Looking for a free Loom alternative?
Most people searching for a free Loom alternative have either hit the limits of Loom's free plan or received a renewal they weren't happy about. There are genuinely free ways to record your screen, and there are low-cost tools that keep the convenient part of Loom, so this page walks through both and is upfront about what each one costs you.
Option 1: Stay on Loom's free plan
Loom's free Starter plan lets each person keep up to 25 videos, with recordings of up to 5 minutes at up to 720p (as listed on loom.com/pricing on 13 October 2026). If you record occasionally and keep things short, that may be all you need, and you can delete old videos to stay under the limit.
The catch is that the limits bite quickly once video becomes a habit, and a five-minute cap is tight for walkthroughs and demos.
Option 2: Use the recorder built into your computer
Both major desktop operating systems can record your screen for free. On a Mac you can press Shift, Command and 5 to open the screenshot toolbar and record the screen, and on Windows 11 the Snipping Tool can record a part of the screen. Free desktop apps such as OBS Studio go much further if you're willing to learn them.
The trade-off is that all of these give you a video file rather than a link. To share it you need to upload it to something like Google Drive or Dropbox, wait for the upload, fix the sharing permissions and then send the link, and your viewer may have to download the file to watch it. For an occasional video that's fine, but for something you do several times a week it adds up.
Option 3: A low-cost tool that keeps the link workflow
If what you liked about Loom was clicking record, talking, and having a link ready as soon as you stop, the cheapest way to keep that is a focused tool rather than a free one. Seedling does exactly that from a Chrome extension: you record a tab, your screen or your camera, your camera sits in a bubble you can move, and the link opens the moment you stop. You can cut out mistakes afterwards, viewers don't need an account, and you get an email when someone watches.
Seedling isn't free forever, but it's free for 14 days with no credit card, and after that it costs $8 a month or $79 a year. That's less than half of Loom Business, and for most people it's cheaper than the time spent uploading and sharing files by hand.
Which option should you choose?
| If you… | The best fit is |
|---|---|
| Record a few short videos a month | Loom's free plan |
| Rarely record and don't mind uploading files | Your computer's built-in recorder |
| Record every week and want an instant link without paying Loom prices | Seedling |
| Need AI summaries, comments and team workspaces | A paid Loom plan |
You can compare features and yearly costs in detail on the Loom alternative page.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a completely free alternative to Loom?
Yes, if you're happy to share video files yourself. The recorders built into macOS and Windows, and free apps like OBS Studio, cost nothing, but you'll need to upload each recording to a file-sharing service to send it to someone.
Is Seedling free?
Seedling has a 14-day free trial with every feature and no credit card. After the trial it costs $8 a month or $79 a year.
What are the limits of Loom's free plan?
As of 13 October 2026, Loom's Starter plan allows up to 25 videos per person, with recordings of up to 5 minutes at up to 720p.
Last updated 13 October 2026
Loom is a trademark of Atlassian. Seedling is an independent product and isn't affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by Loom or Atlassian. Loom prices and features are taken from loom.com on the date shown and may have changed since.