Create stunning app demo videos with 3D device frames, iOS/iPad USB recording, cinematic cursor effects, and auto zoom. One-time purchase, no subscription. Built for developers.
Hey Product Hunt! ๐
I'm Vu โ web dev for 10+ years, went indie early last year. My first app Chronoid taught me that self-doubt before launch is just part of the process.
Smooth Capture started as a learning project after falling in love with polished screen recording tools. I wanted to understand how video rendering pipelines actually work. Somewhere along the way it became the tool I reach for every day.
What makes it different:
- Truly native โ Swift + Metal. ~50MB total, your fans won't spin up
- 3D device frames โ connect your iPhone/iPad or record from Simulator, get gorgeous perspective renders with keyframe control
- Multi-clip recording โ add intros, outros, retake specific sections
- Record โ Edit โ Export in under 5 minutes โ focused editor, no bloat
- Fun stuff โ magnifying glass, lens distortion, dynamic clouds, smooth cursor animations
What's coming in 2026:
- Q1: Annotation tools, text slides, voice-over recording
- Q2: AI editing โ filler word removal, edit-by-transcript, audio enhancement
- Q3: Enter/exit animations, transitions, blur camera backgrounds
- Q4: Freeze frame, multiple mask layers, advanced compositing
Would love your feedback ๐
Report
Congrats on the launch, Vu! ๐ This is exactly the tool Iโve been looking for โ building OceanMind, a premium iOS breathwork app, and the demo video phase is always the most painful part. The 3D device frames with iPhone/iPad USB recording is a killer combo. Loved that itโs native Swift + Metal too, that matters. The AI editing roadmap for Q2 is what really caught my eye โ filler word removal and edit-by-transcript would be a game changer for solo indie devs doing everything themselves. Rooting for this one!
@alexeyglukharevย Thank yo so much, OceanMind looking so good, Thanks for sharing
Report
Vu, a 50MB native app built with Swift + Metal is music to my ears. ๐ถ As a solo builder developing a 'Local-first' studio for writers, Iโm obsessed with keeping things lightweight and efficientโ'no fans spinning up' is the ultimate flex. How does the Metal rendering pipeline handle recording complex, interactive UI graphs without dropping frames?
Report
This looks really cool! I could definitely use this to improve my product demos. One issue though is that I don't always have a USB cable with me. Have you considered adding support for wireless recording?
@spencermoon99ย In that case you can use the iPhone Mirroring app (built-in) then just use the window capture mode in Smooth Capture.
Report
@spencermoon99ย @vunguyentuanย my problem is little with different , I have USB cable but it disconnects frequently, many other people will face the same problem due to cable or port issues. iPhone Mirroring is not available on old Mac version in case your build is targeting them. So it is worth considering Spencer Moon suggestion. Any way I have gone through other apps like Screen Studio, FocusSee, Screen Charam(https://youtu.be/AbyR2QI3TaY?si=PeteQyG5KrdUQEg-) and one thread (https://www.reddit.com/r/SideProject/comments/1m8tf60/i_built_a_macos_screen_recorder_with_smart_zoom/)loom, cap(loom open source alternative), Except Screen studio all are cross platform, I doubt their performance in long terms, all miss the wireless recording, Marketing is necessary, create YouTube videos ,shorts, and interview yo rank your product , this is the only way to get organic reach. I have made my mind to buy it, will wait for update. Thanks.
Replies
Smooth Capture
Congrats on the launch, Vu! ๐ This is exactly the tool Iโve been looking for โ building OceanMind, a premium iOS breathwork app, and the demo video phase is always the most painful part. The 3D device frames with iPhone/iPad USB recording is a killer combo. Loved that itโs native Swift + Metal too, that matters. The AI editing roadmap for Q2 is what really caught my eye โ filler word removal and edit-by-transcript would be a game changer for solo indie devs doing everything themselves. Rooting for this one!
Smooth Capture
@alexeyglukharevย Thank yo so much, OceanMind looking so good, Thanks for sharing
Vu, a 50MB native app built with Swift + Metal is music to my ears. ๐ถ As a solo builder developing a 'Local-first' studio for writers, Iโm obsessed with keeping things lightweight and efficientโ'no fans spinning up' is the ultimate flex. How does the Metal rendering pipeline handle recording complex, interactive UI graphs without dropping frames?
This looks really cool! I could definitely use this to improve my product demos. One issue though is that I don't always have a USB cable with me. Have you considered adding support for wireless recording?
Smooth Capture
@spencermoon99ย In that case you can use the iPhone Mirroring app (built-in) then just use the window capture mode in Smooth Capture.
@spencermoon99ย @vunguyentuanย my problem is little with different , I have USB cable but it disconnects frequently, many other people will face the same problem due to cable or port issues. iPhone Mirroring is not available on old Mac version in case your build is targeting them. So it is worth considering Spencer Moon suggestion. Any way I have gone through other apps like Screen Studio, FocusSee, Screen Charam(https://youtu.be/AbyR2QI3TaY?si=PeteQyG5KrdUQEg-) and one thread (https://www.reddit.com/r/SideProject/comments/1m8tf60/i_built_a_macos_screen_recorder_with_smart_zoom/)loom, cap(loom open source alternative), Except Screen studio all are cross platform, I doubt their performance in long terms, all miss the wireless recording, Marketing is necessary, create YouTube videos ,shorts, and interview yo rank your product , this is the only way to get organic reach. I have made my mind to buy it, will wait for update. Thanks.
jared.so
Does the cinematic cursor effect work well for tutorial style recordings or is it more for marketing demos? Congrats on the launch!
Smooth Capture
@mcarmonasย it should work well for tutorial style, try it and if it doesnโt work for you I will fix it for you!