Vidyard has been out there since 2010, and while its screen recording platform remains one of the best on the market, a lot of brilliant Vidyard alternatives have sprung up in the last few years.
If you’ve tried Vidyard and are looking for something new or if you’ve never used an online video platform before, then this blog is for you!
We’ve tried out four Vidyard alternatives in detail, and we’re here to report back on the pros, cons, and quirks of each of them.
First of all, I’ll take a look at Vidyard itself, and then I’ll discuss how it stacks up against these alternative options:
My Use Case: Quick Video Messages for Prospects
Of course, the simple answer to the question “Which Vidyard alternative is best?” is this:
That depends on what you want to use it for.
So I’ll start by spelling out the use case I’m testing these apps against.
- I want to produce and send personalized video messages to leads and prospects
- I also want to share quick onboarding guidance and client support with new customers
- I need this to stand out because these are busy people who get A LOT of messages!
That is, I’m looking for maximum impact with minimum effort. That won’t be everyone’s priority, and while I’ll allude to features, strengths, and weaknesses outside that scope in this blog, they won’t be the main focus.
If you’re reading this, I probably don’t need to convince you of the reasons why somebody would want to send video messages like this. But here are a few juicy stats to convince any waverers:
- Video emails achieve click-through rates as much as 42% higher than conventional image-and-text messages
- Personalized videos can 5x engagement with emails for businesses
- Video viewers retain around 95% of what they see, compared to text readers who retain closer to 10%
Vidyard - What It’s Great At
There’s no doubt that Vidyard is a terrific tool. It’s not only stood the test of time but it’s successfully innovated and expanded its functionality.
That’s why a fresh look at Vidyard and its competitors is warranted: a lot of the reviews out there complain about apps lacking features they have long since added or point to USPs that everybody now has.
This video platform comparison is accurate as of September 2021.
The key strengths of Vidyard are as follows:
- The screen recorder functionality is centered around a nice, simple browser extension. It is much more intuitive to launch an extension on the go than loading up a separate browser tab.
- The recorder has some handy features above and beyond the screen/camera/both choices.
- You can change the size of the webcam image as well as move it around
- You can draw on the screen with a highlighter in a variety of different colors
- As soon as you’ve finished recording, you’re sent directly to the video editing page in your browser. This is a neat transition from the extension and recorder that feels seamless.
- It’s really easy to use basic editing functions: trimming the start and end of your video and choosing the thumbnail still.
- Everything you need to send the video onwards, via email or social media, or to embed it in a webpage is right there to hand. This really simplifies the workflow for my use case - I don’t have to produce the video in one place and then go somewhere else to send it.
- There’s also a Vidyard desktop app. This is handy for when you want to record a video but you don’t have internet access.
- If you’re looking for a more comprehensive video platform, Vidyard certainly covers a lot of use cases. And it has a massive range of integrations (some free, some paid) to help build it into your company’s processes.
- The price is pretty reasonable. There’s a free option (which you start on when you trial Vidyard), while the entry-level Pro package is just $15 per month per user when paid annually. That makes Vidyard accessible to even the smallest team.
So why would you choose anything else? 😘
Well, that’s what we’re going to look at next.
Let's compare Vidyard to Sendspark
It probably hasn’t escaped your notice that you’re reading the Sendspark blog page here…
But this is going to be an honest assessment! Vidyard has been a bit of a role model for us over the years, and we’ve built Sendspark around some of what we saw was good and what could be better in the established video platforms.
Where Sendspark Outperforms Vidyard
#1 Sendspark is Easier To Get Started With
Some people have found Vidyard hard to get to grips with. Part of that is definitely because they pack a lot of functionality into the app. Primary onboarding is always a challenge for multifunctional tools, but Vidyard generally makes a good attempt. It’s pretty easy to get started producing videos and sending them out.
But Sendspark has really mastered the art of simplicity in this respect.
When you launch the Sendspark browser extension, you’re straight into the recorder with one click compared to Vidyard’s minimum two.
That’s really handy when I want to film something spontaneously and off-the-cuff.
And you might have read elsewhere that Sendspark is restricted in your options for camera and microphone choice. Well, I’m pleased to report that’s no longer the case!
Sendspark’s video editing dashboard is also simpler and more intuitive to use than Vidyard’s.
Vidyard’s editing home page has:
- Two sets of navigation icons on the left-hand sidebar
- More options on the top line
- Expandible sharing options on the right-hand side
- Options for designing your thumbnail and controlling access to the video at the bottom of the screen
Sendspark’s is much simpler and more intuitive. Everything to do with sharing, embedding, and sending your video on is there to hand in the “Share Video” modal.
While all your options for customizing the landing page where your video will sit are presented on the left-hand side.
#2 Sendspark Is Optimized For Quick, Tailored Video Messages
Sendspark’s fast, simple UI is complemented by some other really helpful, messaging-focused features:
- Unlike many other Vidyard alternatives, Sendspark offers in-app customization of your video thumbnail - adding a text caption and a company logo. With most video message platforms now offering animated GIF previews, this is a fantastic way to make yours stand out from the crowd.
- Sendspark has a unique “Request Video” message feature. This lets you email a contact asking for a video by return - a testimonial, feedback, customer support, etc.
Simply by clicking on the link, they can record a video response directly from their device - no download needed - which comes straight to you. Little touches like this show Sendspark has really been designed with the practical needs of video messaging front of mind.
#3 Sendspark Is Less Expensive
Vidyard’s free plan restricts you to 5 embeds per month, but there are no restrictions with Sendspark.
That said, Vidyard’s free plan offers unlimited recordings and file downloads.
Sendspark’s free plan lacks these features, but it adds them at the Pro package level, which at $12 per user per month is cheaper than Vidyard’s equivalent.
Both free packages include helpful analytics dashboards, plus notifications about when your videos have been watched.
And both Pro packages add:
- More landing page customization (including onward Calls To Action)
- The option to remove Vidyard and Sendspark branding and replace it with your own
Conclusion: Vidyard versus Sendspark?
If you’re using a video platform to record quick, spontaneous videos, share them with minimal effort, and really start using video as a channel for ongoing engagement with leads, Sendspark is the perfect Vidyard alternative for you.
Sign up for free now and check it out for yourself!
Let's compare Vidyard to Loom
The biggest name in short video messaging apps right now is Loom.
Like Vidyard and Sendspark, Loom’s interface kicks off with a browser extension. So far, so standard - until you open up the “Advanced Options,” which add some welcome customization choices.
When you first sign up for Loom, you get a 15-day trial of the Business package, which means you can play with some premium features without spending any money: that’s a clever marketing tactic, but it does make a direct comparison with the apps that start you on the free version a little trickier.
Free Loom limits you to 25 videos per user and a maximum video length of 5 minutes, which is less generous than either Vidyard or Sendspark.
The video drawing tool in Vidyard’s free package is a premium feature for Loom, but Loom does give you some fun in-recorder customization options. You can change the webcam image size and even the background color. See more Loom alternatives here.
Where Loom OutPerforms Vidyard
#1 It’s Cheaper
At $8 per month per seat, Business Loom is just over half the price of Pro Vidyard. For bigger teams, that can make a lot of difference.
Reportedly, Vidyard’s pricing becomes more complicated as you explore enterprise options, while Loom remains fairly straightforward.
#2 It’s Simpler
Loom is renowned for its ease of use, while Vidyard is definitely more complex (although it is renowned for great user support, so you won’t be confused for too long).
Once you get to Loom’s video editing and sharing page, you can quickly see why those reputations are deserved.
Like Vidyard, it’s quick and easy to trim your video, and you can upload your own custom video thumbnail - although you have to create that elsewhere or you’re stuck with the default one (unlike with Sendspark).
There are also good, straightforward options for setting preferences for how the viewer can respond to the video and how you’ll be notified about views.
During your free trial of the Business package, you also get to try out the Transcription service. This is a very cool feature that I think will soon become standard, but the technology is not quite there yet, and some of Loom’s attempts at understanding what you have said will certainly make you laugh out loud.
Loom is also more intuitive for sending video messages than Vidyard, with a simple UI that sits halfway between Vidyard and Sendspark.
Social shares and Gmail shares are handled in the inline workflow (like with Vidyard and unlike Sendspark), but if you want to add an animated GIF preview to an email, you need to copy the code across and embed it (like Sendspark and unlike Vidyard).
I prefer consistency one way or the other - Loom definitely makes it a little fiddly to share animated previews.
One downside of this Vidyard alternative’s simplicity is the really limited options you get for customizing the landing pages that viewers see:
Although the reactions and comments are a nice touch, the page is almost off-puttingly basic. Vidyard and Sendspark allow you to make far more welcoming tailored landing pages, like this Sendspark one - which includes a logo, a welcome message, and a Call To Action:
Conclusion: Vidyard Versus Loom
In essence, Vidyard is an entire video communications platform, while Loom is a screen recording and messaging app.
Vidyard has a lot more functionality (most of it outside the scope of my use case), and one result of that is the far greater number of integrations with other SaaS tools it supports. With these, Vidyard can be fitted into loads of different video-related workflows, whereas Loom and Sendspark are much more narrowly focused.
Loom’s great for your first steps into the video messaging world or if you’re on a tight budget. Vidyard is there for when your needs become a bit more sophisticated.
Let's compare Vidyard to Bonjoro
Bonjoro is a different kettle of fish. It’s not really competing in the same space as other Vidyard alternatives on this list, but it’s well-known and well-reviewed enough to deserve mention.
If you’re looking to get started sending out tailored video messages as quickly as possible and with minimal setup, Bonjoro is not the tool for you - as the Bonjoro team would no doubt be the first to admit.
This Vidyard alternative is all about using video messages in the context of your sales funnel workflow. That means you have to go through a fairly lengthy primary onboarding and setup process before you can really play with it.
Just wanting to record, edit and send some test videos, I found this pretty laborious.
- You have to add contacts to the platform under “Tasks” before you can proceed. This then sets up a kind of basic CRM within the Bonjoro app that you can integrate with your wider stack. Great if you’re using video messaging as part of a clearly defined process, but less so if you’re using it off-the-cuff as an alternative to email, say. It took me six clicks to add a contact to the empty dashboard I was confronted with.
- It’s not automatically linked to your Google or other profile. That means you have to add and validate your own email before sending - or else it sends messages from a Bonjoro address. It’s important to note, Bonjoro will not validate “public domain” emails, like Gmail addresses.
- Again, as part of the onboarding flow, Bonjoro forces you to customize your video landing pages. As it happens, the layout options are great, and this app produces some of the best landing pages of the tools we’re looking at, but it’s another barrier in the way of getting started and feeling that initial “Aha”.
There’s no free version, but the entry-level Starter package comes in at $15 per user per month - the same as Vidyard. New users get a 14-day trial on the Pro package to test out some of Bonjoro’s premium features.
Where Bonjoro Outperforms Vidyard
#1 Roll-Ups
Bonjoro has a very cool feature called “Roll-Ups”, which lets you pick multiple contacts to send one video message to. This is really handy if you’re following up on a big meeting with lots of people, for example.
Combined with the Message Templates functionality - enabling you to save settings for landing pages, CTAs, email copy, etc. - Bonjoro really saves you time once you start scaling up your video messaging activity. The flipside is the setup time, but the more you use it, the bigger the downstream efficiencies.
#2 Integrated CRM Features
It’s definitely helpful having all the data about people you’re sending video messages to on-hand in the Bonjoro platform - along with their interaction histories, lead scores, etc.
If you’re using Vidyard or any of the other tools we’ve discussed in this context, you’d need to keep hopping over to your CRM to get this information rather than having it right there at your fingertips.
Conclusion: Vidyard Versus Bonjoro
As a video platform, Bonjoro competes well with Vidyard.
- There’s no limit on video numbers or embeds
- It creates animated GIF video thumbnails for emailing (again, you can’t customize these in-app, but you can upload them from elsewhere)
- Landing pages feature emoji reactions and text responses
- HD screen recorder in the Chrome extension
But it’s when you really want to embed your video messaging into a wider process that you’ll either love Bonjoro’s workflow and CRM features - or you’ll find them irritating and at odds with the way you already do things. Vidyard integrates just as well with CRM systems, but without trying to pull their features into the app itself.
Let's compare Vidyard to HippoVideo
Of all the tools we’re looking at, HippoVideo is the most direct competitor to Vidyard. It’s one of the best Vidyard alternatives functionality-wise.
The Chrome extension and the in-browser app look identical, which helps cut down friction. One nice feature I haven’t seen elsewhere is that Hippovideo integrates directly into your Gmail, giving you access to reports like this from your Inbox:
The recorder allows you to draw on the screen and has a pointer, which is great for on-screen presentations.
Less helpfully, HippoVideo’s editor page seems to be directly modeled on Vidyard’s - with navigation options all over the screen.
But then, the main home dashboard is probably the clearest and most user-friendly of the lot.
As the dashboard shows, we’re dealing with another comprehensive video platform here that goes way beyond the custom messaging use case - and the clarity of that dashboard is definitely an advantage over Vidyard when it comes to finding your way around a complex tool.
When you sign up for HippoVideo, you get a three-day trial on Pro (which would normally cost you $15 per month for a minimum of 5 users).
After that, you go onto the “free forever” version, which unfortunately omits a lot of the best premium features.
Where HippoVideo Outperforms Vidyard
#1 More Video Customization Options
This Vidyard alternative lets you do a lot with your videos (at least on the paid plans). It’s great to add “Merge Fields” to superimpose text onto your video and add a clickable CTA in the video player itself rather than underneath on the landing page.
Strangely though, you can’t add a custom thumbnail on the free plan. What’s that all about?
HippoVideo also excels in terms of video editing tools. As well as the ability to trim your recording, select the thumbnail image and set custom backgrounds, I particularly liked:
- The functionality for blurring out sensitive data on-screen
- The ability to change video settings to autoplay (not to everyone’s tastes, of course!)
#2 Teleprompter
If you’re not comfortable speaking without a script, a teleprompter can be really helpful in getting your videos in one take. HippoVideo’s is a premium-only feature, but it’s a definite advantage - particularly when you’re making longer videos.
#3 Video Templates for Message Scaling
Like Bonjoro, HippoVideo helps you to scale up your messaging program by saving templates for re-use. It doesn’t have the Roll-Up feature, but this is a definite time-saver.
Conclusion: Vidyard Versus HippoVideo
HippoVideo is a real contender. It’s simple to use but also has advanced features - and some real USPs over Vidyard.
If you’re looking for a direct replacement for Vidyard and you use a lot of its functionality, HippoVideo probably does the best job of the tools here.
What The Public Says
That’s just one user’s perspective. For a wider view, I compared Vidyard, Loom, Sendspark, and HippoVideo on G2 (Bonjoro’s not doing quite the same thing, and I couldn’t get five products onto one screen 😉).
Here are the overall ratings:
A pretty conclusive win for Sendspark over those metrics, right?
But like we’ve said, each of these Vidyard alternatives is doing something slightly different and has its distinct pros and cons.
Sendspark makes it easy to create or import videos and distribute them across email, social, and the web. Sign up now if you want to start recording and sharing videos for free.
