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Video Production · head to head

Cavalry vs ScreenFlow

Cavalry logo

Cavalry

Video Production

Real-time 2D animation and motion graphics software

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
ScreenFlow logo

ScreenFlow

Video Production

Mac-only screen recording and editing sold as a one-time purchase

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Cavalry has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Cavalry requires Canva account for access; ScreenFlow it runs on macOS only, so a mixed fleet cannot standardise on it and project files cannot be handed to a Windows colleague in any form.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 31 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Cavalry and ScreenFlow actually diverge.

Attributes where Cavalry and ScreenFlow differ
AttributeCavalryScreenFlow
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelfreemiumOne-time purchase
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWebmacOS

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Video Production).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Cavalry

Nothing recorded that ScreenFlow does not also cover.

Only in ScreenFlow

  • Screen and device capture
  • Callouts
  • Animated zoom and pan
  • Caption authoring
  • Stock media library
  • Direct publishing

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Cavalry

  • Professional 2D animation and motion graphicsnot ScreenFlow
  • Data-driven animation from spreadsheetsnot ScreenFlow
  • Procedural rigging and character animationnot ScreenFlow
  • Web animation export with Lottie formatnot ScreenFlow
  • Educational animation projectsnot ScreenFlow

ScreenFlow

  • Producing a paid online course where a recurring software subscription would erode the marginnot Cavalry
  • Recording software tutorials for a support knowledge base on a fixed annual budgetnot Cavalry
  • Capturing an iOS app demonstration directly from a connected device without a screen mirroring workaroundnot Cavalry
  • Training teams who need captioned, annotated walkthroughs without a full editing suitenot Cavalry

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Cavalry

  • Requires Canva account for access
  • Enterprise pricing requires sales contact
  • Legacy Scene Group licenses not eligible for free tier
  • Updates only available through Canva version

ScreenFlow

  • It runs on macOS only, so a mixed fleet cannot standardise on it and project files cannot be handed to a Windows colleague in any form.
  • Each major version is a paid upgrade rather than an included update, so the one-time purchase is in practice a purchase every eighteen months to two years if you want current macOS compatibility.
  • New macOS releases have repeatedly broken screen and audio capture until an update arrives, which is a scheduling risk for anyone recording to a publication calendar.
  • Media lives inside a project bundle that grows quickly and there is no real media management, so a long-running series consumes disk with no straightforward way to consolidate or relink.
  • It is a recorder with an editor attached; multicam, colour work and audio repair beyond simple cleanup all require a proper non-linear editor.

Pricing, plan by plan

Cavalry

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Fully featured 2D animation software
    • No restrictions for individuals
  • Enterprise$null/custom
    • Available through Canva Enterprise
    • Available through Canva Education
    • SSO access

ScreenFlow

On request
  • ScreenFlow$undefined/year
    • Perpetual licence for one major version
    • Screen, camera and device capture
    • Full editing timeline

Which should you pick?

Choose Cavalry if

  • You want to start without paying.
Cavalry review

Choose ScreenFlow if

  • You need screen and device capture.
  • You work on macOS.
  • You also want callouts.
ScreenFlow review

Questions people ask

Is Cavalry or ScreenFlow better?
Neither clearly leads. Cavalry starts at Free and ScreenFlow at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Cavalry or ScreenFlow?
Cavalry has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Cavalry and On request for ScreenFlow.
Does Cavalry or ScreenFlow run on more platforms?
Cavalry runs on Web. ScreenFlow runs on macOS.
Can I use Cavalry for free?
Yes. Cavalry has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. ScreenFlow starts at On request.
What is Cavalry best used for?
Cavalry is most often used for professional 2d animation and motion graphics, data-driven animation from spreadsheets, procedural rigging and character animation, web animation export with lottie format. Of those, professional 2d animation and motion graphics and data-driven animation from spreadsheets are not what ScreenFlow is typically brought in for.
What can Cavalry do that ScreenFlow cannot?
ScreenFlow covers Screen and device capture, Callouts, Animated zoom and pan, Caption authoring.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Cavalry: Is Cavalry free to use?

Yes, Cavalry is completely free to download and use with full professional features. No restrictions, payment, or registration fees required.

Source
ScreenFlow: Is it a subscription?

No. The application is bought outright. Major version upgrades are charged separately, and the optional stock media library is a subscription.

Cavalry: Do I need a Canva account to use Cavalry?

Yes, users must have a Canva account to access Cavalry, which provides access to the software and other Canva products.

Source
ScreenFlow: Will it ever run on Windows?

No. It is a macOS application and Telestream has never shipped a Windows version.

Cavalry: What licensing options does Cavalry offer for organizations?

Enterprise and Educational accounts are available through Canva Enterprise or Canva Education with SSO authentication. Interested parties should contact the sales team for details.

Source
ScreenFlow: How does it compare with Camtasia on cost?

Both are bought rather than rented and both charge for major upgrades. ScreenFlow is Mac only; Camtasia runs on both platforms, which usually decides it for a mixed team.

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