The Best Free Screenity Alternative in 2026.
Screenity is a capable Chrome extension — but it still requires an install, limits your editing options, and dumps files into your Downloads folder. Gravity Recorder is a full studio that runs directly in your browser tab with no extension, no installs, and no limitations.
| Feature | Screenity | Gravity Recorder |
|---|---|---|
| Installation | Chrome Extension Required | Zero Install — Open a Tab |
| Price | Free (Extension) | Free (No Extension) |
| Recording Quality | Up to 1080p | Up to 2K (1440p) |
| Webcam Overlay | Basic PIP | Studio-Grade Bubble |
| Studio Backgrounds | None | Gradients & Custom |
| File Handling | Auto-Downloads to ~/Downloads | Direct-to-Workspace (FSAPI) |
| Video Editing | Basic Trim Only | Multi-Segment Cut Editor |
| Cloud Backup | None | Google Drive Sync |
| Shareable Link | None | One-Click Viewer Link |
| Browser Support | Chrome Only | All Modern Browsers |
What is Screenity?
Screenity is a well-known open-source Chrome extension for screen recording. It lets you capture your tab or full screen, add annotations, and download the result as a WebM file. For a free, no-nonsense recording tool, it's a solid starting point.
But being a browser extension comes with real limitations. You have to install it from the Chrome Web Store, which means it only works in Chrome (or Chromium-based browsers). It runs in the extension sandbox, which limits what it can do with your files — recordings are automatically downloaded to your Downloads folder with no control over where they land. And since Screenity has no backend and no sharing layer, distributing your recordings means manually uploading to Google Drive or a cloud service yourself.
Why teams are switching from Screenity to Gravity Recorder
Gravity Recorder is built as a full web application, not an extension. That distinction matters more than it sounds.
No install friction. Gravity runs at gravityrecorder.com — no Chrome Web Store visit, no extension permissions dialog, no update management. You open a browser tab and you're in the studio. This is a meaningful difference when you're sharing the tool with a team or onboarding someone in a hurry.
Proper file handling. Gravity uses the File System Access API to write recordings directly into any folder you choose — your project directory, a shared Dropbox folder, anywhere. Screenity can only save to your Downloads folder. If you record 20 demos a week, that distinction adds up fast.
Studio-grade UI. Screenity offers a minimal recording interface focused on capture. Gravity adds a full studio layer on top: gradient canvas backgrounds, a resizable webcam bubble, mic toggle, pause/resume, and a theme system — all the things that make demos look polished rather than screengrabbed.
Editing. Screenity's trim feature is basic. Gravity ships a multi-segment cut editor powered by FFmpeg WebAssembly, so you can remove multiple sections of a recording, preview the result, and export — all in the browser with no upload required.
Sharing. Gravity generates a shareable /v/:id viewer link backed by your Google Drive upload. You send one link and the recipient watches the video in a clean player — no file attachments, no "you need to request access" prompts.
The case for local-first recording
Both Screenity and Gravity Recorder take a local-first approach — your recording never leaves your machine unless you explicitly choose to upload it. That privacy model matters for internal demos, confidential product walkthroughs, or anything you wouldn't want sitting on a third-party cloud server by default.
The difference is what "local-first" means for each tool. Screenity downloads your file to disk — after that, you're on your own to manage it. Gravity maintains a structured workspace: recordings go into a folder you control, a metadata registry tracks which files have been backed up to Drive, and every upload is linked to a shareable viewer URL. You get the privacy of local-first storage with the convenience of a managed cloud workflow on top.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gravity Recorder completely free like Screenity?
Yes — the core recording experience is free with no credit card required. Gravity does have advanced features planned for paid plans in the future, but everything you need to record, edit, and share is available from the moment you open the studio.
Does Gravity Recorder work without installing a Chrome extension?
Yes. Gravity runs as a regular web application at gravityrecorder.com. You do not need to install any browser extension, desktop app, or plugin. It works in Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and any browser that supports the MediaRecorder API.
Can I record in higher quality than Screenity?
Gravity supports recording up to 2K (1440p) resolution with a high-bitrate encoder. Screenity caps at 1080p. If you are creating product demos or tutorials that will be watched on large displays, the quality difference is noticeable.
What happens to my recordings — are they uploaded somewhere automatically?
No. By default your recordings are saved to a local folder you choose on your machine. Cloud backup to Google Drive is an opt-in feature — you connect your Drive account and choose when to sync. Nothing leaves your device without your explicit action.
Does Gravity work on macOS, Windows, and Linux?
Yes. Because it is a web application, Gravity runs on any operating system with a modern browser. Screenity is limited to Chrome/Chromium on any OS, while Gravity additionally works in Firefox and Safari (with some feature differences depending on browser API support).