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Utilities · head to head

Everything vs Kap

Everything logo

Everything

Utilities

Instant filename search for Windows

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Kap logo

Kap

Utilities

Free open source screen recorder for macOS, focused on video and GIF capture rather than annotation

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Everything searches filenames only, not file contents, which is the deliberate trade for its speed; Kap it has no annotation tools at all, so any still-image markup work needs a separate app such as Shottr or CleanShot X.
  • They diverge on capability: Everything covers Instant results, Kap covers Multi-format export.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Everything and Kap actually diverge.

Attributes where Everything and Kap differ
AttributeEverythingKap
Pricing modelFree; donations acceptedOpen source, no licence fee
PlatformsWindowsMac

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Utilities).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Everything

  • Instant results
  • MFT-based indexing
  • Tiny footprint
  • Regex and filters

Only in Kap

  • Multi-format export
  • Area, window or display capture
  • Plugin system
  • Basic trimming
  • Menu bar operation
  • Open source

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Everything

  • Finding a file by name instantly instead of waiting on Windows Searchnot Kap
  • Locating duplicates and stray files across large drivesnot Kap
  • Navigating a machine with hundreds of thousands of filesnot Kap

Kap

  • A developer recording a demo GIF for a README or documentation pagenot Everything
  • A marketer capturing a quick product walkthrough clip without buying screen recording softwarenot Everything
  • Someone creating App Store style device-framed screenshots for a listingnot Everything
  • A user who only needs video capture and does not want to pay for a suite of annotation features they will not usenot Everything

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Everything

  • Searches filenames only, not file contents, which is the deliberate trade for its speed
  • Windows and NTFS only: no macOS or Linux build, and non-NTFS volumes fall back to slower indexing
  • Requires administrator rights to read the Master File Table

Kap

  • It has no annotation tools at all, so any still-image markup work needs a separate app such as Shottr or CleanShot X.
  • There is no scrolling capture or OCR, features both Shottr and CleanShot X include.
  • Editing is limited to basic trimming, so anything beyond a simple cut needs a dedicated video editor afterward.
  • It is Mac only, offering nothing for screen recording needs on Windows.
  • As a volunteer-maintained open source project, updates and bug fixes depend on community contribution rather than a company with paid support obligations.

Pricing, plan by plan

Everything

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Core functionality
    • Personal use

Kap

Free
  • KapFree
    • Free and open source under the MIT licence
    • MP4, WebM, GIF and device frame export
    • Plugin system for extended workflows

Which should you pick?

Choose Everything if

  • You need instant results.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows.
  • You also want mft-based indexing.
Everything review

Choose Kap if

  • You need multi-format export.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Mac.
  • You also want area, window or display capture.
Kap review

Questions people ask

Is Everything or Kap better?
Neither clearly leads. Everything starts at Free and Kap at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Everything or Kap?
Everything starts at Free and Kap at Free.
Does Everything or Kap run on more platforms?
Everything runs on Windows. Kap runs on Mac.
Can I use Everything for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Everything best used for?
Everything is most often used for finding a file by name instantly instead of waiting on windows search, locating duplicates and stray files across large drives, navigating a machine with hundreds of thousands of files. Of those, finding a file by name instantly instead of waiting on windows search and locating duplicates and stray files across large drives are not what Kap is typically brought in for.
What can Everything do that Kap cannot?
Everything covers Instant results, MFT-based indexing, Tiny footprint, Regex and filters. Kap covers Multi-format export, Area, window or display capture, Plugin system, Basic trimming.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Everything: Is Everything free?

Yes, free to use with donations accepted.

Kap: Is Kap free?

Yes, entirely. It is open source under the MIT licence with no paid tier.

Everything: Why is it so much faster than Windows Search?

It reads the NTFS Master File Table directly instead of crawling the filesystem, so indexing a whole volume takes seconds.

Kap: Does Kap do screenshots or only video?

It is focused on video and GIF recording. For still screenshots with annotation, pair it with Shottr or CleanShot X.

Everything: Can it search inside files?

Only in a limited way. It is built for filename search, and full content search is not what it is for.

Kap: Can Kap export directly to GIF?

Yes, GIF is one of its native export formats alongside MP4, WebM and Apple device frames.

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