Browser-based screen recorders make creating videos simple and fast, with no need for downloads or installations. These tools work directly in your web browser and are compatible with Windows, macOS, Linux, and ChromeOS. They also save recordings to the cloud, generating instant shareable links.
Here’s a quick look at three popular options:
- Loom: Great for quick team updates and demos. Free plan limits recordings to 5 minutes and 25 videos, starting at $15/month for upgrades.
- ScreenApp: Offers unlimited, watermark-free recordings even on the free plan. Advanced features like editing require a subscription.
- VEED.IO: Ideal for polished content with AI-powered editing tools. Free plan limits recordings to 10 minutes/month, starting at $24/month for premium features.
Each tool has strengths and limitations, so choose based on your needs - whether it’s speed, branding, or advanced editing.
Browser-Based Screen Recorder Comparison: Loom vs ScreenApp vs VEED.IO
1. Loom
Loom offers three recording modes: Screen Only, Camera Only, or a combination of Screen + Camera, which is perfect for adding a personal touch to demos or creating quick tutorials. You can capture your entire desktop, a specific application window, a custom area, or even just a single browser tab using its browser extension. These flexible options form the core of Loom's recording capabilities, making it easy to create and share content.
Audio Options
Loom lets you record audio through any connected microphone and includes an audio test feature to ensure sound quality. The platform also transcribes your voice to enable features like auto-generated titles, summaries, and chapters. If needed, you can edit these transcriptions to ensure accuracy. For quick adjustments during recordings, the Live Rewind feature allows you to re-record specific segments effortlessly.
Output Quality
With Loom's free plan, videos are recorded in 720p resolution. The Business plan steps it up by offering up to 4K recording through the desktop app. However, the Chrome extension is capped at 1080p and includes only basic features. For advanced tools, like drawing annotations, you'll need to use the desktop app.
Sharing Methods
Once you finish recording, your video is automatically uploaded to your Loom library and a shareable link is generated. You can easily distribute this link via email or embed it into platforms like Slack, Notion, or Jira. Kieran Flanagan, VP of Marketing at HubSpot, highlights how Loom simplifies his workflow:
"My new daily email habit. Begin writing an email. Get to the second paragraph and think 'what a time suck.' Record a Loom instead."
Limitations
The free plan comes with some restrictions: you're limited to 25 total videos and a maximum of 5-minute recordings per video. To continue using the platform without deleting older videos, you'll need to upgrade. Additionally, free recordings include a "Made with Loom" watermark, which may not be ideal for professional or client-facing materials. Lastly, all videos are stored on Loom's AWS cloud, with no option for local-only storage. This could pose challenges for professionals working in industries with strict data regulations.
Next, let's dive into another browser-based recorder, ScreenApp, to see how it stacks up.
2. ScreenApp
ScreenApp lets you record your entire screen, a specific application, or even just a browser tab. It supports multi-screen recording and includes a webcam overlay option (picture-in-picture), making it ideal for creating demos or training videos.
Audio Options
ScreenApp captures audio from your microphone, system audio, or both simultaneously, all at a professional-grade 48 kHz sample rate. It features AI-powered noise reduction and real-time transcription, automatically generating a transcript and summary once the recording is complete. You can test your audio setup with a 10-second trial recording, and system audio kicks in automatically when recording browser tabs.
Output Quality
By default, ScreenApp records in 1080p (Full HD), with an automatic fallback to 720p if your internet speed isn't up to par. Unlike many free recording tools, ScreenApp doesn't add watermarks - even on its free plan. Once your recording is finished, a 10–30 second processing delay allows for video compression and transcription.
Sharing Methods
Once processed, your video can be shared instantly through a browser link - no account or download required. You can also download the video in MP4 format or embed it directly on your blog or website. Additionally, recordings are stored in ScreenApp's cloud, where you can organize them into shared team folders for easy collaboration.
Limitations
The free version of ScreenApp offers unlimited, watermark-free recordings without time limits. However, advanced tools like video editing, expanded cloud storage, and enhanced AI features (such as voice emotion analysis and meeting summaries) are only available with a premium subscription. Safari users need to manually enable screen recording permissions in System Preferences, and older browsers might not work with the online recorder.
3. VEED.IO
VEED.IO stands out among browser-based screen recorders with its advanced recording and editing features powered by AI, making it a solid choice for professional use.
Recording Modes
VEED.IO offers a variety of recording modes, including Screen Only, Webcam Only, Screen & Webcam (side-by-side or overlay), Slides & Webcam for presentations (with direct PowerPoint or Google Slides integration), and Audio Only. To enhance on-camera performance, it includes AI-driven tools like Eye Contact Correction and a Background Remover.
Audio Features
VEED.IO captures both microphone and system audio simultaneously. Its AI tools, such as Clean Audio and Magic Cut, refine recordings by reducing background noise and cutting out filler words. The platform also offers voice cloning and a built-in teleprompter, ensuring polished and seamless audio delivery. These tools, paired with its high-quality video capabilities, make it a strong contender for professional content creation.
"I love using VEED. The subtitles are the most accurate I've seen on the market. It's helped take my content to the next level."
– Laura Haleydt, Brand Marketing Manager, Carlsberg Importers
Output Quality
VEED.IO supports 1080p high-definition recording and exports files in MP4 format. Its video resizer tool optimizes content for various platforms, whether it’s 16:9 for YouTube or 9:16 for TikTok. With over 70,000 recordings produced weekly and a user base of more than 4 million, VEED.IO consistently delivers professional-grade results.
Sharing Options
Once your recording is complete, VEED.IO simplifies sharing with a cloud-hosted link. Users can toggle the "Public Video" option and enable time-stamped comments for easy feedback. Videos can also be embedded or downloaded in MP4 format.
"I used Loom to record, Rev for captions, Google for storing, and YouTube to get a share link. I can now do this all in one spot with VEED."
– Cedric Gustavo Ravache, Enterprise Account Executive, Cloud Software Group
Limitations
While VEED.IO offers an impressive suite of features, it does have a few drawbacks. The free version applies a watermark to all exports, and while it functions on iPad browsers, there’s no dedicated mobile app. Advanced tools like Clean Audio, transcriptions, and filler word removal are only available with a paid subscription, starting at $24 per month. Additionally, the platform lacks multicam editing capabilities, and only the original creator can edit videos.
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Strengths and Weaknesses
Here's a quick look at the strengths and weaknesses of the browser-based screen recorders mentioned earlier. Each tool has its own perks and limitations, so understanding these can help you find the best fit for your recording needs without making the wrong choice.
Loom is all about speed and convenience, making it a favorite for over 25 million users. You can record and share a link in just seconds, which is great for quick team updates. However, the free version has some tough restrictions - a 5-minute recording limit and a cap of 25 videos. To bypass these limits, you’ll need to upgrade to a business plan starting at $15 per user per month.
ScreenApp shines with its watermark-free free tier, making it ideal for professional presentations where clean branding is essential. It also offers a simple, no-download experience and boasts a solid 4.6/5 user rating. On the downside, it lacks advanced editing tools. If you need more than basic trimming, you’ll have to export your recordings and use another editor.
VEED.IO stands out with its professional-grade AI editing tools, earning a 4.4/5 rating for producing high-quality results in a browser. However, the free plan is limited to just 10 minutes of recording per month. Removing watermarks and unlocking longer sessions requires a paid plan starting at $24 per month.
Here’s a side-by-side comparison for easier reference:
| Tool | Key Strength | Primary Limitation | Free Tier Limit | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loom | Quick sharing & collaboration | 25-video permanent cap | 5 minutes per video | $15/user/month |
| ScreenApp | No watermark on free tier | Limited editing options | Memory-based (no strict time limit) | Varies by plan |
| VEED.IO | Advanced AI editing tools | 10-minute monthly cap | 10 minutes total per month | $24/month |
All three tools upload recordings to cloud servers for easy access. They also perform best on Chromium-based browsers like Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge.
Conclusion
Finding the right browser-based screen recorder is all about aligning the tool with your specific needs and workflow.
Loom is perfect for quick recordings and team collaboration. With over 25 million users across 400,000 companies, it integrates smoothly with tools like Slack, Notion, and Gmail for seamless asynchronous communication. However, keep in mind that its free plan limits both recording time and the number of videos you can create.
ScreenApp offers unlimited, watermark-free recordings, making it a great choice for presentations and training sessions where clean branding matters. While its editing features are basic, its simplicity and ease of sharing stand out.
VEED.IO caters to marketing teams and content creators looking for polished, professional results. Its AI-powered editing tools - such as eye contact correction, filler word removal, and automatic clip splicing - can save hours of editing time. Impressively, users produced over 70,000 recordings in just one week. Do note, though, that the free version includes watermarks and has usage limits.
For sales outreach, tools like Loom - with CRM integrations and viewer analytics - help track engagement effectively. If your focus is on long presentations or webinars, solutions like ScreenApp, which offers one-hour or unlimited recording times without restrictions, are a better fit. And for industries like healthcare, finance, or law, where privacy and compliance are critical, local recording tools that bypass third-party cloud storage might be the safest option. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your specific goals and workflow priorities.
FAQs
What makes Loom, ScreenApp, and VEED.IO different from each other?
When comparing Loom, ScreenApp, and VEED.IO, the key distinctions lie in their features and target audiences.
Loom is all about simplicity and speed. It allows users to effortlessly record their screen, webcam, and audio, with features like pause, resume, and instant link sharing. It's a go-to option for quick, no-fuss communication, especially for team collaboration.
VEED.IO, on the other hand, is more feature-packed. Along with screen recording, it offers advanced editing tools such as subtitles, annotations, and overlays. This makes it an excellent pick for content creators or teams working on polished, professional-quality videos.
ScreenApp prioritizes accessibility. It’s a browser-based tool that doesn’t require any downloads, making it incredibly easy to use across devices. This makes it ideal for remote teams or casual users looking for quick screen captures without added complexity.
Whether you need a tool for fast communication, professional editing, or simple screen recording, each of these platforms offers something tailored to specific needs.
Can I use online screen recorders on my smartphone or tablet?
Most online screen recorders are primarily designed for desktops and laptops, which means their performance on mobile devices might not always be consistent. While some tools can function in mobile web browsers, they often suggest using dedicated apps for smartphones or tablets to ensure a smoother recording experience.
If you plan to record directly on a mobile device, it's a good idea to see if the platform provides a dedicated app for iOS or Android. These apps are usually better optimized for mobile use and can help you avoid the limitations that come with browser-based tools.
Are my recordings secure when using online screen recorders?
The safety of your recordings hinges on the platform you select. Trusted online screen recorders typically implement measures like encryption, secure storage, and access controls to keep your content protected. These tools are designed to safeguard your videos during recording, storage, and sharing.
Before committing to any tool, take a moment to check its privacy policy and security features - this is especially important if you're dealing with sensitive or business-related content. Look for platforms that openly explain their data protection practices to ensure your information stays secure.
