Celluloid
Celluloid is a macOS app that turns a webcam feed into a virtual camera for video conferencing apps.
What Celluloid is
Celluloid is a macOS app that turns a webcam feed into a virtual camera for video conferencing apps. It applies filters in real time and offers controls for brightness, contrast, saturation, exposure, color temperature and sharpness. Built-in options include Noir, Chrome, Fade, Instant, Mono, Process, Tonal, Transfer and Black Mist. Digital zoom ranges from 1.0x to 4.0x, with a movable crop window for shifting the view. Filter choice, adjustments, zoom and crop position are saved between sessions. The camera runs only while the preview is open or another app is using the virtual camera. Listed destinations include Zoom, Google Meet, FaceTime, Photo Booth and other apps that support camera input. Celluloid requires macOS 15.0 or later and camera access permission. It is MIT-licensed and free. To set it up, the README instructs users to build the Release configuration in Xcode, launch the app, approve the system extension and select “Celluloid Camera” in their video app. Open issue reports include high battery use and unresponsiveness if a selected camera becomes unavailable.
Good
- Offers nine built-in filters
- Includes brightness, exposure and sharpness controls
- Zoom ranges from 1.0x to 4.0x
- Remembers settings between sessions
- Free and MIT-licensed
Watch out
- Requires macOS 15.0 or later
- Setup requires building in Xcode
- Open reports cite high battery use
- May become unresponsive if the selected camera is unavailable
Who it suits
Celluloid suits Mac users who want to apply webcam filters and image adjustments before sending video to conferencing apps. It requires macOS 15.0 or later and a build in Xcode.
Verdict
Celluloid combines live webcam looks, image controls and adjustable framing in a free macOS virtual camera. Be prepared for Xcode setup and note the reported battery and camera-availability issues.
Plans and prices
From Celluloid's own pricing page, checked 11 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free | MIT-licensed · macOS 15.0 or later · build from source with Xcode |
The facts
Each one read from Celluloid's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Camera behavior
- The camera runs only while the preview is open or an external app is using the virtual camera.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Filters
- Built-in filters include Noir, Chrome, Fade, Instant, Mono, Process, Tonal, Transfer, and Black Mist.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Framing
- Digital zoom ranges from 1.0x to 4.0x and includes a movable crop window for panning the view.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Image controls
- The app provides brightness, contrast, saturation, exposure, color temperature, and sharpness adjustments.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Installation
- The README instructs users to build the Release configuration in Xcode, launch the app, approve the system extension, and select “Celluloid Camera” in their video app.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The project lists Zoom, Google Meet, FaceTime, Photo Booth, and any app that supports camera input as compatible destinations.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Latest release
- The releases page lists Celluloid v1.3.0 with a vignette slider, Launch at Login, performance improvements, and clearer virtual camera setup guidance.checked 11 Oct 2026
- License
- The repository is MIT licensed.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Celluloid captures a webcam feed, applies real-time filters, and outputs it as a virtual camera for video conferencing apps.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Settings
- Adjustments, filter selection, zoom, and crop position are saved between sessions.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Support and known issues
- The GitHub repository has an issues page, where open reports include high battery use and the app becoming unresponsive when a selected camera becomes unavailable.checked 11 Oct 2026
- System requirements
- Celluloid requires macOS 15.0 or later and camera access permission.checked 11 Oct 2026
The company
- Maker
- The README credits Jake Spurlock and says the app was made in California.checked 11 Oct 2026
Alternatives to Celluloid
- 1
Infuse
Free planiOSmacOS7.4From $16.99 a year - 2
RealPlayer
Free planAndroidiOSmacOSWindows7.4From $4.99 a month - 3
ALLPlayer
Free planAndroidiOSWindows7.1$1.40 one-time - 4
mpv
Free planAndroidAPILinuxmacOS7.1Free plan - 5
Flowplayer
AndroidiOSWebAPI7.0$99 one-time - 6
Dragon Player
Free planOpen sourceLinux6.9Free plan