Smooth Capture vs Loom
Comparing professional screen recording with cinematic effects vs. quick video messaging
Smooth Capture
One-time payment • Lifetime license • All features included
- Cinematic cursor effects make videos look professional
- One-time payment of $29 (vs $180/year for Loom)
- Advanced timeline editor for precise control
- Export in 4K with no quality loss
- Custom backgrounds and animated effects
Loom
Billed monthly • Free plan limited to 25 videos (5 min each)
- Extremely fast to record and share
- Built-in cloud storage and link sharing
- Video analytics and engagement tracking
- Great for team collaboration
- CTA buttons within videos
Overview: Smooth Capture vs Loom
Smooth Capture and Loom serve different purposes in the screen recording space. While Loom excels at quick video communication and team collaboration with instant sharing, Smooth Capture is designed for content creators who need professional-grade recordings with cinematic cursor effects, smart zoom, and advanced editing capabilities.
If you need to quickly record and share a message with your team, Loom is unbeatable. But if you're creating tutorials, product demos, or marketing videos that require polished, professional output with stunning visual effects, Smooth Capture is the superior choice.
Key Differences
- 1Smooth Capture offers cinematic cursor effects and smart zoom for professional tutorials, while Loom focuses on simple, fast recording for team communication.
- 2Smooth Capture includes a professional timeline editor with multi-track audio, whereas Loom provides only basic trimming capabilities.
- 3Smooth Capture is a one-time purchase at $29, while Loom requires a monthly subscription ($15/month for unlimited videos).
- 4Loom excels at instant sharing and cloud storage, while Smooth Capture provides local project files and export control.
- 5Smooth Capture offers advanced features like automatic subtitles with karaoke-style highlighting, custom backgrounds, and animated effects that Loom doesn't provide.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Smooth Capture | Loom |
|---|---|---|
| Screen Recording | ||
| Webcam Recording | ||
| Microphone Audio | ||
| System Audio | Desktop app only | |
| Cinematic Cursor Effects | ||
| Smart Zoom | ||
| Professional Timeline Editor | ||
| Multi-Track Audio Editing | ||
| Custom Backgrounds | ||
| Picture-in-Picture Control | Advanced with keyframes | Basic |
| Automatic Subtitles | ||
| 4K Export | Paid plans only | |
| Local Projects | ||
| Cloud Sharing | ||
| Instant Link Sharing | ||
| Video Analytics | ||
| CTA Buttons in Videos | ||
| Pricing Model | One-time ($29) | Subscription ($15/mo) |
Which Tool Is Best For You?
Choose Smooth Capture if you:
- Want professional cinematic effects like smooth cursor motion and smart zoom
- Need advanced video editing with timeline and multi-track audio
- Create product demos, tutorials, or marketing videos
- Prefer one-time payment over subscriptions
- Need to export in 4K resolution
- Want full control over your video projects locally
- Record system audio alongside microphone input (available on all platforms)
Choose Loom if you:
- Need to quickly record and share videos with your team
- Want instant cloud storage and link sharing
- Use video for async team communication
- Need video analytics to see who watched your videos
- Want to add CTA buttons within videos
- Already comfortable with subscription pricing
- Prioritize speed and simplicity over advanced features
Limitations of Loom
- Free plan limited to 25 videos per person (5 minutes each) - very restrictive
- No advanced video editing capabilities (only basic trim)
- System audio only available on desktop app (not browser extension)
- No cinematic effects or cursor smoothing
- Subscription required for unlimited videos ($180/year)
- 4K export only on paid plans (free is limited to 720p)
- No custom backgrounds or visual effects
- Limited control over exported video quality
The Verdict
Loom and Smooth Capture serve different audiences. Loom is ideal for quick internal team communication and async collaboration where speed and sharing matter most. However, for content creators, YouTubers, course creators, and marketers who need professional-looking screen recordings with cinematic effects and advanced editing, Smooth Capture is the clear winner. At $29 one-time versus $180/year for Loom, Smooth Capture also offers significantly better value for anyone creating polished video content regularly.
Ready to Try Smooth Capture?
Download now and experience the difference. No credit card required.