Snap Camera Alternative
Snap Camera is gone.
Filterbloom picks up where it left off.
Snap Inc. shut down Snap Camera in January 2023, leaving creators without desktop access to Snapchat's AR lenses. Filterbloom brings those lenses back — not for your webcam, but for your recorded video.
What happened to Snap Camera?
Snap Camera was a free desktop app from Snap Inc. that let you apply Snapchat AR lenses to your webcam feed. Streamers, remote workers, and content creators used it to add face filters to Zoom calls, Twitch streams, and video recordings.
In January 2023, Snap permanently discontinued Snap Camera. The app can no longer be downloaded, and existing installations stopped working. If you're searching for a "Snap Camera replacement" or "Snap Camera alternative," you're not alone — thousands of creators lost access to their favorite AR filters overnight.
Why Filterbloom is the best Snap Camera alternative
Filterbloom is a desktop app for Mac and Windows that uses the official Snap Camera Kit SDK — the same AR engine that powered Snap Camera. That means you get access to the same catalog of high-quality lenses, running natively on your machine.
But Filterbloom isn't a 1:1 clone. Instead of applying lenses to a live webcam feed, Filterbloom is designed for recorded video. Import any video clip, pick a lens, preview the before-and-after side by side, and export an MP4 with audio.
Filterbloom vs Snap Camera: quick comparison
| Snap Camera | Filterbloom | |
|---|---|---|
| Status | Discontinued (Jan 2023) | Active & maintained |
| AR engine | Snap Lens Studio | Snap Camera Kit SDK |
| Input | Live webcam only | Any recorded video file |
| Filter count | Community-submitted | 300+ curated AR filters |
| Preview | Live only | Side-by-side comparison |
| Export | No export (virtual camera) | MP4 with audio |
| Privacy | Cloud processing | 100% on-device |
| Platforms | Mac & Windows | Mac (Apple Silicon) & Windows |
What you can do with Filterbloom
Face filters & beauty
Smooth skin, reshape features, add makeup — the same beauty lenses creators loved in Snap Camera, now for recorded clips.
Art styles & color grades
Turn your footage into anime, oil paintings, or cinematic color grades. No After Effects or Premiere plugins needed.
Green screens & overlays
Replace backgrounds, add particle effects, or layer overlays — all rendered in real time as you preview.
VTubing avatars
Apply full face-tracking VTube avatars to your recorded video. Great for YouTube Shorts, TikTok, and Reels.
Who uses Filterbloom?
- TikTok & YouTube Shorts creators who want AR face filters without learning After Effects
- Streamers who record clips and want to add effects in post-production
- Video editors looking for a fast alternative to manual VFX for beauty retouching
- Former Snap Camera users who miss having desktop access to Snapchat AR lenses
Frequently asked questions
What happened to Snap Camera?
Snap Inc. discontinued Snap Camera in January 2023. The desktop app that let you use Snapchat lenses on webcam feeds is no longer available for download or use.
Can I still use Snapchat lenses on my desktop?
Yes. Filterbloom uses the Snap Camera Kit SDK to bring 300+ AR lenses to your desktop. Instead of applying them to a live webcam, Filterbloom lets you apply them to any recorded video file.
Does Filterbloom work with recorded video or just live webcam?
Filterbloom is designed specifically for recorded video. You import an MP4 or video file, preview the filter side-by-side, and export the final result with audio.
Is Filterbloom free?
Filterbloom is free to start. You can preview any filter on your video at no cost. Exporting requires a paid plan.
What platforms does Filterbloom support?
Filterbloom runs natively on macOS (including Apple Silicon) and Windows.
Ready to replace Snap Camera?
Download Filterbloom for free and start adding AR filters to your videos today.
Mac & Windows · No account required · Free to start