Kap vs Loom
Quick verdict
Kap and Loom are both excellent screen recording tools, and the right pick depends on what you need. Kap is an open-source screen recorder for macOS, simple and free, while Loom is record quick video messages of your screen and camera. For most people, Loom is the safer default thanks to its wider adoption — but Kap can be the better fit for the right workflow.
If you're choosing between Kap and Loom, you're not alone — they're two of the most talked-about screen recording tools around, and the differences aren't always obvious from their landing pages.
We track hundreds of screen recording tools on DesignBookmark, so we've put them side by side below: what each one is, where they overlap, how they differ, and a clear answer to which you should choose.
No fluff and no fabricated benchmarks — just an honest, practical comparison to help you decide fast.
At a glance
| Kap | Loom | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Screen Recording | Screen Recording |
| Pricing | Free | Freemium |
| On DesignBookmark | Listed | Featured pick |
| Categories | 1 | 1 |
Pricing is a general guide and changes often — always confirm current plans on each tool's site.
What they have in common
At a high level, Kap and Loom are after the same thing. Both sit in our screen recording category, both are aimed at designers, developers and creators, and both are built to make that job faster and more enjoyable.
So if you're only going to use one, you won't be missing out on the fundamentals either way — the question is which one's particular take on screen recording tool suits you best. That's what the rest of this comparison digs into.
Kap
Kap is an open-source screen recorder for macOS, simple and free. It earns its reputation by being genuinely useful day to day, not just impressive in a thirty-second demo.
Compared with Loom, it's the one to reach for when reliability beats raw feature count. On the pricing side, Kap is generally free — always click through to confirm current plans, since they change often.
Loom
Loom is record quick video messages of your screen and camera. The team behind it ships steadily, so it keeps improving rather than standing still.
Against Kap, it tends to win people over when simplicity and speed matter more than a sprawling feature list. On the pricing side, Loom is generally freemium — always click through to confirm current plans, since they change often.
How to choose between Kap and Loom
Pick Kap
Choose Kap if you're watching your budget — its pricing model is the friendlier of the two to start with.
Pick Loom
Choose Loom if you want the more established, widely-adopted pick that most people reach for first.
Pricing & how you'll pay
Based on their general pricing models, Kap is the friendlier option to get started with, while the other leans more premium. That said, pricing tiers shift constantly — check the current plans on each site before you commit, especially if a specific feature you need sits behind a paywall.
Workflow & learning curve
The best screen recording tool is the one that disappears into your routine. Think about which interface feels more natural to you, which integrates with the apps you already use, and which you'd actually open every day. A short free trial of each tells you more than any feature chart.
Scope — all-rounder or specialist
Both cover similar ground here, so neither is obviously the "bigger" tool. Judge them on how well they do the specific job you care about most, rather than the length of their feature lists.
Momentum & community
A tool is only as good as the team and community behind it. Both Kap and Loom are actively maintained and listed on DesignBookmark for that reason — but it's worth a quick look at each one's changelog and community to see which is moving in a direction you like.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kap better than Loom?+
Neither is universally "better" — they're both strong screen recording tools, which is why people compare them. Kap suits you if you want an open-source screen recorder for macOS, simple and free; Loom suits you if you want record quick video messages of your screen and camera. The best way to decide is to try both on a real project.
What's the difference between Kap and Loom?+
They overlap a lot — both are screen recording tools aimed at the same audience. The practical difference is emphasis: Kap is an open-source screen recorder for macOS, simple and free, whereas Loom is record quick video messages of your screen and camera. That shapes which workflows each one feels best for.
Is Kap or Loom cheaper?+
Going by their general pricing models, Kap is usually the more affordable place to start (Kap is free, Loom is freemium). Pricing changes often, so always confirm the latest plans on each site before deciding.
Can I use Kap and Loom together?+
Often, yes. Plenty of people use more than one screen recording tool side by side — one as their main driver and another for the things it does best. There's no rule that says you must pick only one, though most settle on a primary tool over time.
Is there a free version of Kap or Loom?+
Both generally offer a free or freemium way in, so you can try Kap and Loom before paying for either.
The bottom line
The bottom line: Loom is the easier one to recommend as a default, but there's no wrong answer between Kap and Loom — they're both genuinely good screen recording tools. Re-read the "how to choose" points above, take whichever one speaks to you for a quick spin, and keep the one that earns a permanent place in your workflow.