Opivv
Compared honestly

The best Screencastify alternatives in 2026

Screencastify’s free plan caps you at 10 videos and 10 minute clips, with a watermark on them. Here is an honest look at where to go instead, including free options that work on school Chromebooks.

Prices and limits as each company lists them. Check their sites for the latest.

ToolBest forFree planPaid from
OpivvOur pickTeachers and anyone on a Chromebook who wants clean video plus an instant linkNo video watermark · 5-min · 720p · 200 MB$5/mo Pro: AI transcripts, password links, 2-hour clipsLoomPeople who need to record outside the browser or from a phone25 videos · 5-min clips$12.50/mo Business: transcripts, link privacyBuilt-in ChromeOS recorderA one-off classroom recording you don’t need to share as a linkUnlimited, saves a .webm to DownloadsFree with ChromeOSOBS StudioPower users on Windows, macOS, or Linux who want full controlUnlimited local recording, no accountFree and open-source
The rundown

What each one is really like

1

Opivv

Our pick

A browser-first recorder that never burns a watermark into your video and hands you a share link on stop.

Best forTeachers and anyone on a Chromebook who wants clean video plus an instant link
Free planNo video watermark · 5-min · 720p · 200 MB
Paid from$5/mo Pro: AI transcripts, password links, 2-hour clips
  • Your recording is never watermarked (free share pages carry a small removable badge)
  • Runs natively on Chromebooks, like Screencastify, so nothing changes about how you work
  • Instant watch-in-browser link, students and colleagues need no account
  • AI transcripts, password links and chapters at $5/mo, half Screencastify Pro
  • No in-video quizzes or polls
  • No desktop or mobile app, it’s a Chrome extension
Try Opivv free
2

Loom

The best-known option, with native desktop and mobile apps beyond the browser.

Best forPeople who need to record outside the browser or from a phone
Free plan25 videos · 5-min clips
Paid from$12.50/mo Business: transcripts, link privacy
  • More free videos than Screencastify (25)
  • Native Mac, Windows, iOS and Android apps
  • Widely recognised by recipients
  • Transcripts and link privacy sit in the $12.50/mo tier
  • Free clips capped at 5 minutes
  • Desktop app won’t install on a Chromebook
Opivv vs Loom
3

Built-in ChromeOS recorder

Already on every Chromebook, completely free, and no extension required.

Best forA one-off classroom recording you don’t need to share as a link
Free planUnlimited, saves a .webm to Downloads
Paid fromFree with ChromeOS
  • Free and already installed on every Chromebook
  • No video limit and no watermark
  • Records full screen, a region, or a window
  • Saves a local .webm with no share link, you still have to upload it to Drive
  • Audio options vary by ChromeOS version and school admin policy
  • No transcripts, chapters, or view tracking
Read the guide
4

OBS Studio

Free, open-source and extremely powerful, if you can install it and learn it.

Best forPower users on Windows, macOS, or Linux who want full control
Free planUnlimited local recording, no account
Paid fromFree and open-source
  • Completely free with no limits and no watermark
  • Deep control over scenes and sources
  • Great for streaming as well as recording
  • Does NOT run on ChromeOS, so it’s a non-starter for most Screencastify users
  • Real learning curve
  • No built-in sharing or links
How to pick

Start from how you work

If

You mostly record a lesson and send the link

Opivv
If

Graded quizzes and polls inside the video are what you use

Screencastify
If

You never need to send a link at all

Built-in ChromeOS recorder
If

You are on Windows or Mac and want total control

OBS Studio

Be honest about what you actually used Screencastify for, then pick the one that fits.

Questions people ask

Screencastify’s free tier is now limited to 10 videos in your library and clips of up to 10 minutes, and free recordings carry a watermark. Paid plans start at $7/month for Starter (unlimited videos) with AI features on the $10/month Pro tier. Check screencastify.com for current terms.

Record the lesson, send the link

Free forever plan. No credit card. Record your first video in under a minute.