You’re drowning in process knowledge that lives only in people’s heads, and every time someone leaves or a new hire starts, you’re scrambling to explain the same workflows all over again. Recording a screen is easy—turning that recording into a usable, shareable SOP without spending hours typing and formatting is the hard part. This article helps you decide whether Loom’s AI features can actually replace manual SOP writing, or if you need a different tool entirely.
Why this decision is harder than it looks: You’re choosing between speed (auto-generated text from video) and precision (purpose-built step-by-step guides), and most teams need both but can only afford to master one tool at a time.
⚡ Quick Verdict
Best for: Teams already using video for async communication who want to extract text summaries and transcripts quickly.
Skip this if: You need annotated screenshots with click-by-click instructions as your primary output format.
Fastest win: Use Loom AI to generate a transcript and chapter outline, then manually refine it into your final SOP document.
Biggest gotcha: Loom AI won’t automatically capture and annotate individual screenshots for each step—you’ll get a transcript and summary, not a visual step-by-step guide.
If I had to decide under time pressure, I would choose Loom if my team already communicates via video and I just need text extraction, or ScribeHow if I’m starting from scratch and need visual guides with minimal editing.
Why Automated SOP Generation Matters Now More Than Ever
Remote and hybrid work models have made it impossible to rely on over-the-shoulder training. Knowledge workers are expected to document processes on the fly, often while juggling multiple projects, and manual documentation eats up hours that could be spent on actual work. AI-powered tools promise to close this gap by converting screen activity into usable documentation without the tedious typing and formatting.
The real pressure isn’t just about saving time—it’s about consistency. When five people document the same process five different ways, onboarding becomes chaotic and errors multiply. Automated SOP generation aims to standardize how knowledge is captured and shared, but only if the output is accurate enough to trust without heavy editing.
What Loom AI Solves for SOP Creation
Loom AI can automatically generate a title, summary, chapters, and a transcript from recorded videos. This means you can record a screen walkthrough, and within moments, Loom produces a text-based outline of what you just demonstrated. The AI also offers a Magic Cut feature to remove filler words, silences, and unwanted sections from video recordings, which tightens up the final output before you even start editing.
The core value here is speed. Users can leverage Loom AI to quickly create text-based documentation, such as SOPs, by converting video content into written formats. The AI features aim to reduce the time spent on manual video editing and transcription, accelerating content creation workflows. You’re not starting from a blank page—you’re starting from a rough draft that already has structure.
- Automatic transcript generation eliminates the need to type out every spoken word
- Chapter markers help break long recordings into digestible sections
- AI-generated summaries provide a quick overview without watching the entire video
- Integration with platforms like Slack, Google Workspace, and Jira allows seamless sharing and embedding of video content
⛔ Dealbreaker: Skip this if you need annotated screenshots with arrows, highlights, and click-by-click visual instructions as your primary deliverable—Loom typically does not automatically capture and annotate individual screenshots for each step in the same manner as dedicated SOP tools.
Who Should Seriously Consider Loom AI for SOPs
Loom AI is designed for individuals and teams seeking to enhance asynchronous communication and knowledge sharing through video. If your team already uses video to explain concepts, troubleshoot issues, or walk through workflows, adding AI-generated text is a natural extension. Small to medium-sized businesses that need quick process documentation without hiring a dedicated technical writer will find the most immediate value here.
Teams focused on asynchronous communication—where people work across time zones or prefer recorded explanations over live meetings—benefit from having both video and text versions of the same content. Individuals creating tutorials, onboarding guides, or internal training materials can record once and repurpose the output into multiple formats (video for visual learners, transcript for skimmers, summary for quick reference).
Who Should NOT Rely Solely on Loom AI for SOPs
Organizations requiring highly complex, regulatory-driven, or legally critical documentation should not treat AI-generated content as a final product. AI-generated content, including SOPs, may require human review and editing to ensure accuracy, completeness, and adherence to specific organizational guidelines. If your SOPs need to pass compliance audits or include precise legal language, you’ll still need a human expert to verify every line.
Users unwilling to perform human review and refinement of AI-generated content will be disappointed. The quality of AI-generated SOPs is heavily dependent on the clarity, structure, and verbal explanations within the original screen recording. If you mumble, skip steps, or assume context that isn’t visible on screen, the AI output will reflect those gaps. Those needing extensive customization beyond basic text and screenshot extraction—such as interactive elements, branching logic, or embedded quizzes—will need a more specialized tool.
⛔ Dealbreaker: Skip this if you expect the AI to fill in missing context or correct unclear explanations on its own—it won’t.
Loom vs. ScribeHow: When Each Option Makes Sense
Both tools aim to reduce the manual effort of creating process documentation, but they take fundamentally different approaches. Loom starts with video and extracts text; ScribeHow captures your on-screen actions and builds a step-by-step guide with annotated screenshots automatically.
Feature Showdown
This grid compares the capabilities of Loom and ScribeHow for generating process documentation.
💡 Rapid Verdict:
Best for teams already using video for communication, but SKIP THIS if you need visual step-by-step guides with annotated screenshots as your primary output.
Loom excels when video is the primary communication medium and text is a secondary artifact. If your team prefers watching a walkthrough and the transcript serves as a searchable reference or accessibility feature, Loom makes sense. ScribeHow is specifically built to create visual SOPs, training manuals, and how-to guides directly from user workflows, and it targets operations teams, customer support, and training departments that need detailed, visual process documentation. ScribeHow automatically generates step-by-step guides, complete with text and annotated screenshots, from user workflows, and it allows exporting guides to various formats including PDF, HTML, and Markdown, and integrates with knowledge bases.
Bottom line: Use Loom if your team already records video and you want to add text summaries; use ScribeHow if you need visual, screenshot-based guides and don’t care about video at all.
Key Risks and Limitations of AI-Generated SOPs
The necessity of human oversight for accuracy and context cannot be overstated. AI can transcribe what you say and identify chapter breaks, but it can’t verify that the steps you demonstrated are correct, complete, or compliant with your organization’s standards. You still need a subject matter expert to review the output before publishing it as official documentation.
There’s also a potential for generic or incomplete instructions without detailed input. If you record a screen without narrating what you’re doing, or if you skip over “obvious” steps that aren’t obvious to a new user, the AI-generated SOP will inherit those gaps. Reliance on clear, well-structured screen recordings for optimal output means you need to plan your recording like you’d plan a presentation—outline the steps, speak clearly, and avoid tangents.
- AI cannot infer unstated assumptions or fill in missing context
- Transcripts may include verbal filler or conversational asides that need manual cleanup
- Auto-generated summaries may miss nuanced details critical to your specific use case
How I’d Use It
Scenario: a knowledge worker or team lead responsible for documenting and sharing processes
This is how I’d tackle this workflow.
- I would record a screen walkthrough while narrating each step out loud, treating it like I’m explaining the process to a new hire who’s never seen it before.
- I’d let Loom AI generate the transcript, summary, and chapters automatically, then review the output for obvious errors or missing steps.
- I would copy the transcript into a Google Doc or Notion page and manually edit it into a structured SOP format, adding section headers and clarifying any ambiguous language.
- I’d embed the original Loom video at the top of the document so people can choose to watch or read, depending on their preference.
- I would test the SOP by having someone unfamiliar with the process follow it step-by-step, noting where they get stuck or confused.
- I’d update the document based on their feedback, then share it via Slack or our knowledge base, knowing I’ll need to revisit it every few months as the process evolves.
One friction point I’d expect: if the process involves switching between multiple applications or tabs, the AI-generated chapters might not align perfectly with logical task boundaries, requiring manual reorganization.
My Takeaway: Loom AI gets me 70% of the way to a usable SOP in minutes, but I still need to budget time for human review and formatting—it’s a time-saver, not a replacement for thinking.
Pricing Plans
Below is the current pricing overview for the main contenders. Pricing information is accurate as of April 2025 and subject to change.
| Product | Starting Price (Monthly) | Free Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Loom | $18/mo (Business); $24/mo (Business + AI) | Yes |
| ScribeHow | $29/mo | Yes |
Both tools offer free plans, which is useful for testing the workflow before committing to a paid tier. Loom’s AI features are included in the Business + AI plan, so if you’re already paying for Loom Business, you’ll need to upgrade to access the AI-generated summaries and chapters. ScribeHow’s pricing is straightforward and includes the core screenshot-based guide generation in the paid plan.
🚨 The Panic Test
You have 24 hours to document a critical process before someone leaves the company. Here’s what you do.
Forget perfection. Just record the screen while the person walks through the process out loud. Use Loom if you already have it installed. Don’t overthink the setup—hit record, capture the walkthrough, and let the AI generate the transcript.
Copy the transcript into a Google Doc immediately. Skim it for obvious errors or missing steps, but don’t spend more than 15 minutes editing. Add a one-sentence summary at the top explaining what the process accomplishes and who needs to follow it.
Share the video link and the rough transcript with your team right away. Label it “Draft—needs review” so people know it’s not final. Schedule 30 minutes the next day to clean it up based on feedback, but at least you’ve captured the knowledge before it walks out the door.
Don’t wait for the perfect tool or the perfect recording. Done is better than perfect when you’re under time pressure.
Public Feedback Snapshot
Teams using Loom AI for documentation report that the transcript and summary features save significant time compared to typing everything manually, but most still spend 20–30 minutes editing the output to match their organization’s tone and structure. The Magic Cut feature is frequently praised for cleaning up filler words and awkward pauses, making the final video more polished without manual editing.
ScribeHow users highlight the tool’s strength in producing visual, screenshot-based guides that require minimal post-processing, especially for repetitive tasks like software onboarding or customer support workflows. However, some note that the automatically generated text can be overly literal (describing every click) and may need condensing for readability.
A common theme across both tools is that the quality of the output is directly tied to the quality of the input—clear narration and well-structured workflows produce better results. These insights are based on publicly available documentation and reported user feedback.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Loom AI replace a technical writer for SOP creation?
No. Loom AI can generate a rough draft transcript and summary, but it can’t verify accuracy, ensure compliance, or adapt tone and structure to your organization’s standards. You still need a human to review, edit, and finalize the content before it’s ready for official use.
How accurate are the AI-generated transcripts?
Accuracy depends on audio quality, speaking clarity, and background noise. In controlled environments with clear narration, transcripts are generally reliable but may still include minor errors or misinterpret technical jargon. Always review the transcript before using it as a final document.
Can I use Loom AI for compliance or regulatory documentation?
Not without extensive human review. AI-generated content may miss critical details, use imprecise language, or fail to meet legal or regulatory standards. If your SOPs need to pass audits or include legally binding instructions, treat the AI output as a starting point only.
Does ScribeHow work better than Loom for visual SOPs?
Yes, if your primary need is annotated screenshots with step-by-step instructions. ScribeHow is purpose-built for this use case and automatically captures and annotates each action you take on screen. Loom focuses on video and text extraction, not visual step-by-step guides.
Can I export Loom AI-generated content to other formats?
You can copy the transcript and summary into any text editor or documentation tool, but Loom doesn’t natively export to formats like PDF or Markdown. You’ll need to manually transfer the content to your preferred platform.
How long does it take to generate an SOP using Loom AI?
The AI generates a transcript, summary, and chapters within minutes of finishing your recording. However, you should budget an additional 20–30 minutes for human review and editing to ensure the content is accurate and usable.
What happens if I don’t narrate during the screen recording?
The AI will only transcribe what it hears. If you record silently, you’ll get a video with no transcript or a very sparse one. Narration is essential for generating useful text-based documentation.
Can I use Loom AI for onboarding new employees?
Yes, it’s a common use case. You can record onboarding walkthroughs, generate transcripts for reference, and share both the video and text with new hires. Just make sure to review the content for completeness before sending it out.
