ButterKitvs.AppScreens
A native 3D screenshot engine vs. a web-based screenshot generator. Which fits your workflow?
TL;DR
ButterKit is a native macOS app with a real-time Metal 3D rendering engine, Xcode Simulator capture, Fastlane automation, and offline-first design. AppScreens is a web-based screenshot generator with 500+ templates, cross-platform store support (App Store, Google Play, and more), and responsive layouts that adapt one design across devices. Both upload directly to App Store Connect and both support localization. The choice comes down to: do you value native 3D rendering and developer tooling, or cross-platform reach and browser-based access?
How does ButterKit compare to AppScreens?
Detailed comparison
Screenshot design & 3D mockups
ButterKit is built around a real-time Metal 3D rendering engine running at up to 120fps on Apple Silicon. Place your app inside photorealistic iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and Vision Pro device models, then rotate, angle, and customize them in real-time. One design change propagates across every language and device size automatically.
AppScreens
AppScreens offers 500+ pre-built templates with a responsive layout engine that adapts a single design across device sizes. Device frames include real, clay, 3D-style, and outline options, but these are 2D overlays rather than real-time rendered 3D models. Great for quick production, but less control over device angles and lighting.
Store support & platforms
ButterKit is purpose-built for the Apple ecosystem. It covers App Store screenshots and metadata for iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and Apple Vision Pro. If you only ship to the App Store, this focused approach means zero wasted UI or complexity for platforms you don't use.
AppScreens
AppScreens supports multiple stores: Apple App Store, Google Play, Microsoft Store, Amazon Appstore, Huawei AppGallery, and Chrome Web Store. If you ship to Android and iOS (or more), you can manage all store assets from one project. It also supports Custom Product Pages (CPP) and Product Page Optimization (PPO) variants.
Localization & translation
Translates both screenshot captions and app metadata to up to all 39 App Store languages with one click. On-device translation (18 languages) is free; cloud translation with customizable creativity is available with Pro. Update the original and every translation updates too.
AppScreens
AI-powered translation to 80+ languages, including right-to-left (RTL) support for languages like Hebrew and Arabic. Layouts automatically adapt when text expands, contracts, or flips direction. You can override captions, fonts, screenshots, and spacing per locale without duplicating projects.
App Store Connect integration
Connects directly to the App Store Connect API. Upload all your screenshots and translated app metadata (description, what's new, keywords) without ever opening a browser. Because ButterKit designs the screenshots, it already knows the correct sizes and locales for a seamless upload.
AppScreens
One-click upload to both App Store Connect and Google Play Console. Handles every device size and localization in a single action. Also supports uploading Custom Product Page (CPP) and Product Page Optimization (PPO) variants, which is useful for A/B testing store listings.
Xcode & automation
Capture screenshots directly from Xcode Simulator with one click. Link a Fastlane screenshots folder so new captures automatically update your designs. Build the entire pipeline into CI/CD: capture, design, translate, and upload without manual intervention.
AppScreens
No Xcode integration or Fastlane support. Screenshots are uploaded manually to the web editor via drag-and-drop or bulk import. You can auto-match imported screenshots by aspect ratio and device size, but there's no direct connection to your development workflow.
Pricing & ownership model
- Free: Unlimited projects, templates, watermarked exports
- Pro: $49 lifetime or $20/year
- No per-seat pricing. One license, up to 5 machines.
AppScreens
- Free: Limited to 5 screenshots, 1 project, basic features
- Pro: $25/month or $90/year (required for localization, App Store upload, 3D frames, and most production features)
- Account required for all plans.
ButterKit runs entirely on your Mac with no servers or storage costs, which makes sustainable one-time pricing possible. AppScreens is a cloud-based platform that requires ongoing infrastructure, driving its subscription model.
Platform & performance
Native macOS app built with Swift and Metal. Works completely offline, requires no account, and delivers up to 120fps 3D rendering on Apple Silicon. The trade-off: macOS only (15.6+).
AppScreens
Runs in any modern browser on any platform: macOS, Windows, Linux, even mobile. No installation required. Requires an internet connection and a registered account. Performance depends on your browser and connection speed.
Who each tool is best for
Choose ButterKit if…
- You're an iOS/macOS developer shipping to the App Store
- You want photorealistic 3D device mockups with real-time rendering
- You need Xcode Simulator capture and Fastlane automation
- You prefer working offline with no account required
- You prefer a one-time purchase over recurring subscriptions
- You want to build screenshots into your CI/CD pipeline
Choose AppScreens if…
- You ship to both the App Store and Google Play
- You prefer a web-based tool accessible from any browser
- You want 500+ ready-made templates to start fast
- You need CPP/PPO support for A/B testing store listings
- You need 80+ language localization with RTL support
- You don't have a Mac and need a platform-agnostic solution
The bottom line
ButterKit and AppScreens solve similar problems in different ways. ButterKit is the native, developer-focused choice: real-time 3D rendering, Xcode integration, Fastlane automation, and offline-first design for the Apple ecosystem. AppScreens is the web-based, multi-platform choice: 500+ templates, support for six app stores, and browser-based access from any device. If you ship exclusively to the App Store and want the deepest developer integration, ButterKit is built for you.
Don't take our word for it
"ButterKit is, by far, the best app for this. It has sped up my workflow 100x."
"I've tried so many screenshot tools and they were all too complex. I understood how to use yours in just 10 seconds."
"My conversion rates have improved substantially with ButterKit."
Join developers
around the world!
Whether you're launching your first app or your hundredth update, ButterKit helps you reach more users faster - and smoother.
Download for freemacOS 15.6+
Looking for more options? Browse all comparisons
AppScreens is developed by Salty Bytes Pty Ltd and is not affiliated with ButterKit. Information on this page was researched and published on February 16, 2026. Features, pricing, and availability may have changed since then. Notice a problem? Let us know.