Why I built an Open Source "Loom" alternative (Local-first + Aesthetic Studio)

uzair kath — Sun, 01 Feb 2026 09:26:15 +0000

If you're a developer, you probably use Loom (or similar tools) daily. It's great for quick demos, bug reports, and asynchronous communication.

But lately, something has felt... off.

Between the growing paywalls, strict recording limits, and the reality that your sensitive internal demos are sitting on someone else’s cloud, I started wondering: Can we build something better?

Something that is:

100% Free (No recording limits)
Local-First (Privacy by design)
Aesthetic (Premium studio features)
Open Source (Community owned)

That’s why I built Gravity Recorder.

🚀 The Problem with SaaS Recorders

Most screen recorders are SaaS-first. They require a login, they upload your video while you're recording, and they hold your data hostage behind "Pro" tiers.

As developers, we know that:

Mandatory cloud storage is a security risk for sensitive demos.
High CPU usage in desktop apps creates lag when you're also running a local server/IDE.
$10-20/month for a basic utility feels like "SaaS fatigue."

💎 The Gravity Difference: Local-First Studio

Gravity Recorder is a web-based screen studio that runs entirely in your browser using the Screen Capture API.

1. Privacy is the Default

Your recording never hits a centralized server. Gravity uses local browser storage for processing, meaning your data stays on your machine until you choose otherwise.

2. Studio-Grade Aesthetics

Loom is great for utility, but it looks... a bit plain. I wanted to build a "Studio" experience. Gravity lets you:

Customize webcam masks (Circle, Rounded Rect, Square).
Add high-end background gradients.
Scalable screen framing for that "premium" feel.

3. Google Drive Sync (B.Y.O.C - Bring Your Own Cloud)

Instead of forcing you onto our storage, Gravity integrates with Google Drive. You can sync your videos directly to your own account, maintaining 100% ownership and zero subscription costs.

4. Built for Performance

Since it’s a lightweight web app, there's no heavy desktop background process. It leverages your hardware directly, meaning no lag even on older machines.

🛠️ The Tech Stack

Building a recorder in the browser comes with unique challenges. Gravity is built with:

React + Vite for the frontend.
Vanilla CSS for high-performance animations and glassmorphism.
Screen Capture API for high-resolution 60fps recording.
Google Identity Services for seamless cloud integration.

🤝 Open Source & Community

The project is licensed under MIT. I believe that core productivity tools should be open and transparent. No tracking, no hidden monetization, just a great tool for the community.

Try it out!

If you're tired of subscription limits or just want a cleaner way to record your work, give it a shot:

Launch App: gravityrecorder.com
GitHub Repo: uzairkath/gravityRecorder (A star would mean a lot! ⭐)

I'd love to hear your thoughts. What’s the one feature keeping you on Loom? Let’s build it in Gravity instead!

#showdev #opensource #react #privacy

DEV Community: uzair kath