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Loom vs ShareX
Loom vs ShareX
A side-by-side look at Loom (the paid SaaS) and ShareX (the open source alternative). Use this page to decide if the switch fits your team and workflow.
| Loom | ShareX | |
|---|---|---|
| Tagline | Quick screen and webcam video recordings for async updates. | Windows-only screen capture and file sharing. |
| License | Proprietary SaaS | GPL-3.0 |
| 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 |
| Mobile apps | Official apps typically available | None official |
Ad slot — between tables
Best for
Windows users wanting quick screen clips and GIFs.
ShareX strengths
- Huge feature set for screenshots, GIFs, and recordings.
- Custom uploader destinations (including self-hosted).
- Free forever.
ShareX weaknesses
- Windows only.
- UI is dense and intimidating for newcomers.
- No built-in cloud sharing service.
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 ShareX on its project page.
Recommended reading
When self-hosting goes wrong: seven failure modes and how to avoid them
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Will the open source project you depend on still exist in three years?
Bus factor, maintainer burnout, funding models, and the signals that separate OSS projects that survive from those that quietly decay.
From SaaS to self-hosted: a 30-day migration playbook
A week-by-week plan to move one service off SaaS and onto your own server without breaking your team's workflow.