Zight (Cloudapp) Vs. Loom: Who Wins?
Shorter attention spans and digital fatigue are the results of the rapid influx of digital content. It's getting harder to stand out in the cluttered digital market of today, but it's also getting more important for businesses too. Companies that relied on face-to-face interactions have suddenly learned and moved to digital platforms to communicate.
Zight (CloudApp) and Loom are two of those key platforms to take into account when you need to capture your screen and distribute that video to your clients and colleagues.
These two services allow you to share videos immediately, making it simpler for your audience to consume your material.
So, Zight (CloudApp) vs Loom… How do you choose one over the other then? Let’s start with an overview.
Zight (CloudApp) Overview
An alternative to loom, this is screen recording software that captures screen recordings, GIFs, and screenshots. All files are saved to the cloud.
Once you log in, you can do screen capture with only one click, and the platform also allows for cropping and annotating screenshots. To make it easier to explain what you mean, you can add colorful text, highlights, and others.
Like Loom, this screen recording tool has other capabilities. You can record your screen, with or without webcam and microphone. The only potential downside is that the free version limits recording to 90 seconds. Video annotations are also only available on paid plans.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Offers cloud-based screen recording, screenshotting, and GIF creation
- Unlimited video length on paid plan
- Unlimited storage and easy organization of folders on paid plan
- Can annotate a recording at any moment to add remarks, queries, and notes on paid plan
- Instant notification on new videos
- Easy to share videos with Gmail recipients by automatically pasting the video link into an email message
- Integration of existing workplace collaboration tools
- Easy-to-use video editing tool
Cons
- Most features are only available to paid customers
- 90-second recording limit on free plan makes it hard to use the feature at all
Alternative: Unlimited free screen recorder
If you’re frustrated with Zight’s limit on your screen recordings in the free version, try ScreenRec. It’s a free screen recorder and screenshot tool with instant private sharing and 2GB free cloud storage. You can download ScreenRec here. Here are some of the benefits of ScreenRec:
- Record computer audio
- Record your voice
- Record your webcam
- No watermarks or time limits
- Lightweight screen recorder (no lagging)
- Instant private sharing
Loom Overview
Loom is a screen recording tool that uses immediately shareable video clips. With the loom video recording tool, you can record your screen or film videos using your webcam. You can also add audio commentary if you want. At the end, you get a public URL that is accessible without a loom account to share with others.
The paid Loom desktop app is handy for recording ultra HD/4K video. Your videos can have call-to-action buttons attached to them. On the paid plans, you can also record mouse clicks, draw, and use custom recording dimensions.
Loom provides insights like viewers and duration of watching which are also available on the free plan. You will also have access to camera effects, speaker notes, and the canvas feature on the free plan.
Pros
- Free plan with 5-minute recording limit at 720p
- Integration of existing workplace collaboration tools
- Easy-to-use video editing tools, mostly available on the paid plans
- Easy-to-share videos with recipients by sending the link in an email or chat message
- Instant notification on new video views
- Unlimited storage and easy organization of folders
- Screen recorder allows you to choose to record your screen or part of it with/without a webcam
- You can record system audio
- You can hide your desktop or webcam background
Cons
- Free version places a 5-minute limit on the length of videos which can be increased by referring friends to the app. So, paid plans are inevitable for some.
- Interface can feel cluttered with so many options
- Can’t annotate screenshots which makes this tool extremely limited
Zight (Cloudapp) Vs. Loom: Free Trial Showdown
In the realm of screen recording and video messaging tools, you’d always want to try before you buy.
Zight’s Trial: A Quick Taste
Duration
Zight (CloudApp) offers a 7-day free trial, providing a brief but comprehensive glimpse into its capabilities. If you’re ready for a swift evaluation and you’re a fast decision-maker, this should be enough.
Access
During this trial, you get to experience the full spectrum of Zight’s functionalities, including its advanced video editing tools and screen recording capabilities.
Loom’s Trial: Extended Exploration
Duration
Loom extends a more generous 14-day free trial. This extended period is perfect if you want to explore the tool’s features and integration capabilities.
Access
The 14-day trial unlocks all of Loom’s premium features, allowing you to experience its advanced functionalities. You can try all video recording options, editing tools, and analytics.
Zight (CloudApp) Vs. Loom: Screen Recording Features
Zight (CloudApp): Versatile and Robust
Recording Options
Zight (CloudApp) excels in offering cloud-based screen recording, enabling users to capture their entire screen, a specific app window, or just a portion. It's a tool that responds flexibly to varied recording needs.
Additional Features
Beyond standard screen recording, Zight (CloudApp) lets users create GIFs and take screenshots. Its annotation tools during recording add an educational layer, making it ideal for tutorials or detailed presentations.
User Experience
While boasting a range of features, CloudApp’s interface can be complex for some users. This makes it more suited for those who are tech-savvy or have specific, advanced recording needs.
Loom: User-Friendly and Comprehensive
Custom Screen Capture
Loom stands out with its ability to record a custom area of your screen, offering precision that’s particularly useful for focused content. Whether it's your entire desktop, a single application window, or a specific browser tab, Loom caters to every need.
Interactive Elements
Elevating the standard screen recording, Loom allows users to add call-to-action buttons and engage viewers with interactive content. This feature is invaluable for marketers and educators looking to increase viewer engagement.
Simplicity and Efficiency
Loom’s interface is known for its ease of use, making it accessible even to those new to screen recording. This user-friendliness does not come at the cost of functionality, as Loom packs a powerful suite of recording and editing tools.
Feature Face-off: The Verdict
When it comes to screen recording, both Zight (CloudApp) and Loom bring their unique strengths to the table. CloudApp’s diverse recording and annotation capabilities make it a powerhouse for detailed and educational content. On the other hand, Loom’s intuitive interface and custom screen capture options offer a seamless experience for creating engaging and interactive videos. Your choice ultimately hinges on whether you prioritize comprehensive functionality or user-friendly simplicity in your screen recording endeavors.
Zight (CloudApp) Vs. Loom: Screenshot Taking And Annotation
Let’s explore how Zight (CloudApp)and Loom stand up against each other in terms of screenshot taking and annotation functionalities.
CloudApp: A Powerhouse of Creativity
Screenshot Flexibility
Zight (CloudApp) shines in its ability to capture screenshots with precision and ease. Whether it's grabbing an entire screen or just a portion, Zight (CloudApp) delivers with just one click.
Rich Annotation Tools
The platform goes a step further by offering a robust suite of annotation tools. You can enhance your screenshots with text, highlights, and more. This makes it an ideal choice for creating educational and informative content.
Organizational Efficiency
With Zight, organizing and accessing your annotated screenshots is a breeze, thanks to its user-friendly interface and cloud-based storage. This makes it a preferred tool for teams who require efficient collaboration and content management.
Loom: Simplifying the Visual Experience
Seamless Screenshot Capture
While Loom is primarily known for its video capabilities, it also offers straightforward screenshot functionality. This feature is integrated seamlessly within the platform, making it convenient for users who need quick image captures.
Basic Annotation Features
Loom’s annotation features are non-existent. You can only take screenshots, share them, and delete them.
Analyzing the Tools: Which Fits Your Needs?
Zight (CloudApp) stands out in this category because of its annotation capabilities, catering to users who require detailed and visually rich content. Its organizational features also make it a strong contender for teams with extensive collaborative needs. In contrast, Loom offers a more streamlined approach, focusing on simplicity and ease of use, suitable for users who need basic annotation features without a steep learning curve.
Video Annotation and Editing: Zight (CloudApp) vs Loom
So how do the video annotation and editing features of Zight (CloudApp) and Loom stack up? Let’s find out which platform is richer in features.
Zight (CloudApp): Detailed and Dynamic
Annotations
Zight (CloudApp) offers a rich set of annotation tools. Users can add text, highlights, and more, directly to their videos. This functionality is particularly beneficial for creating in-depth tutorials or detailed presentations.
Editing Capabilities
While Zight (CloudApp) provides essential editing tools, such as trimming and cutting, it's important to note that these features are more developed for Mac users. Windows users might find the editing capabilities a bit limited, an aspect to consider based on your operating system.
Creative Control
For users seeking detailed annotation and a degree of creative control over their video content, Zight (CloudApp) stands out. It’s geared towards users who value depth and detail in their video communication.
Loom: User-Friendly and Efficient
Streamlined Annotation
Loom offers straightforward annotation capabilities. While it might not be as extensive as CloudApp, it allows for essential annotations that can effectively convey messages in a clear, concise manner.
Advanced Editing Tools
Where Loom shines is in its video editing suite. Users can trim, crop, and even remove filler words from their videos. The ability to stitch together multiple recordings into a cohesive video narrative is a standout feature, enhancing the overall impact of the content.
Intuitive Video Refinement
Loom’s editing tools are designed with user-friendliness in mind, making it an excellent choice for those who need efficient yet powerful video editing capabilities without a steep learning curve.
Choosing the Right Tool for Video
When it comes to video annotation and editing, Zight (CloudApp) and Loom cater to different user needs. Zight is ideal for those who require extensive annotation capabilities and are comfortable with a more detailed editing process. Loom, on the other hand, is perfect for users who prioritize ease of use and efficiency, with a suite of editing tools that streamline the video refinement process. Your choice will depend on your specific needs for video communication – whether it's the depth of Zight (CloudApp) or the simplicity of Loom.
Zight (Cloudapp) Vs. Loom: Pricing
Let’s dive into the financials of Zight (CloudApp) and Loom to see which offers the best value for your business.
Zight (CloudApp) Pricing: Affordable Flexibility
- Free Version: You can start with Zight at no cost. This plan allows you to record up to 25 screenshots, files, or videos of 90 seconds each, coupled with basic analytics to track viewership.
- Individual Plan: Priced at a competitive $9.95 per user per month, this plan lifts the limits, offering unlimited videos of any length with up to 4k video quality. It’s perfect for individual professionals looking for more advanced features.
- Team Plan: Recommended for small teams, this package requires a minimum of 3 users and starts from $24 per month. It mirrors the Individual plan’s features but is designed for collaborative environments.
- Enterprise Plan: For larger organizations, CloudApp’s Enterprise solution provides advanced control, including admin features and transcription services. Pricing is customized based on your specific needs.
Loom Pricing: Designed for Scale
- Starter (Free): Loom’s starter plan is more generous than Zight’s. You can record up to 25 videos with a 5-minute cap. This plan also includes unlimited transcriptions, privacy features, and insightful viewer analytics.
- Business Plan: At $12.50 per user per month (billed annually), this tier allows for unlimited video recording of any length. It adds custom branding, password protection, and detailed engagement insights. Call-to-action buttons and embeddable links are also nice features to have.
- Enterprise Plan: This tier includes everything in the Business plan plus additional features like Single Sign-On (SSO), advanced content privacy, and comprehensive activity logs.
Who Offers More Bang for Your Buck?
Comparing the pricing structures of Zight (CloudApp)and Loom, it’s clear that both platforms cater to a range of needs, from individual users to large enterprises. Zight shines with its competitive pricing for individual users, while Loom’s generous free plan and comprehensive business features offer substantial value for growing teams.
Zight (CloudApp) Vs. Loom: User Reviews
Both apps have relatively the same rating, and it is high.
Zight (CloudApp)
User Rating
Positive review
“It saves me a lot of time to explain things in a short video rather than connecting over a call.”
Negative review
“The chrome extension often logs me out and can be a pain to log back in.”
Loom
User Rating
Positive review
“It truly saves me so much time and allows me to make sure that async communication is effective.”
Negative review
“The free version of Loom imposes a restriction on recording duration, capping it at 5 minutes. For those primarily relying on the free plan, it's a factor to take into account when evaluating whether Loom aligns with their specific communication requirements.”
Zight (CloudApp) Vs. Loom: Side-by-side Comparison Table
Feature Category | CloudApp | Loom |
Screen Recording | Full screen, app window, portion capture | Full screen, app window, browser tab, custom area |
Screenshot Taking | Advanced screenshot capabilities | Basic screenshot functionality |
Annotation | Extensive tools for screenshots and videos | Basic tools for screenshots; streamlined for videos |
Video Editing | Basic editing; more features for Mac users | Advanced editing including trim, crop, stitch together |
Ease of Use | Slightly complex interface; more suitable for tech-savvy users | User-friendly interface; intuitive for beginners |
Pricing Models | Free, Individual, Team, Enterprise | Starter (Free), Business, Enterprise |
Free Version Limits | 25 videos/screenshots of 90 seconds each | 25 videos up to 5 minutes each |
Free Trial Duration | 7 days | 14 days |
Video Length Limit | Unlimited in paid versions | Unlimited in paid versions |
Storage | Cloud-based | Cloud-based |
Integration | Integrates with common workplace tools | Integrates with common workplace tools |
Unique Features | GIF creation, advanced screenshot capabilities | Custom screen capture area, interactive video elements |
Our Verdict
The ideal screen recording and video messaging solution should have no limits on recording length, be really simple to use, and provide a variety of extra functions so you can enhance team collaboration.
Who wins for us? Zight (CloudApp) takes it! Loom remains one of the biggest Zight competitors simply because it is easier to use. Yet, it cannot be ignored that Zight (CloudApp) has more interesting features, making it more reliable when using it for work.
The free plans on both platforms are available, so test them out and discover which one suits your needs the best.
Loom and Zight (CloudApp) Alternative: Unlimited free screen recorder
If you’re frustrated with Zight’s limit on your screen recordings in the free version, try ScreenRec. It’s a free screen recorder and screenshot tool with instant private sharing and 2GB free cloud storage. You can download ScreenRec here. Here are some of the benefits of ScreenRec:
- Record computer audio
- Record your voice
- Record your webcam
- No watermarks or time limits
- Lightweight screen recorder (no lagging)
- Instant private sharing
FAQ
Loom videos have no expiry time. You can create unlimitedly
Zight (CloudApp) has a variety of plans you can choose from that serve your needs with a ] subscription starting at $9.95 monthly. However, they also have a free plan you can use to create unlimited screenshots and videos, as long as you’re okay with them being 90 seconds long.
The 5-minute limit is for the Loom Starter plan. You can upgrade to the other plans that have a longer time limit.
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