screen Studio and ScreenFlow interchangeably in any screen recording and editing scenario it is best to use them in scenarios where they fit perfectly.
Things To Consider When Picking A Screen Recording Tool For macOS
If you are not sure what factors you need to keep in mind when choosing a screen recorder for macOS then here is a list of all the key factors to consider:
Video Quality
Ideally, you should look for a screen recording tool that supports 4K recording capabilities. A high-quality video output makes sure that your audience can watch and understand the content clearly.
Multi-device recording
If you will be using multiple devices such as multiple monitors, mics, or phones while recording your screen you need to choose a recorder that has multi-device support.
Editing options
Editing is an essential part of screen recording as it makes the raw screen recording presentable. It is best to pick a screen recorder that offers both screen recording and editing capabilities in a single package.
Ease of use
If you are buying a screen recorder to use for your projects then ease of usage should be a major factor when you are choosing a tool. The tool you are about to choose should be at par with your technical knowledge. Buying an overly complex tool would make it difficult for you to unlock its full potential.
Budget
At the end of the day, it all boils down to your budget for purchasing the screen recorder. It is best to set a budget that you can comfortably spend on a macOS screen recorder before buying it. Knowing how much you can spend on a screen recorder will make sure that you don’t go over your set budget.
Conclusion
The screen studio vs ScreenFlow debate often comes up when discussing screen recording tools for macOS. If you weren’t sure how these two tools compare then this article should give you an understanding of what to expect if you purchase either one.
With that said there is always the free trial option available for both of these tools so you can test the tools out before paying for the full version.