The FocuSee alternative that's yours for $19
FocuSee is a cross-platform auto-zoom recorder for Mac and Windows, with AI features. Smooth Recorder is a native Mac app that records demos with automatic zooms and a smooth cursor, and also takes screenshots, scrolling captures and text. Here's how they compare, feature by feature and dollar by dollar.
Why people look for a FocuSee alternative
- It's a subscription from $19.99 a month or $49.99 a year; the $199.99 lifetime option covers version 2.x.
- AI features use credits on top of the plan.
- No screenshot tools, scrolling capture or text capture.
Where FocuSee is the better pick
- It runs on both macOS and Windows.
- It can take filler words out of a recording for you.
We make Smooth Recorder, so weigh this page accordingly. We've tried to be fair.
At a glance
Smooth Recorder
- Price
- $19 once during early access, $69 regular. No subscription.
- Platform
- A native macOS app built in SwiftUI and AppKit, for macOS 15 and later.
- Best for
- Polished demos and everyday screenshots, from one native Mac app.
FocuSee
- Price
- From $19.99 a month or $49.99 a year. A $199.99 lifetime option covers version 2.x. AI features use credits.
- Platform
- A cross-platform desktop app for macOS and Windows.
- Best for
- People who record on both Mac and Windows and want AI features.
From focusee.imobie.com, September 2026.
What you'd pay
List prices as of September 2026, before tax, for one person. Over three years that's $130.97 kept, next to FocuSee's yearly plan.
| Plan | After 1 year | After 3 years |
|---|---|---|
| Smooth Recorder, one time | $19 | $19 |
| FocuSee, yearly plan | $49.99 | $149.97 |
| FocuSee, lifetime (v2.x) | $199.99 | $199.99 |
Feature by feature
| Feature | Smooth Recorder | FocuSee |
|---|---|---|
| Auto-zoom on your clicks | ||
| Smooth cursor | ||
| Captions made on your Mac | ||
| Cut by editing the transcript | Fillers only | |
| Screenshots with an editor | ||
| Scrolling capture | ||
| Copy text from the screen | ||
| GIF export | ||
| Native Mac app | Cross-platform | |
| Pay once, no subscription | Lifetime tier |
Where they differ
Cut by editing the transcript
Smooth Recorder: Delete words in the transcript to cut the video; ums and uhs go in one click. FocuSee: partly (fillers only).
Screenshots with an editor
Smooth Recorder: Screenshots open in an editor with arrows, text, blur, crop and Smart Redact. FocuSee: no.
Scrolling capture
Smooth Recorder: Scroll a page and get one tall screenshot, with sticky headers kept once. FocuSee: no.
Copy text from the screen
Smooth Recorder: Copy the text inside any area of the screen, recognised on your Mac. FocuSee: no.
Native Mac app
Smooth Recorder: Built in SwiftUI and AppKit, with no browser or web wrapper. FocuSee: partly (cross-platform).
Pay once, no subscription
Smooth Recorder: One payment. No subscription and no account. FocuSee: partly (lifetime tier).
What both do
- Auto-zoom on your clicks.
- Smooth cursor.
- Captions made on your Mac.
- GIF export.
Switching from FocuSee takes a minute
- 1Keep FocuSee for anything you've already made. Smooth Recorder doesn't need your old projects.
- 2Install Smooth Recorder, press ⌥1, pick an area or a window and press R to record.
- 3Stop, and Studio has already added the zooms, the smooth cursor and the background. Captions are one click.
Questions about FocuSee and Smooth Recorder
What's the best FocuSee alternative for Mac?
If you want polished recordings plus screenshots in one native Mac app without a subscription, Smooth Recorder is a strong pick: auto-zoom, a smooth cursor, on-device captions, screenshots, scrolling capture and text, for $19 once during early access. FocuSee is still the better fit for people who record on both Mac and Windows and want AI features.
How much cheaper is Smooth Recorder than FocuSee?
Over three years, FocuSee (yearly plan) comes to about $149.97, from its prices as of September 2026. Smooth Recorder is one payment of $19 during early access ($69 regular), with no subscription.
Does Smooth Recorder remove filler words like FocuSee?
Yes. Captions are transcribed on your Mac, and filler words like um and uh go in one click. You can also delete any word in the transcript to cut the video there.
Do my recordings leave my Mac?
No. Smooth Recorder saves recordings on your Mac, and captions, text recognition and redaction all run on your Mac too.
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Comparisons
Compare with other apps
- Screen Studio alternative
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FocuSee details are from its own website, September 2026; check there for the latest. Smooth Recorder details are from the app itself. Names are trademarks of their owners; we're not affiliated.
Your next demo, without the editing.
Record it once. The zooms, cursor and polish are done when you stop.
$19 onceNo subscriptionDownload for Mac