A Cap alternative with a calmer camera
Cap is an open-source screen recorder for Mac and Windows, with automatic zoom, local captions and optional cloud sharing. OnScreen works entirely on your computer and puts its effort into the edit, with a camera that holds still on the activity and more ways to point at things.
$29, one-time payment · Windows and Mac
Why people look for an alternative
- Zooms that follow every click can feel busy.
- You need arrows and spotlights in your tutorials.
- You prefer a workflow with no cloud at all.
What OnScreen adds
- Focus zoom, which frames the activity and holds it
- Spotlights in four styles, with arrows that draw themselves
- Whisper large-v3 captions transcribed on your computer
- Keystroke overlay, blur masks and click sounds
- Vertical 9:16 export with a split webcam
- Windows and Mac for $29, paid once
In short
OnScreen gives you a finished video with a steady camera, captions and highlights, made entirely on your machine, for $29 once.
Price
OnScreen- $29 once
- Cap Desktop License
- $58 once
Prices in USD before taxes, checked in September 2026. Plans change, so check each site for current terms.
Questions
Is OnScreen open source?
No. OnScreen is a paid app that you activate with a license key.
Does OnScreen upload my videos?
No. Recording, editing and export all happen on your computer.
Other comparisons
- Compare · OnScreen vsScreen StudioThe auto-zoom look, on Windows.
- Compare · OnScreen vsFocuSeeAuto zoom that holds still.
- Compare · OnScreen vsLoomFor videos that need to look finished.
- Compare · OnScreen vsCamtasiaPaid once, not every year.
- Compare · OnScreen vsOBS StudioRecord, and it already looks edited.
- Compare · OnScreen vsScreenFlowPolished screencasts on Windows.
Make your next tutorial one people watch to the end.
OnScreen for Windows and Mac, $29 paid once.
No account needed, and nothing gets uploaded.