Glossary
What is a screenshot demo?
Definition
A screenshot demo is an interactive demo built from static images of a product with clickable hotspots layered on top; cheaper to gate than DOM capture, but visibly lower fidelity.
Screenshot demos are the entry-level format most demo tools sell on their cheaper tiers: capture produces a sequence of images, and the editor overlays clickable dots that advance the slideshow. They're quick to make and fine for simple linear stories.
The limits show fast: text blurs at zoom, layouts don't adapt to the viewer's screen, hover states are frozen, and anything below the fold at capture time simply doesn't exist. Viewers register; consciously or not; that they're clicking a picture rather than a product.
Why it matters
Vendors rarely say 'screenshot-based' out loud; they say 'demos' and gate the HTML tier. Knowing the difference is how you read a demo-software pricing page: Storylane's $40 tier is screenshot demos ($500 for HTML); Supademo's HTML capture starts at $350/mo; Mirage does DOM capture free.
Example
The same checkout flow captured both ways: the screenshot version blurs when a mobile viewer pinch-zooms the price; the DOM version stays crisp because the text is real text.
Common questions
Are screenshot demos ever the right choice?
For quick internal walkthroughs or simple linear stories, they're fine. For a landing-page demo meant to convert buyers; the highest-stakes surface; fidelity pays for itself.
How can I tell if a demo tool is screenshot-based?
Zoom in. If text pixelates, it's images. Also check the pricing page for terms like 'HTML demos', 'HTML editor', or 'sandbox' on higher tiers; that's the tell that lower tiers are screenshots.