GlisioGuide
What is a Loom video?
People say “send a Loom” the way they used to say “send a screenshot.” Here is what that file actually is, and when a polished local MP4 is the better job.
On this page
A Loom video is a screen recording (often with your webcam in a bubble) that you share as a link instead of attaching a file. Viewers watch in the browser, leave comments on the timeline, and you can see who opened it. That is the product: async video messages for teams, not a Hollywood editor for launch demos.
If you landed here after Googling “what is a loom video,” you have probably been asked to “just Loom it” in Slack. Fair. Below is how it works, what the free plan actually allows (checked on Loom’s pricing page, October 2026), and when a Mac app like Glisio is the better tool.
How do you make a Loom video?
- 01Install Loom (desktop, browser, or mobile) and pick screen, camera, or both.
- 02Record. Loom can capture system audio and your mic, depending on permissions and plan.
- 03Stop. Loom uploads the take and gives you a share URL.
- 04Drop the link in Slack, email, Notion, or a ticket. Viewers watch without downloading.
The “Loom” people mean is usually that URL. Downloads and longer edits show up on paid plans. Mouse emphasis and drawing tools are there for callouts: useful for walkthroughs, not the same as cinematic auto-zoom that follows every click in a product demo.
How much does Loom cost in 2026?
| Plan | Price | Recording limits | Share / download |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starter | $0 | 25 videos/person, 5 min per recording, up to 720p | Links, comments, reactions; downloads not the free focus |
| Business | $18/user/month | Unlimited videos and length; up to 4K | Upload and download; remove Loom branding; richer analytics |
Annual billing can discount the Business seat. Higher tiers exist for larger workspaces. Treat the table as a snapshot. Loom changes packs; verify on loom.com/pricing before you budget a team.
When is a Loom video the right tool?
- Replacing a meeting: “watch this 90-second walkthrough instead of booking 30 minutes”
- Bug reports and support replies with a face and a cursor
- Team libraries, comments, and “who watched” for internal work
- Windows, Mac, web, and mobile in one workspace
When should you not use Loom?
Skip Loom when the deliverable is a publish-ready marketing demo. Loom optimizes for speed and conversation. Tools like Screen Studio or Glisio optimize for how the finished MP4 looks on a landing page: automatic zoom on clicks, backgrounds, multi-ratio export, files that never have to live in someone else’s cloud first.
If you need that zoom look and you do not care about Loom comments, start with How zooming product demos are made or the auto-zoom screen recorder page. Buying once instead of a seat: lifetime Screen Studio alternative.
Loom vs a local Mac demo recorder: who wins?
| Loom | Glisio | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Async team updates and Slack links | Publish-ready Mac product demos |
| Primary output | Share link in the browser | Local MP4 (16:9 / 9:16 / 1:1) |
| Comments / who watched | Core product | Not included |
| Auto-zoom on clicks | Mouse emphasis on paid plans | Cinematic zoom from click metadata |
| System audio on Mac | Yes, with permissions | Native; no BlackHole for standard capture |
| Polish tools | Drawing and callouts | Backgrounds, cursor polish, multi-ratio export |
| Pricing | Free Starter + Business from $18/user/mo | Free watermarked export; Pro Lifetime $79 once |
| Platforms | Mac, Windows, web, mobile | macOS 13+ only |
Full alternative list: Loom alternatives for Mac. Side-by-side product page: Glisio vs Loom.
Which one should you open today?
- Need a link in Slack in under two minutes → Loom
- Need a launch or tutorial clip that looks finished on a site → Glisio, Screen Studio, or similar
- Need both → many teams keep Loom for chat and a demo app for marketing. That is normal, not indecisive.
FAQ
What is a Loom video?
A Loom video is a screen and/or camera recording hosted by Loom and shared as a link. Viewers watch in the browser and can comment; creators often use it instead of a live meeting.
Is Loom free?
Loom Starter is free with limits: 25 videos per person, 5 minutes per recording, up to 720p (as listed on Loom’s pricing page in October 2026). Business starts at $18 per user per month for unlimited length and downloads.
Can I download a Loom video?
Downloads are part of paid Loom plans such as Business. Starter is built around watching via the share link.
Is Glisio a Loom alternative?
Only for a different job. Glisio is a Mac recorder for polished local demos with auto-zoom. It does not replace Loom’s comments, team library, or multi-platform async chat. See the Loom alternatives page for the full comparison.
Loom vs Screen Studio: which is better?
Loom for fast internal share links. Screen Studio (or Glisio) for cinematic Mac demos you export as MP4. They solve different problems; many people use both.