Penbeam vs ScreenFlow — which is better for recording lessons? (2026)
An honest comparison by the Penbeam team · Updated June 2026
Note: Penbeam is our own product — we try to keep this objective.
ScreenFlow is a long-standing Mac record-and-edit tool with a strong editor for polished tutorials — but it's Mac-only, a fairly pricey one-time purchase, and the editor takes some learning. If you want Mac + Windows, accurate subtitles, one-click filler-word removal and something simpler and cheaper, Penbeam fits teaching better.
Feature comparison
| Feature | Penbeam | ScreenFlow |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | Mac / Windows | Mac only |
| Screen + webcam recording | ✓ | ✓ |
| Built-in editor | ✓ | ✓ strong (multitrack/animation) |
| Live annotation (draw while recording) | ✓ | — annotate in post |
| Zoom-to-focus | ✓ live | ✓ keyframed |
| Subtitle generation | ✓ whisper, offline | weak / manual |
| One-click remove silences / filler words | ✓ | — |
| Price | Free + Pro $39.99/yr | one-time ~$169 (Mac only) |
Last checked: June 2026. Features change — corrections welcome.
Choose Penbeam if…
ScreenFlow is Mac-only. Penbeam runs on both, with the same features.
ScreenFlow’s captioning is manual and it has no "remove filler words". Penbeam generates subtitles locally and removes dead air and "um/uh" in one click.
ScreenFlow is a pricey one-time buy with a pro editor. Penbeam is $39.99/year, built for teaching, no editing skills needed.
Choose ScreenFlow if…
ScreenFlow’s editor — multitrack, animation, keyframed callouts — is great for highly produced tutorials, bought once.
If you like timeline multitrack editing and motion effects, ScreenFlow’s mature editor suits you more than Penbeam’s simplicity.
Pricing
| Penbeam Free | Penbeam Pro | ScreenFlow | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Platform | Mac/Win | Mac/Win | Mac only |
| Subtitles / filler removal | ✓ / — | ✓ / ✓ | weak / — |
| Price | Free | $39.99/yr | ~$169 one-time |
ScreenFlow is a solid Mac record-and-edit tool for polished tutorials, but Mac-only, pricey and with weaker subtitles. Penbeam is cross-platform, teaching-focused, with offline subtitles and one-click clean-up.
FAQ
Does ScreenFlow run on Windows?
No — ScreenFlow is Mac-only. Penbeam supports both Mac and Windows.
Does ScreenFlow auto-generate subtitles?
Its captioning is largely manual. Penbeam generates subtitles locally with whisper, editable in the app.
ScreenFlow or Penbeam for lectures?
For Mac-only polished tutorials with pro editing, ScreenFlow. For cross-platform recording with subtitles and one-click clean-up, Penbeam.
How much is ScreenFlow vs Penbeam?
ScreenFlow is a ~$169 one-time purchase (Mac only). Penbeam has a free tier and Pro from $39.99/year.
Record your next class with Penbeam
Free download. Record an annotated, captioned lecture in minutes.