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Matte

Mac studio for polished app demos and screen recordings

Last verified July 2026 3 min read

What is Matte?

Matte product thumbnail

Matte is a native Mac video studio for app developers who need polished product demos without stitching together several tools. It records the iOS Simulator, connected iPhones and iPads, full screens, and individual Mac windows, then adds device frames, zooms, captions, gestures, backgrounds, and timeline edits in the same project. Matte requires macOS 15 on Apple Silicon, and its free version includes every feature with a small export watermark.

Why Matte works

A short app demo can turn into a long editing job when recording, device framing, captions, cursor cleanup, and export all happen in different tools. Matte keeps those steps in one local project, with captured interactions feeding directly into the editor, so a raw product walkthrough becomes a framed, captioned demo instead of a pile of clips passed between apps.

Matte features

  • Record software and real devices. Capture the iOS Simulator with cursor data, connect an iPhone or iPad over USB, or record a full screen or individual Mac window.
  • Build layered edits in one timeline. Trim, split, and stack up to 4 video tracks, 4 audio tracks, and 5 animated text tracks, with Auto Zoom available to follow the action.
  • Present apps inside accurate frames. Add bezels for iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch, then place tap and swipe indicators where the interaction happens.
  • Generate captions on the Mac. Whisper-powered transcription creates editable captions on the device, so recordings and transcripts are not uploaded.
  • Export video, GIF, and stills. Render custom sizes up to 4K in HEVC, H.264, ProRes, or GIF, including HEVC transparency, and export individual frames as PNG images.

Who Matte is for

  • Independent iOS developers making launch videos and App Store visuals who want recording and framing inside one Mac app.
  • Small product teams preparing release demos that combine an app window, live device footage, captions, and focused zooms.
  • Freelance designers and agencies producing commercial app walkthroughs for clients without uploading source recordings to a cloud editor.
  • Mac developers recording desktop software who need cursor styling, window capture, transparent backgrounds, and reusable visual presets.

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Frequently asked

Matte FAQ

Is there a free version?
Yes. The free version includes all editing, backgrounds, and 4K export features. Exports include a small watermark until the user upgrades.
What does Matte cost?
The paid options are $10 per month or $149 for lifetime access. Both remove the watermark, include Pro features, and allow use on up to 3 Macs. Team pricing is available for groups of 5 or more.
Which Macs can run Matte?
Matte requires macOS 15 Sequoia or later and is built for Apple Silicon.
Do recordings leave the Mac?
No. Recordings, projects, exports, and on-device caption generation stay on the Mac. Matte does not collect project files, recordings, analytics, or usage data.
Can Matte record a real iPhone or iPad?
Yes. A connected iPhone or iPad can be recorded over USB, including hardware-specific interactions such as Face ID and Dynamic Island.
Can the exports be used for client work?
Yes. The license covers commercial use, including freelance projects, agency work, and client deliverables. The creator keeps ownership of the exported content.