The ActivePresenter Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about ActivePresenter in one document: what it costs, its grades, getting a refund, getting help and what else to look at. Read it here, or keep a copy.
ActivePresenter
The Insider’s Guide
Screen recorder, video editor and eLearning authoring tool
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among screen recording and video tools, read from ActivePresenter’s own pages.
Made by Atomi Systems · checked Nov 13, 2026 · toolgpa.com
Contents
- 01WelcomeWhat it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
- 02What it costsEvery plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
- 03What it doesIts main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
- 04Where it standsIts grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
- 05The alternativesThe tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
- 06Quick answersThe questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
- 07About ToolGPAWho made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
ToolGPA put this guide together from ActivePresenter’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on ActivePresenter’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Nov 13, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
2.2
GPA, above 42 of the 133 other screen recording and video tools we grade
ActivePresenter, from Atomi Systems, combines a screen recorder, a video editor and an eLearning authoring tool for Windows and macOS. It records software walkthroughs, then exports to video, PDF and Office files, and in the Pro edition to HTML5, SCORM and xAPI. It is licensed once per computer, not by subscription.
To get you started, here are 9 things to know about ActivePresenter, taken from its own pages and our grades.
Recording is quick, but the quiz and branching editor takes time to learn.
- 1
Best for screen recordings that become e-learning courses
ActivePresenter records the screen, edits the video and, on Pro, exports SCORM and HTML5 courses on a one-time license.
- 2
What it costs
Paid plans start at $249 one-time, per computer.
- 3
There is a free plan
Free edition with no time limit, for trial and non-commercial use only; output that uses paid features carries a watermark.
- 4
It runs on 2 platforms
Windows and macOS.
- 5
Screen and webcam recording
Records the screen, webcam, microphone and system audio, with cursor styling and click sound effects for software tutorials.
- 6
Audio and video editing
Cut, split, crop, change speed and adjust volume; Standard adds blur, green screen, noise reduction and auto zoom.
- 7
Interactive eLearning courses
Pro builds quizzes with 14 question types, variables, conditions and branching scenarios.
- 8
A 2.2 GPA, above 42 of 133
That is against the other screen recording and video tools we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 9
Keep it
To replace ActivePresenter you would be making a video editor. That is not a weekend's work, with an AI app builder or without one.
ActivePresenter at a glance
- Pricing
- Free plan, from $249 one-time, per computer
- Free plan
- Yes
- Free trial
- None stated
- Runs on
- macOS, Windows
- Made by
- Atomi Systems
- Category
- Screen Recording & Video
- Our grade
- 2.2 GPA, fair
The report card
Best for screen recordings that become e-learning courses
ActivePresenter records the screen, edits the video and, on Pro, exports SCORM and HTML5 courses on a one-time license. Commercial use starts at $249 per computer, the e-learning exports need $499, and later major versions cost 40% of full price.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | C | Standard is $249 once per computer, under two years of a typical $14 subscription. But SCORM, xAPI and HTML5 export need Pro at $499, which is what most buyers come for. |
| Free plan and trial | C | The free edition has no time limit but is for non-commercial use, and output using paid features carries a watermark. No trial on record. |
| Features | B | Records screen, webcam and audio, edits video, builds quizzes with 14 question types and exports to LMS formats. AI tools run on credits, and more credits cost extra. |
| Ease of use | C | No store rating on record. Recording is quick, but the quiz and branching editor takes time to learn. |
| Platforms and integrations | C | Windows and Mac programs only. PowerPoint and the vendor's own uPresenter LMS are the only integrations listed. |
An A is worth 4 points, a B 3, a C 2, a D 1 and an F nothing. The GPA is the average of the five.
Who ActivePresenter is for
- 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
Who it is not for
- 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
Good to know
Good for
- Trainers who want a one-time license for software tutorials
- Instructional designers who need SCORM or xAPI output
- Schools and nonprofits eligible for the EDU price
Worth knowing
- 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.
Part 02 · Pricing
What it costs
Every plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
$249 one-time
To start. There is a free plan too
ActivePresenter has a free plan. Paid plans start at $249 one-time, per computer.
The free edition has no time limit but is for non-commercial use, and output using paid features carries a watermark.
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.
The free plan
Free edition with no time limit, for trial and non-commercial use only; output that uses paid features carries a watermark.
Read from atomisystems.com on Nov 13, 2026.
Ways to pay less
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.
Stated on atomisystems.comOther 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.
Stated on atomisystems.com
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
2
Places it runs: macOS and Windows
Screen recorder, video editor and eLearning authoring tool. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: one-time purchase, AI features, screen recording, video editing, presentations, online courses.
AI tools run on credits, and more credits cost extra.
- 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.
Where it runs
- macOS
- Windows
What it works with
- PowerPoint
- uPresenter
ActivePresenter is made by Atomi Systems.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
42/133
Other screen recording and video tools it is graded above
ActivePresenter's GPA of 2.2 is higher than 42 of the 133 other screen recording and video tools we grade, and level with 23.
It stands best on features (B, above 78 of 133) and worst on ease of use (C, above 2).
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 134 screen recording and video tools we grade, cut by the letter each got. ActivePresenter’s own letter is outlined.
- CValue for moneyAbove 20 of 133
- CFree plan and trialAbove 24 of 133
- BFeaturesAbove 78 of 133
- CEase of useAbove 2 of 133
- CPlatforms and integrationsAbove 17 of 133
Keep it, or make your own?
Whether this is something you could build for yourself with an AI app builder, and what you would give up.
Keep it
To replace ActivePresenter you would be making a video editor. That is not a weekend's work, with an AI app builder or without one.
That makes this kind of software worth paying for, not this one in particular: 68 of the 133 other screen recording and video tools grade higher. It costs $249, paid once.
What you could make
- Online courses: an app builder makes this well.
What you could not
- A video editor.
- Recording the screen with its sound, and somewhere to keep the video.
- A slide editor.
- A real app for macOS and Windows. Something home-made would be a web page.
- AI features, unless you pay a model provider for each request yourself.
- The depth: we grade its features B, which means it covers the whole job.
What this rests on. ActivePresenter’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.
Part 05 · Alternatives
The alternatives
The tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
Camtasia, Camtasia Snagit, ScreenPal, OBS Studio and FlashBack
The 5 tools ActivePresenter is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 2.4GPA
Camtasia
Free plan · from $39/yr
Screen recorder and video editor for tutorials and training videos.
- Only Camtasia lists a web app.
- ActivePresenter can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- ActivePresenter also covers presentations and online courses.
- 2.4GPA
Camtasia Snagit
Free trial · from $39/yr
Screen capture and recording tool with annotation and step guides.
- ActivePresenter has a free plan. Camtasia Snagit does not, though it has a free trial.
- ActivePresenter can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- ActivePresenter also covers video editing, presentations and online courses.
- 3.0GPA
ScreenPal
Free plan · from $4/mo
Screen recorder, video editor and video hosting in one low-cost suite.
- Only ScreenPal lists a web app.
- Only ScreenPal lists iOS and Android apps.
- Only ScreenPal lists a browser extension.
- 2.8GPA
OBS Studio
Free
Free, open-source software for video recording and live streaming.
- Only OBS Studio lists a Linux app.
- ActivePresenter can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- OBS Studio is open source, according to its own site.
- 2.8GPA
FlashBack
Free plan · from $29/yr
Windows screen recorder with a built-in video editor.
- Only ActivePresenter lists a macOS app.
- ActivePresenter also covers presentations and online courses.
- FlashBack also covers transcription.
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
13
Questions, each answered in a line or two
The short version of everything above, for when you only need the answer. Each one is told in full in its part of the guide.
Is ActivePresenter free?
ActivePresenter has a free plan. Free edition with no time limit, for trial and non-commercial use only; output that uses paid features carries a watermark.
How much does ActivePresenter cost?
ActivePresenter lists 4 plans. Free: $0.
What platforms does ActivePresenter work on?
ActivePresenter is available on Windows and macOS.
Does ActivePresenter offer any discounts?
ActivePresenter publicly lists the following: Pro EDU: full Pro for $249; Volume discounts of 20% to 45%.
Does ActivePresenter have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. ActivePresenter is listed for Windows and macOS.
Does ActivePresenter have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. ActivePresenter is listed for Windows and macOS.
Is ActivePresenter open source?
ActivePresenter is not described as open source on its own site, as read on Nov 13, 2026.
What does ActivePresenter integrate with?
ActivePresenter's listing names PowerPoint and uPresenter. A listing names up to eight integrations, so it may connect to more.
Does ActivePresenter have a student discount?
Pro EDU: full Pro for $249. Students, teachers, staff, schools and nonprofits get the Pro edition at half price after sending proof of eligibility.
Who makes ActivePresenter?
ActivePresenter is made by Atomi Systems.
What are the alternatives to ActivePresenter?
The closest alternatives to ActivePresenter in our directory are Camtasia, Camtasia Snagit, ScreenPal, OBS Studio and FlashBack.
How does ActivePresenter compare with other screen recording and video tools?
ActivePresenter's GPA of 2.2 is higher than 42 of the 133 other screen recording and video tools we grade, and level with 23.
Could I make my own version of ActivePresenter?
To replace ActivePresenter you would be making a video editor. That is not a weekend's work, with an AI app builder or without one.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from ActivePresenter’s own pages on Nov 13, 2026, and the grades were given on Nov 13, 2026. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from Atomi Systems's own pages on 13 November 2026. Not based on using the product, and shorter than our full reviews.
Every tool we list gets five grades, A to F, each with its reason, and a GPA that averages them. How each is decided is at toolgpa.com/grades. This guide is ToolGPA’s own work; it is not made, paid for or approved by Atomi Systems. Prices change, so check atomisystems.com before you buy.
Part 07 · About
About ToolGPA
Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
7,721
Tools graded, in 95 categories
ToolGPA grades software the way a school report grades a pupil: five subjects, a letter for each with the reason written beside it, and a GPA that averages them. Prices, plans and platforms are read from each maker’s own pages and dated, so you always know how fresh a figure is.
Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Every tool on the site has a guide like this one, free to download and pass on. It all lives at toolgpa.com.
7,721
tools graded
95
categories
739
price changes on record
579
apps priced in 12 countries
What else is on toolgpa.com
- ActivePresenter, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/activepresenter
- How grades are givenThe rules behind every letter and every GPAtoolgpa.com/grades
- Value chartsWhat each tool costs against what it scores, for every categorytoolgpa.com/charts
- CompareAny two tools side by side, plan by plantoolgpa.com/compare
- Price changesEvery price rise and cut on record, each with its sourcetoolgpa.com/price-changes
- Prices by countryWhat apps cost on the App Store in 12 countriestoolgpa.com/prices-by-country
- Pay lessEvery public discount: yearly billing, students, nonprofitstoolgpa.com/save
- Keep or makeWhich tools are worth paying for, and which you could build yourselftoolgpa.com/keep-or-make
Scan for the live page
Prices and grades as they are today
Quoting this guide?
Please name ToolGPA and link to the live page, so readers can check the figures for themselves:
ToolGPA, "ActivePresenter: The Insider's Guide", checked Nov 13, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/activepresenter
Know someone choosing between screen recording and video tools?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/activepresenter/guide
ToolGPA elsewhere: youtube.com/@toolgpa
See our other guides
The best-graded screen recording and video tools after ActivePresenter, each with an Insider's Guide of its own.
- Screen Recording & Video Insider's GuideEvery one of the 134 screen recording and video tools we grade, compared
- DaVinci Resolve Insider's GuideVideo editing, color, effects and audio post-production in one app3.4 GPA
- Zencastr Insider's GuideFree podcast recording, chat-based editing and hosting in one app3.4 GPA
- Cap Insider's GuideOpen-source screen recorder with instant share links and an editor3.2 GPA
Choosing software? Every tool graded, every price dated.
Compare tools at toolgpa.com ›Everything in this guide is ToolGPA’s own summary of what ActivePresenter’s pages, its app-store listings and public reviews said on the dates shown. Grades are our judgement under the rules at toolgpa.com/grades. Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. ActivePresenter is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by Atomi Systems. Prices and plans change: check atomisystems.com before you buy.