If you are reading this, you are likely staring at a Loom video you just recorded (or received), desperately looking for a “Download” button that either isn’t there or is greyed out.
You are not alone. One of the biggest frustrations for users on the Loom Starter (Free) plan is the restriction on downloading your own content. While Loom is a household name in async video, their recent pricing changes have locked basic features—like downloading your own video files—behind a paywall for many users.
In this guide, we will cover the reality of downloading videos from Loom for free, the “hacky” workarounds you can try, and introduce you to a powerful alternative (Cap.so) that gives you these features (and more) without the headache.
The Problem: Loom’s “Free” Plan Limitations
Loom’s free plan is designed to be a “trial” that feels like a full product until you hit a wall. As of late 2024/2025, the restrictions have tightened:
- Download Blocks: On the Starter plan, you often cannot download videos to your local computer. Loom wants you to share the link, not the file. This keeps you (and your viewers) inside their ecosystem.
- 5-Minute Cap: You are strictly limited to 5 minutes per recording.
- Video Limit: You can only store up to 25 videos in your library before you have to start deleting old ones to make space.
Can you download Loom videos for free?
Technically, no—not natively. If you are on the free plan, the official “Download” button is usually disabled for Creators.
The “Hacky” Workaround
If you absolutely must get that video off Loom right now without paying, your only real option is a “meta-recording”:
- Open the Loom video in your browser.
- Use a different free screen recorder (like OBS or QuickTime).
- Hit record on the second tool, then press play on the Loom video.
- Save that recording.
It’s messy, degrades quality, and captures system audio poorly. There is a better way: Stop using a tool that holds your video files hostage.
The Better Alternative: Cap.so vs. Loom
If you are tired of hitting the 5-minute limit and not owning your video files, it is time to look at Cap.so.
Cap (Cap.so) is a newer, open-source-friendly alternative designed to solve exactly what Loom broke. It is lightweight, beautiful, and most importantly, it treats your recordings as your data.
1. Downloading Files (The Dealbreaker)
- Loom: Downloads are gated. You often have to upgrade to the Business plan ($12.50+/mo) just to save an MP4 of a video you recorded.
- Cap.so: Free. Cap is “Local First.” When you record a video, the file is generated on your computer immediately. You can upload it to the cloud if you want, but you always have the raw file on your drive. No “requesting access” to your own work.
2. Recording Time Limits
- Loom Free Plan: Hard stop at 5 minutes.
- Cap.so: Unlimited recording time. You can record a 1-hour presentation or a 30-minute tutorial without paying a cent.
3. Privacy and Storage
- Loom: Your videos live on Loom’s servers. If you stop paying or hit your limit, you lose access.
- Cap.so: Cap supports BYOS (Bring Your Own Storage). You can connect your own AWS S3 bucket. This means you own your data 100%. If Cap.so disappeared tomorrow, you would still have all your videos.
4. Quality and Performance
Loom can be heavy on your CPU, often causing your fan to spin up during 4K recordings. Cap is built on macOS native technologies (and optimized for Windows), making it incredibly lightweight. It records in stunning 4K/60fps by default, even on the free version.
Feature Showdown: At a Glance
| Feature | Loom (Free Starter) | Cap.so |
| Download Videos | Restricted (Paywall) | Allowed (Local file access) |
| Recording Limit | 5 Minutes | Unlimited |
| Video Quality | Up to 720p/1080p | Up to 4K 60fps |
| Watermark | Yes (Loom Branding) | None / Minimal |
| Offline Recording | No (Requires Internet) | Yes (Record anywhere) |
| Export to GIF | Paid Feature | Free |
Export to Sheets
Why Cap.so is Winning Users Over
Cap isn’t just a “Loom clone”; it’s a refinement. It offers two distinct modes that Loom lacks:
- Instant Mode: Works just like Loom. Record, and the link is copied to your clipboard instantly for sharing.
- Studio Mode: This is for creators. It records separate tracks for your screen and your camera. This allows you to edit the video after recording—you can resize your face bubble, move it around the screen, or hide it completely during specific parts of the video.
The Pricing Advantage
Loom’s Business plan costs around $150/year per user. Cap.so is significantly more affordable for the Pro features, and the Free version is far more generous (essentially unlimited for local use).
Get Started with Cap.so (Exclusive Discount)
If you are ready to stop fighting with download buttons and 5-minute timers, I highly recommend switching to Cap.so. It is the tool Loom should have been.
For those who want the advanced Pro features (like AI transcripts, custom branding, and hosted analytics), you can use the link below.
🚀 Click here to get Cap.so with a 20% Discount
Note: The free version of Cap is fantastic, but the Pro plan unlocks the full power of AI and Cloud hosting. Using the link above secures you a 20% discount if you decide to upgrade.
Conclusion
Don’t let a “Free” plan cost you your time. While you can screen-record your Loom videos to save them, the smarter move is to switch to a platform that respects your ownership of the content. Download Cap, own your files, and record without limits.