Casablanca

What is Casablanca?

Casablanca, sold as Casablanca.AI, is desktop software that uses AI to redirect your gaze on video calls so you appear to look into the camera. It runs as a virtual webcam between your real camera and your meeting app.

The problem it targets is simple. On a call you look at the faces on screen, not at the lens, so other people see you looking slightly away. Casablanca adjusts the eyes and, according to one directory, the head position in real time, making the image look as if the camera sat in the middle of your screen.

Casablanca.AI GmbH was founded in Pforzheim, Germany, in 2020 by Carsten Kraus and appeared on the German TV show Die Höhle der Löwen. In October 2025 the Pforzheim local court appointed a provisional insolvency administrator, who began searching for investors. The website still offers a free trial in October 2026, but its footer now names Brainbox GmbH as operator, and we could not confirm how the two companies are related.

Key Features

Casablanca’s core feature is real-time gaze correction delivered as a virtual camera, which means it works with almost any meeting app without plug-ins.

• Gaze correction: The software shifts your eyes so they appear to meet the viewer through the lens. It preserves natural head and eye movement, so you still look around normally instead of staring rigidly.
• Virtual camera: Casablanca installs a device named Casablanca Virtual Camera. You select it in Zoom, Teams, Google Meet, Webex, Zoho or OBS Studio in the same way as any other webcam.
• Two eye contact modes: Natural mode keeps your real gaze direction for conversation, while Presentation mode suppresses sideways eye movement. Pressing E switches between them, which helps when you read slides aloud.
• Calibration: A short calibration, started with the C key, sets where your eyes should land. You centre your gaze and fine-tune the eye position with the mouse until the result looks direct.
• Teleprompter and capture: An advanced mode adds a teleprompter, opened with the W key, for scripted talks. The app can also save photos with S and record video with R for later use.
• Local processing: All image data is processed on your own computer, using its graphics hardware rather than a cloud server. The company says it does not see your meetings at all.

Pros

The main reason to choose Casablanca is natural-looking eye contact in any desktop meeting app, processed privately on your own machine.

• Works almost everywhere: Because it presents itself as a webcam, any app with a camera picker can use it. You do not need separate plug-ins for Zoom, Teams, Meet or Webex.
• Privacy by design: Video never leaves your computer for processing, according to the official site. That suits confidential calls in sales, recruitment or healthcare settings where cloud video processing is a concern.
• Helps presenters: Presentation mode and the built-in teleprompter let you read notes while appearing to face the audience. Webinar hosts and trainers gain the most from this pairing.
• Quick to start: Set-up takes three steps: sign in, calibrate and pick the virtual camera. A free trial is offered on the website, so you can test the effect before committing.
• Mac and Windows support: The software runs on Apple M1 Macs or newer and on recent Windows laptops. Teams with mixed hardware can use the same tool across both platforms.

Cons

The biggest drawback of Casablanca is uncertainty, because its original developer entered provisional insolvency in October 2025 and its long-term support is unclear.

• Uncertain future: The insolvency administrator was still seeking investors in late 2025, and the site now names a different operator. Updates and support may not continue, so avoid long prepaid commitments.
• Unclear pricing: The official pricing page only shows an Enterprise offer on request. Individual plans listed by older directories could not be confirmed, which makes budgeting difficult.
• Hardware demands: Windows users need at least Intel Iris Xe graphics, an AMD Ryzen 7640HS, a Radeon RX 5600M or a GTX 1650. Older office laptops may not run it smoothly.
• Free rivals exist: NVIDIA Broadcast, Windows Studio Effects and Apple’s FaceTime eye contact setting offer similar effects at no extra cost on supported devices. Check your existing hardware and software before paying for a licence.
• Uncanny results possible: Any gaze correction can look odd with glasses, poor lighting or sharp camera angles. Test a private recording before important calls and adjust your set-up if needed.

Who is Using Casablanca?

Casablanca is aimed at professionals whose work depends on building trust over video, such as sales staff, recruiters and presenters.

• Sales teams: Account managers use it on discovery and closing calls. Direct eye contact helps them build rapport with prospects they never meet in person.
• Recruiters: Interviewers on back-to-back video calls use it to appear attentive. Candidates see a more engaged interviewer even while notes are being taken.
• Coaches and consultants: Professionals who rely on personal connection use it in client sessions. Steady eye contact makes remote advice feel more personal.
• Presenters and trainers: Webinar hosts pair Presentation mode with the teleprompter. They read scripted material while still appearing to face their audience.

Pricing

Casablanca’s official pricing page lists only an Enterprise offer on request, plus a free trial for testing (official site, checked October 2026).

Directory prices may be out of date, as most were published before the insolvency news and the change of operator.

Disclaimer: given the company’s situation, avoid long prepaid licences until its future is clear.

What Makes Casablanca Unique?

Casablanca works at the camera level on both Mac and Windows, so one eye contact effect follows you into every meeting app. Built-in rivals tend to be tied to one ecosystem, such as NVIDIA graphics cards, Copilot+ laptops or Apple’s own apps.

Its Presentation mode and teleprompter also go further than most free eye contact effects, which simply redirect the gaze. The combination suits people who read scripts on camera, although its narrow focus and uncertain ownership weigh against it.

Compatibilities and Integrations

Casablanca is compatible with any desktop app that lets you choose a camera, and the official site names six of them.

• Operating systems: Windows and macOS are supported. Macs need an Apple M1 chip or newer.
• Meeting apps: Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, Webex, Zoho and OBS Studio are named on the official site. Other camera-based apps should also work.
• Hardware: On Windows the minimum is Intel Iris Xe graphics or an AMD Ryzen 7640HS chip. Dedicated options include a Radeon RX 5600M or GTX 1650.
• Data: Photos and video recordings can be saved locally. No API or cloud export features were found.

Casablanca Tutorials

Set-up takes about six steps and follows the official how-to guide.

1. Confirm the software is still available and that your computer meets the hardware requirements.
2. Download Casablanca and sign in, or choose the free trial option.
3. Press C to calibrate, centre your gaze and adjust the eye position with the mouse.
4. Press E to choose Natural or Presentation mode.
5. In your meeting app, select Casablanca Virtual Camera in the video settings.
6. Test a private call and adjust lighting or camera position if the effect looks odd.

How We Rated It

Casablanca scores 3.1 out of 5, with a useful eye contact effect let down by insolvency doubts and unclear pricing.

Summary

Casablanca suits people who spend long hours on video calls and want more natural eye contact across any meeting app. The main limitation is uncertainty, since its developer entered provisional insolvency in 2025 and only enterprise pricing is shown. Local processing and Presentation mode are genuine strengths for presenters and privacy-conscious teams. Before paying, check whether your webcam, laptop or operating system already includes a free eye contact feature, and use the trial first.