Seats, devices and platforms are three different questions
Before buying for a laptop plus a desktop, or for a small team, separate three questions. Who may use the licence: one named person, or anyone at the company? How many computers can it be active on at once? And does it cover both macOS and Windows, or one platform only?
Vendors answer these in different places: pricing-page FAQs, terms of service and help guides. Several leave the device count unstated. The table below shows only what the official pages said on 30 October 2026.
Licence rules at a glance
Not stated means the official pages we read did not give the rule. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]
| Product | Who may use it | Platforms | Device count | Moving to a new computer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Filmora Basic or Advanced (subscription) | Single user; not transferable or shareable among people | One licence covers Mac and Windows | Not stated | Not stated |
| Filmora Perpetual (one-time) | Not stated separately | Device-specific: Windows or Mac bought separately | Not stated | Not stated |
| Screen Studio (subscription) | One individual per login; logins can be reassigned to a new person | macOS only | Restricted to a number of devices specified in your order | Disconnect device in the dashboard's Device tab; old Mac not needed |
| Descript (any paid plan) | Each Drive's plan is billed separately; each editor is a seat | macOS and Windows desktop apps | Not stated | Not stated; sign in on the new computer |
Filmora: subscription versus perpetual is the real split
Both Filmora shop pages, Windows and Mac, carry the same FAQ: one licence is good for both Mac and PC when you buy the Basic or Advanced plan, but if you choose the Perpetual plan the licence is device-specific. [1][2] The Perpetual plan is sold with separate Windows and Mac options, so a Windows licence works only on Windows, covers updates within Filmora 16 only, and includes 1,000 one-time AI credits. [1][2]
Basic and Advanced are described as single-user licences, intended for one individual only and not transferable or shareable among multiple people. [1] For more users, Wondershare points you to additional licences or its Business plan; the shop page gives no business pricing or seat count. [1] AI credits on the subscription plans are shared across Windows and Mac under one Wondershare account. [1]
Practical reading: if you edit on a Windows desktop and travel with a MacBook, a subscription covers both for one person, while the perpetual route means buying twice.
Screen Studio: one person per login, devices set by your order
Screen Studio's master subscription agreement says access is restricted to a specified number of devices, with the number set in your order, and that logins cannot be shared or used by more than one individual per account; a login can be reassigned to a new person. [3] The public pages we read did not print the device number, so check your order confirmation or ask the support email listed in Screen Studio's terms before buying for two Macs. [3][4]
Moving to a new Mac is documented. Log in to the dashboard with your purchase email, open the Device tab and click Disconnect device; you can then activate on the new device, and you do not need the old Mac to do it. [4] Activation is by the purchase email and a code; licence-key activation applies only to legacy one-time licences, which are no longer sold but remain valid. [5][6] Screen Studio runs only on macOS, with Ventura 13.1 or later recommended, so it cannot cover a Windows machine at any price. [6]
Descript: seats are per Drive, not per computer
Descript's billing help says every Drive has its own plan, billed separately, and to work in someone else's Drive you must be added as an Editor under that Drive's plan. Added editors take effect immediately and are prorated for the rest of the billing cycle. [7] The pricing page lists Creator with 1 to 3 seats and Business with up to 5 seats, billed separately. [8]
The desktop app is available for macOS and Windows, and the install guide does not mention a device limit. [9] That makes Descript the most flexible of the three for one person on several computers, but the least forgiving for collaborators: a freelancer who edits in two clients' Drives needs to be an Editor on each, and each Drive pays for that seat. [7]
Worked examples
One creator, Windows desktop plus MacBook. Filmora Advanced at the listed US$59.99 a year covers both machines. [1] Screen Studio covers only the Mac. Descript covers both, billed once for the person.
Three-person team editing the same projects. Filmora needs three single-user licences or the Business plan. [1] Screen Studio needs a login per person, because logins cannot be shared. [3] Descript needs one Drive on Creator or Business with three Editor seats. [7][8] For comparison, FlexClip's Team plan includes 3 initial seats at US$69.99 a month or US$479.88 a year, with more seats available. [10]
Replacing a laptop. In Screen Studio, disconnect the old device first, or from any browser if the laptop is gone. [4] For Filmora and Descript, the pages we read give no deactivation step, so sign out of the old computer before you wipe it.
Checklist before you buy for more than one computer
- Write down every computer and its operating system, and every person who will edit.
- Rule out platform-locked options first: Screen Studio is Mac-only, and Filmora Perpetual is Windows or Mac. [1][6]
- Count people, not machines: Filmora subscriptions and Screen Studio logins are for one individual. [1][3]
- For shared projects, price seats on the shared workspace (Descript Drive editors, FlexClip Team seats). [7][10]
- Ask the vendor for the device count in writing if the public page does not state it, and keep the reply with your receipt.
- Before retiring a computer, disconnect or sign out of every licence on it.
Questions before you decide
Can I use one Filmora licence on Mac and Windows?
Yes for subscriptions. Filmora's shop pages say one licence is good for both Mac and PC when you buy Basic or Advanced. The Perpetual licence is device-specific, with Windows and Mac sold separately.
How do I move Screen Studio to a new Mac?
Screen Studio's Managing License guide says to log in to the dashboard with your purchase email, open the Device tab and click Disconnect device. You can then activate on the new Mac, and you do not need the old one.
Can two people share one Screen Studio subscription?
No. Screen Studio's terms say logins cannot be shared or used by more than one individual per account, although a login can be reassigned to a new person.
How are Descript seats billed for a team?
Each Descript Drive has its own plan, billed separately. To work in another person's Drive you must be added as an Editor on that Drive's plan, and added editors are prorated for the rest of the billing cycle.
Sources & verification
Product details and prices can change. Check the linked provider before buying.
- Wondershare Filmora: Buy video editor (Windows) Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Wondershare Filmora: Buy video editor (Mac) Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Screen Studio: Terms of Service Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Screen Studio Guide: Managing license Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Screen Studio Guide: Activating Screen Studio Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Screen Studio: Official site Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Descript Help: How billing works in Descript Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Descript: Pricing Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Descript Help: Download and install Descript Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- FlexClip Help: How much will the Team Plan cost? Accessed 30 Oct 2026
Sources link directly to providers. Product buttons may use separately labeled affiliate links. Read our disclosure.