AppScreens vs AppLaunchpad vs StoreLit: Screenshot Tools Compared

Your app's screenshots are doing more selling than you think. According to Apple's own data, most users never scroll past the first three screenshots before deciding to install or leave. StoreMaven's research puts the number more precisely: 60% of users make their download decision without ever reading the description. Your screenshots are the pitch.

Despite this, most indie developers create their screenshots by taking raw captures from the simulator and uploading them directly. No captions, no device frames, no context. The result looks like documentation, not marketing. And it loses to competitors who invested even 30 minutes in making their visuals look professional.

Dedicated screenshot tools exist to solve this problem. They bridge the gap between "I am a developer, not a designer" and "my screenshots need to convert browsers into installers." This comparison covers three of them -- AppScreens, AppLaunchpad, and StoreLit -- and tells you exactly which one makes sense depending on how you work and what you need.

We built StoreLit, so it is in this comparison. We will be honest about its strengths and its weaknesses relative to the alternatives.

Why Dedicated Screenshot Tools Exist

The Gap Between Figma and App Store Requirements

You could build App Store screenshots in Figma. You could also build a house with hand tools. Both are technically possible, but purpose-built tools save enormous amounts of time. We explored the tradeoffs between general design tools and dedicated solutions in our Figma vs Canva vs dedicated tools comparison.

App Store screenshots have specific requirements that general design tools were not built to handle efficiently. You need precise export sizes for each device class -- our screenshot sizes complete guide covers every dimension for every device. You need 1290x2796 for iPhone 6.7-inch, 1242x2208 for iPhone 5.5-inch, 2048x2732 for 12.9-inch iPad. You need device frames that look accurate and current -- nobody wants an iPhone 8 frame around their 2026 app. You need to generate sets across multiple devices and multiple languages, which can mean 30, 60, or even 100 individual exports for a single app.

In Figma, each of these requirements translates to manual setup: finding device frame files, configuring artboards at exact dimensions, creating export configurations, and repeating the process for every locale. In a dedicated screenshot tool, these are built-in features that work out of the box.

The Impact of Professional Screenshots on Downloads

The data on this is clear enough to be actionable. Apps with captioned, contextualized screenshots convert 25-35% better than apps with raw UI captures. That number comes from multiple studies, including SplitMetrics and StoreMaven research across thousands of A/B tests.

For an indie app getting 1,000 impressions per day with a 4% conversion rate, that is 40 installs per day. A 30% improvement in conversion from better screenshots moves that to 52 installs per day -- 360 additional installs per month. If your app monetizes at $0.50 per install, that is $180 per month from a one-time investment of a few hours in your screenshots.

The ROI on professional screenshots is almost always positive, even for small apps. The question is not whether to invest in better screenshots, but which tool gets you there most efficiently.

AppScreens Overview

Features and Capabilities

AppScreens is a web-based screenshot creator built around templates. The workflow is straightforward: choose a template, upload your screenshot, customize the caption text and colors, and export. The tool handles device frame placement, text layout, and multi-size export automatically.

The template library covers common screenshot styles -- full-screen device mockups, device-on-gradient backgrounds, split-screen layouts, and feature highlight compositions. Templates are organized by style and device type, so finding a starting point takes seconds rather than minutes.

The drag-and-drop editor handles basic customization: font selection, text size and color, background color or gradient, and device frame selection. You are working within the constraints of the template rather than building from scratch, which is both the tool's primary strength and its primary limitation.

Pricing Structure

AppScreens offers a limited free tier with watermarked exports. Paid plans start at approximately $7 per month for basic access with unlimited exports, scaling to $15 per month for additional features like team collaboration and more template options. Pricing is subscription-based: you pay monthly regardless of whether you create one screenshot or one hundred.

Annual billing reduces the per-month cost, but you are committing upfront to a full year. For developers who update screenshots once at launch and maybe once more per year, the subscription model means paying for eleven months of unused capacity.

Pros and Cons

What AppScreens does well: Speed. You can go from zero to a complete set of screenshots in 20-30 minutes. The template-first approach eliminates decision fatigue -- you are not staring at a blank canvas wondering where to start. Multi-device export handles the tedious work of generating all required sizes. For developers who want screenshots done quickly and are satisfied with "professional and clean" rather than "unique and distinctive," AppScreens delivers.

Where it falls short: Creative flexibility is limited to what the templates allow. You cannot freely position elements, add arbitrary shapes, or build a completely custom layout. There are no AI features -- captions are written manually, and localization is a manual process of duplicating and re-typing. The device frame selection is narrower than dedicated device mockup tools. And the subscription model means ongoing costs even in months you do not create any screenshots.

AppLaunchpad Overview

Features and Capabilities

AppLaunchpad (formerly LaunchKit) focuses on visual quality. Its signature feature is 3D device perspectives: angled views, multi-device compositions, and scene-based layouts that give screenshots a premium, agency-quality feel. While AppScreens emphasizes speed and simplicity, AppLaunchpad emphasizes polish and visual impact.

The editor offers more composition options: you can position devices at various angles, create scenes with multiple devices, add lifestyle backgrounds (desks, hands holding phones, coffee shop environments), and build multi-layer compositions. The output tends to look more distinctive than template-based alternatives because the 3D perspectives and scene compositions create visual depth.

AppLaunchpad also supports custom backgrounds, gradient editors, and shadow effects. The tool is clearly designed for users who want their screenshots to look like they were produced by a professional marketing team.

Pricing Structure

AppLaunchpad offers a limited free trial with restricted export options, then transitions to paid plans starting at approximately $10-20 per month. Higher tiers include more device models, additional 3D compositions, scene backgrounds, and team collaboration features. Like AppScreens, it uses a subscription model with tiered pricing.

The per-month cost is slightly higher than AppScreens, reflecting the more advanced visual capabilities. Annual billing is available with the usual discount.

Pros and Cons

What AppLaunchpad does well: Visual quality. The 3D device perspectives, scene compositions, and lifestyle backgrounds produce screenshots that genuinely look premium. For developers competing in categories where visual polish matters -- photo editing, design tools, lifestyle apps -- the ability to create screenshots that rival agency output is a real advantage. Multi-device compositions showing an app across iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch in a single screenshot communicate cross-platform availability effectively.

Where it falls short: The learning curve is steeper. Using 3D perspectives and scene compositions effectively requires understanding visual composition principles -- where to place the device, how to balance the frame, when 3D enhances versus distracts. New users often produce screenshots that look busy rather than polished, because the powerful features are easy to misuse. Like AppScreens, there are no AI features for caption generation or translation. And the subscription model applies whether you use the tool monthly or annually.

StoreLit Screenshot Studio Overview

Features and Capabilities

StoreLit's Screenshot Studio takes a different architectural approach. Instead of a template library, it provides an HTML5 canvas (built on Konva.js) that functions as a purpose-built design tool specifically for app screenshots. You get a blank canvas at the correct App Store dimensions with full control over every element.

The canvas supports drag-and-drop placement of text elements with custom fonts, device frames (14 models including iPhone 15, 16, and 17 series plus iPad Pro), shapes (rectangles and circles), image imports, badges, and background gradients. Elements can be freely positioned, resized, rotated, and layered. It is closer to a simplified Figma specifically designed for app screenshots than it is to a template selector.

The device frame library includes 14 current models with accurate bezels and dimensions. You composite your app screenshot inside the device frame, then position the device on your canvas alongside captions and visual elements. The result is a fully custom layout without the overhead of a general-purpose design tool.

An integrated asset library connects to Pixabay, giving you access to millions of free stock images and illustrations without leaving the editor. This is useful for background images, lifestyle elements, or decorative graphics.

AI-Powered Features

This is where StoreLit diverges most significantly from the alternatives. The Studio includes three AI-powered features that none of the competing screenshot tools offer:

AI caption generation. Upload your app screenshots and StoreLit's AI (powered by Gemini's multimodal capabilities) analyzes what is visible on each screen and suggests benefit-focused captions. Rather than staring at your screenshot trying to think of the right caption, you get suggestions like "Track every expense in seconds" or "Your complete budget at a glance" that you can use as-is or refine.

The AI does not just describe what is on screen -- it generates marketing-oriented captions that emphasize user benefits. There is a meaningful difference between "Expense list view" (descriptive) and "Never lose track of a purchase" (benefit-focused). The AI is trained to produce the latter.

AI caption translation. Once you have captions in your primary language, StoreLit can translate them into any target language with marketing-appropriate adaptation. This is not literal translation -- it is localization-aware, aiming for natural-sounding captions in each language while keeping them within the 5-8 word limit that works best for screenshot text.

ASO data integration. If you have run an ASO audit on your app through StoreLit, the caption generation can incorporate keyword data from your analysis. This means suggested captions are not just benefit-focused but also keyword-informed, using terms that your target audience is actually searching for.

Pricing Structure

StoreLit uses a credit-based model that differs fundamentally from the subscription approach. The canvas editor itself -- including all device frames, text tools, shape tools, and manual screenshot creation -- is available without spending any credits. You can build complete, professional screenshots entirely for free.

Credits are consumed only for AI features and batch operations: AI caption generation costs 1 credit ($5), AI translation costs 1 credit, and batch export (all slides at once across all sizes) costs 1 credit. If you write your own captions, translate them yourself, and export slides individually, the tool is completely free to use.

Credit packs are available at $5 for 1 credit, $19 for 5 credits, and $49 for 15 credits. There is no subscription and no recurring charge.

Pros and Cons

What StoreLit does well: Creative control is the highest of the three tools. If you can imagine a screenshot layout, you can build it. The AI features genuinely save time on the two most tedious parts of screenshot creation: writing captions and translating them into multiple languages. The credit-based pricing means you pay only for AI features you actually use, with the base editor being free. Fourteen device models cover current Apple hardware comprehensively.

Where it falls short: More creative control means more decisions. There is no "pick a template and customize it" shortcut -- you start from a canvas and build your layout. For developers who find blank canvases intimidating, this is a barrier. The tool is newer than the alternatives, so the template gallery is growing but not yet as extensive. AI features, while powerful, cost credits that add up if you are generating captions for 20 languages. And the device library currently focuses on iOS devices, with Android frame support being less comprehensive.

Feature Comparison Table

Detailed Feature Breakdown

AI and Automation Features Comparison

AI-powered features are the clearest differentiator in this comparison. AppScreens and AppLaunchpad were built before the generative AI wave and have not yet integrated AI capabilities into their screenshot creation workflows. StoreLit was built with AI as a core design principle, which shows in how deeply caption generation and translation are integrated into the editing workflow.

This matters most for developers creating screenshots in multiple languages. Manually writing and translating captions for ten languages is hours of work. AI-assisted generation and translation reduces that to minutes, with human review and editing on top.

Localization and Multi-Language Support

Multi-language screenshot creation is where workflow efficiency differences become most apparent.

AppScreens handles localization by letting you duplicate a screenshot set and manually change the caption text in each copy. For five languages, you create five copies and edit each one. This works but scales linearly with the number of languages.

AppLaunchpad follows a similar duplicate-and-edit approach. Scene compositions with multiple text layers are more tedious to localize because each text element needs individual updating.

StoreLit offers AI-powered caption translation as a built-in feature. Write your captions in one language, trigger translation to your target languages, and the tool generates localized captions that you can review and apply to duplicate slide sets. For developers targeting five or more languages, this workflow is meaningfully faster than manual translation.

None of the three tools currently support right-to-left (RTL) language layouts natively, which is a limitation for developers targeting Arabic or Hebrew markets.

User Experience Comparison

Learning Curve

AppScreens: 15-20 minutes to first export. Choose a template, upload screenshots, type captions, export. The constrained workflow means fewer decisions and faster results. A developer with zero design experience can produce acceptable screenshots on the first try.

AppLaunchpad: 30-45 minutes to first export. The scene and 3D composition features take time to understand. First attempts at 3D perspectives often look awkward because positioning devices in 3D space requires some visual intuition. After two or three sessions, most users produce consistently good results.

StoreLit: 20-40 minutes to first export. The blank canvas takes a moment to orient to, but the interface is straightforward -- add elements, position them, style them. Using a template from the gallery speeds up the first experience. Using AI captions eliminates the "what should I write?" problem that slows down many developers.

Speed of Iteration

Once you know the tool, how fast can you make changes?

Changing caption text: All three tools handle this in seconds. It is just text editing. No meaningful difference.

Swapping a device screenshot: AppScreens and AppLaunchpad require re-uploading within the template. StoreLit requires selecting the device composite and updating the screenshot image. Similar speed across all three, roughly 30-60 seconds.

Updating background color: Quick in all three. AppScreens is constrained to template-supported options. AppLaunchpad and StoreLit offer full color and gradient customization.

Exporting a full set (all device sizes): AppScreens and AppLaunchpad handle this via built-in batch export. StoreLit offers batch export for 1 credit. Manual export (one size at a time) is free in StoreLit but slower.

Creating a full set for a new language: This is where differences compound. AppScreens and AppLaunchpad require manual text editing for every caption in every slide. StoreLit's AI translation generates all captions at once, requiring only review and minor edits. For a set of six screenshots in a new language, AppScreens/AppLaunchpad takes 15-20 minutes; StoreLit takes 3-5 minutes plus review time.

Flexibility vs. Constraints

This is the fundamental design philosophy difference between these tools, and understanding it helps you choose the right one.

Template-based tools (AppScreens, AppLaunchpad) constrain your options but make decisions easier. You do not choose where to place the device -- the template places it. You do not decide the text-to-device ratio -- the template handles it. This works extremely well for developers who want "good enough" screenshots quickly and do not have strong visual opinions.

Canvas-based tools (StoreLit) give you full control but require more design judgment. You decide where every element goes, how large it is, and how elements relate to each other. This works better for developers who have visual ideas they want to execute precisely, or who want layouts that do not fit standard templates.

Neither approach is objectively better. It depends on your working style. If you find blank canvases paralyzing, use a template tool. If you find templates limiting, use a canvas tool.

Unique Features Each Tool Offers

AppScreens Exclusive Features

AppScreens' strongest exclusive advantage is its template breadth combined with instant multi-device export. The tool is purpose-built for speed: the workflow from "I need screenshots" to "screenshots are uploaded to App Store Connect" is the shortest of any dedicated tool. If your primary concern is time efficiency and you are satisfied with template-based designs, AppScreens is the fastest path.

AppScreens also handles the Android screenshot dimension matrix well, which matters if you are targeting the Play Store where device fragmentation means more export sizes.

AppLaunchpad Exclusive Features

AppLaunchpad's exclusive advantage is visual fidelity. The 3D device perspectives and scene compositions produce screenshots that are noticeably more visually engaging than flat template layouts. Multi-device scenes -- showing your app running on iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch simultaneously -- communicate cross-platform availability in a way that flat mockups cannot match.

The lifestyle backgrounds (a phone on a desk, hands holding a device, a coffee shop scene) add contextual warmth that makes screenshots feel less like marketing material and more like product photography. For apps in lifestyle, wellness, food, or creative categories, this visual style aligns naturally with the audience's expectations.

StoreLit Exclusive Features

StoreLit's exclusive advantages cluster around AI and pricing flexibility. AI caption generation from actual screenshot content is unique to StoreLit -- no competing screenshot tool offers this. The practical impact is significant: instead of spending 20 minutes per screenshot agonizing over caption text, you get AI-generated suggestions in seconds that you can accept, edit, or reject.

AI translation for multi-language launches is similarly unique. When you need screenshots in Spanish, French, German, Japanese, and Portuguese, manually translating and adapting captions for each language is a multi-hour task. StoreLit's AI handles the translation with marketing-appropriate adaptation, leaving you to review rather than create from scratch.

The credit-based pricing is also exclusive in this category. Both AppScreens and AppLaunchpad charge monthly subscriptions. StoreLit charges per AI action, with the base editor being free. For developers who create screenshots once or twice per year (at launch and for major updates), the credit model is dramatically cheaper than paying a subscription for twelve months.

Pricing Comparison

Free Tier Comparison

StoreLit offers the most generous free tier: the full screenshot editor with all device frames, text tools, shape tools, and individual slide export -- without watermarks. You only pay when you use AI features or batch export. AppScreens' watermarked free tier is functional for testing but not for production screenshots. AppLaunchpad's trial is useful for evaluation but not for ongoing use.

Paid Plans Comparison

To normalize the comparison, let us calculate the cost of a common task: creating a complete set of six screenshots for one app in one language across all required device sizes.

AppScreens: $7-15 per month subscription, which covers unlimited screenshots. Cost per set: $7-15 (the monthly subscription).

AppLaunchpad: $10-20 per month subscription. Cost per set: $10-20 (the monthly subscription).

StoreLit (manual captions): $0 if you write captions yourself and export individual slides. $5 (1 credit) if you use batch export.

StoreLit (AI captions + batch export): $10 (2 credits: 1 for AI captions, 1 for batch export). For multi-language sets, add $5 per translation language.

Per-Screenshot vs. Unlimited Pricing Models

The pricing model difference fundamentally changes the economics based on your usage pattern:

If you update screenshots monthly (iterating frequently, testing new designs, refreshing for seasonal content), a subscription model at $7-20 per month gives you unlimited creation for a predictable cost. StoreLit's credit model would cost more at this frequency if you use AI features each time.

If you update screenshots quarterly or less (at launch, then for major updates once or twice a year), the credit model is dramatically cheaper. Two or three screenshot sessions per year at $5-10 each costs $15-30 versus $84-240 per year for a subscription you barely use.

If you need multi-language screenshots, StoreLit's AI translation provides the best value. Creating six-language screenshot sets manually in AppScreens or AppLaunchpad takes significant time. StoreLit's translation credit ($5 per language batch) plus the time savings of AI-generated translations makes it the cheapest option when you account for the developer's time.

Most indie developers fall into the "quarterly or less" category. They create screenshots at launch, maybe refresh them once when they have a major feature update, and do not think about them again until their next app. For this usage pattern, the credit model wins on cost.

Best for Each Use Case

Quick and Dirty: Need Screenshots Today

If you need to go from nothing to published screenshots in two hours or less, AppScreens is the right choice. The template-first workflow eliminates design decisions, the multi-device export handles the tedious size requirements, and the learning curve is the shortest of any option. You will not produce the most distinctive screenshots, but you will produce clean, professional ones fast.

Second choice: StoreLit with a template from the gallery. Templates reduce the blank-canvas problem, and you can have a complete set ready in about 30 minutes once you have selected a template. The advantage over AppScreens is the free editor -- no subscription needed for a one-time session.

Professional Quality: Portfolio or Client Work

If visual quality is the top priority -- you are building a portfolio piece, working on a client project, or submitting for an App Store feature -- AppLaunchpad produces the most visually striking output. The 3D perspectives, scene compositions, and lifestyle backgrounds create screenshots that look like they came from a professional design agency.

Second choice: StoreLit, if you have the design skills to take advantage of the free canvas. The unlimited creative control means you can achieve any visual result, but you need the design judgment to make it look polished rather than amateur.

Multi-Language: International Launch

If you are launching in five or more languages and need localized screenshots for each, StoreLit is the clear winner. AI caption generation gets you a strong starting set of captions. AI translation adapts those captions to each target language. The workflow for producing a 10-language screenshot set is measured in minutes (plus review time) versus hours with manual approaches.

Neither AppScreens nor AppLaunchpad offers any automation for the localization workflow. Every caption in every language is manual text editing. For a single language, this is fine. For ten languages across six screenshots, it is 60 individual text edits versus one AI translation action.

Budget-Conscious: Zero Spend

If you cannot spend anything on screenshots, StoreLit's free editor is the strongest option. No watermarks, full device frame library, complete creative control, and individual slide export -- all at no cost. You write your own captions and export each slide manually, but the output is production-quality.

Second choice: Figma (free tier) with a community template. More powerful as a general design tool, but requires more setup for the specific task of app screenshots. If you want a full walkthrough of creating professional screenshots with zero design background, read our guide on how to create App Store screenshots without a designer.

The Verdict for Indie Developers

Our Recommendation

For most indie developers, the decision comes down to two questions:

How much time do you want to spend on design decisions? If the answer is "as little as possible," use AppScreens. Templates make the decisions for you. If the answer is "I want control over the result," use StoreLit's canvas editor.

Do you need captions in multiple languages? If yes, StoreLit's AI translation is a significant workflow advantage that no competing tool offers. If you are only publishing in one language, this feature does not factor into your decision.

The decision tree:

• Need screenshots fast, one language, minimal design effort: AppScreens
• Need premium visual quality, willing to invest time in composition: AppLaunchpad
• Need creative control, AI-assisted captions, multi-language support: StoreLit
• Need screenshots for free, no watermarks, willing to do manual work: StoreLit free editor

The Hybrid Approach

Many developers get the best results by using multiple tools for different stages of their workflow.

AI captions from StoreLit + visual execution in your preferred tool. If you like AppLaunchpad's 3D compositions but want AI-generated captions, use StoreLit to generate the caption text, then implement the designs in AppLaunchpad. The AI caption feature works regardless of where you ultimately create the visual.

StoreLit for production, AppScreens for experiments. Use StoreLit for your primary, polished screenshot set. Use AppScreens' speed for quick A/B test variants -- testing different caption angles or screenshot ordering -- where visual perfection matters less than testing speed.

Figma for custom layouts, dedicated tools for device frames. Some developers design custom backgrounds and compositions in Figma, then use a dedicated screenshot tool for the device frame rendering and multi-size export. This hybrid gives you the creative freedom of Figma plus the export efficiency of a dedicated tool.

The screenshot tool market is not winner-take-all. Each tool has genuine strengths that map to different needs and working styles. Pick the one that matches how you work today, and switch if your needs change. The screenshots themselves matter far more than which tool produced them.