Streamlabs vs Loom: Which Screen Recording Tool is Right for You?

Compare Streamlabs and Loom for screen recording and video messaging. Streamlabs offers free live streaming and recording for gamers, while Loom provides async video communication for teams with a generous free tier.

Updated 2026-09 · 2026

Streamlabs

Free live streaming and recording software for content creators

0forever

Strengths

+Completely free for unlimited recording and streaming
+Built-in overlays, alerts, and widgets for gaming content
+Multi-platform streaming to Twitch, YouTube, Facebook simultaneously

Weaknesses

-Primarily designed for gaming and live streaming, not business use
-Steeper learning curve for basic screen recording
-No built-in video hosting or sharing links

Best for

Gamers, live streamers, and content creators who need free recording software with streaming capabilities

Loom

Async video messaging for work with instant sharing

0up to 25 videos, 5 min each

Strengths

+Free tier includes 25 videos per person, no total account cap
+Instant shareable links with no download required
+Browser extension for quick recording without software

Weaknesses

-Free tier recordings capped at 5 minutes each, 25 videos per person
-Advanced editing and unlimited length require paid plans ($12.50-15/user/month)
-No live streaming capabilities

Best for

Remote teams, educators, and professionals who need quick async video communication with easy sharing

Feature Comparison

Feature	Streamlabs	Loom
Free Tier	Unlimited recording and streaming forever	25 videos per person, capped at 5 minutes each
Recording Types	Screen, webcam, game capture, multi-source	Screen, webcam, or both (bubble view)
Live Streaming	Yes - multi-platform streaming included	No live streaming capability
Instant Sharing	No - must export and upload files manually	Yes - instant shareable links after recording
Video Hosting	No built-in hosting	Unlimited cloud hosting on all plans
Transcription	Not included	Automatic transcription and captions included
Editing Tools	Basic trim and cut in desktop app	Trim, cut, and remove filler words (paid)
Browser Extension	No - desktop app required	Yes - Chrome, Firefox, Edge extensions
Viewer Analytics	Not available	View counts, engagement heatmaps, CTA clicks
Use Case	Gaming, live streaming, content creation	Work communication, tutorials, sales demos
File Export	MP4, FLV, MOV - full control over files	MP4 download available on all plans
Setup Complexity	Moderate - many settings to configure	Very simple - record in seconds

The Verdict

These tools serve completely different purposes. Streamlabs is the clear choice for gamers and live streamers who need free, unlimited recording and multi-platform streaming capabilities. Loom wins for business teams and async communication where instant sharing, transcription, and viewer analytics matter more than unlimited storage - just be mindful of the 25-video/5-minute limits on the free tier.

How to switch from Streamlabs to Loom

1Locate your existing recordings in Streamlabs' local output folder (Settings > Output > Recording Path, default is Videos/Streamlabs) - Streamlabs has no cloud export feature, but recordings are already standard MP4 files you can copy directly.
2Sign up for a free Loom account at loom.com and install the desktop app or browser extension for the whole team.
3Use Loom's 'Upload' option (not just 'Record') to import your existing Streamlabs MP4 files - Loom will auto-generate a transcript, captions, and a shareable link for each one.
4Cancel or scale back any Streamlabs Ultra subscription and disconnect multistream destinations (Twitch, YouTube, Facebook) that Loom can't replicate, since live streaming stays outside Loom's scope.
5Reconnect your workflow by linking Loom to Slack, Notion, Jira, or Confluence so recorded videos land where your team already works instead of being shared as raw files.
6Set a cutover date to stop recording internal content in Streamlabs, invite all teammates to the shared Loom workspace, and track usage against the 25-video/5-minute free tier limits to decide when to upgrade to Business.

Streamlabs vs Loom: common questions

How do I move my old Streamlabs recordings into Loom?+

Streamlabs doesn't have a cloud export tool - your recordings are already saved locally as standard MP4 files in the folder set under Settings > Output > Recording Path. In Loom, use the 'Upload' option in the desktop or web app to bring in those MP4s; Loom will still generate a shareable link, transcript, and captions for uploaded videos.

What do I lose by switching from Streamlabs to Loom?+

You lose live streaming to Twitch, YouTube, and Facebook, multistreaming, gaming overlays, alerts, and donation/chat integrations - Loom has none of these. If you still stream live, you'll need to keep Streamlabs (or OBS) alongside Loom for internal video messaging.

Is Loom's free plan enough for a small team?+

It depends on volume: each person gets 25 videos capped at 5 minutes, which covers quick async updates but not longer tutorials or recurring training content. A team of 3-5 people doing frequent internal videos will likely hit these limits within a few weeks and need to upgrade to Business.

Does Loom integrate with the tools our team already uses?+

Yes - Loom connects with Slack, Notion, Gmail, Salesforce, HubSpot, GitHub, and Zoom. Since Atlassian acquired Loom in 2025, integration with Jira and Confluence has also gotten tighter, which matters if your team already lives in Atlassian tools.

How much will switching from free Streamlabs to Loom cost over time?+

Streamlabs stays free indefinitely for recording and streaming. Loom's free tier works for light, occasional use, but once a small team outgrows the 25-video/5-minute caps, Business runs $12.50/user/month billed annually (or $15/month billed monthly) - about $750/year for a 5-person team.