Loom customers recorded 88 million videos in 2024 alone, replacing an estimated 202 million meetings. That's a staggering amount of async communication - and proof that video messaging has gone mainstream.
But here's the thing: Loom's simplicity is both its greatest strength and its biggest limitation. For quick team updates and internal walkthroughs, it's hard to beat. The 25+ million user base (now under the Atlassian umbrella after a $975 million acquisition in 2023) speaks for itself.
The frustration starts when you need more. Customer-facing demos that need polish. Marketing videos that require brand consistency. Sales outreach that has to look professional, not like a screen grab with a webcam bubble. According to Wyzowl's 2026 report, 91% of businesses now use video as a marketing tool, and 84% of consumers want to see more video from brands. The bar is rising - and basic screen recording isn't keeping up.
We tested 8 AI video maker alternatives to Loom across features, AI capabilities, editing tools, and real user sentiment from Reddit, G2, Capterra, and Product Hunt. Here's what we found.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best For | Starting Price | Key Differentiator |
|---|---|---|---|
| ngram | Professional video from any asset | Free / $17.40/mo | Context-aware AI generation |
| Descript | Podcast and video editing | Free / $24/mo | Text-based video editing |
| Vidyard | Sales video outreach | Free / $19/mo | CRM integrations and analytics |
| Tella | Beautiful screen recordings | Free trial / $15/mo | Polished recording layouts |
| ScreenPal | Budget screen recording | Free / $3/mo | Lowest price point |
| Camtasia | Tutorial creation | $179/yr | Desktop editing power |
| VEED | Quick online editing | Free / $12/mo | Browser-based simplicity |
| Synthesia | AI avatar videos | $22/mo | AI-generated presenters |
The enterprise video market hit $26.3 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach $42.9 billion by 2030, growing at a 10.3% CAGR. That kind of growth means tools are evolving fast - and there's a lot more to choose from than there was two years ago.
Why teams are looking beyond Loom
Before diving into the alternatives, it's worth understanding why people are seeking them in the first place. We dug through hundreds of Reddit threads, G2 reviews, and community discussions. Three patterns stood out:
- Limited editing capabilities - Loom's editing tools are minimal. You can trim the beginning and end, but there's no real way to cut sections, add effects, or polish a recording. If you stumble mid-recording, you're often re-recording from scratch.
- Free plan restrictions - Loom's free tier caps recordings at 5 minutes and limits you to 25 videos. For individuals or small teams testing the waters, those limits hit fast.
- Gap between internal and external quality - A Loom recording is fine for updating your team. But sending one to a prospect, embedding one on your website, or sharing one on LinkedIn? The production quality gap becomes obvious.
One Reddit user summed it up: "Great for internal updates, but I'd never send a Loom to a prospect."
1. ngram
If you're reading this because your Loom recordings don't cut it for customer-facing content, ngram is built for exactly that gap - it's the AI video maker built for teams who need more.
Where Loom captures what's on your screen, ngram transforms what you already have into professional videos. Upload a screen recording, a document, some screenshots, or even just a URL - then tell ngram who the video is for and what it needs to accomplish. It handles the script, storyboard, visuals, pacing, captions, and brand styling.
What makes ngram stand out
Context-aware generation is the headline feature. Tell ngram your audience (developers vs. executives), your goal (educate vs. convert), and your channel (LinkedIn vs. website). The output adapts automatically - a LinkedIn announcement gets a fast hook and tight pacing, while a website explainer takes more time to build context.
Plan first, generate second means you review the script and storyboard before anything renders. This is where most video tools fail - they make you commit to a final product before you've confirmed the direction. With ngram, you fix problems at the cheapest possible moment.
AI-powered editing turns rough recordings into polished walkthroughs. Automatic filler word removal, smart zoom on interactions, cursor emphasis, and callouts driven by your prompts. No timeline editing required unless you want it - ngram also includes a full professional editing suite with keyframes, audio levels, and compositing.
Key features:
- Context-aware generation - Adapts structure, pacing, and tone to your audience and channel
- Plan first, generate second - Script and storyboard review before rendering
- Any asset in - Text, images, docs, URLs, screen recordings as input
- AI editing - Auto-cut, filler removal, smart zoom, cursor emphasis
- Multi-format export - 16:9, 9:16, 1:1 with captions included
- Brand kits - Logo, colors, fonts applied to every video automatically
- AI-generated visuals - On-brand motion graphics and clips from the latest AI video models
- Professional editor - Full timeline editing with keyframes when you need precise control
Who is ngram best for?
Product Marketing, Growth, Sales Enablement, Customer Success, and Agencies who need professional videos without production timelines. If your videos go to customers, prospects, or public audiences - ngram is the pick.
ngram has a very generous free plan with paid plans starting at $17.40 per month.
Ready to try ngram? Create your first video in under 5 minutes. Start free
2. Descript
Descript approaches video editing from a genuinely unique angle: edit video like you'd edit a text document. Delete a word from the transcript, and the video cuts accordingly. With over 7 million creators and businesses on the platform and $55 million in ARR as of late 2024, it's carved out a serious niche.
Founded in 2017 by Andrew Mason (yes, the Groupon founder), Descript has raised over $100 million in funding and is backed by investors including OpenAI and Spark Capital.
Key features
- Text-based editing - Edit video by editing the transcript directly
- Screen recording - Built-in recorder with webcam overlay
- AI voice cloning - Clone your voice for corrections or new content
- Filler word removal - Automatic detection and removal of ums and ahs
- Podcast editing - Strong multi-track audio editing capabilities
- AI-powered clips - Automatically find shareable moments in long recordings
What users say
Reddit users consistently praise the transcript-based editing as "mind-blowing for long-form content." Capterra reviewers highlight the speed and efficiency for editing training videos, and the AI features that automatically select the best video clips.
The biggest complaints center around stability. Multiple users report that recent updates have introduced bugs, with the editor becoming "glitchy and laggy" on longer projects. Rendering speed is another frequent pain point, and some users feel new AI features are shipped before they're fully ready. Pricing has also become a sore spot - Descript's credit-based system for AI features can make monthly bills feel unpredictable.
Best for
Content creators and podcasters who work with long-form video and want transcript-level control. Less ideal for teams who need fast, templated, brand-consistent output.
Pricing starts at $24/month for the Hobbyist plan, with a limited free tier available.
3. Vidyard
Vidyard is the sales team's video tool. It's less about creation quality and more about the workflow around video - tracking who watched, CRM integrations, and engagement analytics. The platform serves over 250,000 businesses and has raised over $85 million in total funding.
Key features
- Sales video hosting - Track views, engagement, and viewer identity
- CRM integrations - Native HubSpot, Salesforce, and Outreach connections
- Screen recording - Quick capture with webcam bubble overlay
- Video analytics - Who watched, how long, which parts they replayed
- Video pages - Custom landing pages for video delivery
- AI script generation - Get help writing video scripts for outreach
What users say
Sales teams love the CRM integration and viewer tracking. Knowing exactly when a prospect watches your video and which parts they replay is genuinely useful for follow-up timing. Reddit discussions highlight that the recording quality and editing capabilities are basic - it's really a distribution and analytics platform that happens to have a recorder attached.
Common complaints include limited editing tools, expensive pricing for small businesses, bandwidth limitations on lower tiers, and an incomplete mobile experience. Some users report delays in getting support responses when technical issues arise.
Best for
Sales teams that need video analytics and CRM integration more than video quality. If knowing who watched matters more than how the video looks, Vidyard fits.
Free plan available with limited features. Paid plans start at $19/month.
4. Tella
Tella is what happens when someone designs a screen recorder specifically for people who care about aesthetics. Founded as a Y Combinator-backed startup, Tella hit $5 million in revenue with just a three-person team - a remarkable efficiency story. Companies like Pleo and ChartHop are among its users.
Key features
- Beautiful layouts - Multiple recording layouts including split-screen, picture-in-picture, and presentation mode
- Magic Trim - AI automatically removes pauses and awkward silences
- Segment recording - Record in chunks, rearrange later without starting over
- Auto-zoom - Automatic zoom effects on key interactions
- Custom subtitles - Add and style captions directly in the editor
- Multi-format export - Quick exports for different social platforms
What users say
Users consistently praise the visual quality of Tella recordings - several mention getting compliments on videos they made with zero professional video experience. The zoom feature, custom subtitles, and variety of layouts are frequently highlighted as standout features.
The main complaints revolve around bugs. Users report the tool sometimes records the wrong screen on first launch, the "restart" feature doesn't always work, and longer recordings can cause lag. The web-based editor requires a fast connection and can be unstable on slower networks. Some users also find the cancellation process frustrating, requiring email notice 30 days in advance.
Best for
Content creators, educators, and marketers who want screen recordings that look polished out of the box without heavy editing. Less suited for teams needing advanced editing or collaboration features.
Pricing starts at $15/month with a 7-day free trial.
Looking for the fastest way to create professional videos? ngram turns your screen recordings, docs, and images into polished videos in minutes - not hours. Try ngram free
5. ScreenPal
Formerly known as Screencast-O-Matic (a name most people couldn't spell anyway), ScreenPal has been in the screen recording game since 2010 - making it one of the oldest tools on this list. Its claim to fame is being absurdly affordable while still covering the basics well.
Key features
- Screen and webcam recording - Basic but reliable capture
- Built-in video editor - Trim, cut, add effects, and annotations
- AI captions - Automated caption generation
- Smart narration - Voiceover and narration tools
- Stock library - Access to stock media (on higher tiers)
- Multi-track audio - Layer audio tracks during editing
What users say
Ease of use and affordability are the two words that come up most in ScreenPal reviews. Users appreciate that it's straightforward, well-maintained with regular updates, and dramatically cheaper than alternatives like Loom or Camtasia.
The downsides are equally consistent: users report conversion issues with the newer app format, videos sometimes not saving properly, and occasional freezes requiring reinstallation. Long-time users have also flagged a significant price increase ("nearly 500%" according to one reviewer), though at $3/month for the base tier, it's still the cheapest paid option on this list by a wide margin.
Best for
Educators, small teams, and budget-conscious users who need reliable recording and basic editing without paying premium prices.
Free plan available. Solo Deluxe starts at $3/month.
6. Camtasia
Camtasia is the desktop powerhouse of screen recording. Made by TechSmith (who also make Snagit), it's been the go-to for tutorial creators and corporate trainers for over two decades. If you need heavy editing capabilities and don't mind a desktop app, Camtasia delivers.
In 2025, TechSmith transitioned Camtasia to an annual subscription model - a change that didn't sit well with some long-time users who preferred one-time purchases.
Key features
- Professional video editor - Full timeline editing with keyframes and transitions
- Screen recording - High-quality capture with system audio
- AI text-based editing - Edit video by modifying the transcript (Create plan and above)
- Templates and presets - Pre-built intro/outro sequences and effects
- Stock asset library - 100+ million royalty-free assets (Pro plan)
- Annotations and callouts - Rich overlay options for tutorials
What users say
Camtasia users praise the editing depth. For creating polished tutorials, training content, and educational videos, it's hard to beat the level of control available. The annotation and callout tools are frequently cited as best-in-class for instructional content.
The primary complaint is the learning curve - Camtasia is a full video editor, and that comes with complexity. It's also a desktop-only application, which means no browser-based collaboration and larger file management concerns. The subscription pricing change has frustrated loyal users who had purchased perpetual licenses.
Best for
Tutorial creators, corporate trainers, and educators who need professional-grade editing capabilities and are comfortable with desktop software.
Essentials plan starts at $179/year. No free plan, but a free trial is available.
7. VEED
VEED is the browser-based video editor that went from a two-person bootstrapped startup to 10 million monthly active users and $40 million in revenue (2024). It's positioned as the "Canva for video" - simple enough for anyone, powerful enough for most use cases.
Key features
- Browser-based editor - No downloads, works on any device
- Screen recording - Built-in recorder with webcam overlay
- AI subtitles - Automatic caption generation in 100+ languages
- AI avatars - Generate talking-head videos from text
- Background removal - Remove or replace video backgrounds
- Social media presets - One-click formatting for different platforms
What users say
Users love the accessibility. Everything runs in the browser, so there's zero setup friction. The subtitle feature is consistently praised as fast and accurate. For quick social media edits and adding captions to existing videos, VEED is hard to beat.
The limitations show up on larger projects. Users report lag with longer videos, limited audio editing compared to desktop tools, and frustration with the pricing tiers gating features they consider basic. The free plan includes a VEED watermark, which is a dealbreaker for professional use.
Best for
Social media managers, content creators, and small teams who need quick, browser-based editing without a learning curve. Not ideal for complex, long-form video production.
Free plan available (with watermark). Paid plans start at $12/month.
With 91% of businesses now using video as a marketing tool (Wyzowl, 2026), the question isn't whether you need video - it's which tool matches your workflow.
8. Synthesia
Synthesia is the odd one out on this list - it's not a screen recorder at all. It's an AI video platform that generates videos from text using AI avatars. With $100 million in ARR (reached April 2025), over 65,000 business customers (including 70%+ of the Fortune 100), and $324 million in total funding, it's one of the most well-funded companies in the AI video space.
The company has grown to over 600 employees across offices in London, New York, Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Zurich, and Munich.
Key features
- AI avatars - 230+ realistic digital presenters in 140+ languages
- Text-to-video - Type a script, get a video with a talking presenter
- Custom avatars - Create a digital clone of yourself or team members
- Template library - Pre-built templates for training, marketing, and corporate comms
- Collaboration tools - Team editing and review workflows
- Brand kits - Maintain visual consistency across videos
What users say
For corporate training and L&D teams, Synthesia is a time-saver. Users praise the speed of generating training videos without scheduling film crews or presenters. The language support is a major draw for global companies producing content for international audiences.
The criticism is predictable: AI avatars still look and feel artificial. Users on Reddit frequently note the "uncanny valley" effect, particularly with lip-syncing. Creative control is limited compared to traditional video tools - you're working within the constraints of what the AI can generate. Pricing is also a concern for smaller teams, with the Starter plan at $22/month offering limited features.
Best for
L&D teams, HR departments, and enterprises that need to produce training and corporate communication videos at scale, especially in multiple languages. Not suited for product demos, screen recordings, or creative marketing content.
Starter plan at $22/month. Enterprise plans available with custom pricing.
How we evaluated these Loom alternatives
We didn't just list tools - we tested them, read hundreds of user reviews, and compared them across five weighted criteria:
| Criteria | Weight | What we looked at |
|---|---|---|
| Features | 30% | Core capabilities, AI features, editing tools, export options |
| Ease of Use | 25% | Learning curve, onboarding experience, UI/UX quality |
| AI Capabilities | 20% | AI editing, generation, automation, smart features |
| Value | 15% | Pricing relative to features, free tier generosity, cost at scale |
| Support & Community | 10% | Documentation, community size, customer support quality |
We also factored in:
- Real user reviews from G2, Capterra, TrustRadius, Reddit, and Product Hunt (qualitative sentiment, not numerical scores)
- Market presence and company stability (funding, user base, years in market)
- Integration ecosystem with common business tools
- Industry trends and where the market is heading - the AI video generation market hit $4.8 billion in 2026, with 42% Fortune 500 adoption
For a deeper look at how ngram compares specifically to Loom, check out our detailed ngram vs Loom comparison.
The bottom line
Loom remains solid for quick internal team messages - and with Atlassian's backing, it's not going anywhere. But the async video landscape in 2026 looks very different from where Loom started.
If you need videos that look professional, carry your brand, and actually convert - ngram gives you AI-powered generation and editing without the production timelines. Upload what you have, tell it what you need, and get a polished video in minutes. For teams producing customer-facing content, it's the strongest AI video maker alternative on this list.
Every tool here solves a different slice of the video problem. Descript for transcript-based editing, Vidyard for sales analytics, Tella for beautiful recordings, ScreenPal for budget simplicity, Camtasia for desktop editing power, VEED for browser-based speed, and Synthesia for AI avatars. The right choice depends on what matters most to your workflow.
But if we had to pick one? You know where we stand.
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