Zella

A closer look at Zella

Zella is a free screen recorder and AI video editor for Mac and iPhone that runs entirely on-device: no cloud, no account, no subscription, and no upload. Record, polish, and ship from the device, with one-tap cutting and cleanup, on-device captions, background removal, and an AI assistant. The free tier is free forever with unlimited recording and no watermark, capped only at 2-minute exports up to 1080p; Pro is a one-time purchase that removes the cap and adds 4K, transparent-background export, and the depth toolset.

Editorial guidance based on published documentation. The workflow below is a suggested starting point, not a measured product result.

When to choose Zella

• Mac and iPhone creators who want screen recording and AI editing without uploading footage, since Zella runs on-device with no cloud, no account, and no upload.
• Creators who want a free editor that stays free, since the free tier is free forever with unlimited recording and no watermark, capped only on export length and resolution.

When to choose something else

• Buyers who want exports longer than 2 minutes at up to 1080p on the free tier, since free exports are capped at 2 minutes and 1080p and longer or 4K exports need Pro.
• Buyers who want cloud rendering or a web editor, since Zella is an on-device Mac and iPhone editor and nothing leaves the device.

A practical starting workflow

1. Record on Mac or iPhone with the on-device screen recorder, with nothing uploaded anywhere.
2. Let Zella do the cutting and cleanup in one tap on a recording, then add captions with one more click.
3. Polish with the AI assistant, Auto-Polish, background removal, transitions, colour looks, and sound effects, all on-device.
4. Export watermark-free, and move to Pro once when longer exports, 4K, transparent backgrounds, or the depth toolset are needed.

Check before committing

• Amounts are shown with a $ sign but no named currency on the pricing page, so they are recorded as observations, not as currency-named facts.
• Pro Week gives every new install the complete Pro feature set free for its first seven days, with no card and no account, and it quietly becomes the free tier on day eight.
• Pro and Founder are one-time Universal Purchases covering Mac and iPhone together; 8K export is Mac-only.

Common questions

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