Cap is an open-source screen recording and sharing app designed as an alternative to Loom. Available on macOS and Windows, it combines screen recording, lightweight editing, screenshots, and video hosting into a single workflow while giving users full ownership of their recordings through self-hosting and custom storage options.
Key Features
Instant & Studio Recording Modes – Create quick shareable recordings or higher-quality studio captures with separate tracks.
Open Source – Built transparently under the AGPL license, with the entire codebase available on GitHub.
Cross-Platform Support – Works on both macOS and Windows.
Self-Hosting & Custom Storage – Connect your own S3 bucket or self-host Cap for complete ownership of recordings.
Shareable Links – Generate links for async communication and collaboration.
AI Features – Pro plans include transcripts, summaries, and chapters.
Built-in Screenshots – Capture and share screenshots alongside recordings.
Who Is It For?
Cap is aimed at developers, remote teams, educators, founders, and anyone who wants a Loom-style workflow without vendor lock-in.
Why Use Cap?
Unlike traditional screen recorders that focus solely on capture, Cap combines recording, sharing, and ownership. Users can keep everything local, self-host the platform, or use Cap's cloud services depending on their needs.
Whether you're recording bug reports, async team updates, product walkthroughs, or tutorial videos, Cap provides a flexible and privacy-friendly solution.
Platform & Compatibility
Architecture
Minimum macOS
macOS Ventura 13Public Opinion
Curated highlights from Reddit and other communities, not user-submitted reviews.
“Mac users praised Cap as an open-source alternative to Screen Studio and Loom, especially appreciating that it remained free and community-driven.”
Reddit: Open Source ScreenStudio: cap.so!
“Developers highlighted that Cap's support for self-hosting and custom S3 storage gives users genuine ownership of their recordings.”
GitHub Discussions & Repository
“Many users appreciated that Cap combines recording, sharing, screenshots, and lightweight editing into one workflow.”
Hacker News: Cap Discussion
“Early adopters praised Cap's polished UI and felt it offered a better user experience than OBS for everyday recordings.”
“Open-source enthusiasts appreciated the project's transparency and active development cadence.”
“Some users reported that Cap lacked the cinematic polish and automatic effects that make Screen Studio stand out.”
“Users noted that Cap was still maturing and encountered occasional bugs and rough edges during early releases.”
“Some users found the self-hosting capabilities appealing in theory but too technical for their actual needs.”
“Compared with dedicated editors, Cap's editing tools were considered relatively lightweight.”
“Some users preferred established products because Cap's feature set was still evolving rapidly.”
Community
