---
title: "Loom vs Riverside: Which is Better in 2026? | App Stack Builder"
description: "Loom vs Riverside compared for 2026 — pricing, free tiers, features, pros & cons. See which video & screen recording tool is the better fit for your startup."
source: https://appstackbuilder.com/compare/loom-vs-riverside
retrieved: 2026-08-24
---

Video & Screen Recording

# Loom vs Riverside: Which is Better in 2026?

Choosing between [Loom](https://appstackbuilder.com/tools/loom) and [Riverside](https://appstackbuilder.com/tools/riverside)? Both are popular video & screen recording tools. Below we compare them on pricing, free tiers, features, and pros & cons so you can pick the right fit for your stack.

Quick verdict

Loom is the safer pick if budget matters — it has a free tier, while Riverside does not. Choose Riverside when its specific features justify the cost. In our catalog, Loom rates slightly higher (4.4 vs 4.1 out of 5).

## Loom vs Riverside — Side by Side

|                | Loom                                            | Riverside                                     |
| -------------- | ----------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------- |
| Category       | Video & Screen Recording                        | Video & Screen Recording                      |
| Pricing        | Free · paid from $12.5/mo                       | From $19/mo                                   |
| Starting price | Free tier available                             | From $19/mo                                   |
| Free tier      | ✓                                               | —                                             |
| Rating         | 4.4                                             | 4.1                                           |
| Best for       | Video & Screen Recording — async, communication | Video & Screen Recording — podcast, recording |

## Pros & Cons

![Loom](https://www.google.com/s2/favicons?domain=loom.com&sz=128)

[Loom](https://appstackbuilder.com/tools/loom)

* ✓Saves meetings (async video)
* ✓Dead-simple recording
* ✓Instant sharing
* ✓Great for demos/support
* ✗Free tier video limits
* ✗Per-user cost for teams

![Riverside](https://appstackbuilder.com/logos/riverside.png)

[Riverside](https://appstackbuilder.com/tools/riverside)

* ✓Records locally, so quality survives bad connections
* ✓Separate tracks per guest
* ✓Good AI clips
* ✗Guests must use the browser tool
* ✗Uploads take a while

## Key Features Compared

### Loom

* ✓Screen + camera recording
* ✓Instant shareable links
* ✓Basic editing
* ✓Up to 25 videos/person

### Riverside

* ✓Screen and camera recording
* ✓Cloud hosting and sharing
* ✓Automatic transcription
* ✓Trim and edit tools

### Choose Loom if…

* ✓You want to start free — Loom has a free tier and Riverside does not.
* ✓Budget is tight — paid plans start lower ($12.5/mo vs $19/mo).
* ✓Saves meetings (async video)
* ✓Dead-simple recording
[Loom review & pricing ](https://appstackbuilder.com/tools/loom)

### Choose Riverside if…

* ✓Records locally, so quality survives bad connections
* ✓Separate tracks per guest
* ✓Good AI clips
[Riverside review & pricing ](https://appstackbuilder.com/tools/riverside)

## Frequently Asked Questions

Is Loom better than Riverside?⌄

Loom is the safer pick if budget matters — it has a free tier, while Riverside does not. Choose Riverside when its specific features justify the cost. In our catalog, Loom rates slightly higher (4.4 vs 4.1 out of 5).

What is the difference between Loom and Riverside?⌄

Loom — Async video messaging — record your screen and camera to explain things faster than meetings. Free tier available. Riverside — Studio-quality remote recording with local capture. Both are video & screen recording tools; the comparison table above breaks down pricing, free tiers, and what each is best for.

Loom vs Riverside: which is cheaper?⌄

Loom pricing: Free · paid from $12.5/mo. Riverside pricing: From $19/mo. Confirm current pricing on each tool's official site, as plans change.

Which is rated higher, Loom or Riverside?⌄

In our catalog, Loom rates 4.4 out of 5 and Riverside rates 4.1 out of 5, so Loom has a slight edge on reviews.

See more options in our guide to the [best video & screen recording tools for startups](https://appstackbuilder.com/categories/video).

## Still not sure which to pick?

Get a free, AI-powered tech stack — including the best video & screen recording pick for your budget and team — in 60 seconds.

[Build my stack free ](https://appstackbuilder.com/)