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7 Loom alternatives for Mac, including ones that never upload

Loom is the default for quick async video, but three things send people looking for a Loom alternative on Mac: the 5-minute limit on the free plan, the per-user price once a team adopts it, and the fact that every recording goes to the cloud. Here are seven alternatives, grouped by which of those problems they solve.

AlternativesBy Himanshu Singh · 20 October 2026 · 3 min read

First: what kind of video are you making?

Loom is built for messages — a quick walkthrough you send and forget. If that's you, you want another link-based tool. If you're actually making content — a demo for your website, a tutorial, a launch video — you've outgrown Loom, and a polishing recorder will serve you better.

If you want a cheaper link-based tool

1. Tella

Pro is $13 per user per month billed yearly. Tella records on Mac, Windows or in the browser, and its editor makes videos look more produced than a typical Loom: layouts, backgrounds, clips you can trim. Best when a polished link is the deliverable.

2. Cap

Open source, Mac and Windows, with "instant mode" share links like Loom's. The free plan is personal use only with 5-minute links; Cap Pro is $12 per user per month ($8.16 billed yearly) with unlimited cloud.

3. CleanShot X

$35 once, including 1 GB of cloud. Record a clip, get a link. A great fit if you also want a top-tier screenshot tool and your videos are short.

If you want your videos to stay on your Mac

4. ScreenToast

ScreenToast never uploads anything — there's no account and no cloud. It's built for videos you publish rather than send: when you stop recording, it places zooms on your clicks, smooths the cursor, and gives you an editor with captions transcribed on your Mac. Your camera sits in a bubble that slides away from your cursor, or stacks above the screen for vertical video. Free to record and edit; $59 a year to export.

5. ScreenFlow

$199 once. A full editor and recorder for long-form tutorials, all local.

6. OBS Studio

Free and open source, records locally with no limits. No editing or sharing — just capture.

7. The macOS built-in recorder

Press Shift-Command-5. Free, local, records your mic — but not system audio. For a camera bubble, open QuickTime's movie recording window and keep it in the corner of your screen.

Comparison

Prices checked on each vendor's own website on 20 October 2026.

When Loom is still the right answer

If your team already lives in Loom, comments and view notifications matter to you, and your videos are internal, the switching cost may not be worth it. Loom is excellent at what it's for.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best free Loom alternative for Mac?

For quick personal clips, Cap's free plan is closest to Loom's workflow. For unlimited free recording with no upload, the macOS built-in recorder (Shift-Command-5) or OBS Studio work, but they don't create share links.

Is there a Loom alternative that doesn't upload to the cloud?

Yes. ScreenToast, OBS Studio, ScreenFlow and the macOS built-in recorder all save files on your Mac. As of 20 October 2026, Loom uploads every recording.

How much does Loom cost?

Loom's Starter plan is free with 5-minute recordings and 25 videos. Business is $18 per user per month (about $15 billed yearly), and Business + AI is $24 per user per month (checked 20 October 2026).