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Browser Extensions · head to head

React Developer Tools vs Screencastify

React Developer Tools logo

React Developer Tools

Browser Extensions

Debug React applications in your browser

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Screencastify logo

Screencastify

LMS

Simple video creation for everyone

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: React Developer Tools react Developer Tools is only available as a Chrome browser extension. No support for other browsers mentioned.; Screencastify limited to Chrome browser only, cannot record on Firefox, Safari, or Edge
  • They diverge on capability: React Developer Tools covers Component inspection, Screencastify covers Screen recording.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which React Developer Tools and Screencastify actually diverge.

Attributes where React Developer Tools and Screencastify differ
AttributeReact Developer ToolsScreencastify
Pricing modelfreefreemium
PlatformsChrome, Firefox, EdgeChrome Browser
CategoryBrowser ExtensionsLMS
Founded20042013

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated).

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 React Developer Tools

  • Component inspection
  • Props/State viewing
  • Performance profiler
  • Hooks debugging
  • Firefox support

Only in Screencastify

  • Screen recording
  • Video editing
  • Drawing tools
  • Google Drive export

Both cover

  • Chrome support
  • Edge support

What people use each for

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

React Developer Tools

  • Debugging React components during developmentnot Screencastify
  • Inspecting component state and propsnot Screencastify
  • Performance profiling of React applicationsnot Screencastify

Screencastify

  • Recording lessons for flipped classroom instruction without external toolsnot React Developer Tools
  • Creating product demos and explainer videos for sales teamsnot React Developer Tools
  • Documenting technical processes for customer support tutorialsnot React Developer Tools
  • Collecting and grading video assignments from students with rubricsnot React Developer Tools
  • Adding interactive assessments to video content to measure understandingnot React Developer Tools

Where each one falls short

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

React Developer Tools

  • React Developer Tools is only available as a Chrome browser extension. No support for other browsers mentioned.

Screencastify

  • Limited to Chrome browser only, cannot record on Firefox, Safari, or Edge
  • Free version watermark appears on all videos and requires upgrade to remove
  • Free tier limited to 10 videos total before requiring paid plan
  • Maximum 1080p resolution at 30fps, no support for higher framerates or 4K
  • No free educator license for educational institutions

Pricing, plan by plan

React Developer Tools

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Component tree
    • Props inspection
    • State tracking

Screencastify

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Up to 10 videos
    • 30-minute recording limit
    • Browser tab, full screen, and webcam recording
  • Starter$7/month
    • Unlimited videos
    • 60-minute recording limit
    • Basic editing
  • Pro$10/month
    • Unlimited videos
    • 180-minute recording limit
    • AI video enhancements
  • Enterprise & EDU$null/month
    • Custom pricing
    • Central admin controls
    • LMS integrations

Which should you pick?

Choose React Developer Tools if

  • You need component inspection.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Chrome, Firefox, Edge.
  • You also want props/state viewing.
React Developer Tools review

Choose Screencastify if

  • You need screen recording.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Chrome Browser.
  • You also want video editing.
Screencastify review

Questions people ask

Is React Developer Tools or Screencastify better?
Neither clearly leads. React Developer Tools starts at Free and Screencastify at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, React Developer Tools or Screencastify?
React Developer Tools starts at Free and Screencastify at Free.
Does React Developer Tools or Screencastify run on more platforms?
React Developer Tools runs on Chrome, Firefox, Edge. Screencastify runs on Chrome Browser.
Can I use React Developer Tools for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is React Developer Tools best used for?
React Developer Tools is most often used for debugging react components during development, inspecting component state and props, performance profiling of react applications. Of those, debugging react components during development and inspecting component state and props are not what Screencastify is typically brought in for.
What can React Developer Tools do that Screencastify cannot?
React Developer Tools covers Component inspection, Props/State viewing, Performance profiler, Hooks debugging. Screencastify covers Screen recording, Video editing, Drawing tools, Google Drive export. Both handle Chrome support, Edge support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

React Developer Tools: How much does React Developer Tools cost?

React Developer Tools is completely free. It is a free browser extension with no subscription fees or costs.

Source
Screencastify: What's the free tier limit?

Free plan allows 10 total videos up to 30 minutes each, with watermark. After 10 videos, you must upgrade.

Source
React Developer Tools: Is React Developer Tools available for download?

Yes. React Developer Tools is available as a free extension on the Chrome Web Store for download at no cost.

Source
Screencastify: Is Screencastify limited to Chrome?

Yes. Screencastify is exclusively a Chrome extension and does not work on other browsers like Firefox, Safari, or Edge.

Source
Screencastify: What's the maximum video quality?

Maximum resolution is 1080p at 30 frames per second. Videos can only be exported to MP4, audio to MP3, or as GIF.

Source
Screencastify: Does Screencastify work for educational use?

Screencastify lacks a free educator license for schools or non-profits, unlike some competitors who offer discounted or free plans for educational institutions.

Source
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