ActivePresenter vs ScreenPal (2026): which should you pick?

Pick ActivePresenter if

• Fits if you make software walkthroughs and want a one-time license, not a subscription
• Works for trainers who need SCORM or xAPI files and can pay for Pro

Look elsewhere if

• Skip it if you want to use the free edition commercially, as it is non-commercial only
• Pricey if you need SCORM, xAPI or HTML5: those are Pro at $499 per computer
• Tight if you use two machines, since each license covers one computer at a time
• Watch out: upgrades last a year, then a later major version costs 40% of the full price
• Watch out: perpetual licenses are refundable only for a wrong product or duplicate order within 7 days

Pick ScreenPal if

• Fits if you teach and want to record a lesson with a quiz in it for your LMS
• Works for training or support tutorials if $4 a month, billed annually, is your budget

Look elsewhere if

• Tight if you're staying free: each recording stops at 15 minutes, hosting at 10 videos and playback at 720p
• Not for you if you want the AI tools or more than 5 quizzes on Solo Deluxe, as both need Solo Max at $10 a month
• Watch out: the $4 and $10 prices are for annual billing, and monthly plans cost more
• Skip it if you're a team of two, because Team Business, with SSO and team management, needs at least 3 users

ActivePresenter

• The Free edition is for non-commercial use and puts a watermark on output that uses paid features.
• SCORM, xAPI and HTML5 export and interactive editing need Pro at $499.
• Licenses cover one computer at a time and include one year of upgrades; later major versions cost 40% of the full price.
• Perpetual licenses are non-refundable except a wrong product or duplicate order within 7 days; more AI credits cost extra.

ScreenPal

• The free plan limits each recording to 15 minutes and hosting to 10 videos.
• ScreenPal AI, including text-based editing and the AI video generator, needs Solo Max or a team plan.
• Listed prices are for annual payment; monthly subscriptions are offered at a higher rate.
• Team Business requires at least 3 creators, and SAML SSO and team management are limited to team plans.

ActivePresenter

Screen and webcam recording

Records the screen, webcam, microphone and system audio, with cursor styling and click sound effects for software tutorials.

Audio and video editing

Cut, split, crop, change speed and adjust volume; Standard adds blur, green screen, noise reduction and auto zoom.

Interactive eLearning courses

Pro builds quizzes with 14 question types, variables, conditions and branching scenarios.

LMS-ready exports

Pro exports to HTML5, SCORM 1.2, SCORM 2004 and xAPI, or publishes to the vendor's uPresenter LMS.

AI tools

AI Assistant, image generation, text to speech, auto captions and translation, paid by credits that licenses start with.

ScreenPal

Screen and webcam recorder

Record the full screen, a window or any area, with the webcam alone or as picture-in-picture. Draw and zoom while recording; no watermark is added on any plan.

Video editor

Cut, crop and combine clips, add text, shapes, animations, overlays, music and voiceover narration, and remove silences. The full editor starts with Solo Deluxe.

Screenshots and image editing

Capture screenshots, including scrolling and time-delayed ones, then annotate, blur or highlight them. The image editor with OCR text recognition is listed for Windows and Mac.

Hosting and channels

Host videos and images with folders, channels, password and privacy controls, scheduled publishing and custom thumbnails. Hosting is capped at 10 videos on the free plan.

Interactive video

Add quizzes, polls and ratings to a video and embed it in a learning management system or website. Free and Deluxe allow 5; Max and team plans are unlimited.

ScreenPal AI

Generates titles, summaries, captions, quiz questions and translated transcripts, and adds text-based editing, filler-word removal and an AI video generator. Included in Solo Max and Team Business.

ActivePresenter

• Free$0

  Screen recording and basic editing with no time limit; non-commercial use only, and no AI tools.

• Standard$249

  one-time, per computer

  Commercial use, advanced video effects, Smart Studio and AI tools with credits included; exports to video and documents.

• Pro$499

  one-time, per computer

  Adds interactive eLearning editing, Scenario Editor and exports to HTML5, SCORM 1.2/2004 and xAPI.

• Pro EDU$249

  one-time, per computer

  The full Pro edition for students, teachers, schools and nonprofits; approval is needed before buying.

ScreenPal

• Free$0

  Recordings up to 15 minutes, basic editing, screenshots, 10 hosted videos, 720p playback and 5 quizzes.

• Solo Deluxe$4

  per month, paid annually

  Unlimited recording time and hosting, the full video editor, storyboards, AI speech-to-text captions and standard stock media.

• Solo Max$10

  per month, paid annually

  Deluxe plus ScreenPal AI, auto-captions and transcriptions, AI text-to-speech, the AI video generator, premium stock media, 4K playback and unlimited quizzes.

• Team Business$8

  per user / month, paid annually (3 users minimum)

  Max features plus collaboration tools, team management, advanced integrations and SAML SSO. The plan card carries a 22% off label.

ActivePresenter

• Education

  Pro EDU: full Pro for $249

  Students, teachers, staff, schools and nonprofits get the Pro edition at half price after sending proof of eligibility.

• Other savings

  Volume discounts of 20% to 45%

  Buying two or more licenses cuts the price per license, from 20% for 2 to 5 licenses up to 45% for 50 or more.

ScreenPal

• Education

  Education plans from $3 a month

  ScreenPal's education plans page lists Deluxe Edu at $3 a month and Max Edu at $6 a month, paid annually, against $4 and $10 for the standard Solo plans.

• Annual discount

  Discounted annual subscriptions

  ScreenPal's plans FAQ says monthly subscriptions are available for the Solo plans and Team Business and describes the annual subscription pricing as discounted.