Video Recording Software — Free, HD Quality, Instant Sharing | Cap
Cap is free video recording software for Mac and Windows. Record your screen, webcam, and audio in HD, then share instantly with a link. Open-source, no watermarks, no time limits in Studio Mode.
Why Cap is the Best Video Recording Software
Everything you need to capture, share, and collaborate on video recordings — completely free and open-source
HD Video Capture Up to 4K at 60fps
Record crystal-clear video at up to 4K resolution and 60 frames per second. Cap captures every detail of your screen with smooth motion and sharp text, delivering professional output without professional pricing.
Screen, Webcam, and Audio Together
Capture your full screen or a specific window alongside your webcam in a picture-in-picture overlay. Record system audio and microphone simultaneously so your video recordings are complete and ready to share without any post-production.
Instant Shareable Links
Stop recording and Cap generates a shareable link in seconds. No uploading, no waiting, no file transfers. Paste the link in Slack, email, or Notion and your viewers get instant access. Learn more about screen recording with Cap.
Completely Free, No Watermarks
Cap's Studio Mode is 100% free for personal use with no watermarks, no time limits, and no hidden fees. Unlike most video recording software, Cap never adds branding overlays to your recordings. Download Cap's free recorder today.
Open Source and Auditable
Cap is fully open-source on GitHub and MIT-licensed. Inspect every line of code, verify how your recordings are handled, and contribute features back to the community. No black boxes, no vendor lock-in. Learn more about Cap as open-source software.
Separate Screen and Webcam Tracks
In Studio Mode, screen and webcam video are saved as independent tracks. Edit them separately in your video editor for full post-production control — ideal for tutorials, product demos, and professional training content.
AI-Powered Captions
Automatically generate accurate captions from your video recordings with zero manual effort. Cap's built-in transcription makes content accessible, searchable, and more engaging without requiring a separate transcription service.
Built-In Thread Commenting
Viewers can leave timestamped comments directly on your video recordings. Collect structured feedback without long email threads or follow-up calls — collaboration is built into every recording Cap shares.
See Cap in Action
Watch how Cap makes screen recording simple, powerful, and accessible.
How Cap Compares to Other Video Recording Software
The best video recording software for your workflow depends on what you need — here's how Cap stacks up
Cap vs Loom
Cap starts at $9.99/month versus Loom's $18/month, and Cap's Studio Mode is completely free with no watermarks. Cap records at up to 4K, is open-source, and supports custom S3 storage — quality and flexibility that Loom's free and paid plans don't match. See the full Cap vs Loom comparison.
Cap vs Camtasia
Camtasia costs $299.99 and is built around editing rather than instant sharing. Cap is free and covers the full workflow from video recording to sharing — making it the better choice for users who want professional results without enterprise pricing.
Cap vs OBS Studio
OBS is also open-source and free, but it requires significant configuration and is designed for live streaming rather than async video sharing. Cap delivers instant shareable links, built-in commenting, and a clean interface with no setup overhead. Compare screen recording software in detail.
Cap vs Built-in OS Recorders
macOS and Windows built-in recorders lack system audio, webcam overlay, and instant sharing. Cap adds all of these natively with no extra plugins required. Learn more about video recording on Mac or Windows.
Two Video Recording Modes for Every Workflow
Cap adapts to whether you need a quick share or a polished professional video
Instant Mode
Record and get a shareable link the moment you stop. Perfect for quick demos, bug reports, and async team updates. Free plan includes video recordings up to 5 minutes with built-in thread commenting.
Studio Mode
Completely free for personal use with no time limits. Records at full quality up to 4K with separate screen and webcam tracks. Ideal for tutorials, polished product demos, and professional training videos — no subscription required.
Video Recording Software Compared
| Feature | Cap | Loom | Camtasia | OBS Studio |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Free / $9.99/mo | Free / $18/mo | $299.99 one-time | Free |
| No watermark | Yes | Free plan adds watermark | Yes (paid only) | Yes |
| Instant share link | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| 4K recording | Yes | No | Yes (paid) | Yes |
| Open source | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Mac and Windows | Yes | Browser only | Yes | Yes |
| Webcam + screen | Yes | Yes | Yes (paid) | Yes |
| AI captions | Yes | Yes (paid) | Yes (paid) | No |
Who Uses Cap as Their Video Recording Software
From solo developers to enterprise teams — Cap fits every workflow that needs fast, professional video recordings
Software Tutorials and Documentation
Developers and product teams record step-by-step tutorials and feature walkthroughs with Cap. HD quality and instant shareable links make it easy to publish documentation or share onboarding guides without any video hosting setup.
Async Team Communication
Replace synchronous meetings with short video recordings. Record a walkthrough, share the link in Slack, and let your team watch asynchronously. Learn how Cap supports remote teams.
Bug Reports and QA
Recording a bug is faster and clearer than writing a description. Cap's Instant Mode captures exactly what went wrong and delivers a shareable link in seconds so engineers can reproduce and fix issues immediately.
Client Demos and Presentations
Record polished product demos and share them as links without scheduling a live call. Cap's built-in thread commenting lets clients leave structured feedback directly on the recording.
Employee Training and Onboarding
Build a library of training videos that new hires can access on-demand. AI-powered captions make every recording searchable and accessible. Learn how Cap supports employee onboarding.
Education and Course Content
Educators record lectures, screen walkthroughs, and instructional content with Studio Mode at no cost. Learn how Cap supports online classrooms.
Frequently Asked Questions About Video Recording Software
Start Recording Video for Free with Cap
Ready to get started? Download now and see the difference.