Cap: The Open Source Loom Alternative for Screen Recordings

Cap: The Open Source Loom Alternative for Screen Recordings

Summary

Cap is an open source Loom alternative, providing a powerful video messaging tool for screen recordings. It allows users to record, edit, and share beautiful, shareable videos in seconds. Built with a modern tech stack including Rust, TypeScript, React, and Tauri, Cap offers both desktop and web applications.

Repository Info

Updated on October 12, 2025
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Introduction

Cap is an innovative open source project designed as a direct alternative to Loom. It empowers users to create beautiful, shareable screen recordings with ease. Whether you need to explain a concept, provide feedback, or simply share a quick video message, Cap offers a robust solution for both macOS and Windows users, with a web application for self-hosting.

Installation

Getting started with Cap is straightforward. For desktop users, you can download the application directly from the official website for macOS and Windows.

# Download Cap for macOS or Windows
Visit https://cap.so/download

For those interested in self-hosting the web application, Cap provides comprehensive documentation. You can deploy Cap Web using Docker or Railway, connecting your desktop client to your self-hosted instance.

# Deploy Cap Web to Railway
Visit https://railway.com/new/template/PwpGcf

Examples

Cap simplifies the process of video messaging. With Cap, you can:

  • Record: Capture your screen with audio, creating high-quality video messages.
  • Edit: Quickly trim and refine your recordings to convey your message effectively.
  • Share: Easily share your videos with colleagues, friends, or your audience through a shareable link.

Cap is ideal for tutorials, bug reports, team communication, and more, offering a seamless experience from capture to share.

Why Use Cap

Cap stands out as an excellent choice for screen recording and video messaging due to several key advantages:

  • Open Source: Enjoy full transparency, community-driven development, and the freedom to inspect and modify the codebase.
  • Modern Technology Stack: Leveraging Rust, TypeScript, React (Next.js), SolidJS, and Tauri, Cap offers high performance and a smooth user experience.
  • Cross-Platform: Available for macOS and Windows, with a self-hostable web component.
  • Loom Alternative: Provides a feature-rich, privacy-focused alternative to proprietary screen recording tools.
  • Active Development: The project is actively maintained with a clear roadmap and community contributions.

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