Loom is a video-making platform that is designed to help businesses facilitate better and more efficient workplace communication through video and screen recording. It empowers users to use a web-based interface that supports screen recording and screen capture, shared via a link for easy viewing.
Segment |
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Deployment | Cloud / SaaS / Web-Based, Desktop Mac, Desktop Windows, Mobile Android, Mobile iPhone |
Support | 24/7 (Live rep), Chat, Email/Help Desk, FAQs/Forum, Knowledge Base, Phone Support |
Training | Documentation |
Languages | English |
The popularity of remote and hybrid work is increasing at an incredible rate. Since the pandemic, around 16% of companies worldwide have gone fully-remote, while 62% of companies allow their staff to work remotely on occasion.
The distributed nature of the workplace today means companies need to invest in new tools to keep their staff aligned and connected. Whether you’re sharing messages in Slack, or video conferencing in Microsoft Teams, you’re probably already investing in tools that will support the change landscape of work.
Loom is quickly emerging as one of the most valuable platforms in remote and asynchronous work. It focuses on allowing users to capture video content, screenshots, and other information for recipients to watch whenever they choose. This can be a lot easier for teams looking to communicate when other staff members aren’t available for a real-time video call.
Today’s Loom review will explore everything you need to know about leveraging this video and screen-capture tool for the age of asynchronous and remote work.
Loom is the leading video communication platform for asynchronous work. Designed for speed and simplicity, the solution allows you to record, share, and interact with videos. Over 14 million people across 200,000 companies use Loom to work more collaboratively.
The primary features of Loom include:
One of the things that makes Loom so compelling to modern workforces is how easy it is to use. It only takes a few seconds to sign up with Loom using your Google, Slack, or Apple ID. You can also create an account with an email address or SSO.
Once you’ve created an account, you can simply install your application onto your device. Downloads are available for Windows and Mac, and you can get the iOS or Android app directly from respective app stores. There’s also a Chrome extension for Loom.
After installing the application, you’ll have to make sure you enable permissions for recording from your microphone, webcam, and screen. The desktop application will appear in your system tray or menu bar, so you can start recording with one click. There’s also the option to set up keyboard shortcuts.
When you’re fully setup, you can start recording your videos instantly. By default, the app records your screen with a webcam overlay, but you can also choose to record your face or screen individually. The iOS version of Loom does not allow for recording both your webcam and your screen at once, however.
Before you begin recording, you’ll be able to reposition and resize the webcam overlay, and choose whether you want to capture a portion of your screen or the whole thing. You can also decide whether to record system audio alongside your voice.
When you’re done recording, the entire video will automatically upload to the Loom cloud environment, and be accessible through your account. Here, you can edit the video in various basic ways, such as stitching different pieces of content together, cutting out the parts you don’t need, and adding “call to action” buttons which popup for users after the video finishes.
Notably, every video created with Loom is automatically made “public”. You can share the link to anyone, and they’ll be able to watch it without signing up for an account. The share button also offers one-click sharing for social media, and access to code for embedding videos on a website. The Chrome Extension will also automatically convert videos into embedded content for Google Doc, JIRA, Gmail, and GitLab.
Users viewing your video can speed up playback, react with emojis throughout the viewing process, see an automatic transcript, and leave comments.
Loom’s pricing structure is relatively straightforward. There are 3 primary plans to choose from, starting with an attractive free package.
Options include:
Price: Free
The Starter plan is free for anyone who wants to record quick videos (less than 5 minutes) and share them with colleagues quickly. You can use this package with up to 50 creators, and create 25 videos per person, with access to features like:
Price: $8 per user per month
The Business plan comes with all the free features of Loom for unlimited creators, and 50 Creators “Lite”. You can create as many videos as you like with unlimited recording lengths. As well as the features in the Starter pack, you also get:
Price: Custom
Designed for companies with specific recording needs and privacy requirements, the Enterprise plan gives you more advanced admin and security settings. You can also set up unlimited members, videos, and record for as long as you choose. Along with all the features in the Business plan, you’ll also get access to:
If you’re a teacher in the digital world, you can access a specialist plan specifically for education. Loom offers qualified educators access to premium features and unlimited recordings for free. You also get advanced HD videos, up to 45 minute recording lengths, and unlimited viewers.
Password protected videos, call-to-action buttons, search functionality, and system audio tools are also included as part of the package.
Loom is an excellent tool for rapidly creating and sharing video content and screens with your colleagues. It’s easy-to-use, packed full of useful features, and relatively affordable compared to some other options. However, there are other solutions out there.
Some of the most compelling alternatives include:
Slack Clips is the native screen recording feature built into Slack. If you’re already using the Slack service for asynchronous collaboration, it might make sense to choose this product over Loom. With Clips, you can not only capture screen information, but also add voice overs to something, and implement your webcam too.
The Slack Clips feature doesn’t work outside of Slack, so you will need an account to start using the service. Clips can also only be shared in channels or through Slack direct messages. There’s also a five minute limit with no way to increase your recording options.
You’ll also need a paid account with Slack to access this service. Clips is not included as part of the Slack free package.
If you’re using Dropbox for storing and managing files in the remote working world, you can also tap into one of the most recent features introduced by Dropbox. “Dropbox Capture” automatically uploads the videos you create directly into your Dropbox folder, which makes it ideal for sharing with distributed team members.
Though still relatively new to Dropbox, the Capture function offers many of the same features as Loom, including the option to take a screenshot, record your screen, or combine your screen recording with a view of your webcam. You can also record audio, or make a gif this way.
All of the content you produce will be saved to the Capture folder in your Dropbox account. You’ll also be able to hover over the capture to collect an URL to share with colleagues. The “Markup” feature allows you to draw on your content and add annotations.
Another option for those who already have a dedicated productivity and collaboration tool in place with their team, Asana comes with a range of “add-on” features for screen recording and video. One of the most common options is the “Coview” service, which allows you to create detailed videos and screen recordings with a couple of clicks.
You can also use Coview as part of your customer service strategy, allowing customers to capture information and code-level insights into any problem they’re having. All of the content is stored to your Asana account, where you can export screenshots and recordings as Asana tasks.
While the features aren’t exactly the same as the ones you’ll get from Loom, they’re pretty straightforward, and ideal for customer service teams.
If you want to avoid adding any more apps to your workplace, or you need to keep your budget as low as possible, Mac and Windows devices also have some of their own screen capturing options. You can capture an entire screen, window, or portion of a screen on a Mac by pressing shift, command, and 3 together on your device.
The QuickTime player on Mac also allows you to capture video recordings of your computer screen. Simply open the QuickTime player, then click on “File”, then “New Screen Recording”. You’ll be able to control exactly which portion of the screen you want to record, and decide whether you want to include your pointer in the recording.
On Windows, the best way to capture screen recordings is with the “Game Bar”, built for Xbox consoles. You can access this feature by going into “Settings > Gaming > Xbox Bar”. From there, enable the Xbox Game Bar, and you’ll be able to start recording videos or taking a screenshot with the click of a button. You can also trigger the game bar with shortcuts.
You should be able to record activity in most windows and applications with Game Bar, and there are various tools for allowing you to adjust your recordings, adding audio, and reducing the size of your screen.
For capturing asynchronous video messages, screenshots, and screen recordings, Loom is one of the simplest tools on the market. It’s ideal for beginners who want to be able to capture quick videos to share with colleagues in an instant. The fact that other people don’t need an account to watch your videos can make it much easier to collaborate with Loom.
Share your experiences with the Loom app in the comments below, and let us know if you prefer any of the alternative options available today.
The fact it's super-intuitive, free of charge and really helps me with my work.
Well, I don't want to be limited to a specific number of free video captures I create..
It helps me explain to my development team things quickly and efficiently, and saves me the trouble of sending them long detailed emails that take too long to write
Before Loom, I spend almost 3 hours editing and preparing my class. After Loom, I only focus on designing the course and recording a 30 min video class. No more, it's fantastic.
I want more options, for instance, changing the circle around my face for a different shape and possibly including a Chromakey feature with a green background.
- Simplification of the eLearning process (editing, recording, and presenting) of the videos. - Tracking and live interaction of the expectation of the audience (my students) - Secure delivery of my class videos
The friendly nature of the interface plus the quality of the video output all of it is amazing. Furthermore the fact that you don't have to save it on your computer and do lengthy process of editing there. I am happy with the facility to share the video with anyone anywhere only with a simple link.
The limit on time is a little strict 🙂 if that can be incresed a little bit like it should be at least 7 minutes instead of only 5 minutes then it would be awesome.
I'm a freelancer and often I have to send proposals. My proposals started standing out when I started sending them the video proposals along with the written one. My clients gave me the feedback that they loved the video proposal more because it helped them to understand the proposed solution in a better way.
Easy to use, to share content. No need to be an expert on editing videos.
Sometimes it is a little slow to initialize.
I need to send short videos explaining procedures so Loom makes it easy to record and share.
I like the ability to make edits. It doesn't take a lot of time. Plus the gif link embedded into my google slides is perfect.
I have not run into a downside yet. I think if someone wants to do a more comprehensive video there are ways they can do that. I would not change anything so far.
I am able to create really good lessons and save myself some real-time by not having to make instructions through writing. Plus my students can back up the video and really cover the material on their own.
I share it will all of the teachers that I work with. I love being able to annotate a PPT while recording and the option to edit later if need be. Also students can leave comments on the videos
I have not really come across anything that I dislike yet. It is very easy to use.
Since I teach virtually, loom allows me to still ensure my students are getting the information they need to be successful. It is hard to do 1-1s with them all, so I use loom to get information to them all at once.
Instead of me giving instructions to my team via email, I send them a Loom video.
Hope you can extend the 5 minutes to minutes free video recording.
Loom enables me to send clearer instructions to my team. We avoid misunderstandings and misinterpretations.
That I can see who viewed it. Would like a little more info about the person that viewed it. Maybe location, device, etc.
25 video limit, have to delete them .....
Explaining tech things that would require a painful screensharing meeting.
It's quite simple and efficient to record and share videos using the Loom.
The free version has a limited time to record.
Guiding customers through our solution easily and efficiently.
O modo como ele está integrado ao navegador e a facilidade de configurar o uso.
Quando a gravação começa a ficar muito grande, ele deixa de funcionar bem e leva o computador a travar (além de não conseguir fazer o upload da gravação)
Estou conseguindo fazer o registro das minhas atividades docentes (diversas delas, como aulas, orientações etc).
It makes communicating with clients about technical issues easy.
It's still a tad buggy. My Chrome has hung.
Communication
Record a presentation with a camera is useful and easy.
Sometimes it's difficult to trim and edit the video.
Time you waste in a personal presentation, you can resume with loom in 5 minutes.
I turn meetings into 5 min. videos, and the same explkanation can be used a lot of times (i spare time)
WIsh i could have more time (i know the paid version gives that, but...)
Matter of always explaining the same stuff to people (like onboardings)
Loom has replaced a ton of my meetings. People are visual learners so now when someone asks me a question, I often "Record a loom" instead of getting on a call. Then they can watch that loom on their own time (even speeding it up to save more time!!). This saves a TON of meetings. Also, I now have the recordings. So when someone later asks the same question, I can just send them the old loom. This has been a total game-changer to the way my company and I work.
Screensharing rules keep changing so sometimes I have trouble picking the right window or getting my USB camera to be recognized.
Time! Less meetings & more efficient communication amongst my team and with customers.
Easy to use, Easy to share, Intuitive to use
Not applicable. I use most of the time for sharing knowledge with coworkers, so far I have not disliked anything about Loom.
Very helpful in remote world. I share loom videos with my co-workers and vice versa.
How easy it is to just record a short video and share it with the rest of your team or friends.
The lack of options to hide the record button (or if the option exists, how hard it is that I did not find it after using this for a year)
Recording videos easily and sharing recorded videos fast.
Loom helps me save sooo much time in unnecessary calls and expedite the process with my clients and colleagues
Some occasional bugs but seems to be doing better lately.
Hand over client presentations and feedback with my team.
So easy to use! It helps cut down on meetings, long lengthy emails can instead be a 30 second Loom. Also we use in customer facing materials and its much more personal!
Not able to embed a Loom video into a HubSpot email
Reducing email/slack back and fourths
It is easy to use, it is easy to share, it requires minimal training, and it's great for onboarding new team members. When we are setting up something complex, it is a great tool to help them see and hear what we are doing.
Downside is that if I mess up I have to completely restart the video.
Showing clearly how to do and keeping records of important tasks. I can always go back and view a video if I forget how to do something.
We save a lot of time using loom messages. It's supper easy integrated in our day to day flow. And also we starting to use it more and more for our marketing and sales efforts.
I had few issues with version update, it sometimes slow , and holds me back when I need to record something right now. Also I really missed the lack of noise cancelling , but it was added in recent versions already.
Saves a lot of time and makes our in team communication clear and effective.