What’s the difference between the Mac’s built-in screen recording and ScreenFlowy?

The Mac’s built-in screen recording (the Screenshot app on ⇧⌘5, and QuickTime Player) is free, has nothing to install and captures the screen exactly as it is: fine for the occasional clip. ScreenFlowy builds on that and turns a recording into a finished video: when you stop, it adds camera moves that follow your clicks and sets up the background, rounded corners, shadow and webcam; it can also show the shortcuts you press and change the aspect ratio after recording, then export MP4 or GIF. For an occasional clip that needs no polish, the built-in tools are enough; for demos and tutorials other people will watch, use ScreenFlowy.

Facts checked on 8 October 2026 · Each app’s official site has the final word on prices and features

Use ScreenFlowy if you…

Make product demos, tutorials or promo videos for other people to watch
Want the camera to push in on your clicks automatically, so viewers see the point at a glance
Need your webcam on screen, keystroke display and a good-looking background
Need MP4 or GIF exports to post straight to any platform

Side by side

	ScreenFlowy	Mac built-in recording
Price	Free download; 480p and 720p exports free forever; 1080p and up, and GIF, need Pro: a one-time $49.99	Built into macOS, free
Account	No account, nothing uploaded	No account
Auto zoom on clicks	Yes	No
3D camera moves	Made automatically from clicks; switch any to 2D on the timeline	No
Cursor styling	Style, size, click effects and sounds, hide when idle	Can show the pointer and clicks
Show the shortcuts you press	Yes	No
Webcam	On its own track, with background removal and replacement	No
Background, corners, shadow	Yes	No
Record an iPhone (over a cable)	Yes	With QuickTime Player
Change aspect ratio after recording	Wide, vertical or square in one click	No
Editing	Cut clips and adjust camera moves and layouts on the timeline	Trim and split
Export	MP4 up to 4K at 60 fps, plus GIF	MOV, up to 4K; QuickTime can’t export MP4 or GIF directly

✓ means yes, — means no, and a half circle means partly.

What the built-in recording can do

Press ⇧⌘5 to open the Screenshot app, where you can record the entire screen or a selected portion and choose whether to record microphone audio and show the pointer. QuickTime Player can also record a connected iPhone, and then you can trim and split the recording and save it as a MOV file.

What ScreenFlowy adds

ScreenFlowy notes every click as you record, then builds camera moves automatically: a push-in, a follow and a pull-back, either steady 2D or 3D with tilt and perspective. The background, rounded corners and shadow are set up too.

Your webcam records to its own track and can be lifted out of the room and given a new background without a green screen. The cursor can take a new style, with click effects and sounds. The shortcuts you press appear on screen. After recording, you can switch to vertical or square, and the background, recording and webcam fall into place on their own. Finally, export an MP4 at up to 4K and 60 fps, or a GIF.

Price

The Mac’s built-in screen recording is completely free. ScreenFlowy is a free download, with every recording and editing feature included, and 480p and 720p exports are free forever, with no watermark; Pro, a one-time $49.99, unlocks 1080p and up, plus GIF.

Common questions

How do I record my screen on a Mac?

Press ⇧⌘5 to open the Screenshot toolbar, choose to record the entire screen or a selected portion, and click Record to start; click the Stop Recording button in the menu bar to finish. If you want the camera to push in on your clicks automatically, with a background and your webcam, you can use ScreenFlowy.

Can the Mac’s built-in screen recording capture system audio?

In Apple’s official documentation, the only sound option for screen recording is a microphone. ScreenFlowy can record the microphone and system audio at the same time, each on its own track.

Is ScreenFlowy free?

It’s a free download, with every recording and editing feature included, and 480p and 720p exports are free forever, with no watermark. Exporting at 1080p and up, or as a GIF, needs Pro: a one-time $49.99, not a subscription.

Can QuickTime recordings be exported as MP4?

QuickTime Player exports MOV files and can’t export MP4 directly. ScreenFlowy exports MP4 (H.264 or HEVC) directly, and GIF too.

Sources

macOS and QuickTime are trademarks of Apple Inc. ScreenFlowy is not affiliated with Apple. This page is based on Apple’s official support documentation and ScreenFlowy’s published information, checked on 8 October 2026. If you spot a mistake, please write to [email protected] and we’ll correct it as soon as we can.

Keep reading

Comparison