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Loom vs OBS Studio

A side-by-side look at Loom (the paid SaaS) and OBS Studio (the open source alternative). Use this page to decide if the switch fits your team and workflow.

Loom OBS Studio
Tagline Quick screen and webcam video recordings for async updates. Professional open source screen and stream recorder.
License Proprietary SaaS GPL-2.0
Pricing Free up to 25 videos; Business from $15/user/month. Free to self-host
Self-host option No Yes — difficulty 1/5
Hosted cloud available Yes (only option) No
Desktop apps Varies by product Windows, macOS, Linux
Mobile apps Official apps typically available None official
Ad slot — between tables

Best for

Professional recording with scenes, effects and streaming.

OBS Studio strengths

  • Industry-standard for streamers and creators.
  • Unlimited scenes, sources, and effects.
  • No subscription, no cloud dependency.

OBS Studio weaknesses

  • Heavier learning curve than Loom.
  • Recording-only — no built-in async video sharing.
  • Requires manual upload to share videos.

What's the catch with Loom?

  • Free tier heavily gated.
  • Videos live on Loom cloud — privacy-sensitive content exposed.
  • Recording length limits on lower tiers.

Still unsure?

Check the full list of alternatives to Loom: see Loom alternatives, or learn more about OBS Studio on its project page.

Other comparisons

Loom vs ShareX

Windows users wanting quick screen clips and GIFs.

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