If you’ve ever wasted 20 minutes on a “quick” Zoom call that could’ve been a two-minute video, you’re not alone. Teams want fast, clear communication—especially for product demos and internal updates. Video tools like Loom, Claap, and Vidyard promise to help. But are they actually streamlining things, or just adding to the noise? If you’re picking a tool or just trying to get your team out of meeting hell, read on.
Why Async Video Became a Thing
Let’s not kid ourselves: most Slack threads and meeting invites are overkill. Video lets you show, not just tell—especially for demos, walkthroughs, or explaining anything visual. The trick is getting the right balance: you want fewer meetings, but not a graveyard of half-watched videos.
Async video tools exploded because:
- Screenshare is easier than writing docs (for many people)
- Human voice and face clarify tone (less “Why did they say it like that?”)
- Reusable demos save you from Groundhog Day (stop repeating yourself!)
But not all video tools are equal. Some are built for sales, others for quick team updates. Let’s break down the major options and what actually matters.
The Contenders: Loom, Claap, Vidyard, and More
Here’s what most folks are choosing between:
- Loom: The default for async video at work. Chrome extension, desktop app, mobile. Fast recording, instant link.
- Claap: Focuses on team collaboration. Claims to do video, comments, and “decision tracking.”
- Vidyard: Leans hard into sales/marketing videos but tries to cover demos too.
- Other mentions: Sendspark, Vimeo Record, even Google Meet’s Record feature.
What Actually Matters (and What Doesn’t)
There’s a lot of noise in product marketing. Here’s what you should actually pay attention to, and what’s mostly hype.
What’s Worth Caring About
- Speed: How fast can you record and share? If it takes more than a couple clicks, people will stop using it.
- Ease of sharing: Can you just paste a link, or do you have to mess with permissions?
- Viewer analytics: Useful for sales. For internal? Not so much (unless you really want to know if Jim watched your video).
- Comments and feedback: Inline comments are handy for team discussions.
- Transcriptions/search: Text search saves time, especially if you’re making lots of videos.
- Integrations: Does it play nice with Slack, Gmail, Notion, etc.?
What’s Mostly Hype
- AI summaries: Neat in theory, often generic or miss context.
- “Engagement scores”: Unless you’re in marketing, you probably don’t care.
- Overblown security promises: All the big tools are reasonably secure for internal use.
Comparing the Tools: Honest Pros and Cons
Let’s go tool by tool. No sugarcoating.
Loom
What works: - Stupidly fast to record and share. - Chrome extension and desktop app are both solid. - Viewer controls (speed up, skip around). - Good enough free plan for most internal uses. - Threaded comments and emoji reactions keep discussions in-context.
What doesn’t: - Search is decent, but can be hit-or-miss. - Some advanced features (branding, analytics) are paywalled. - Video library can get messy if you don’t organize.
Ignore this: - AI titles/summaries are rarely better than what you’d write yourself.
Claap
What works: - Stronger on team collaboration features (think: video plus comments plus polls). - Decision tracking is handy for some teams. - Good for teams trying to replace meetings with async “video threads.”
What doesn’t: - Recording isn’t as snappy as Loom. - UI can feel busy—lots of “features” competing for attention. - Less mature integrations—may not work as smoothly with your stack.
Ignore this: - “Meetings to decisions” pitch is mostly a dressed-up video thread.
Vidyard
What works: - Best for sales outreach and marketing demos. - Good analytics—who watched, when, for how long. - Custom branding options.
What doesn’t: - Overkill for basic internal updates. - UI pushes you toward sales-y features you may not need. - Free plan is limited for anything but the basics.
Ignore this: - Most “engagement” features are for external use. Your teammates don’t need a video funnel.
Other Tools (Quick Hits)
- Sendspark: Like Vidyard, but slicker branding features. Good for customer-facing, not internal.
- Vimeo Record: Free, simple, but rough around the edges.
- Google Meet Record: Clunky, slow, and you get a massive file instead of a quick link.
How to Pick the Right Tool (Without Overthinking It)
Here’s a simple way to narrow it down:
- Decide: Internal or External?
- Internal updates and demos? Loom or Claap.
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Sales and customer outreach? Vidyard.
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Try the Fastest Option First
- Install the Chrome extension or desktop app.
- Record a quick test demo.
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Share with a teammate—ask how easy it was to view and respond.
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Check for Dealbreakers
- Does it work well on your OS (Windows, Mac, etc.)?
- Are there weird limits on free plans? (Look for recording length, storage, or watermark.)
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Does it play nice with your tools (Slack, Notion, etc.)?
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Don’t Get Sucked Into Features You Won’t Use
- If you just need to show your screen and talk, skip “AI insights” and “video sequences.”
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Fancy analytics are wasted on internal videos.
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Test With a Real-World Use Case
- Record a product demo or internal update—don’t script it, just do it live.
- See if you can find and rewatch it a week later.
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Ask your team if they’d use it—honestly, not just “sure, maybe.”
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Set Simple Guidelines
- “Keep videos under 3 minutes.”
- “Add a title and quick summary.”
- “Reply in comments, not Slack.”
When to Use Video (and When Not To)
Video’s great for:
- Showing new features or product flows.
- Explaining a bug or tricky process.
- Updates that need a bit of context or personality.
But skip it for:
- Anything that needs to be searchable or referenced later (stick to docs).
- Quick yes/no status updates (just write it).
- Sensitive feedback (face-to-face or written is better).
Pro tip: If you’re using video for everything, you’ll just end up with a new kind of overload.
Real Talk: Tips for Streamlining, Not Swamping
- Don’t replace every meeting with a video. Sometimes a Slack message is enough.
- Titles matter. “Q2 Dashboard Demo” beats “Screen Recording 2024-06-13.”
- Set expectations. Let people know if a video is “FYI” or needs action.
- Archive or delete old videos. Otherwise you’ll have a junk drawer of forgotten demos.
The Bottom Line
You don’t need a “video-first culture” or a 50-point evaluation spreadsheet. If you’re just trying to make internal communication faster and clearer, go with the tool that’s dead simple and gets out of your way. Loom set the standard for a reason—it’s fast, easy, and widely adopted. If your team wants more collaboration baked in, Claap is a solid bet but can feel bloated. For external demos, Vidyard’s got the edge.
Start simple. Try one for a week. If it saves time and people actually use it, stick with it. If not, move on. Don’t let the tool become the work.