Top 10 Open Source Alternatives to Scribe AI in 2025

As Scribe AI continues to make strides in the realm of process documentation with screenshots, there are several open-source tools in 2025 offering similar capabilities, often adding their unique twists. Whether you need screen recording, documentation, or a combination of both, this article explores the top 10 open-source alternatives to Scribe AI, each bringing something distinctive to the table.

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1. OBS Studio

Pricing: Free.
Key Features: Screen recording, webcam capture, audio mixing, live streaming, customizable scenes.
Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux.
Use Cases: Screen recording, streaming, creating video tutorials.
Learn more about OBS Studio

2. ShareX

Pricing: Free.
Key Features: Screen capture, scrolling capture, annotation tools, workflow automation, file sharing.
Platforms: Windows.
Use Cases: Screen capturing, creating quick how-to guides with images, sharing screenshots.
Explore ShareX

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3. GitBook

Pricing: Free for open source and personal use; paid plans for teams.
Key Features: Version control, customizable appearance, collaboration, API documentation, integration with project management tools.
Platforms: Web-based.
Use Cases: Documentation, knowledge bases, internal wikis, API documentation.
Discover GitBook

4. BookStack

Pricing: Free.
Key Features: Simple interface, book-chapter-page structure, Markdown editor, built-in search, user management.
Platforms: Web-based (self-hosted).
Use Cases: Internal documentation, knowledge bases, team wikis.
Learn more about BookStack

5. Read the Docs

Pricing: Free for open-source projects.
Key Features: Documentation hosting, version control, automated builds, supports Markdown and ReStructuredText, integrates with GitHub, GitLab, and Bitbucket.
Platforms: Web-based.
Use Cases: Software and technical documentation.
Explore Read the Docs

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6. Docusaurus

Pricing: Free.
Key Features: Static site generation, Markdown support, customizable themes and plugins, documentation versioning, multiple languages support.
Platforms: Web-based.
Use Cases: Product and software documentation, API documentation.
Discover Docusaurus

7. Wiki.js

Pricing: Free.
Key Features: Modern interface, flexible content support (Markdown, HTML), multiple authentication methods, fine-grained permissions control, powerful search functionality.
Platforms: Web-based (self-hosted).
Use Cases: Team wikis, knowledge bases, internal documentation.
Learn more about Wiki.js

8. Simple Screen Recorder

Pricing: Free.
Key Features: Screen recording (full screen, specific area, window), audio recording, live streaming, highly customizable, multiple video file formats.
Platforms: Linux.
Use Cases: Screen recording, video tutorials, streaming.
Explore Simple Screen Recorder

9. RecordMyDesktop

Pricing: Free.
Key Features: Command-line tool with GUI options, lightweight, audio recording, saves videos in OGG Theora and OGG Vorbis formats, available on GTK and QT4.
Platforms: Linux, FreeBSD.
Use Cases: Basic screen recording, quick video captures.

10. "What to Click" Firefox Plugin

Pricing: Free.
Key Features: Automatic screenshot capture of clicked elements, records mouse cursor location, adds link names to documentation, organized step-by-step format, export options including PDF or HTML.
Platforms: Firefox browser add-on.
Use Cases: Creating step-by-step guides for web applications.

This list provides a robust starting point for exploring open-source alternatives to Scribe AI in 2025. Each tool has different strengths, so the best choice for you will depend on your specific needs, from screen recording to detailed documentation.

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FAQ

1. What is OBS Studio?

OBS Studio is a free and open-source software used for screen recording and live streaming. It offers features like screen recording, webcam capture, audio mixing, and live streaming to various platforms. Explore OBS Studio

2. What features does ShareX offer?

ShareX is a free, open-source program for screen capturing and sharing. It includes screen capture, scrolling capture, annotation tools, workflow automation, and file sharing capabilities. Discover ShareX

3. How does GitBook support documentation?

GitBook is an open-source platform for creating and managing documentation, knowledge bases, and internal wikis. It supports version control, collaborative editing, customizable appearance, and integration with project management tools. Learn more about GitBook

4. What is BookStack used for?

BookStack is a simple, open-source platform for creating wiki-style documentation, knowledge bases, and notes. It features a user-friendly interface, organized structure, Markdown editor, built-in search, and user management capabilities. Explore BookStack

5. Can Read the Docs host my documentation?

Yes, Read the Docs is a free, open-source platform for hosting, building, and versioning software documentation. It supports multiple documentation versions, automated builds from source code repositories, and integration with GitHub, GitLab, and Bitbucket. Discover Read the Docs

6. What is Docusaurus and its primary use case?

Docusaurus is an open-source static site generator developed by Facebook for creating fast and SEO-friendly documentation websites. It supports Markdown, customizable themes, documentation versioning, and multiple languages. Learn more about Docusaurus

7. How does Wiki.js help with documentation?

Wiki.js is a modern, open-source wiki platform built on Node.js. It offers a sleek design, supports multiple content formats, user authentication, fine-grained permissions, and powerful search functionality. Explore Wiki.js

8. What is Simple Screen Recorder?

Simple Screen Recorder is a free and open-source screen recording software for Linux systems. It supports full-screen recording, specific area recording, audio recording, live streaming, and saving in multiple video file formats. Discover Simple Screen Recorder

9. Where can I find RecordMyDesktop?

RecordMyDesktop is a lightweight, open-source screen recording tool for Linux and FreeBSD. It's primarily a command-line tool with available GUI options, supporting basic screen recording, audio recording, and saving in OGG formats. Generally available through Linux package managers.

10. How does the 'What to Click' Firefox Plugin work?

The 'What to Click' Firefox Plugin is a free and open-source add-on for creating how-to guides with screenshots. It automatically captures screenshots of clicked elements on web pages, records the mouse cursor location, adds link names, and organizes steps in a sequential format. Available via the Firefox Add-ons page, search for "What to Click".

About the Author

Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.

Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).

She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond and launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks.

For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.

About the Publication

Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch.

Mission and Purpose

Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.

Key Features

The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:

Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials

Impact and Growth

Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:

3,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
100+ startup tools built
5,000+ pieces of articles and news written

Partnerships

Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.

Recognition

Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.