OpenScreen is a new open-source project that enables anyone to create stunning product demos and walkthroughs without paying for expensive subscriptions or dealing with watermarks.
The project, created by developer siddharthvaddem, offers a free alternative to tools like Screen Studio ??which charges per month ??by providing the essential features most users need for professional demo creation.
Why OpenScreen Exists
The developer explains in the GitHub repository: “If you don’t want to pay /month for Screen Studio but want a much simpler version that does what most people seem to need, making beautiful product demos and walkthroughs, here’s a free-to-use app for you.”
The project has already gained significant traction, with over 15,000 stars on GitHub and 2,496 stars earned in a single day, indicating strong community interest in a free alternative to commercial demo tools.
Key Features for Demo Creation
OpenScreen comes packed with features designed specifically for creating polished product demonstrations:
- Screen Recording ??Record your whole screen or specific windows with ease
- Automatic and Manual Zooms ??Add professional zoom effects with customizable depth levels
- Audio Capture ??Record microphone audio and system audio simultaneously
- Customizable Zoom Positioning ??Control exactly where and how long zooms appear
- Background Customization ??Choose between wallpapers, solid colors, gradients, or custom backgrounds
- Motion Blur ??Apply smooth blur effects for more professional pan and zoom transitions
- Annotations ??Add text, arrows, and images to highlight important elements
- Video Trimming ??Remove unwanted sections from recordings
- Speed Control ??Adjust playback speed at different segments
- Multiple Export Options ??Choose between different aspect ratios and resolutions
Cross-Platform Support
OpenScreen is built using Electron, React, TypeScript, and Vite, making it available across all major operating systems:
macOS: Requires macOS 13 or later. On macOS 14.2+, users will be prompted to grant audio capture permission. Note that macOS 12 and earlier does not support system audio recording.
Windows: Works out of the box without any additional configuration.
Linux: Requires PipeWire (default on Ubuntu 22.04+ and Fedora 34+). Older PulseAudio-only setups may not support system audio.
Getting Started
For macOS users who encounter Gatekeeper blocking the app (since it doesn’t come with a developer certificate), the developer provides a simple workaround using the terminal:
xattr -rd com.apple.quarantine /Applications/Openscreen.app
After running this command, users need to grant necessary permissions for screen recording and accessibility in System Preferences.
Licensing and Commercial Use
OpenScreen is 100% free for both personal and commercial use. The project is licensed under the MIT License, meaning users can modify, distribute, and even build upon it without paying anything or asking for permission.
“Use it, modify it, distribute it,” the developer notes. “Just be cool and give a shoutout if you feel like it!”
Community-Driven Development
The project welcomes contributions from the open-source community. Those interested in contributing can check the open issues and project roadmap to understand the current direction and find ways to help improve the application.
The Democratization of Professional Tools
OpenScreen represents a broader trend in the software industry where open-source alternatives are challenging paid solutions. By removing the financial barrier to entry, projects like OpenScreen enable solo developers, small startups, and anyone else to create professional-quality content without significant investment.
In an era where product demos and walkthroughs have become essential for marketing, customer onboarding, and documentation, having free access to professional creation tools levels the playing field for creators across all budget levels.