Thinking Beyond Loom? Top Alternatives, Features & Why They Matter
In our fast-paced, digital-first world, communication matters. Video is crucial too. Tools like Loom have made asynchronous video messaging common. Is Loom the only option? Nope.
Loom Alternatives & Competitors: It’s a Crowded Field
Feeling stuck in a Loom box? Great news! Alternatives abound. You can find cheaper, richer, or just different options.
Specific Alternatives to Consider
Need team communication and screen shares in one spot? ClickUp is for you. Does your sales team need a specific video platform? Vidyard is ideal. Want to become a screenshot star? Use Snagit. Focused on lead generation? Wistia converts viewers to customers.
The list continues. Tella offers easy video editing. Movavi Screen Recorder provides pro-level 4K videos. Jumpshare helps you create GIFs for when words fail. Zight combines recording across devices, while Scribe focuses on clear step-by-step guides. Want AI-powered video? Try Synthesia. For personalized sales videos, look at Sendspark. Need screen recording? Look at VEED.IO. Dealing with large-scale video hosting? VIDIZMO is a choice.
In China? VooV (or Tencent Meeting) is your go-to for video conferencing, similar to Eastern Zoom.
How Do They Stack Up? Loom vs. The World
Zoom, Google Meet, and Skype are known for video calls, but don’t compare directly to Loom. These platforms enable live meetings. Loom excels at pre-recorded, asynchronous video. Think Zoom as a water cooler chat and Loom as a detailed video memo everyone watches anytime.
What about Vimeo and YouTube? Vimeo is artsy, with advanced creation features and stock footage libraries. YouTube is massive for user content and communities. Loom focuses on professional communication in business or education.
Microsoft Stream is also part of the mix. If your company uses Microsoft, Stream is integrated. Loom, however, is focused on quick links for videos. Screencastify records screens but targets educators with features for teachers and students.
Tango and Scribe are nearby too. Tango focuses on guides and workflows. Scribe uses AI to create documentation with text and screenshots. Loom provides quick video messages for fast explanations.
Loom Features, Pricing & Plans: What’s Under the Hood?
Loom’s key asset? Simplicity and speed. Record your screen, face, or both, then share a video link. It’s quick and effective for basic messaging.
Pricing: Is Loom Worth the Dough?
Loom’s free version is generous for beginners. However, paid plans feel pricey for some features. The Business plan costs about $15 per user monthly (billed annually), offering unlimited videos, longer times, and extra tools. The Business + AI plan increases to $20 for AI features.
Loom is friendly and effective, especially for asynchronous communication. But compared to features of competitors at a similar price, you might question if you pay more for that Loom ease.
Loom’s Bag of Tricks: Features Breakdown
Loom’s strength is video messaging. It allows simultaneous recording of screen, webcam, and mic, making instant videos shareable. Need to edit? Basic tools are available. Want personalization? Background blur and virtual backgrounds exist. You can add a voice-over after recording too.
Loom shines in screen-based videos but lacks the depth of a full video suite like Vimeo, where editing features are full-fledged and stock footage plentiful.
A valuable feature? Meeting recording. Loom can capture, summarize, and share your Zoom, Google Meet, and Teams meetings. This is handy for catching up or keeping everyone updated.
The Catch: Loom Limitations and Restrictions
Every tool has weaknesses. With Loom’s free Starter plan, you face 720p resolution limits, five-minute video maxes, and 25 video caps overall. It’s decent for free but could restrict under heavy use.
Moving up to a paid plan unlocks 4K resolution and higher caps, yet the free plan’s limits are intentional.
Loom vs. The Rest: Head-to-Head Battles
Let’s explore how Loom compares to the mentioned platforms.
Loom vs. Zoom: Asynchronous vs. Synchronous Showdown
People often confuse Zoom with Loom. They both involve video but serve different purposes. Zoom focuses on real-time interaction, enabling meetings and webinars. Loom specializes in pre-recorded messages viewable anytime. Zoom is synchronous; Loom is asynchronous. Although Zoom added async features recently, Loom remains the original.
Loom vs. Vimeo: Pro Production vs. Quick Communication
Vimeo serves video artists and businesses needing quality hosting and advanced options. It offers editing tools, detailed analytics, and customizations. Loom delivers quick, informal communication. Vimeo suits polished productions; Loom conveys messages quickly.
Loom vs. YouTube: Community vs. Communication
YouTube is built for audience reach, community ties, and endless content. Loom is private (unless public), professional, and focused on specific communication. Want to become a YouTube star? Choose YouTube. Need to explain a project to your team? Loom is the choice.
Loom vs. Microsoft Stream: Integration vs. Simplicity
Microsoft Stream resides in the Microsoft 365 platform. If your company uses Microsoft widely, Stream integrates well. But Loom is simpler, standalone, easier for quick sharing outside this environment. Stream is part of a suite; Loom is a specialized tool.
Loom vs. Scribe & Tango: Guides vs. Video Memos
Scribe and Tango concentrate on creating documentation and guides. AI generates text and screenshots automatically. Loom is mainly for video messaging. For written documentation, use Scribe or Tango; for quick visual explanations, Loom excels.
Loom vs. Screencastify: Education vs. Business Focus
Both Loom and Screencastify screen record. But Screencastify targets educators with LMS integration and student-focused features. Loom serves both education and business but is overly broad for education alone. Teachers lean toward Screencastify; businesses prefer Loom.
Loom vs. Guidde: Workflow Documentation vs. General Recording
Guidde specializes in automated documentation, turning user actions into guides. Loom is more for general recording. Guidde documents products; Loom conveys broader messaging.
How to Actually Use Loom (and Why It’s Useful)
Loom shines when replacing long emails or confusing text with brief video explanations. It’s perfect for:
- Explaining tasks to teammates.
- Giving feedback on designs or documents.
- Onboarding new employees.
- Creating tutorials for customers.
- Internal communication.
- team updates and announcements.
Recording and Sharing: Loom in Action
Recording with Loom is easy. Select your mode (screen + camera, screen only, camera only), hit record, and go. When finished, the video is ready to share right away. Sharing is just copy and paste. You can control video privacy for wider or restricted viewing.
You may upload previous videos to Loom, supporting formats like MP4 and MOV, up to 4GB in size.
Loom’s Story: From Startup to Atlassian Acquisition
Loom was not always a known name. It started in 2016. It gained popularity for its ease and asynchronous messaging. By 2023, Atlassian acquired Loom for $975 million.
Acquisitions can worry users. However, Loom’s CEO, Joe Thomas, presented it as a step toward better workplace communication. Time will reveal how this acquisition affects Loom’s future. This acquisition marks an important chapter in its history.
On another note, Zoom exists as an American company. Its CEO, Eric Yuan, has Chinese origins.
Uh Oh, Loom Problems? Troubleshooting Time
Loom is user-friendly, but problems still arise. Here are some common issues and fixes:
Technical Gremlins
Technical issues can emerge. Video processing lag can occur. If your video seems stuck, Loom’s site typically offers a recovery tool to assist.
Performance Pains
Is your internet slow or inconsistent? This can cause Loom lag. Hardware issues or device changes during recording may result in problems. Stable internet and consistent hardware work best.
Billing Brain Teasers
If you upgraded to Loom Business but face free plan limits, check the workspace. Multiple workspaces can confuse billing. Ensure the paid workspace is set as your default.
Loom in Specific Situations: YouTube and Education
Loom for YouTube?
Loom serves YouTube creators. Need to explain something quickly? Loom can help here. YouTube hosts content; Loom simplifies *creating* it, notably for tutorials or screen explanations.
Loom in the Classroom
Screencastify targets education more, yet Loom still excels in teaching. It aids teacher-student communication, quick lessons, and feedback on assignments. Its ease makes it suitable for educators and students alike.
Wait, Weaving Looms? Not *That* Loom
If you sought information on *weaving* looms, you may be lost. Both share the name “loom,” but we discuss the video platform here. Still, a note on weaving looms: starting with a simple inkle loom or rigid heddle loom is wise. These are budget-friendly and ideal for beginners. Looms vary based on desired projects—hats or scarves require different types. But for video messaging, stick with Loom’s digital version.
This exploration of Loom and its alternatives offers insights into video messaging tools. Whether you choose Loom or find an exciting new option, video communication continues. Selecting the right tool truly matters.
