Kap vs Medis
Which should you use? A side-by-side look at what each one does, who it suits, what it costs, how hard it is to set up, and where each falls short.
Open source · MIT
A free, open-source screen recorder for macOS, built with web technology.
Open source · MIT
A Mac desktop app for browsing and editing data in Redis databases.
The short answer
Choose Kap if you need…
- Mac users who want to record part of their screen quickly from the menu bar
- People who want an open-source recorder they can inspect or modify
- Developers who want to build plugins, since the README links a plugin guide
Choose Medis if you need…
- Developers who want a visual way to inspect Redis keys on a Mac
- People connecting to remote Redis servers through SSH
- Users working with JSON or MessagePack values stored in Redis
- Anyone managing Heroku Redis instances, as the README describes a connection workflow for it
Side-by-side
| Kap | Medis | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | App | App |
| Price | Free and open source | Free and open source |
| Licence | MIT | MIT |
| GitHub stars | 19.4k | 11.7k |
| Setup difficulty | Beginner | Intermediate |
| How you get it | Download the app | Clone and build from source |
| Main language | TypeScript | JavaScript |
| Last code update | 24 months ago | 3 years ago |
What each one is
Kap
Kap is a screen recorder for macOS that you control from the menu bar. You pick the part of the screen to capture, press record, and click the menu bar icon again to stop. It is open source under the MIT license and is built with web technology, as its description says.
Medis
Medis is a graphical desktop application for managing Redis, a popular in-memory data store. It lets you view and edit keys, run commands in a terminal, and inspect server config without typing everything on the command line. It is built with Electron, React, and Redux, and can connect to remote servers over an SSH tunnel.
Best for
Kap
- Mac users who want to record part of their screen quickly from the menu bar
- People who want an open-source recorder they can inspect or modify
- Developers who want to build plugins, since the README links a plugin guide
Medis
- Developers who want a visual way to inspect Redis keys on a Mac
- People connecting to remote Redis servers through SSH
- Users working with JSON or MessagePack values stored in Redis
- Anyone managing Heroku Redis instances, as the README describes a connection workflow for it
Strengths
Kap
- Open source under the MIT license
- Simple menu bar workflow for starting and stopping recordings
- Has official Apple silicon and Intel downloads plus a Homebrew option
Medis
- Free and open source under the MIT license
- Uses SCAN so key listing does not block the Redis server, per the README
- Supports SSH tunnels and JSON/MessagePack viewing
Not ideal for
Kap
- Windows or Linux users, because the README and topics only reference macOS
- People who need a full video editor, since the README describes only recording and does not mention editing features
Medis
- Windows or Linux users who need a ready-made build, since the README lists those platforms only as a roadmap item and the release has no binaries
- Users on Redis versions older than 2.8, which the README says are not supported
- Anyone needing Redis Cluster management, which the README lists as a future roadmap item
- Users looking for the newest version, since the README points to Medis 2 as the actively developed successor
Trade-offs
Kap
- The README describes macOS-focused use only, so other platforms are not covered
- The README says dev builds are unsupported and may have issues
- The README is short on feature detail, so capabilities beyond basic recording are unclear
Medis
- The README points to Medis 2 as the newer, actively promoted app, and this repo's last push was in February 2024
- Official macOS binaries are tied to the release page and the latest release lists no binaries, so setup may require building from source
- Windows and Linux support is only a roadmap item in the README, apart from a separate third-party Windows download link
Getting started
Medis
Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/luin/medisInstall dependencies
npm installFrequently asked questions
What is the difference between Kap and Medis?
Kap: A free, open-source screen recorder for macOS, built with web technology. Medis: A Mac desktop app for browsing and editing data in Redis databases. Kap suits mac users who want to record part of their screen quickly from the menu bar, while Medis suits developers who want a visual way to inspect redis keys on a mac.
Are Kap and Medis free?
Kap: Free and open source. Medis: Free and open source.
Which is easier to set up, Kap or Medis?
Kap is easier to get started with (rated beginner); Medis is rated intermediate and usually needs more setup.
Is Kap or Medis more popular?
Kap has more GitHub stars (19.4k) than Medis (11.7k). Popularity isn't the same as fit — check which one matches your use case above.
What are other alternatives to Kap and Medis?
Other options people compare them with include Pear Desktop, MarkText, OpenCut, Another Redis Desktop Manager.
Keep comparing
Built from our catalogue entries for both products: open-source details come from each project's README (AI-assisted, refreshed weekly) and GitHub data; AI-tool details are editorial. Spotted something wrong? Let us know from either product's page.