Zumie vs OpenScreen

An OpenScreen Alternative That Runs in Your Browser

Want Screen Studio style auto zoom without a desktop install, on any computer including Chromebooks? Zumie is a Chrome extension with auto zoom, custom cursors and a keyboard overlay.

No account needed. Free forever with optional paid upgrade.

Zumie vs OpenScreen

An honest, side-by-side comparison to help you choose the right tool for your needs.

Feature
Zumie
OpenScreen
Price
Free with watermark, $49 once for Pro
Free, open source (MIT)
Maintenance
Actively developed, regular releases
Original repo archived June 2026, community fork continues
Installation
Chrome extension from the Chrome Web Store
Desktop app (Homebrew, winget, AppImage)
ChromeOS
Yes
No
Automatic zoom
Frames what you click, zooms out while you scroll
Auto zoom following the cursor, manual zooms
Cursor and click effects
Custom cursor, ripple/ring/burst, drag trails
Cursor size, smoothing, click effects
Keyboard shortcut overlay
3D keys with Mac or Windows labels
No
Watermark
Small watermark on the free plan
None
GIF export and captions
No
Yes
Records desktop apps
Screen and window capture, auto zoom best in Chrome tabs
Yes, native on Mac and Windows

The Price Difference

ZUMIE
$49

One-time payment, yours forever

  • All features included
  • Lifetime updates
  • No watermark
Get Lifetime Access

7-day money-back guarantee

OPENSCREEN
$0

Free and open source

Zumie's free plan also allows commercial use. $49 once removes the watermark.

Why People Switch to Zumie

Features that make your recordings stand out — without the complexity.

Actively developed by an indie developer who answers support emails

Installs in seconds from the Chrome Web Store, works on Chromebooks and work laptops

Auto zoom that knows what you clicked in the tab

Keyboard shortcut overlay with Mac or Windows labels

Free plan with commercial use, $49 once to remove the watermark

When OpenScreen Might Be Better

OpenScreen is a free, open source desktop screen recorder for Mac, Windows and Linux, built as a Screen Studio alternative. We believe in honest comparisons — here are the areas where OpenScreen has the edge.

OpenScreen Strengths

  • Completely free and open source, no watermark, commercial use allowed
  • Native recording on Mac and Windows, records any app
  • GIF export, on-device captions, annotations and blur
  • Huge GitHub following

OpenScreen Drawbacks

  • The original repository was archived in June 2026, development moved to a community fork
  • Desktop install, no ChromeOS, and a browser-based pipeline on Linux
  • No keyboard shortcut overlay
  • Open source support: no one is on the hook when something breaks

Who Should Pick Zumie Over OpenScreen?

Pick Zumie if you record in the browser, can't install desktop apps, use a Chromebook, or want a maintained product with support. Pick OpenScreen if you want free and open source and record desktop apps.

How to Switch From OpenScreen

Getting started with Zumie takes under a minute.

1

Install Zumie

Add it from the Chrome Web Store. No account, no app download.

2

Record a tab

Click the Zumie icon, choose mic and webcam, and record.

3

Tweak the zooms

Auto zooms are already on your clicks. Pick a cursor and click style.

4

Export

Download an MP4 or create a share link.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is OpenScreen still maintained?

The original OpenScreen repository on GitHub was archived in June 2026 and is read-only. A community fork continues development.

Why pay for Zumie if OpenScreen is free?

If OpenScreen works well for you, keep using it. Zumie is for people who want a browser extension instead of a desktop app, who are on a Chromebook, or who want a keyboard overlay and an actively maintained product with support. The free plan lets you compare without paying.

Does Zumie have a watermark?

The free plan adds a small watermark. The $49 one-time license removes it.

Can Zumie record desktop apps?

Yes, you can record your screen or a window. Auto zoom works best on Chrome tabs, where Zumie knows exactly what you clicked.

Ready to Make Beautiful Recordings?

Install Zumie for free and see the difference automatic zoom makes. No signup, no credit card, no commitment.

Free forever planNo account needed7-day money-back guarantee