Free privacy-first webcam studio built for the modern web.

CamDesk is a free, open-source webcam studio built with modern web technologies.

Take photos, record videos, use Picture-in-Picture, switch cameras, mirror your feed, and install CamDesk like a native app on desktop or mobile — all directly from your browser.

CamDesk is designed to be:

• lightweight
• privacy-first
• offline capable
• cross-platform
• easy to use

No accounts. No uploads. No tracking. Just your camera and your device.

• ✅ Photo capture
• ✅ Video recording
• ✅ Picture-in-Picture (PiP)
• ✅ Webcam switching
• ✅ Resolution controls (Auto, 720p, 1080p)
• ✅ Mirror mode
• ✅ Fullscreen support
• ✅ Session gallery
• ✅ Share API support
• ✅ Download captures
• ✅ Installable PWA
• ✅ Offline support
• ✅ Privacy-first architecture
• ✅ No accounts
• ✅ No uploads
• ✅ No tracking
• ✅ Open source

CamDesk has been completely rebuilt from scratch as a modern Progressive Web App (PWA).

The web app is now the primary and recommended version because it allows:

• one codebase across all devices
• faster updates
• easier maintenance
• offline support
• native-like installation on desktop and mobile

You can install CamDesk directly from your browser on:

• Windows
• macOS
• Linux
• Android
• ChromeOS
• iPhone/iPad

➡️ Open CamDesk

CamDesk runs entirely in your browser.

That means:

• ✅ No cloud uploads
• ✅ No backend
• ✅ No analytics
• ✅ No tracking
• ✅ No telemetry
• ✅ No accounts required

Your photos and recordings stay on your device.

CamDesk uses modern browser APIs and lightweight open-source tools:

• Alpine.js
• Tailwind CSS
• MediaRecorder API
• WebRTC / getUserMedia
• Picture-in-Picture API
• Web Share API
• Service Workers
• Progressive Web App APIs

Clone the repository:

git clone https://github.com/michaelsboost/CamDesk.git
cd CamDesk

Start a local server:

python3 -m http.server 8000

Then open:

http://localhost:8000

The original desktop versions are over 10 years old and are no longer actively maintained, but they're still available if you want to use them for archival or personal reasons.

⚠️ Note: These legacy versions are not recommended for daily use. Use the modern PWA instead.

Pull requests, ideas, improvements, and bug fixes are always welcome.

Things you can help improve:

• UI/UX
• device compatibility
• accessibility
• mobile experience
• recording features
• browser API support
• offline functionality

To contribute:

git fork
git clone your-fork-url

Make your changes and submit a pull request.

CamDesk has been featured by:

• OMG! Ubuntu
• MakeUseOf
• IGRSM Conference

If CamDesk has been useful to you, consider supporting the project:

• ⭐ Star the repository
• 📢 Share CamDesk with others
• 💸 Donate: michaelsboost.com/donate

CamDesk is open-source software licensed under the MIT License.

See: LICENSE

Michael Schwartz michaelsboost.com