Kap review (2026): is it any good?
Open-source Mac screen recorder that exports GIF, MP4, WebM and APNG
Kap report card
Very good · out of 4.0 · graded Nov 13, 2026
Best for a free Mac screen recorder that exports GIFs
Kap is a free, open source Mac screen recorder that exports GIF, MP4, WebM and APNG. But it's Mac only, it needs macOS 12 or later, and it trims clips rather than edits them.
Who Kap is for
- Fits if you record short Mac screen clips and share them as GIFs
- Works for people comfortable getting help from a GitHub issue tracker
Who Kap is not for
- Skip it if you use Windows or Linux, as it is Mac only
- Not for you if your Mac is older than macOS 12
- Too light for you if you want to edit video beyond trimming
- Watch out: support goes through GitHub issues, not a paid channel
Why Kap gets a 3.0
Five grades, each with its reason. The GPA is their average: an A is 4 points, an F is none.
- AValue for moneyFree and open source. No paid plan is listed.
- AFree plan and trialThe whole app is free, with no limit or trial.
- CFeaturesRecording with audio, click highlights, trimming and four export formats, plus share plugins. It does the recording job, but the site describes no full video editing.
- BEase of useInstall, pick an area and record. Nothing to set up, though no store rating is on record.
- CPlatforms and integrationsMac only, Apple silicon and Intel. No Windows, Linux or phone version.
What these grades rest on. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from Kap's own pages on 13 November 2026. Not based on using the product, and shorter than our full reviews. How we review and grade.
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<a href="https://toolgpa.com/tools/kap#review"><img src="https://toolgpa.com/badge/kap.svg" alt="Kap: 3.0 GPA on ToolGPA" width="196" height="56"></a>Where Kap stands among desktop utilities
Kap's GPA of 3.0 is higher than 154 of the 186 other desktop utilities we grade, and level with 27.
It stands best on free plan and trial (A, above 107 of 186) and worst on features (C, above 2).
Kap has no paid plan.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 2.3 out of 4. Nothing scores higher for less, though at least one tool matches that score at a lower price.
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 187 desktop utilities we grade, cut by the letter each got. Kap’s own letter is outlined.
- AValue for moneyAbove 55 of 186, level with 131
- AFree plan and trialAbove 107 of 186, level with 79
- CFeaturesAbove 2 of 186, level with 110
- BEase of useAbove 78 of 186, level with 108
- CPlatforms and integrationsAbove 111 of 186, level with 60
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 103 desktop utilities. Further left costs less, and higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. Point at a dot to see which tool it is.
Features, ease of use and platforms, averaged
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
- The best score at each price
- Has a free plan
- No free plan
Keep Kap, or make your own?
Keep it
Kap is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
It is one of the better ones too: its GPA of 3.0 is higher than 154 of the 186 other desktop utilities we grade.
What you could not
- Recording the screen with its sound, and somewhere to keep the video.
- A real app for macOS. Something home-made would be a web page.
What this rests on. Kap’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.
What is Kap?
Kap is an open-source screen recorder for macOS built with web technology. It records the screen with optional audio and click highlights, lets you trim the clip, and exports to GIF, MP4, WebM or APNG. Plugins send recordings to services such as Giphy, Streamable and Vercel.
Worth knowing
- Mac only; there are no Windows, Linux or mobile versions.
- Requires macOS 12 or later.
- The site describes recording, trimming and export, not full video editing.
- Free and open source, so support runs through the GitHub project's issue tracker rather than a paid channel.
Key features
- Several export formats
- Export a recording as GIF, MP4, WebM or APNG, with optional audio.
- Click highlights and trimming
- Highlight mouse clicks while recording and trim the clip before exporting.
- Plugin sharing
- Plugins send recordings to Giphy, Streamable and Vercel; the site links the plugin projects on GitHub.
- Open source
- The code is public on GitHub under the MIT license, so anyone can read it, report issues or contribute.
- Apple silicon and Intel builds
- Separate downloads are offered for M1-class and Intel Macs; macOS 12 or later is required.
Kap pricing
As of Nov 13, 2026, Kap is free to use.
- Starts at
- Free
- Free plan
- None
- Free trial
- None listed
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Open-source under the MIT license, with downloads for Apple silicon and Intel Macs and no paid tier. |
Read from getkap.co on Nov 13, 2026. Prices change, so confirm with Kap before you buy.
Works with
- Giphy
- Streamable
- Vercel
Kap alternatives
- Kap vs LICEcap
Free
- Kap vs Gyazo
Free plan · from $6.99/mo
- Kap vs ShareX
Free
- Kap vs Shottr
Free plan · from $12 one-time
- Kap vs Flameshot
Free
Common questions
Does Kap have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. Kap is listed for macOS.
Does Kap have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. Kap is listed for macOS.
Is Kap open source?
Yes. Kap is open source, according to its own site.
Does Kap work offline?
Yes, according to its own site. What works without a connection differs by plan and platform, so check the vendor's page for the detail.
Sources for this page
The prices, plans, platforms and features above were read from these pages on Nov 13, 2026.