BobbinThe short version
- Screencastify Free allows longer recordings (30 minutes) but only 10 videos, adds a watermark, and limits exports to 5 videos. It is built for schools, with LMS integrations.
- Loom Starter allows more videos (25) but stops each recording at 5 minutes, caps quality at 720p and has no downloads. It is built for work messages, with comments and viewer insights.
- If you just need the video file, a local recorder such as Bobbin (no account, no limits, no watermark) may suit you better than either.
Free plans side by side
| Screencastify Free | Loom Starter | Bobbin Free | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Account | Google sign-in | Required | Not needed |
| Video limit | 10 (up to 20 with invites) | 25 per person | None |
| Length per recording | 30 minutes | 5 minutes | No time limit |
| Max quality | Up to 1080p | Up to 720p | 1080p at 30fps |
| Watermark / branding | Screencastify watermark | Loom branding | None |
| Download the file | MP4/MP3/GIF exports for 5 videos | No download on Starter | Every recording, on your computer |
| Share link | Yes | Yes | No (you share the file) |
| Where videos live | Google Drive | Loom's cloud | Your computer |
| Cheapest paid plan | Starter $7/user/month billed annually ($19 monthly) | Business $18/user/month | $4.99/month or $24 once |
Competitor facts checked on 22 October 2026 from their own pages: screencastify.com/pricing · Screencastify help: technical requirements · loom.com/pricing · Loom help: How long can I record? · Loom help: Download your Loom video. Plans change often; check the linked page before you decide.
Loom, Vidyard, Tella, Tango, Screencastify, Screenity, Zoom and Slack are trademarks of their respective owners. Bobbin is not affiliated with them. Prices and plan limits from their public pages as of 22 Oct 2026.
Paid plans
Screencastify Starter ($7 per user per month billed annually, $19 monthly) removes the video cap and watermark on new videos and raises the limit to 60 minutes. Pro ($10 annually, $25 monthly) raises it to 180 minutes and adds captions, transcripts, AI features, up to 4K and unlimited exports. Schools and districts get custom Education pricing.
Loom Business is $18 per user per month on its pricing page, and Business + AI is $24. Business removes the 5-minute and 25-video limits and adds downloads and branding removal. Loom's legacy free Education plan is no longer available to new applicants; verified educators can apply for a discount instead (Loom help: education discount verification).
Which one should you pick?
- Teachers using Google Classroom, Canvas or Schoology: Screencastify, because of its LMS integrations and student assignments.
- Teams sending quick async updates: Loom, because of instant links, comments, reactions and viewer insights.
- Long recordings on a free plan: Screencastify (30 minutes) beats Loom (5 minutes), but both have caps. Bobbin has none.
- You need the actual file (to upload to YouTube, an LMS or a ticket): neither free plan is generous here. Bobbin saves every recording as an MP4 on your computer.
- Privacy-sensitive recordings: both upload to the cloud. Bobbin uploads nothing and has no account.
More detail: Screencastify alternative · Loom alternative · Loom free plan limits.