Kap

Free#106 of 131 in Screen Recording SoftwareScreen Recorders

Kap: A focused, free Mac recorder for screen-area clips, GIFs, and lightweight sharing. Ranked #106 of 131 in Screen Recording Software by our editors (3.0/10); pricing: Free plan; best for simple Mac screen-area clips and GIFs.

3.0/10★★☆☆☆Editor score

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At a glance

• Editor score
  3.0 / 10
• Pricing
  Free plan
• Best for
  Simple Mac screen-area clips and GIFs
• Free plan
  Yes
• Paid from
  Free
• Facts checked
  21 Sep 2026

• Where it wins

  • Free and open source for macOS
  • Exports to GIF, MP4, WebM, and APNG
  • Trim recordings and highlight clicks

• Where it doesn't

  • Runs on macOS only
  • Focused on screen-area recording rather than broader capture workflows
  • No AI features

Our verdict on Kap

Kap is an open-source desktop screen recorder for macOS, designed for users who want to capture a selected area of the screen and turn it into a shareable clip or GIF. It supports Apple silicon and Intel Macs and requires macOS 12 or later. The workflow covers recording, pausing and resuming, trimming, resizing, click highlighting, and optional audio in exports. For simple visual explanations, bug reports, tutorials, and short demonstrations, Kap keeps the scope focused.

Its strongest advantage is export flexibility. Recordings can be saved as GIF, MP4, WebM, or APNG files, giving users options for different sharing and publishing needs. Plugin-based sharing and editing extends the application beyond capture, with integrations including Giphy and Streamable. The published feature set also includes optional audio, which adds context to screen recordings without changing the tool’s screen-area focus. Kap is free and open source, so its appeal is especially clear for individuals who want a lightweight Mac utility without a paid plan structure.

Kap is best suited to straightforward screen clips rather than broader recording suites. Its platform coverage is limited to macOS, and its focus is on selected screen areas rather than a wider production workflow. Users seeking webcam-centered recording or a more comprehensive capture setup should look for a different category fit. Choose Kap for free, open-source Mac recording with multiple export formats, trimming, click highlighting, and plugin-based sharing. Choose an alternative if your workflow depends on broader capture features or platforms beyond macOS.

Your product? Our editors can test Kap in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →

Kap pricing

Kap fact sheet

Kap integrations

Kap lists 2 integrations on its own site.

• Giphy
• Streamable

Alternatives to Kap

• CamtasiaA deep desktop toolkit for training videos, tutorials, and structured learning content.9.3
• ScreenPalA feature-rich choice for budget-conscious creators who need more than basic recording.9.1
• LoomA broad screen recorder for teams that communicate through polished async video.9.0

See all Kap alternatives →

Featured on iTechGuides

Kap is listed in our Screen Recording Software directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.

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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Last updated 7 Oct 2026 · How we research and update