# Screen Studio vs Filmagic: which is right for your launch video?

> Screen Studio makes beautiful screen recordings; Filmagic makes launch trailers from your product link. How they differ, what each costs, and when to use both.

Canonical: https://filmagic.app/blog/screen-studio-vs-filmagic
Last updated: 2026-10-21

Screen Studio and Filmagic both help you show off your product, but they solve different problems. Screen Studio makes your screen recordings look great. Filmagic turns your product into a finished launch trailer. Here is how to choose, and why many teams use both.

> **The short version:** use Screen Studio when the video is a walkthrough of you using the product. Use Filmagic when you need a short, branded launch trailer with titles, pacing and music, made from your link.

## How each one works

**Screen Studio** is a Mac app that records your screen and polishes it automatically: the cursor glides instead of jumping, the view zooms in where you click, and motion blur smooths it all out. You get a clean recording of you using the product.

**Filmagic** starts from your product link. It reads your site, writes the scenes, picks up your brand colours, fonts and logo, places your screenshots or recording, and cuts a launch trailer to music. You edit any scene and export for every platform.

## Side by side

| | Screen Studio | Filmagic |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Made for | Polished screen recordings | Launch trailers |
| Starting point | Recording your screen | Your product link |
| Story and titles | Up to you | Written for your product, editable |
| Brand colours and fonts | Background and styling you set | Picked up from your site |
| Music | Add your own | Cut to the scene changes |
| Formats | Export presets | 16:9, 9:16 and 1:1 from the same cut |
| Platform | Mac only | Web, any computer |
| Price | About $29/mo or $108/yr | Free tier, paid from $12/mo |

## When Screen Studio is the better choice

- You want to show a real flow, click by click: onboarding, a feature walkthrough, a tutorial.
- You are on a Mac and want recordings that look professional with almost no editing.
- The video is longer and explanatory rather than a short trailer.

## When Filmagic is the better choice

- You need a 15 to 60 second launch trailer for Product Hunt, X or LinkedIn.
- You want titles, pacing, music and brand styling done for you.
- You are not on a Mac, or you want versions for every platform from one edit.
- You launch often and want a new video each time without re-editing.

## Use them together

The best launch videos often combine both. Record a short flow in Screen Studio, then drop the recording into Filmagic. Filmagic builds the trailer around it, with a hook, your name, the recording as the product moment, and a clear ending, then exports every format.

## Frequently asked questions

### Is Filmagic a Screen Studio alternative?

Not exactly. Screen Studio records and polishes your screen; Filmagic makes a launch trailer from your product. Many teams use Screen Studio for the recording and Filmagic for the trailer.

### Does Screen Studio work on Windows?

No. Screen Studio is a Mac app. Filmagic runs in the browser on any computer.

### Can I use a screen recording in Filmagic?

Yes. Add a short screen recording and Filmagic uses its moments as scenes in your launch video.

### Which is cheaper?

Screen Studio is about $29 a month or $108 a year. Filmagic has a free tier and paid plans from $12 a month. Check both pricing pages for current details.

## Try it with your recording

[Try Filmagic free](https://filmagic.app/), or see the [best launch video makers in 2026](https://filmagic.app/blog/best-launch-video-makers) for more options.

*Screen Studio details are from published 2026 pricing guides and may have changed. Check screen.studio for current information.*

## Related

- [FlexClip vs Filmagic for launch videos: an all-round editor or a trailer from your link?](https://filmagic.app/blog/flexclip-vs-filmagic)
- [Fliki vs Filmagic for launch videos: a voiced explainer or a product trailer?](https://filmagic.app/blog/fliki-vs-filmagic)
- [VEED vs Filmagic for launch videos: an online editor or a trailer from your link?](https://filmagic.app/blog/veed-vs-filmagic)