A free, open-source Loom alternative for Mac
Reelbird is a free, open-source Loom alternative for Mac. Like Loom, it copies a share link the moment you stop recording. Unlike Loom's free plan, it has no 5-minute limit, no 25-video cap and no 720p ceiling, every take stays on your Mac as MP4 files you can keep, and the link points at a storage bucket you own. Later you can add auto-zoom and captions and update the video under the same link.
Updated . Loom facts from Loom pricing and Loom downloads.
Reelbird vs Loom, side by side
| Fact | Reelbird | Loom |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free, MIT licensed | Starter free. Business $18 and Business + AI $24 per user a month, billed monthly |
| Free-plan limits | None set by Reelbird | 25 videos per person, 5 minutes each, up to 720p |
| Keep the file | Every take is a folder of MP4s on your Mac. Export MP4, HEVC, ProRes or GIF | Starter can't download. Business and up can |
| Share links | Copied when you stop. Hosted in your own S3 or R2 bucket. The same link updates after you edit | Copied when you stop. Hosted on Loom's cloud |
| Polish | Auto-zoom from clicks, smooth cursor, backgrounds, on-device captions | No auto-zoom |
| Comments and view counts | No | Yes |
| Platforms | macOS 15 or later | Mac, Windows, web and mobile |
| Account | None | Required |
| Install | Download (approve once) or build from source | Download the app |
Reelbird vs Loom in one line: Loom is the better team tool on every platform; Reelbird is the free Mac recorder that gives you the link, the files and the polish without a plan to upgrade.
Who should pick which
Pick Loom if
- You or your viewers are on Windows, the web or phones. Reelbird is Mac only.
- Your team relies on comments, reactions, view counts and shared workspaces. Reelbird has none of these.
- You want nothing to set up: Loom hosts the links. Reelbird needs a bucket you own, a one-time setup of about ten minutes.
Pick Reelbird if
- You record on a Mac and want links without a subscription, a seat count or a 5-minute stop.
- You want to keep the original files: every take is MP4 on your disk, on day one.
- You want the link to get better after you send it: auto-zoom, trims and captions, then Update link.
- You'd rather your videos sit in your own storage than someone else's. No account, no telemetry.
An auto-zoom export, as it comes out
Loom and Reelbird: questions
Does Loom's free plan have a time limit?
Yes. As of 12 October 2026, Loom's free Starter plan stops each screen recording at 5 minutes, keeps up to 25 videos per person and records at up to 720p. Reelbird sets no length or video limit; your disk and, for links, your bucket are the only limits.
Can I download my videos on Loom's free plan?
No. Atlassian's Loom help says users on the Starter plan can't download videos; downloading needs Business or higher. In Reelbird every take is already a folder of standard MP4 files on your Mac, and you can export MP4 (H.264), HEVC, ProRes or GIF.
How much does Loom cost?
As of 12 October 2026: Starter is free, Business is $18 and Business + AI is $24 per user a month billed monthly, and paying yearly saves up to 17% (Loom pricing). Enterprise is priced on request. Reelbird is free, with no per-user price.
Is there a free Loom alternative without a 5-minute limit?
Reelbird is one, for the Mac: free, MIT licensed, no length limit, and a share link on your clipboard when you stop. Other open-source options: Cap has instant links too, but its free plan is for personal use and caps share links at 5 minutes; OpenScreen is free and cross-platform but has no share links. See the comparison.
Can I move my Loom videos to Reelbird?
Not directly. Reelbird has no Loom importer. On a paid Loom plan you can download each video as an MP4 and keep it; Starter users can't download. New recordings in Reelbird stay on your Mac from the start.
Where are my Reelbird videos stored?
On your Mac, in ~/Movies/Reelbird, as standard MP4 files. A shared video is also copied to the bucket you set up, and nowhere else.
Do viewers need an account or an app?
No. The link opens a plain web page in any browser. Links are unlisted, not secret. Anyone with the link can watch.
Do I have to run a server for links?
No. Reelbird uploads a small viewer page and the video straight to an S3-compatible bucket you own. There's no database or server to run. Sharing setup takes about ten minutes, once.
Is Reelbird good for teams?
It works for anyone who can open a link, but it has no comments, reactions, view counts or shared workspace. If your team relies on those, Loom does more.
Try it on your own screen.
Clone, make install, record. If it isn't for you, delete the app; nothing else was installed.