# Cap: Free Open Source Alternative to Bandicam, Camtasia, CleanShot

Canonical: https://caniforkit.com/fork/cap
Last updated: 2026-11-07

Cap (Open Source, Open Source) replaces Bandicam, Camtasia, CleanShot, FocuSee. Record your screen in Instant, Studio, or Screenshot mode, then share via a link with auto-generated transcripts, chapters, and summaries.

## Tool Specifications
- **Tool Name**: Cap
- **Type**: Open Source Project
- **License**: Open Source
- **Official Website**: https://cap.so/
- **GitHub Repository**: https://github.com/capsoftware/cap
- **GitHub Stars**: ★ 24.6k
- **Runs On**: Self-host
- **Maintenance Status**: nov 2026
- **Platforms**: web, self-hosted, docker to self-host
- **Data Storage**: All application data and configuration live on your own server or local database.
- **Installation**: Clone https://github.com/capsoftware/cap or deploy with Docker Compose
- **Setup Requirements**: Deploy via Docker or binary release from GitHub and configure environment variables.
- **The Catch / Limitation**: Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed Bandicam.

## Paid SaaS Applications Replaced (10)
Replacing these paid tools with Cap saves up to $200/mo ($2,400/yr) in software subscriptions:

| Replaced Software | Category | SaaS Price | Comparison Guide |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Bandicam](https://caniforkit.com/bandicam) | [audio & video](https://caniforkit.com/category/audio-video) | $20/mo | [Compare Bandicam vs Cap](https://caniforkit.com/vs/bandicam-vs-cap) |
| [Camtasia](https://caniforkit.com/camtasia) | [audio & video](https://caniforkit.com/category/audio-video) | $20/mo | [Compare Camtasia vs Cap](https://caniforkit.com/vs/camtasia-vs-cap) |
| [CleanShot](https://caniforkit.com/cleanshot) | [audio & video](https://caniforkit.com/category/audio-video) | $20/mo | [Compare CleanShot vs Cap](https://caniforkit.com/vs/cleanshot-vs-cap) |
| [FocuSee](https://caniforkit.com/focusee) | [audio & video](https://caniforkit.com/category/audio-video) | $20/mo | [Compare FocuSee vs Cap](https://caniforkit.com/vs/focusee-vs-cap) |
| [Kite](https://caniforkit.com/kite) | [audio & video](https://caniforkit.com/category/audio-video) | $20/mo | [Compare Kite vs Cap](https://caniforkit.com/vs/kite-vs-cap) |
| [Loom](https://caniforkit.com/loom) | [audio & video](https://caniforkit.com/category/audio-video) | $20/mo | [Compare Loom vs Cap](https://caniforkit.com/vs/loom-vs-cap) |
| [Screen Studio](https://caniforkit.com/screen-studio) | [audio & video](https://caniforkit.com/category/audio-video) | $20/mo | [Compare Screen Studio vs Cap](https://caniforkit.com/vs/screen-studio-vs-cap) |
| [ScreenFlow](https://caniforkit.com/screenflow) | [audio & video](https://caniforkit.com/category/audio-video) | $20/mo | [Compare ScreenFlow vs Cap](https://caniforkit.com/vs/screenflow-vs-cap) |
| [Shotbase](https://caniforkit.com/shotbase) | [audio & video](https://caniforkit.com/category/audio-video) | $20/mo | [Compare Shotbase vs Cap](https://caniforkit.com/vs/shotbase-vs-cap) |
| [Tella](https://caniforkit.com/tella) | [audio & video](https://caniforkit.com/category/audio-video) | $20/mo | [Compare Tella vs Cap](https://caniforkit.com/vs/tella-vs-cap) |

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Is Cap free and open source?
Cap is an open source tool licensed under Open Source that runs on self-host. Record your screen in Instant, Studio, or Screenshot mode, then share via a link with auto-generated transcripts, chapters, and summaries.

### What is the trade-off or limitation of using Cap?
Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed Bandicam.

## Related

- [Self-Hosted Open Source Directory](https://caniforkit.com/self-hosted)
- [All Paid SaaS Alternatives Index](https://caniforkit.com/alternatives)
- [Software Categories Directory](https://caniforkit.com/categories)
- [Homepage](https://caniforkit.com)