Loom AI Features: Worth the Upgrade?
Loom used to be simple: record screen, share link, done. Now it’s pushing AI features hard.
I’ve used Loom AI for 3 months. Here’s what’s actually useful.
The AI Features
Loom’s AI adds:
- Auto-generated titles - AI names your video
- Summary - Key points in written form
- Chapters - Automatic section markers
- Transcript - Full text of what you said
- Filler word removal - Cuts “ums” and “uhs”
- Written recap - Email-ready summary
Let’s assess each.
Auto-Generated Titles
What it does: AI suggests a title based on your video content.
Reality: Sometimes good, often generic. “Team Update Discussion” isn’t helpful when all your videos are team updates.
My usage: I ignore it and write my own titles 90% of the time.
Verdict: Minor convenience. Not a selling point.
Video Summaries
What it does: Creates a bullet-point summary of your video’s key points.
Reality: Actually useful. Viewers can scan the summary before watching. Saves time.
My usage: I check the summary and sometimes edit it. Viewers appreciate it.
Verdict: Genuinely useful feature.
Automatic Chapters
What it does: Breaks your video into sections with timestamps.
Reality: Works well for structured videos (updates, tutorials). Less useful for rambling messages.
My usage: I leave them on. Viewers use them to jump to relevant parts.
Verdict: Useful for longer videos.
Transcription
What it does: Full text transcript of your video.
Reality: Accuracy is good (90%+). Searchable. Good for reference.
My usage: I don’t read transcripts but they’re there if needed.
Verdict: Nice to have, not essential.
Filler Word Removal
What it does: AI edits out “um,” “uh,” etc.
Reality: Works but makes videos sound choppy if you say “um” a lot.
My usage: I keep it off. I’d rather sound natural than choppy.
Verdict: Only useful if you’re a heavy filler-word user.
Written Recaps
What it does: Creates an email-ready summary to share with the video.
Reality: Good for sending video + context together. Format is acceptable.
My usage: Occasionally useful for important updates.
Verdict: Nice for formal communication.
The Pricing Reality
Loom Free:
- 5 minute video limit
- 25 video limit
- No AI features
Loom Business ($15/user/month):
- Unlimited videos
- AI features
- Team features
Loom Enterprise (custom):
- Advanced admin
- Security features
The math: $15/month is a lot for video messaging if you could use free alternatives.
Is AI Worth the Upgrade?
Yes, if:
- You record 10+ Looms per week
- Viewers value summaries and chapters
- Professional communication matters
- Your team uses Loom extensively
No, if:
- You record occasionally
- 5-minute limit works for you
- Budget is tight
- You don’t care about AI summaries
The honest take:
The AI features are nice additions, not game-changers. The core value of Loom is still quick video messaging. AI makes it slightly better.
If you were already paying for Loom, AI is a nice bonus.
If you were on free tier, AI alone doesn’t justify upgrading.
Compared to Alternatives
Tella
- Similar AI features
- Newer, less polished
- Cheaper ($12/month)
- Worth trying if Loom feels expensive
Screenpal (formerly Screencast-O-Matic)
- Free tier is more generous
- Fewer AI features
- Good for basic needs
Vimeo Record
- Included if you have Vimeo
- Basic AI features
- Worth it if you’re in Vimeo ecosystem
Just recording yourself
- Quicktime/OBS are free
- No AI, no sharing magic
- Works for simple needs
My Verdict
Loom is still the best async video tool. The polish, the sharing, the viewer experience - all excellent.
The AI features are useful additions. Summaries and chapters genuinely help. But they’re not revolutionary.
Pricing is the question. $15/user/month adds up for teams. Worth it if async video is central to your work.
Who Should Use Loom AI
Definitely worth it:
- Remote teams using async video heavily
- Client-facing communication where polish matters
- Anyone recording 10+ videos per week
- Companies that can expense it
Maybe worth it:
- Frequent recorders who want time savings
- People who hate their own “ums”
- Teams evaluating async tools
Probably not worth it:
- Occasional video senders
- Budget-conscious individuals
- People fine with 5-minute limit
What I Actually Do
I pay for Loom Business. I record 15-20 Looms per week. The AI features save me maybe 10 minutes per day.
Is it worth $15/month? For me, yes. Time savings compound.
Would I pay just for AI features? No. I pay for the core Loom experience. AI is a bonus.
Bottom Line
Loom’s AI features are solid additions to an already-good product. Summaries and chapters are genuinely useful. Other features are minor conveniences.
Don’t upgrade just for AI. Upgrade if async video is important to your work and Loom is your tool of choice. The AI is a nice bonus, not the main event.
Frequently Asked Questions
Auto-generated titles, video summaries, chapter markers, filler word removal, and written recaps. Some are useful (summaries, chapters), others are minor (titles, filler removal).
For the AI features alone? Probably not. For async video communication? Still the best tool. The AI is a nice bonus but not a reason to upgrade from free. Business tier ($15/user/month) adds value for teams.
Tella has similar AI features. Screenpal is free but fewer AI features. For basic recording, free Loom with 5 min limit works. No perfect free alternative matches Loom's AI features yet.