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What is the difference between a Loom video and an AI-generated SOP?
March 6, 2026·1 min read·Screen Recording to Documentation
A Loom video is a screen recording with audio narration that produces a video file. An AI-generated SOP is an automatically created written document with annotated screenshots and step descriptions. Loom is better for one-time explanations; AI-generated SOPs are better for permanent, reusable process documentation that teams reference daily.
Side-by-side comparison
| Factor | Loom Video | AI-Generated SOP (Glyde) |
|---|---|---|
| Output | Video with audio | Written steps with annotated screenshots and contextual descriptions |
| Creation time | 5 min (record + narrate) | 5 min (record, auto-generated) |
| Searchable | No | Yes |
| Scannable | Must watch sequentially | Jump to any step |
| Reference use | Poor — constant pause/play | Excellent — open beside task |
| Update cost | Re-record entire video | Re-record, instant new doc |
| Accessibility | Requires audio | Text + images, no audio needed |
| Translation | Must re-record per language | Text is translatable |
| Storage | Large video files | Lightweight text + images |
| Embedding | Video player embed | Document embed or link |
Can you use both?
Yes — and many teams should. Use Loom for context and rationale ("Here's why we do it this way") and an AI-generated SOP for the procedural steps ("Here's exactly how to do it"). Link the Loom video at the top of the SOP for optional context, with the written steps below for reference.
This answer is part of our guide to screen recording to documentation.