Kap
Open-source Mac screen recorder that exports directly to GIF, MP4, WebM, and APNG.
What is Kap?
Kap is an open-source screen recorder for macOS, built with web technology, that captures the screen and exports directly to GIF, MP4, WebM, or APNG with optional audio in one workflow. Built-in editing covers trimming recordings and highlighting mouse clicks, useful for tutorial-style captures, and its source code is publicly available on GitHub for inspection or contribution. A plugin system extends Kap with integrations such as Giphy uploads, Vercel deployment, and Streamable hosting, and the vendor lists engineering-heavy companies including Vercel, GitHub, and CircleCI among its users. It is completely free with no paid tier, aimed at developers and designers who want a fast, minimal way to record and share short screen captures, particularly as GIFs.
SpecificationsAI-estimated
Key Features of Kap
Use Cases for Kap
Bug report GIFs
Developers record a short GIF of a UI bug to attach directly to an issue tracker or chat message.
Quick tutorial clips
Support and product teams record short MP4 clips demonstrating a feature or workflow for documentation.
Design and PM handoff
Designers and PMs capture screen interactions to illustrate a bug or desired behavior for engineers.
Open-source contribution demos
Developers record short clips showing a pull request's effect for code review context.
Pros & Cons of Kap
Pros
- Completely free and open-source, with no paid tier or feature paywall.
- Direct GIF export is convenient for quick bug reports or tutorial snippets shared in chat or docs.
- Plugin ecosystem lets users extend functionality, like one-click Giphy or Streamable upload, without leaving the app.
- Lightweight and fast to launch compared to heavier professional screen recording suites.
Cons
- macOS only, so Windows and Linux users cannot use it.
- Lacks advanced editing features such as annotations, transitions, or callouts found in paid tools.
- No built-in cloud hosting or sharing link generation beyond what plugins provide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kap free?
Yes, Kap is completely free and open-source.
What formats can Kap export to?
GIF, MP4, WebM, and APNG, with optional audio recording.
Does Kap work on Windows?
No, Kap is macOS only, requiring macOS 12 or later.
Can Kap be extended with plugins?
Yes, its open-source plugin system supports integrations like Giphy, Vercel, and Streamable.
Pricing Overview
View full pricing →Detailed plans are not listed. Visit the official website for pricing information.
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