Loom

Async communicators

Loom is the easiest way to record a quick screen walkthrough and send a link — perfect for showing a guest how to upload audio or walking an editor through changes. Atlassian bought it and the product has been wobbly since; the free tier's 25-video lifetime cap is a hard stop that nudges you to paid whether you need it or not.

Loom popularized async screen recording — record your screen plus webcam, get a shareable link, and the recipient sees the video with reactions, comments, and auto-generated transcripts. For podcast teams, it's most useful as a way to walk a guest through pre-interview setup (mic placement, software install, file upload), explain editing notes to a producer without scheduling a call, or onboard a freelancer. Atlassian acquired Loom in 2023, and since the migration, users have reported a notable uptick in lag, audio sync issues, failed uploads, and login problems — the price of acquisition life. The Starter (free) plan caps at 25 videos lifetime with a 5-minute screen recording limit, which most active users blow through in weeks. Business at $12.50-$15/seat/mo (depending on billing) unlocks unlimited recordings, basic editing, branding removal, and viewer email capture. Business + AI at around $20/seat/mo adds transcript-based editing, filler word removal, auto-generated titles, and summaries. Where it shines is the speed-to-shareable-link experience — Loom remains the lowest-friction way to send 'watch this 90-second walkthrough' to someone. Where it falls short is editing depth (the editor is fine for trimming, not for production), the post-Atlassian stability dip, and the leap from free to paid feeling steep for occasional users. For serious video production, use something else; for quick async communication, it's still hard to beat.